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Undiscovered Delights Await in Bani, Barahona and Beyond
While visitors to the Dominican Republic
continue to flock to the more popular destinations, the island
still has much more to offer. Travelers looking for the
undiscovered part of the island have a lot in store for them
as the discoveries that await them off the beaten path are
just as amazing as the perennial tourism favorites. From
practically empty beaches to diverse ecological zones housing
large animal populations, these lesser-known areas are hidden
gems worth discovering. Here are some highlights of the
southwest:
Bani
West of Santo Domingo life in the Dominican Republic gets a
bit slower and more rustic. Residents will wave at each
newcomer with a heartfelt smile, as major tourism has yet to
truly expand here. Highlights of this region include the Bani
Dunes, 10 square miles of yellow sand where sandboarding
(a bit like snowboarding) has become a popular new sport, and
the Dominican Coffee Museum for true java lovers.
Barahona
This port city, a three-hour drive west of Santo Domingo,
has its own airport, Maria Montez International Airport, and
offers dramatic blend of majestic mountains and gorgeous rocky
beaches. A working town with a vigorous nightlife, Barahona is
a simple town with untapped beauty. Many of the beaches,
including Quemaito, San Rafael and Paraiso, are
virtually deserted and ideal for naturalists and travelers
looking for something different. San Rafael, for example,
offers a natural infinity swimming pool with water slowly
trickling into the sea while the pool itself is filled by a
waterfall. Los Patos Beach is popular with surfers.
Visitors looking for a truly secluded, pristine beach can take
an excursion to Bahia de las Aguilas Beach, about 90
minutes south of Barahona.
Parks in the Southwest
The national parks located in the southwest section of the
island offer different sides of the Dominican Republic that
most tourists don't get to experience. The arid Parque
Nacional Jaragua, for example, is the largest protected
area of the country at 600 square miles and a must-see for
bird lovers. In this park, a six-mile saltwater lagoon is home
to a large flamingo population all year round as well as more
than 130 other species. Pelempito Hole, about a mile
above sea level and 2,300 feet deep, is a highlight of a visit
to Bahoruco Sierra National Park.
Near the Haitian border, visitors will come upon Lake
Enriguillo, situated 150 feet below sea level. Not only is
this the lowest point in the Caribbean as well as the largest
saltwater lake, the lake is also home to many American
crocodiles, flamingos and other birds. Visitors can travel
from the village of La Descubierta to a small isle in
the middle of the lake, Isla Cabritos, to see the
massive rhinoceros iguanas.
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