Lago Enriquillo

Lago Enriquillo is the largest and deepest lake below sea level in the Caribbean, ideal for wildlife watching and nature exploration. Boat trips along the lake’s waters and onto Isla Cabritos reveal a large population of American crocodiles, and flamingos.

Laguna de Oviedo

The largest lagoon in DR, with a salt-water level three times higher than that of the sea, Laguna de Oviedo is a prime bird watching area. Around the lagoon’s thick mangrove swamps and 24 keys you’ll spot royal and blue herons, the great egret, roseate spoonbills, sandpipers, and flamingos.

Laguna Dudú

Laguna Dudú’s series of turquoise, freshwater lagoons surrounded with caves and lush forest will keep you swimming all day long. Rent a kayak to navigate the waters, explore one of the caves on foot, or brave the makeshift zipline at your own risk.

Laguna Gri-Gri

One of the DR’s major bird sanctuaries, set along a peaceful lagoon flanked by thick mangroves. Boat rides take you along this mystical lagoon daily, though sunset is the best time to see egrets, and vultures soaring and chirping loudly above the mangroves as you pass through narrow channels.

Laguna Rincón

DR’s largest freshwater lagoon, reaching 28 square kilometers (11 square miles), Laguna Rincón is home to a variety of flora and wildlife rich enough to make it a protected scientific reserve, with water turtles, iguanas, flamingos, pelicans, herons, and Florida ducks.

Los Patos

A popular freshwater river pool, running all the way to where it meets the sea, Los Patos is known as the shortest river in DR. You’ll see ducks stumbling along its banks while you wade, swim, and enjoy the cold water.

Montaña Redonda

One of the most famous hills in the country, it makes more than the imagination fly from its swings with views of the coast and the majestic Laguna Redonda. From that point, more than a thousand meters above sea level, paragliding flights, buggy excursions, four-wheel drives and hiking are also available. Other interesting mountains to visit are La Herradura and Los Machetes, where community members carry out organized excursions among crop fields, as well as rivers and streams such as Chavón, Nisibón, Yabón, Seibo, El Cedro, Maguá and Yeguada, the latter flowing into the Atlantic Ocean offering fishing boat and kayak trips.

Río Caño Frío

This stunning emerald-colored river doubles as a popular natural swimming pool where it meets the ocean on the western end of Playa Rincón. Residents and visitors love to cool off here, before or after enjoying fresh fish and lobster away from the tourist throngs on the eastern side of the beach.

Río Chavón

This winding body of water meets the sea on the Altos de Chavón village side, all the way to the Casa de Campo Marina. Speedboat, kayak and canoe excursions are available year round to see and feel the river’s spectacular jungle scenery up close.

Río Damajagua

Running through the North Coast, the Río Damajagua is best known for the 27 waterfalls, and the fresh water pools it fills as it gushes through Puerto Plata’s highlands and onto its plains.