Top travel experiences in the Dominican Republic: National Parks

Whatever you’re seeking from your Caribbean vacation, the Dominican Republic has it all. But you absolutely can’t afford to miss out on visiting at least one of the Dominican Republic’s National Parks. Let’s discover the best of the country’s natural beauty with our list of some of the top national parks in the Dominican Republic.

Tucked in a remote corner of the Dominican Republic’s north east region and sitting directly below the Samaná Peninsula is one of the Dominican Republic’s national park crown jewels: Los Haitises National Park. Taking a Los Haitises excursion means you’ll spend the day exploring a subtropical humid forest with vast stretches of untouched mangrove forests along its bay, secluded beaches, ancient caves, a limestone karst plateau dotted with conical hills, sinkholes and caverns, and the Dominican Republic's most diverse collection of flora and fauna. 

Located just five miles east of the capital city, Santo Domingo, the Three Eyes National Park features three iridescent blue lagoons (known as its “eyes”) that were formed in underground limestone caves. Get ready to be blown away when you descend a winding staircase leading into a series of caves and follow pathways towards the stunning lagoon waters.

If you’re visiting with a guide, don’t miss the opportunity to hop on a small boat from the third lake to see the fourth lagoon, where you will be taken to open-air scenery surrounded by a rocky landscape covered in lush green vegetation. And when you’re done exploring, rest your tired body on a luxurious bed and pillow at El Embajador: A Royal Hideaway Hotel in nearby Santo Domingo.

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore part of the first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Dominican Republic. Located on the southern tip of Pedernales, Jaragua National Park is one of the most significant natural reserves in the country. The park boasts plenty of diverse ecosystems for you to explore, including natural forests, caves, beaches, lagoons, isles, wetlands, seagrasses and coral reefs. The fauna and flora spotted at the park range from manatees and turtles to tropical forests, cacti and mangroves, where over 130 species of birds flourish. You will also be accompanied by flocks of flamingos, white ibis, herons, iguanas, and more. This is one of the best national parks in the Dominican Republic… make sure you stop by to explore!ore…

On the park’s western side, you’ll find the stunning Bahía de Las Águilas coastline, which is home to one of the most beautiful and best-preserved beaches in the country. Stretching for a whopping five miles, its diamond-white sands and clear turquoise waters are truly picturesque. With no hotels, shops or restaurants in sight, you can simply unwind in tropical paradise amidst sheer tranquility. 

If you’re ready for a Dominican Republic adventure and are craving a day of hiking, mountain biking, swimming in fresh water lagoons, and cave exploration, then El Choco National Park is the place for you. Located less than 15 minutes from the beach and in the heart of Cabarete, this park offers 48 miles of lush green jungle, lagoons, and land to explore. Its biggest attraction is its underground water-filled caves, where you can take a refreshing dip or deep dive into its crystal-clear waters. The park’s hiking trails take you through thick tropical forests, where you can spot over 30 species along the way, from birds and lizards to bats.

Montecristi Underwater National Park houses a vibrant and rich coral barrier on the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola that extends from the borders of Haiti to Punta Rucia in the Dominican Republic. The park contains coastal lagoons, beaches, mangrove swamps, and a great diversity of aquatic flora and fauna.

Enter this beautiful protected area and you can discover the incredible natural habitat of species such as the hawksbill turtles, manatees and dolphins, as well as an awe-inspiring graveyard of shipwrecks. 

Approximately half a mile long and 80 feet underground lies the ancient Maravillas cave, estimated to be around 100,000 years old. The caves are located 7 miles west from La Romana, in the south-eastern part of the country. A world of nature awaits you in inside the caves, where you can discover snakes, spiders, toads, centipedes, millipedes, worms, lizards, bats and plenty of other tropical fauna.

After exploring this park, kick up your feet and relax at the all-inclusive Occidental Caribe hotel in nearby Punta Cana.

Another top destination on the list of Dominican Republic national parks is Cotubanamá National Park, also known as Parque Nacional del Este. This Caribbean gem is one of the most visited parks in the country, particularly for its star attraction, Saona Island. Saona is an idyllic tropical escape, where long stretches of white sand, giant coconut trees and iridescent turquoise waters await you. On the coastline, you will find numerous snorkeling and diving sites along colorful coral reefs that are brimming with exotic sea life. 

After your breathtaking Saona Island experience, stay at the equally breathtaking all-inclusive Occidental Caribe hotel in nearby Punta Cana.

The best place to wrap up your Dominican Republic national parks adventure is at the Barceló Bávaro Palace hotel, which lies in the heart of paradise on one of the most spectacular beaches in the world. This luxurious five-star, all-inclusive hotel is one of the best spots in Punta Cana for winding down after long days exploring national parks. Relax at its exclusive spa, immerse yourself in its infinite range of water sports, or indulge at the hotel’s 11 restaurants, offering the finest of local Dominican cuisine or international specialty dishes.

There are so many national parks in the Dominican Republic that it can be hard to choose which one to visit. Whether you choose to visit Los Haitises National Park, Three Eyes National Park, Jaragua National Park, El Choco National Park, Montecristi Underwater National Park, Cueva de las Maravillas National Park, Cotubanamá National Park, or all of them, you can’t go wrong. Just make sure you visit at least one of the Dominican Republic’s national parks!