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| Dominican Republic National Parks |
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There are 16 National Parks in the Dominican Republic: Parque Nacional Armando Bermudez and Parque Nacional Jose del Carmen RamirezThese two parks are adjacent to one another, Armando Bermudez covering the north of the Cordillera Central (Central Mountain Range), with Jose del Carmen Ramirez extending to the south, and between the two cover nearly all of the central mountain area. This was the first national park established in the Dominican Republic in 1956, and is host to the highest peak in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte, at an elevation of 3,175 meters (10,414 feet). Climbing Pico Duarte is one of many popular great eco-adventure tours available on the island (see our section on adventure tours). The other three highest mountains in all of the Caribbean are also located here – La Pelona (3,087 meters), La Rucilla (3,049 meters), and Pico Yaque (2,760 meters). With an estimated average annual rainfall of between 2 to 4 meters (8 to 13 feet!) these two parks are also the source of 12 of the country’s most important rivers, including the two largest, the Rio Yaque del Norte and RioYaque del Sur. Two damns that supply hydroelectric to the Cibao Central (including the city of Santiago), and areas to the northeast are also located in the region. Average temperatures in the region range between 12 and 18 degrees celsius (53 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit) and the vegetation is classified as subtropical rainforest. The vegetation is extremely diverse and changes with the altitude, ranging from juniper, wild tamarind, mountain wild olive, West Indian cedar in the lower areas, to ferns, palms, and pine trees in the upper regions. Birdwatchers will be delighted to encounter the varied birdlife in the park, such as the Hispaniolan parrot (Amazona ventrallis), Green-tailed warbler (Microligea palustris), Antillean siskin (Carduelis dominicensis), Hispaniolan woodpecker (Melanerpes striatus), Palm chat (Dulus dominicus), plus many others, all of which are endemic to the island. The Palm chat – Cigua palmera in Spanish - is the national bird. Parque Nacional del EsteEncompassing approximately 400 square kilometers in the southeast corner of the Dominican Republic and including Isla Saona, this dry, flat terrain is home to a variety of plant life, many of which are endemic to the country, along with over 100 species of birds. There are several caves in the park which contain pre-Columbian pictographs and petrographs but three that are worth a visit if you have the time and energy for the hike it will take to get to them. They are Penon Gordo, Cueva del Puente, and Cueva Jose Maria, and are good for exploring to view Taino pictographs and the stalagmites and stalactites. A good flashlight and boots are definitely needed for those adventuring to these areas. Worth a mention though not yet open to the public is the recently discovered remains of a Taino settlement referred to as La Aleta. Located far into the park and only accessible by helicopter, a team of archaeologists from the United States believe this was the site of the reported 1503 massacre of approximately 7000 Tainos by the Spaniards.  Isla Saona is popular for its powdery white-sand beaches and crystal turquoise waters. There are only a few inhabitants (around 300) which reside in two small fishing villages, and further settlement on the island is prohibited. The island is approximately 100 square kilometers and you will find a large species of birdlife there and in the surrounding mangrove swamps and lagoons, many of which are endemic to the island. Parque Nacional El Morro de Monte CristoBordering Haiti and stretching over 500 square kilometers this park consists of subtropical dry forest, the Los Cayos de los Siete Hermanos (the Seven Brothers Cays) many coastal lagoons with dense mangroves, and the 700 foot El Morro, a limestone mesa towering above a lovely golden sand beach. One of the driest regions of the Dominican Republic, averaging only 2-3 inches of rain annually, the area mainly consists of dry sub-tropical forests and marine and land ecosystems. The outlying group of islands (Los Siete Hermanos) is home to a variety of seabirds, such as brown pelicans, great egrets, yellow-crowned night herons, red-footed gannet, and frigate birds. Parque Nacional de Los HaitisesEasily accessible by boat from either Santa Barbara de Samana, or Sanchez, Los Haitises stretches for approximately 200 sq. kilometers along the coast (south side of the Bay of Samana), and for approximately 1000 sq. kilometers from Sabana de la Mar in the east to Sanchez in the north. Famous for its caves depicting many Taino drawings and carvings dating back to the 16th century, the coastline is also home to red and white mangrove swamps, lagoons, cays, and reef systems that are an ideal breeding ground for a number of birds, including the brown pelican, blue heron, frigate, roseate tern, and northern jacana. The inland areas are littered with thousands of limestone promontories or mogotes, some rising up to 300 meters in height. These buttes are covered with tropical humid forest. The area is also home to an abundance of American cedar and Dominican mahogany. Parque Nacional JaraguaCovering 140 square kilometers, this is the largest of all the national parks and includes the islands of Beata and Alto Velo. Receiving an annual average rainfall of only 10 to 28 inches, the vegetation is mostly subtropical dry forest and thorn forest, cacti being the most predominant. Approximately sixty percent of the country’s species of birds inhabit the region, among them the nation’s largest population of flamingos, as well as American frigate birds, roseate spoonbills, black-crowned tanagers, great egrets, herons, terns, and spoonbills. In 2001 scientists identified the world’s smallest gecko on Alto Velo - the Dwarf Gecko (Sphaerodactylus cochranae) measures 1.6 centimeters across. The Ricord iguana (Cyclura ricordii) and the rhinoceros iguana (Cyclura cornuta) also inhabit the region, both of which are endemic to the Dominican Republic. On the southern coast of Isla Beata there are caves with Taino pictographs and petrographs. Parque Nacional Isla Cabritos y Lago EnriquilloLocated in the southeastern part of the Dominican Republic, Little Goat Island (Isla Cabritos) is a desert island (approx. 12 km.in length) situated in the center of the large saltwater lake of Enriquillo. The largest lake in the Caribbean, Lago Enriquillo is three times saltier than the ocean at approximately 140 feet below sea level, and is approximately 200 sq. kilometers in size. Some 500 American crocodiles inhabit the lake which at one time was connected to the Bay of Port-au-Prince and the Bahia de Neiba. This is one of the largest American crocodile populations on the planet. The best time to see the crocodiles is in the morning, and particularly at the northeastern end of the lake. Many flamingos and iguanas also live on the island, including the rhinoceros iguana and the ricord iguana. Sixty-two species of birds are also found in this region including the Hispaniolan parrot, West Indian nighthawk, burrowing owl, and flamingo. This park was established in 1996. Parque Nacional Sierra del BahorucoSituated in the southwestern corner of the country this high mountain range is a continuation of the Massif de la Salle range in Haiti. Ranging in elevation from 4800 feet to over 7000 feet, this remote and rugged park encompasses 800 sq. kilometers. Vegetation varies from dry forest, acacia and cacti, to broad leaf plants, to extensive pine forest in the higher altitudes. The geological makeup of the Sierra del Bahoruco is of great interest to scientists and botanists due to the limestone sub-terrain that contains important species of algae. Over fifty percent of the country’s orchids flourish here; 166 species have been identified of which 32 are endemic to the island. The region is also home to over fifty species of birds including the White-necked crow (Corvus leucognaphalus), Hispaniolan parrot (Amazona ventralis), Hispaniolan parakeet, (Aratinga chloroptera), Hispaniolan trogon (Priotelus roseigaster), La Selle’s thrush (Turdus swalesi), Hispaniolan Lizard-cuckoo (Saurothera longirostris), Broad-billed tody (Todus subulatus) all of which are endemic to Hispaniola. The rare Black-capped petrel also makes its home here, flying in from the sea in the evenings to nest among the cliffs in the higher altitudes of the mountains. For the adventurous traveler that likes to explore, this magnificent wilderness park is well worth the visit. Just be sure your choice of vehicle is either four-wheel drive or off-road motorcycle!
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From the highest mountain peak in the Caribbean to desert dunes, to tropical rainforest, to white sandy beaches, to the ocean floor, the geography of the Dominican Republic is a fascinating diversity of incredible beauty. To preserve and maintain the ecology and ecosystems of these areas the Dominican government over the years has established national parks, scientific reserves, national marine parks, and other protected areas on the island, all of which are under the control of the National Parks Office (Direccion Nacional de Parques) located in the capital city of | < Prev | Next > |
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