Cabral

Barahona City

The city of Barahona is ideally located near beaches, cold rivers for swims, and is less than an hour away from an array of biodiverse parks, lakes, and mountains.

Barahona Enriquillo Coastal Highway

The drive down the Barahona Enriquillo Coastal Highway shows off a sparkling turquoise Caribbean Sea on your left, while the mountains of Barahona tower on the not-so-distant right.

Cabral

Cabral is best known for its colorful carnival at the end of Easter, when the Cachúa characters dress in bat-like costumes and unfold impressive whips as they go in pursuit of the demons from Thursday to the Monday after Easter Week. Close by is La Lista, a small town famous for its wooden rocking chairs and other arts and crafts from wood. Some 22 workshops fill the town.

Cachote

Cachote is a stunning protected cloud forest area, with a tiny community living at 1,097 meters (3,600 feet) above sea level. There are winding paths along which you can observe tropical flora, including bromeliads and wild orchids, as well as a series of hiking trails for excellent bird-watching.

La Ciénega

A charming coastal fishing village, La Ciénaga offers the opportunity to experience an artisan marmalade making workshop, using fresh fruits collected from the Sierra de Bahoruco, and hiking trips to surrounding caves and rivers.

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 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.

Larimar mines

In the heart of Bahoruco’s mountains, these mines are the only place in the world where larimar is found–a semi-precious, turquoise-colored stone. Explore the mining area and witness workers climbing back out of holes–running as deep as 40 meters (150 feet)–with raw larimar stones.

Las Caritas

Climb a series of sturdy wooden steps and explore the large number of petroglyphs across the walls, faces suggesting the presence of Tainos thousands of years ago.

Parque Litoral María Montez

Lining the Caribbean Sea, this large park fills up with residents who come here to take respite from the harsh afternoon sun and catch a breeze on one of the benches or under the trees. There’s a beach a short hike below, if you want to dip your toes in sand.