Dominican Republic Things to See

There is a Taino Village which reconstructs the culture and folklore of the original inhabitants of Dominican Republic. One can visit with and touch the iguanas, flamingos, tropical birds, snakes, crabs, sea lions and more..

Manati Park, in collaboration with various National and International Institutions, develops educational, research and reproduction programs on the indigenous species of the Dominican Republic that are in danger of extinction

Manatí Park Bávaro

Ctra. Manatí, s/n, Bávaro/Higüey

Contact::809-221-9444 or 809-552- 6100 Fax: 809-221-9282

Hours: 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. http://www.manatipark.com/

National Park Zoo/ Parque Zoologico Nacional Manuel Valverde Podestá (ZOODOM)

National Zoological Park

Loacted on Avenida de la Vega Real, Arroyo Hondo. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Contact: 809-378-2149 http://www.zoodom.gov.do/index.html

(Take the virtual tour /tour virtual on the web site)

Hours: 9 to 5 (closed Mondays except for special holidays)

Entrance Fee: as of 3/06 it is Residents: RD$50 (RD$30 for children) Visitors: US$5 (US$3 for children) All prices are listed here: http://www.zoodom.gov.do/generales/horario.html

This includes the train to take people around the park that usually leaves every twenty minutes.

*Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and drink plenty of water. Take your time as many of the enclosures are large and it may take a bit of time to catch a glimpse of some of the animals in their habitats.

The Zoo was officially inaugurated on July, 5 1975. They substitute the traditional behind bars, cages type of zoo with a vast environment of semi freedom and great beauty. Here the animals are able to live in areas that closely resemble their natural habitats.This spacious park has 1,250,000 square meters of land and 8 kilometers of roads. It is a refuge for a variety of animals including native and migratory animals of the country. There is an Educational Area, a Great Plain area, Serpent Area, Event Area, Pony Ride Area (where children eight years and under can take a ride), Large Birdhouse, and other areas as well. There is also a picnic area for families to enjoy.This ecological reserve's main objectives include the conservation of animal wildlife, research, and education.

There are about 200 different species of animals in the zoo. Some of the animals at the park include: Anaconda/ anaconda, Albino Python from India/ el pitón indio albino, Boa/ la boa de la Hispaniola, Antelopes/ los antílopes, Asian Water Buffalo/ los búfalos de agua o asiáticos, Zebras/ las cebras, Parrots/ cotorras, Rhinos/ rinocerontes and much more amazing living creatures to behold.

*The newest attraction added in 2006 are two American black bears/ osos negros americanos..

Park of Three Eyes of Water/Parque Los Tres Ojos de Agua

Daily 8am-5pm

This park is an amazing cave complex that has 4 underground lagoons. Yes, it is called 3 eyes of water because the last lake was discovered after the place already had it's name and they didn't change it. The beautiful turquoise waters are so transparent due to the sodium and calcium carbonate that comes from an underground river,called Brujuelas, that flows through a very impressive cave. This is a beautiful place to see. You may recognize the location as several Tarzan movies have been filmed here. As you come upon the setting it looks as if there is nothing there. There are stone steps that decent deep into the earth. Then you see it. Far down into the earth, it is a dizzying effect. The water is so clear. I even saw a craw fish that was the strangest blue color I have ever seen walking along the bottom of one of the lakes. After your to the bottom and look up from one of the lagoons you can almost picture Tarzan diving from the top of the cliff like side. Then you mount a small raft type boat and take a ride into the cave.

* It is cold so remember to take a light jacket with you. Also I would suggest wearing non-slip soled shoes. The floor is damp.

This is a must see. (picture-new window)

Hard to believe this place is only about a 10 minute drive from the center of the city of Santo Domingo along the Las Américas Highway across from the eastern border of Parque Mirador del Este

Acuario Nacional de la República Dominicana/National Aquarium

Directions: Avenida España # 75, Sans Soucí (located in the Los Mameyes area), Santo Domingo

Contact: 809-766-1709

Hours: 9:30AM to 5:30PM Tuesday thru Sunday

Opened in 1990, the National Aquarium has a modern, open-air design. Located just a short drive out of the city it overlooks the Caribbean. There are roughly 3,000 live specimens of 250 species of marine life. Included are giant turtles living in their natural habitat and glass-enclosed exhibits where sharks can be closely observed. There is also a display tank with a tunnel-like walkway right through the center permitting visitors to observe the fish from all sides.There are lectures and guided tours every day, most are in Spanish.

Mount Isabel de Torres Cable Car This mountain that looms high above Puerto Plata has a cable car ride to it's top. The ride can be a little frightening but once you have reached the top the view is breathtaking. Depending on the weather and cloud cover one can see the whole town of Puerta Plata. As you ride up this cable car you will enter the clouds as you rise to the top of this mountain. Once you have reached the top there is a beautiful garden. It will feel like you are entering heaven. It is cooler up on top than it is below. The main problem, as with many of the tourist attractions here, are the tour guides that hound you to pay for their services. Don't be fooled, you don't necessarily need their services in this spot. You decide to use them fine, but don't let them pressure you into using their services.

The Mirabal Sisters Museum/Museo Here can be seen where the Mirabal girls lived. Their personal belongings and collections. And the items that were with them on that fateful day 3 of them were murdered. To learn more of the museum and the Mirabal Sisters check out our page about these 3 sisters and the 4th sister that has been keeping their memory alive.

Contact: 809- 577-2704

Directions: Km 1, Carretera Salcedo Tenares, Conuco, Salcedo, Dominican Republic