This 13 mile long lake(aproximatiley 300 km²) is in an out of the way area in the southwest,western part of the Hoya de Enriquillo, very near to the Haitian border.  It is the lowest point in the entire Antilles, 114 feet below sea level . Lake Enriquillo is 3 times saltier than the ocean. It is a great spot to see crocodile (Caimans), flamingo, and iguanas. (see some pictures of this lake)

The Isla Cabritos National Park/Little Goats Island is in Lago Enriquillo. This island has a very unique habitat. The original vegetation that once grew on this small island was lost to the goats and cattle that once grazed there. Also due to the collection of timber. Now the park has present a large population of wildlife. The turn around is amazing to behold. The new vegetation includes 106 species of plants, and 10 types of cactus. The area also boasts a large crocodile-caiman population. An endemic species of iguana along with other species of reptile populate the island. There are 62 different species of birds that have also been identified: five aquatic, 16 shore, and 41 land birds. 45 of these species are native to the island. Some of the birds included are the manuelito, the great hummingbird , the querebebé (which is best heard at sun down), and the cu-cú ( which sings at dawn and dusk, and nests in an excavated hole in the desert.

Directions: Border of Haiti, Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic is becoming more conscious of the environment and they have put forth laws to protect it. These areas are protected by the government: scientific research, sanctuaries, national parks, protected areas, natural monuments, wilderness's

The Dominican Republic has an important number of sites which include 16 national parks, nine natural monuments and six scientific reserves, for a total of 67 protected areas that include panoramic routes, recreational areas and ecological corridors, all of which are under the direct supervision and control of the Dirección Nacional de Parques (the National Parks Office).

The pine forests on the mountains of the Cordillera Central (aerial picture-new window) are the only remaining extensive forest in the country, because two-thirds of the virgin forest have been destroyed since the discovery of the island by Columbus. The protection of these parks has controlled the complete disappearance of the forests that was  predicted to happen in the 1990's.

A study has found that tourist-oriented activities do not give the proper importance to environmental concerns, and that uncontrolled visits by hundreds of people greatly disrupt the internal micro-climates and the bat population. Likewise, motorboats contribute to spoil the beach areas with fuel and lubricants that affect the habitat of manatees, dolphins, turtles and iguanas and pollute the waters.

So please, when you are on our beautiful island try and respect the environment. Even if those around you do not seem to care. We want to preserve the habitat for future generations to enjoy.

Los Haitises

Nothing can compare to this coastal region. This area has  mangrove swamps. Strange rock formations emerging from the sea (mogotes). Many caves one of which is Cueva del Angel, a cave with many birds. A humid tropical forest. It is a beautiful spot frequented by Dominicans and tourists alike for its exquisite natural beauty.

Directions: the southern coast of the Bay of Samaná

Parque Nacional del Este (which includes Isla Soana)

Located in the southeastern part of the Dominican Republic, this park has become a symbol of the challenges of trying to safeguard ecosystems against development. The area consists of 190,267 acres of tropical forests, abundant caves (with samples of pre-Columbian Taino art on the walls), streams, coral reefs, remote beaches, lush vegetation and limestone bedrock. Significant features include the areas frigate bird and manatee populations. Known for being the habitat of the now scarce paloma coronita (crowned, or white-headed dove), the rhinoceros iguana and several turtle species.

Directions: On the peninsula south of San Rafael del Yuma.

Adopt a Reef in Parque de Este

The  Northwest area contains marine and land ecosystems, a coastal lagoon (Laguna de Saladillo) dry subtropical forest and Cayos Siete Hermanos (the Seven Brother Keys). The Southwest area  Sierra de Bahoruco has an important mountain range, is a forested highland with 52% of the orchids found in the entire Dominican Republic along with many species of birds. Also here is the Southern most tip of Barahona, The Jaragua  National Park (mostly dry forest), which includes Isla Beata (Beata Island).

Directions: on the Haitian border

The Scientific Reserves

encompass lakes, patches of forest and Banco de la Plata where every year humpback whales migrate from the Arctic to spawn their young.

In 1996, President Balaguer created new protected areas that are now off-limits for hotel or housing construction. National parks were established in Lago Enriquillo (more about Lago Enriquillo). Bahía de Calderas is now a national monument created to protect the ecosystem in the dunes of Las Salinas, the largest sand dunes in the Caribbean. Bahía de Luperón in Puerto Plata and Cascada del Limón in Samaná are also national monuments. Laguna Rincón in the East is has become a protected wildlife area which also has the anthropological reserve of las Cuevas de las Maravillas (more info about the cave). Boca de Soco, which runs 15 km along the San Pedro de Macorís road on the way to La Romana where several panoramic roads were created along scenic routes. El Puerto , Guaigui, Playa AndrÈs, Boca Chica (more about Boca Chica) and Cayo Levantado are designated national recreation areas.

Dirección Nacional de Parques (DNP)

A visit to forest reserves requires a permit from the DNP or from the authorized administration office at each park. The cost of the permit is about RD$50 (could be more money now), which does not cover the boat fare for visits to Los Haitises or Isla Cabritos. A DNP publication, Sistema de áreas protegidas de República Dominicana, describes each park and gives details on how to reach it (about $12 US )

Contact: 809-472-4204/4104   E-Mail:        DNP@codetel.net.do

Directions: Avenida Máximo Gómez, Santo Domingo

in San Cristóbal was extended in 1996 to protect the El Pomier caves threatened by limestone quarrying. These caves have an enormous archaeological value, with over 4,000 wall paintings and 5,000 rock drawings. The 590 pictograms in the first cave are ranked as the most important cave painting site in the Caribbean region. The cost of admission is RD$5.

The gardens were founded in 1976 and the park was named in honor of Dr. Rafael M. Moscoso. He was a Dominican botanist who catalogued the flora in the island of Hispanola in 1943. The garden includes 67 types and 300 species of orchids found on this part of the island of Hispanola along with a number of gardens that specialize in their cultivation. The garden covers an area of 500 acres and has many trails and roadways so visitors can roam free and enjoy the riches of the Dominican Republic's tropical flora. The most popular flowers here are Oncidium henekenii, Polyradicium lindenii and Leonchilus labiatus. The Botanical Garden holds an annual orchid show.  Caoba (mahogany) (picture of the flower) is the national plant. There also are wide varieties of palms, some of which grow only on our island of  Hispanola.

There are different areas inside the gardens (here is an interactive map of the garden). Just touch on the number and it will tell you what it is) some of which are, Reloj Floral/Floral Clock, Jardín Japonés/ Japanese Garden, Herbolario/ Herb Garden, Plantas Endémicas/ Endemic Plants and of course La Plaza Central/Central Plaza.

Contact: 809-385-0860  http://www.jbn-sdq.org/frameset.htm

Directions: Av. de los Próceres (to see their map), Santo Domingo

The Dominican Republic has become a popular bird watching destination. The national bird is the cotica parrot, which is green, very talkative and a popular pet though now subject to protection. Other birds seen include several types of parrots, hummingbirds, the guaraguao (a hawk), barrancolí and the flautero. Mammals on the island include the hutia, an endangered, endemic rodent (more info. on the hutia), the also endangered manatee (more info.on the manatee) whose habitat is located in Estero Hondo.

This is a story about some ancient cave drawings that were found and are at risk.

This National Geographic site has some interesting environmental facts on Dominican Republic. We want to preserve our Island for future generations.

Did you know there are some 5,600 plant species, 20 land mammal species and 303 bird species that are found in Dominican Republic. To learn more about this and about what The Nature Conservancy is doing to help protect some of our diverse, wonderful island please check out their web site.

*Did you know that there are more than 200 caves in the Dominican Republic's Parque Nacional del Este and many are decorated with pre-Columbian pictographs of the Taino people.

*Did you know that the waters and lands of the Caribbean Islands provide habitat for six of the world's seven turtle species and 14 percent of the world's coral reefs.

List of Parks and Reserves | Lake Enriquillo/ Lago Enriquillo and The Isla Cabritos National Park/ Little Goats Island | Montecristi National Park | Dirección Nacional de Parques (DNP) | The Scientific Reserves | Los Haitises | Parque Nacional del Este | The Anthropological Reserve of Cuevas de Borbón | Jardin Botanico Nacional/ The National Botanical Garden | Cordillera Central Mountain Range Pine forests (Park Armando Bermúdez and José del Carmen Ramírez) |

There are a few pictures of the Botanical Gardens in our picture pages(new window)

Park Armando Bermúdez and José del Carmen Ramírez, the pine forests on the Cordillera Central mountain range (see picture of these mountains) These are the only extensive forest areas left in Dominican Republic. Fire and the small land holdings have resulted in the loss of many of the islands virgin forests. We hope that the effort of protecting these parks will turn back the clock and give them a chance. A pilot reforestation project was started near San José de las Matas, under Plan Sierra to add to this effort. With these and other plans being created we hope to divert the complete loss of our forest areas for generations to come.

National Park in Dominican Republic    Armando Bermúdez, Cabo Francés Viejo, Cueva de las Maravillas (more info about the cave), Del Este, El Choco, Estero Hondo, Isla Cabritos, Jaragua, José del Carmen Ramírez, Juan Pablo Duarte, Julio Cicero M., La Caleta, La Gran Laguna, La Isabela, La Vega Vieja, Lago Enriquillo (more info and pictures), Laguna de Cabral o Rincón, Lagunas Bavaro y Caletan, Litoral Norte de Puerto Plata, Litoral Sur de Santo Domingo, Loma Guaconejo, Los Haitises, Montana La Humeadora, Monte Cristi, Nalga de Maco, Parque Submarino La Caleta, Sierra de Bahoruco, Sierra de Martin Garcia, Sierra de Neiba

Natural Monuments in Dominican Republic    Bahía Maimón, Donald y Annabelle Dod, Dunas de las Calderas, Las Caobas

Natural and Scientific Reserves in Dominican Republic    Isabel de Torres, Lagunas Redonda y Limón, Valle Nuevo (see a picture), Isla Catalina,Villa Elisa (Dr Orlando Cruz Franco)

Protected Lands in Dominican Republic    Carretera Barahona-Enriquillo, Cinturón Verde de Santo Domingo, Idelisa Bonnelly de Calventy, Luis Ariza Julia, Sur de Santo Domingo

Strict Nature Reserve in Dominican Republic    Ebano Verde, Quita Espuela

Whale Sanctuary in Dominican Republic    Banco de la Plata

Other Area in Dominican Republic    Bahoruco Oriental, Cabo Engaño, Casabito, Costa del Este, Cruz Verde, Jaiqui picado, Lagunas Cabarette y Goleta, Las Dunas de Baní, Loma Barbacoa, Loma Diego de Ocampo, Loma la Herradura, Playa Chiquita de Azua (Costa Sur), Rio Comate/ Rio Comatillo (Bayaguana), Yuvita

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