Santo Domingo caves. Santo Domingo - Three Eyes Caves. Three Eyes Caves - Los Tres Ojos

The capital of the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo, the first city in the Americas, founded by the brother of Columbus. The city is quite large, with a population of more than 2 million people. I had a great desire to see what the main city of such a beautiful island state could look like.

Santo Domingo is located 200 kilometers from our hotel, given the good condition of the roads, this is a maximum of 2.5 hours on the road. We left in the morning; the route was along a toll highway, almost empty, despite it being Saturday.

The cost of travel on the site is from about 1-2 dollars, there are 3 or 4 such sites
Saturday, but the roads are empty
The clouds over the island are as beautiful as those over the ocean
Sometimes there were cyclists on the roads. You have to be born here to pedal in such heat and sunshine.

Almost to the very suburbs of Santo Domingo, near the road, there were no large settlements. The navigator showed a cluster of buildings, but they were all hidden by palm trees and trees, so it seemed that you were driving far from civilization. As I already wrote, the feeling of sparsely populated territory did not leave me.

We first researched on the Internet all the recommended places to visit and went based on the closest location. I must say we were lucky and the closest were the underground caves “Three Eyes”, consisting of... 4 lakes. We were lucky because the caves were located underground and it was possible to take a walk in them at the very peak of solar activity and take a break from the road. The name "Three Eyes" was given to the caves before the discovery of the fourth underground lake, and was established historically. Parking near the caves is free.

Three Eyes Caves - Los Tres Ojos

Not to say that the caves were large, but having freedom in time, we wandered around slowly, probably for about an hour. At the entrance to the park where the caves are located, tourists are met by local guides and unobtrusively offer their services - we will show and tell you everything and even take you to the 4th lake! For only $20!

Man, I just wanted to say to him in response, “it was only” a year and a half ago, but now it’s already “twenty!”

Citing a lack of understanding of the English language, and he, of course, did not know Russian, we refused his services. As I already wrote, the guys here are not very persistent, so we went for a walk in the park, quickly found that same secret 4th lake, but there’s an ambush - we just can’t find the descent into the caves.

We see people walking downstairs, but how did they get there? They gave a circle - nothing is clear. I went to a cafe, asked the bartender and they pointed a finger right in front of my nose. This is the way down.

The water in the lakes is so clear that I almost tripped, I had already pointed my foot and began to shift my weight, but I managed to realize that the water level was 10 centimeters higher than where I wanted to stand.

In general, you need to be careful when deviating from prepared paths. The humidity is very high and all the stones are slippery. Even my specialized trekking shoes could not stay on such a surface. As always, some mystical enticements always appear near unusual places, and here too - locals believe that the water of one of the lakes can cure infertility in women. Just a touch is enough.

You can’t get to the 4th lake on foot; you need to take a “ferry” that costs a few pesos.

Having quickly looked at them, we went to a nearby pedestrian street, along which Columbus himself and the court ladies were walking. A sort of Arbat, where local artists exhibit their exhibitions, musicians perform, and there are cafes and souvenir shops. The street is not wide. And how can I say this...poor. Let's just say that I liked the old city in Tbilisi much more, although we were there out of season.

We stopped for a snack at a pizza hut located there. Again we encountered the usual lack of understanding of the language (in a tourist area), we waited about 40 minutes for the order, which, however, did not upset us - it was pleasant to sit in the cool with wi-fi, and at the same time we rested our tired legs. We ordered a little more than planned, the waitress deceived us with the size of the pizza, so we took half of it with us. We got out, go back to the car, I say to Sasha - Listen, we took the pizza, but why do we need it? It’s time to go back soon, the hotel has a lot of food, we’ll have to throw it away along the way.

At this time, a local homeless man appears in front of us and, actively gesturing in the language of interethnic communication, hinted that he was ready to dispose of our bag of pizza completely free of charge.
“It looks like someone heard us upstairs,” Sasha commented as she gave the package.

After the pedestrian street, we stopped at a real shopping center to see how different the sportswear collections in the Dominican Republic are from those presented in Kazakhstan. The collections were not very different, the prices were generally the same.

With this our trip around Santo Domingo came to an end, we reconfigured the navigator and went to the hotel.
Now about some conclusions.

Should I go to Santo Domingo on an excursion?

Excursions to Santo Domingo are expensive and in my opinion they are not worth it. If you are not a fan of the simplest architectural antiquities, which are about 500 years old, then there is nothing else to see in the city except the caves. The pedestrian street is not at all impressive. There is no shopping, and a tour bus is unlikely to take you to a classic shopping center.

We felt uncomfortable walking around the city in such heat; we constantly moved between air-conditioned shops. It was pathetic to look at the exhausted participants in group excursions.

In general, I was disappointed with the capital, but there is another reason for this.

Dominican Republic as a country of residence.

Before Santo Domingo, we already managed to see how people live in the areas adjacent to the hotel. The people live poorly, and what is most offensive is that they are dirty. Dirt and garbage are typical for developing countries, remember our 90s, but in the Dominican Republic it hits your eyes especially sharply; after you see the beauty of nature, it is unpleasant to switch to human garbage. There is not so much garbage, this is far from India, if we talk, for example, about wires in the sky, then compared to Asia there are practically none here, but there is dissonance. Locals leave the store and immediately throw away the wrappers right at the door.

On the way to Macau beach, you pass through a small village, the area between two speed bumps was turned into a small market by the locals, a bunch of people are sitting, looking at the sky. At the same time there is garbage all around. Well, it would seem that if you leave the state of eternal happiness for half an hour, clean up around, maybe the foreigners will then start to stop, but no. Apparently that's enough.

In general, garbage is something that really hurts the eye. Fortunately, there are no specific odors in the country, the sewage system does not rot, and dope is not smoked everywhere.

People

I have already mentioned the people in previous reports; they may not look very friendly, but we did not experience any problems in communication. Another thing is that neighboring Haiti is a supplier of illegal immigrants who affect the crime rate, so this factor has to be taken into account. Although, if you look at the official statistics, they are quite acceptable:

In 2013, violent deaths in the Dominican Republic (total population in 2012 was 10.28 million inhabitants) 4992 person, of which:
- 1987 were killed,
- 1892 died as a result of road accidents,
- 216 were electrocuted
- 330 drowned.

Districts by districts, I wanted to see how the capital lives. One of my life-affirming opinions is that a poor landowner does not have rich peasants, so the level of the capital should have said a lot. In the regions of the country it was rather poor, but maybe in the capital everything is better, which means there is prospects. Alas, Santo Domingo was a disappointment. The city is big, but it doesn't even come close to comparing to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur or modern Chinese metropolises. The same garbage and an almost complete absence of modern buildings. On the way back, the navigator let us down a little and we went not onto the overpass, but under it, to where real life usually goes.

Driving along the highway and enjoying the view of the waves crashing on the coastal rocks is great, but you won’t live on the embankment.

Santo Domingo did not strike me as a city that has promise and dynamism.

What about downshifting?

When visiting such places, of course, you evaluate them from the point of view of downshifting or at least a place to live if you have remote work. I have no experience in this area, so my reasoning may be incorrect, however.

If we talk about downshifting in the form in which it was found in Bali, Goa or Thailand, then the Dominican Republic is most likely not an option. If only for the reason that there are not so many beaches on the island, where the beach is more or less decent, hotels try to take it over; where it is indecent, there is nothing to do there, no matter what the downshifter is, but he needs a party, and in We did not see such places in the Dominican Republic in the area of ​​Punta Cana and Bavaro.

Since most tourists live in all-inclusive hotels, there are no 10-km beaches with cafes, shops, and no crowds of loitering people who can easily be sold souvenir crafts. Perhaps the situation is different on the northern coast, we have not been there yet. If I were a potential downshifter, I would hardly choose the Dominican Republic.

Temporary residence

If we talk about the Dominican Republic as a country of temporary residence for a freelancer, then it probably all depends on the source of your income. If money allows, you can rent apartments in decent locations and combine the opportunity to work and enjoy the beauty of nature. I saw different reports online from people living in the Dominican Republic, some are doing well, some are not doing so well.
However, based on the main condition “if money allows,” then normal living can be organized in almost any country.

If money doesn't allow it, then

Rent a small Dominican hut 70 - 100 bucks. Inside there is a trestle bed and a couple of chairs with a table. To wash - you take it into a ladle from the tub and pour it on yourself. You wash away the shit in the same way. Sleep under a fan to prevent mosquitoes from biting you. Light - 2 - 4 hours a day. Food - rice with chicken, fruit, yuca. Leisure - sitting on a chair by the road, dominoes and a couple of channels on the TV with the same novel. And also bachata with beer Presidente bark at the colmadon in the evenings (this is sacred).
This is how Dominicans live in the provinces, if you are satisfied with this life, welcome to the Dominican Republic.

It doesn't sound very attractive, you'll agree. But there is always another point of view.

I washed myself with a ladle for six months, it wasn’t such a torture. Rice with chicken, fruit, yuca - not such a bad diet
But I must add that the TV will be taken out on the very first day you go to the store, and at night good guys with a machete or with a firearm can easily drop in and get to know the gringo better, there are plenty of examples of this, even in guarded residences.

The Dominican Republic is a clear demonstration of the proverb, “don’t confuse tourism with emigration.” Although, again, I repeat - a matter of taste.

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Caves of the Dominican Republic- are the largest in the Caribbean and are the natural wealth of the country, annually attracting numerous tourists from all over the world. In total, there are five thousand caves in the Dominican Republic, many of them are flooded and are popular among speleo divers. Most of the caves that are not flooded with water are landscaped for conducting excursions for tourists: they are illuminated so that visitors can pay tribute to the beauty and natural wealth of the Dominican Republic. Excursions to the caves of the Dominican Republic are offered at any resort in the country. So, our article is devoted to the natural attractions of the Dominican Republic - caves.

Cave of Wonders or "Cueva de las Maravillas" - located between the cities of San Pedro and La Romana and the rivers Zoco and Cumayas. The Cave of Miracles is one of the main natural attractions of the Dominican Republic, preserved in its original form. Previously, this cave was called Hagual, but in 1949 it was renamed, with the light hand of the scientist Francisco Acevedo. This cave is only a small part of the extensive chain of caves in the Dominican Republic. Once inside the Cave of Miracles, tourists are amazed by the completely unearthly beauty of its numerous halls, decorated with amazing and bizarre stalactites and stalagmites, making this place look like the interiors of a magic castle. When the abandoned caves were discovered, it was a real sensation in the world of researchers specializing in ancient art. The fact is that in the ancient caves there were priceless examples of fine art dating back to the pre-Columbian era. The rock paintings of the Miracle Cave are almost a thousand years old. Many centuries ago, representatives of Indian tribes performed mysterious rituals here and worshiped their God of death, as evidenced by the burials of victims discovered inside. Fifty thousand graphic images of ancient Indians have reached us, which are of great value as archaeological and aesthetic objects. The drawings in the Cave of Wonders reflect the ancient painters' fear and horror of the forces of nature. They reveal the ancient worldview of this people, which still impresses visitors to this cave. During the discovery of caves and their study, it became clear that humidity, inexorable time, and chemical processes are the reason for the damage to many ancient drawings. The local society for the protection of natural monuments got down to business, attracting the best specialists to urgent restoration work, and already in 2003, the Cave of Miracles became the most attractive natural attraction of the Dominican Republic and the entire Caribbean. She began to be visited by the general public, and she was also awarded a gold medal at the Architectural Biennale held in Miami in 2003. The main architect of the cave restoration project was Marcos Barinos, who in such a short period of time transformed a natural ancient cave into a fairy-tale castle, so beloved by tourists from around the world. Throughout the territory of the six-hundred-meter Dominican Cave of Miracles, pedestrian paths were laid and lighting was installed in the form of sensory lamps, which light up when visitors enter the next hall and are automatically extinguished when the hall is empty. Thanks to underground rivers, a fantastic play of light and shadow, tourists find themselves in a mysterious and enigmatic kingdom, where every new room is fraught with a surprise. There is more than one, as yet unsolved, mystery associated with this cave. By the way, thanks to the special climatic conditions, absolutely incredible animals and insects live in this cave, for example, in addition to butterflies, cicadas, birds, troglodytes live here - strange colorless insects that have no eyes.

Cave "Three Eyes" or “Cueva Los Tres Ojos”, is located in the beautiful urban park of the city of Santo Domingo - “Parque Mirador del Este”. Thanks to its proximity to the highways leading from the capital, this quiet nature reserve with its beautiful cave has become a real place of tourist pilgrimage. You will be surprised by the number of tourist buses parked at the entrance to the park and the number of vendors trying to make a living by selling food, drinks, souvenirs and trinkets. The cave received the name “Three Eyes” because of the three beautiful turquoise underground lakes located there. In this cave, a lake was discovered at the beginning of the twentieth century, and it was one large underground lake, but after an earthquake, the rock roof collapsed, dividing this lake into three reservoirs. The lakes are about four meters deep, but each lake has its own chemical composition of water, which determines its color: one is sulfuric, another is salty, the third is fresh. Each lake has its own name. The first lake is called “Blue Waters” or “Aguas Azufradas”, the calcium content prevails there, so the color of the water is azure, it is very transparent - every stone is visible at the bottom. The second lake is called “Freezer” or “Lago la Nevera”, the water here is cold - about fifteen degrees, it is cold because there is no light falling on it. The third body of water is called "Women's Lake" or "Lago las Damas". You may ask why “Women’s”? The fact is that there is a belief that if a woman who wants to give birth to a child bathes in it, she will definitely do so. You can check the veracity of the belief only by touching the water with your hand, since swimming in the lake is now prohibited. Numerous large turtles bathe with pleasure in the lake with warm water; they are so accustomed to tourists that they swim up to them as soon as you pat the water with your hand. There is also a fourth lake, but it is hidden from the eyes of tourists, and you can get to it by swimming along the “Women’s Lake”, of course for an additional fee. This lake also appeared after the top of the cave collapsed, but it is located outside it, in the open air. Dozens of amphibian ducks happily swim and live there peacefully, from which, by the way, it got its name. No less impressive are the halls of the Three Eyes cave, decorated with stone icicles of the most unusual shapes and sizes, and in some places, stalactites and stalagmites grow together, forming incredible columns and strange figures. Since the cave has very high humidity, it is dominated by unusual vegetation compared to the Dominican one, which is similar to the vegetation of central Russia. By the way, due to high humidity, tourists leave the cave wet through.

Cave "Fun-Fun" , but locals call it “Devil’s Cave.” This large stalactite cave in the Dominican Republic is located in the Los Gaiitises Nature Reserve. This is one of the largest stalactite caves in the world, the longest in the Caribbean. Its tunnels are about seven kilometers long. The Fun-Fun Cave is famous for its picturesque grottoes, decorated with fantastic stalactite formations, and beautiful underground reservoirs. But it is worth warning that getting to this cave is very difficult: only on horseback, fording the river and going down the slippery slopes. And then, visitors will descend into the cave to the depths. And here it is - the mysterious and beautiful kingdom of stalactites, stalagmites, underground rivers. Amazing and breathtaking paintings created by nature and stunning the imagination. The owners of the cave are bats. By the way, “Fun-Fun”, the cave is called precisely because of the sound that is made from the flapping of the wings of bats in flight. In ancient times, Indian tribes lived in the cave, as evidenced by the ancient wall writings, as well as the Indian idols that you will meet throughout the cave. But even inside the cave, not everything is so simple and easy: somewhere you will have to walk along wide corridors, and somewhere you will have to climb through narrow loopholes, the hard soil under your feet will give way to slippery ones, and your only support will be a tightly stretched rope. But the beauty of the cave is worth all these difficulties, and only here you can experience for yourself how primitive people lived in the depths of prehistoric caves. Descending and walking through the Fun Fun Cave is considered the most exciting excursion in the Dominican Republic. It is worth warning that you should not take children or elderly people on this excursion, who will not be able to withstand all the hardships of the journey: in addition to the fact that you will have to ride horses, you will have to descend into the depths of the cave through a narrow vertical eighteen-meter shaft in climbing equipment. A visit to this cave is not suitable for those who like independent excursions: firstly, it is located on private property, but if this problem can be resolved by agreeing with the owners of the Capote ranch, then the second fact is that in order to get into the cave, you need special equipment and a guide so that your journey does not end sadly. An excursion to this Dominican cave can be purchased from travel agencies that will provide you with equipment and a professional guide who knows the Fun Fun underground routes. The excursion to the cave will take you the whole day: first you will ride a horse through the jungle, then have breakfast, before descending into the cave, you will stay there for three hours, and after going up, a hearty lunch awaits you at the ranch. By the way, the owners of the Capote ranch have the largest orange plantations in the Dominican Republic, so feel free to count on delicious freshly squeezed orange juice.

Pomier Caves- the largest concentration of rock art of the Taino Indians in the Dominican Republic. In this network of fifty caves, there are thousands of ancient encrypted drawings and pictograms left by the ancient civilization of the Indians, who believe that caves are doors to the afterlife, unique portals connecting living people with the spirits of their dead ancestors. In the caves, the Taino tribe waited out hurricanes, hid from military raids carried out by the Spaniards during the period of colonization, and here they performed religious ceremonies and ancient rituals. Walking through the halls and grottoes of the Pomeran caves in the Dominican Republic, you can learn a lot about the everyday life of the Taino Indians, who painted people, animals and their gods. They drew their everyday food: maize, fish, turtles, frogs, insects, iguanas. They depicted hunting and fishing scenes from their lives, painted spirits, sick people, and newborn babies. By making these drawings, they thus prayed to the gods: for the birth of children, for food, for luck in hunting and fishing, for the healing of diseases, etc. Scientists have not yet been able to announce the exact age of these drawings, but they are at least a thousand years old. The Pomier cave network is highly branched, with some corridors extending deep underground. Drawings and pictograms of Indians are available at all levels. The Dominican Republic National Park offers tourists excursions to the Pomeran caves, led by professional guides. But you should be prepared that this is not just a walk, but also climbing rocks inside the underground corridors of caves, rappelling, etc. Visitors are provided with helmets, climbing equipment, and ropes for descent. A number of difficulties in visiting local caves do not stop tourists who come on vacation to the Dominican Republic. Due to their influx, the Pomer caves were even taken under state protection. Numerous archaeological, ethnographic, and cultural studies are carried out here. Some travel agencies offer travelers tours to the Dominican Republic for several weeks to participate as a volunteer in the processes of restoring the unique rock art of the caves.

Cave of Saint Gabriel- “Cueva San Gabriel”, Cave of the Sand – “Cueva de las Arenas”, Cave of the Line – “Cueva de la Linea”, are located in the south-eastern part of the Samana Peninsula. This is a popular tourist destination, since it is in these caves of the Dominican Republic that the paintings of the Taino Indians are perfectly preserved. By the way, there is a local legend that pirates of the Caribbean, hiding from the authorities, hid their countless treasures here.

Underwater caves of the Dominican Republic. The entire coast of the Dominican Republic is riddled with a huge number of mysterious underwater caves. Maybe somewhere in one of them the pirates also hid the stolen wealth? But through the clear turquoise water, only numerous colorful tropical fish are visible, shining in the shallow coastal waters, brighter than gold coins.

Siren Cave- an amazing underwater creation of nature, attracting divers and diving speleologists from all over the world. This is one of the largest underwater caves in the world, forty meters wide. With very beautiful living creatures and underground halls filled with clear water.

Concluding the article about the most popular natural attractions of the Dominican Republic among tourists - caves, it is worth saying that it does not matter whether they are underwater or underground caves - there is a completely different and mysterious aura everywhere, bewitching and exciting the imagination. Among the five thousand caves of the Dominican Republic, any tourist, no matter whether he has experience in visiting such places and whether he is physically prepared enough, will be able to find a place where he will feel comfortable and will find a lot of remarkable and surprising things.

The Dominican Republic is a country rich in tourist attractions, which mainly include amazing natural sites: beaches, rivers, nature reserves and other places. Although you are unlikely to be able to visit all the most famous attractions of the Dominican Republic during your holiday here, it would still be foolish to come to this amazing country and not see at least some of its interesting places. Tourists often limit themselves to exploring only those places to which tour operators offer excursions, but there are many other places in the Dominican Republic that also deserve your attention.

In this article we will tell you about the most interesting sights of the Dominican Republic. We will not limit ourselves to only those places where excursions are offered, because there are many other amazing sights in this country.

Cave "Three Eyes"

This beautiful formation of nature is undoubtedly one of the most unique places in all of the Dominican Republic. Inside the cave there are three remarkable lakes fed by underground waters. Hence the name "Three Eyes". Each of the lakes in the cave has different characteristics. For example, the first lake has sulfurous waters and a depth of approximately 9 meters, while the second lake has lower water temperatures and sulfurous waters. This lake is known as the "refrigerator" and has an average water temperature of just 15 degrees Celsius. Finally, the third lake, which many call "women's", has warm water and steps to enter it (it is not very deep).

The Three Eyes Cave was declared a tourist attraction in 1970 and is located next to the Las Americas Highway, which leads to the airport.

Eastern National Park

It is a World Heritage Site and one of the main attractions of the Dominican Republic. The national park is the main habitat for many species of plants and animals, including more than 100 species of birds. It belongs to one of the largest marine parks in the Caribbean and has a system of vast coral reefs. Four species of sea turtles and manatees, dolphins and many species of fish live in the warm waters of this park. In addition, the Eastern National Park is home to rare pigeons (white-crowned pigeon) and rhinoceros iguana.

In addition to the superb underwater world, visitors to the park can also see examples of pre-Columbian art in the cave system here, as well as visit some of the beautiful beaches of the famous Saona Island.

Jarabacoa

The Jarabacoa region, popular among eco-tourism lovers, is located in the picturesque mountains in the west of the Dominican Republic. A landscape of pine forests, rivers, waterfalls and the highest peaks in the Caribbean is what awaits you when you visit the area. The Rio Yaque del Norte in Jarabacoa offers excellent rafting conditions.

In Jarabacoa, tourists appreciate the mild alpine climate and rugged terrain with plenty of trails that are great for mountain biking and hiking.

Bay of Eagles

Bahia de las Aguilas is an amazingly beautiful bay in the Jaragua National Park. Located on the southwest coast of the Dominican Republic, Eagle Bay has one of the best beaches in the country. This stretch of soft sand, about 10 km long, is protected as part of the Jaragua National Park. The best way to reach this bay is by boat from the small town of La Cueva.

The shallow turquoise waters of Eagle Bay are teeming with sea creatures. In addition, the bay is home to many species of birds. Due to its remoteness, the beach in the bay still remains completely untouched, making Bahia de las Aguilas one of the highlights of the Dominican Republic and a place that is ideal for those looking for a tranquil atmosphere.

You can visit the Bay of Eagles as part of our individual excursion to the south of the Dominican Republic.

Alcazar de Colon and museum

The Alcazar de Colon is a beautiful building that was built in the second decade of the sixteenth century. It has two levels, and its facade is decorated with Elizabethan and other Renaissance elements. During colonial times, Don Diego Columbus, son of the discoverer Christopher Columbus, lived here.

The Alcázar de Colón now houses a museum containing more than 800 colonial artifacts, including paintings, furniture, decorative items and kitchen utensils made and used between the 12th and 20th centuries. The museum's goal is to recreate the way of life that existed during the colonial era to help guests experience history.

The museum receives a total of 18,500 visitors per month on average. It is located in the Colonial Zone in Plaza España, at the end of Calle de las Damas.

Lago Enriquillo

If you are interested in unique attractions of the Dominican Republic, then Lago Enriquillo is undoubtedly the right place for you. Lake Enriquillo is a very interesting place for several reasons. Firstly, this is the lowest point in the Dominican Republic. Secondly, it is the largest salt lake in the West Indies with an area of ​​375 square kilometers, which is the remnant of an ancient sea canal that connected the bays of Neibe and Port-au-Prince. Thirdly, this is the only salt lake in the world where crocodiles live. As you can see, there are three important reasons to visit this lake. True, they can only be outweighed by the fact that Lago Enriquillo is located quite far from Punta Cana and other resort areas of the Dominican Republic.

In the Lake Enriquillo area you will find many flamingos and iguanas. Isla Cabritos National Park is a small island in the center of the lake that is home to American crocodiles. This park is home to more than 106 flora and 62 species of birds, ranging from parrots to white-crowned pigeons.

Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia

For those interested in the religious sights of the Dominican Republic, we recommend visiting the modern Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia, which is one of the best examples of modern religious architecture and the main center of pilgrimage in Latin America. It is located in the city of Higuey, and every year on January 21, pilgrims from all over the Dominican Republic attend mass in this church.

The basilica was built by French architects Andre-Jacques Dunoyer and Pierre Dupre and was opened in 1971. It has a structure in the form of a Latin cross. Her front door is made of bronze with gold plating. The most remarkable detail of its architecture is the elongated arches, representing the figure of Our Lady of Altagracia.

El Limon Waterfall

Although this waterfall is not one of the tallest or most beautiful in the world, its visit will be memorable. El Limon is one of the most unique and attractive waterfalls in the Dominican Republic, and traveling to it is a real adventure.

Located on the Samana Peninsula, the waterfall is hidden inside a dense tropical forest, so it is not accessible by car. All that remains is to either walk or ride horses.

The name of the El Limon waterfall comes from the town next to which it is located. This town lives almost entirely from tourists who head to the famous waterfall.

El Limon waterfall can be visited as part of our excursion to the Samana Peninsula + Los Haitises Park.

Bacardi Island

Cayo Levantado Island, also called "Bacardi Island", is considered the most beautiful island in the Dominican Republic. Pristine sandy beaches, turquoise water, coconut palms - everything here is like a postcard. Restaurants on the island offer Dominican cuisine; on the island you can rent a sun lounger for complete relaxation.

The boat ride to Cayo Levantado takes 15-20 minutes.

National Aquarium

On Avenue de España in Santo Domingo is one of the most amazing places in the Dominican Republic - the National Aquarium of the Dominican Republic. It is a true monument to marine life because here you can see all kinds of sea creatures that live in the Caribbean Sea. At the same time, there is no need to control their environment artificially. In this aquarium you can find more than 3,000 marine animals belonging to 250 different species. All of them are distributed in 90 separate tanks and 7 ponds. One of the most visited ponds is the shark pond, as here guests can see different types of sharks swimming just a few centimeters away from them. Other types of sea creatures that are of great interest to the public are colorful fish, corals and turtles. Also inside the aquarium you can visit the tunnel, which is a glassed-in underwater space. Here you can really feel like you are under water.

The complex has a restaurant, café, conference room, terrace and large garden where you can relax after your visit, enjoying beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea.

Columbus Lighthouse

Also known as the Museum of the Americas, the Columbus Lighthouse is a huge structure with over 200 lanterns and is considered one of a kind. The lighthouse was built in honor of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of America, and was opened in 1992. The opening of this lighthouse marked the 500th anniversary of Columbus's arrival in America.

The original idea for the lighthouse came from the Dominican historian Antonio del Monte in 1852. He believed that it was important to build the first lighthouse of its kind in the city of Santo Domingo.

The structure is 210 meters long and faces East. Its “arms” have a total length of 60 meters, are oriented north and south and have a height of 31 meters. The purpose of this design is to form a large cross that can be seen from the air.

Currently, the lighthouse building houses several historical themed museums and cultural exhibitions, as well as valuable historical documentation. It is generally accepted that this is one big museum. The remains of the famous Columbus, which were recently transferred from the Cathedral, also rest here.

At the entrance to the lighthouse you can see the flags of all American countries, and at night the lighthouse used to create a truly amazing light show.

Pico Duarte

Pico Duarte is located in the Cordillera Central of the Dominican Republic and has an elevation of 3,098 meters, making it the highest peak in the Caribbean. He goes by the name Juan Pablo Duarte. The area of ​​Mount Pico Duarte contains indescribable beauty and ecological wealth. This was the reason why the area around Pico Duarte was declared a national park in 1956. At the top of the mountain, which is the highest point on the island of Hispaniola, temperatures usually range from zero to five degrees, but sometimes they drop to -8 degrees, especially in the early morning hours.

The safest way to reach the top is with a guide who knows the route. The climb takes several days, so it is necessary to be in good physical condition and have all the necessary elements for an adventure of this kind. Ordinary tourists will not be able to climb this mountain.

Las Terrenas

The attractions of the Dominican Republic include not only ancient buildings, beaches, caves, islands, but also some cities.

Las Terrenas is a city on the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, in the province of Samana. It is known for its picturesque landscapes combined with white sand beaches and clear waters. Among the most famous beaches of this city are the beaches of Punta Poppi and Las Ballenas. Tourism in this region is constantly developing due to investment in tourism infrastructure such as hotels, clubs, restaurants and shopping centers.

During the rest of the year, tourists admire this uncrowded city with picturesque beaches. This once sleepy fishing town charms visitors looking for an alternative to the popular Dominican resorts.

National Botanical Garden of Santo Domingo

This is one of the largest green areas in Santo Domingo, covering an area of ​​at least two million square meters. In the garden you can see various types of plants, such as ferns, aquatic plants, exotic plants, beautiful orchids. The garden also hosts cultural events, picnic areas and small train excursions. Such excursions were offered due to the large size of the park. Many tourists who are tired of walking around the park can complete their walk by train without losing sight of many of the important attractions of the garden.

The National Botanical Garden is an important ecological area, the “lungs” of the city of Santo Domingo. This garden aims to preserve the diverse flora and fauna of the Dominican Republic while at the same time providing an opportunity for guests to come into contact with nature.

The main objects of the botanical garden are the central square; a giant flower clock surrounded by a pond with aquatic plants; a Japanese garden with bamboo, pine and juniper trees; herbalist with medicinal, aromatic and stinging plants; as well as an exclusive area of ​​endemic plants, in which you can see the olive tree, red camellia and other interesting plants.

Mount Redonda (Round Mountain)

Mount Redonda or Round Mountain is one of the most beautiful places in the Dominican Republic. It is located in the municipality of Miches in the province of El Seibo, between the Rincon and Redonda lagoons. This mountain is about 300 meters high and has a beautiful 360 degree view from its top. From the top of Round Mountain, you'll be able to see places like Samana Bay, Redonda Lagoon, and neighboring towns and villages. Mount Redonda is also famous for its special swing that gives you the feeling of flying. If you look at the photographs of tourists on this swing, you might think that the tourists are floating in the air.

Sometimes from the top of Mount Redonda you can see different weather in different places. For example, you can see how it rains in the Samana Bay area, while at the same time in the east, in the Punta Cana area, the weather is sunny.

Mount Redonda can be visited on our Sightseeing Tour.

27 waterfalls

Located near the city of Puerto Plata, the famous 27 waterfalls of Damajagua are a true miracle of nature. This place is great for eco-tourism and adventure. The name of the river and its basin was given in honor of the Damajagua trees that grow on the banks. The word Damajagua comes from the Taino Indian vocabulary.

The number of pools in the 27 waterfalls area varies depending on the season of the year. That is, at one time of the year there may be 27 pools, while at another time of the year there may be only 18. Some pools are 3 meters deep, while others may be only 0.5 meters deep. Therefore, you should not jump into the pool until you are sure that it is deep.

Zoo in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has two popular zoos among tourists. We have already talked about the first of them on the pages of our website. We are talking about the Manatee Park Zoo, to which you can purchase a tour from our company. Now we will briefly talk about another popular animal park in the Dominican Republic - the Santo Domingo Zoo.

At the Santo Domingo Zoo, you can walk among animals of all shapes and sizes and appreciate the diversity of inhabitants of the Dominican Republic and other regions of the world. Opened in 1975, the zoo currently houses about 82 species of exotic and endemic plants and animals. A variety of tropical birds and mammals from different parts of the planet can be found here, including the African lion, Bengal tiger and various monkeys. In addition, in the park you can see a variety of reptiles, among which the Dominican boa (boa constrictor) and the American crocodile stand out.

Blue Hole (Oyo Azul)

The Blue Hole (lake) is located in the southern part of the resort area of ​​Punta Cana, near the millionaire city of Cap Cana. The route to this lagoon usually includes a walk through some beautiful places such as El Farallon and an impressive rainforest with a variety of fauna and flora. Also during the hike to the Blue Lagoon you will see a cave with many different species of bats and various ancient petroglyphs. Finally, you will reach one of the most beautiful natural pools in the world. The Blue Lagoon is considered a cenote, that is, a lake in a huge rock. This place attracts nature lovers and photographers.

Bath Dunes

The Bath Dunes are unique in the Caribbean. They are located south of the city of Baths, an hour's drive from Santo Domingo. These dunes cover approximately 15 km along the Caribbean Sea and are up to 35 meters high. The desert landscape with cacti and other shrubs is in stark contrast to the landscape in the rest of the Dominican Republic.

The Bani Dunes have been a protected area since 1996. The area boasts a biodiversity unique to the Caribbean.

Cave of Wonders

This is one of the most famous natural attractions of the Eastern Dominican Republic. It is located 70 km from the capital Santo Domingo, between the cities of San Pedro de Macoris and La Romana and is a natural museum of pre-Columbian mountain art of the Taino Indians, which tells about the distant past of the island of Hispaniola.

Previously, the cave was called Jagual, until in 1949 it received its current name La Cueva de las Maravillas. The cave is located at a depth of almost 25 meters underground, and its length is about 800 meters, of which about 240 meters are open to tourists.

Inside the cave you can see about 500 engravings and paintings on the walls that date back to the time of the Taino Indians, the ancient inhabitants of the island. The Cave of Wonders walk usually lasts about 30 minutes and is done in groups of 20 people or less. In order to preserve the natural properties of the cave, it is prohibited to take photographs during the walk, as well as listen to music at any volume level, record videos, throw garbage, scratch the walls and talk loudly. The microclimate inside the cave is humid and hot, so you will need comfortable and light clothing. The cave is equipped with a ramp and has an elevator for easy access, especially for people with disabilities.

Lagoon Gris-Gris

Laguna Gris-Gris is a famous natural attraction in the Rio San Juan area, on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, which is famous for its exceptional natural beauty and is still untouched by mass tourism. In 1958, on the site of the lagoon there was only a lake, which in the spring was connected to the sea, but in the same year there was an earthquake that brought underground tributaries to the top.

The name of the lagoon comes from the gris-gris tree that grows in this area. Every day tourists take walks along the lagoon. It is possible to go on a glass-bottom boat ride to see the underwater world through the crystal clear waters of the lake.

El Morro

Near the city of Montecristi, located in the north-west of the Dominican Republic, you can see the coastal natural monument of Morro de Montecristi or simply El Morro. This huge plateau, over 240 meters high, is part of the Montecristi National Park, one of the largest national parks in the country, which stretches from the Haitian border to the town of Punta Rucia. The plateau has abundant subtropical dry forest vegetation and provides habitat for many endemic plant and animal species. From the top of El Morro, visitors can enjoy an unforgettable panoramic view of the Montecristi National Park.

The Three Eyes Cave is one of the most visited attractions in the country. The uniqueness of the three lakes available for visiting is that each of these lakes has its own chemical composition, which affects the color of the lake water. Therefore, the water in them shimmers from yellow-green to aquamarine. The water of one lake is sulfuric, in another it is salty, and the third, the largest lake, is freshwater.

By their nature, these are karst lakes. The walls of the cave are decorated with phantasmagoric figures made of stalactites. The underground caves with lakes are amazingly beautiful. Numerous stalactites and stalagmites create an indescribably mysterious atmosphere. This is probably why the first inhabitants of the island, the ancient Taino Indians, once performed their mystical rites in these caves.

Photography with flash is prohibited here; filming with a video camera is permitted.

The lakes were discovered in 1916. There is a theory that states that there used to be only one lake, but as a result of an earthquake and the collapse of part of the roof, the lake was divided into four lakes that communicate with each other:

• "Blue Waters" (Aguas Azufradas) is the first lake whose name comes from its background substance blanquecida. Scientific studies have shown that it contains calcium and other minerals. The lake has a depth of 4 meters.
• "Freezer" (Nevera) is the second lake, whose name is associated with the low temperatures that are reached here because it never receives sunlight. The lake temperature ranges between +15 °C and 21 °C. There is a wooden boat on the lake to take you to the fourth lake, Zaramagullones. The lake has a depth of 5.4 m.
• “Lake of Women” (El Lago de las Mujeres) is the third lake, the name of which comes from its shallow depth and was reserved for women and children: the depth of its deepest part is 2.5 m. Even the Taino Indians noticed that women bathing in it have many children. But swimming in this lake is now officially not allowed.
• Lake Zaramagullones is the fourth lake, whose name comes from a species of amphibian duck native to this area of ​​the region. It has natural vegetation surrounding the lake. The lake has a depth of 6.1 m. It is the only lake that is in the open air and therefore not recognized as an eye. It is round and has a circumference of about 223 m. The cave in which the last lake is located has partially collapsed and is difficult to get to.

The Three Eyes Cave is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: 50 pesos per person.

The Columbus Lighthouse, the Three Eyes Caves (Los Tres Ojos) in the Mirador del Este Park in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic and of course the JUMBO supermarket in La Romana, all this is in this post.

Dear reader, if you started reading a post about a trip to the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, from now on, then I ask you to go to , in order to save the chronology. Due to the large number of photos/photos about Santo Domingo, the post takes a long time to load, so I had to split it into two.

• Columbus Lighthouse in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic
• three eye caves (Los Tres Ojos) in the Mirador del Este park (Parque Mirador del Este) in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic
• supermarket "JUMBO" in La Romana Dominican Republic

Columbus Lighthouse in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic

We drove over the bridge over the Osama River and soon stopped; from the car window we saw a monumental structure. It was the Columbus Lighthouse (Faro a Colon), the size of which is simply amazing, and it is difficult to call this grandiose structure a LIGHTHOUSE.

Columbus Lighthouse opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., daily

This monument can easily be classified as a “MIRACLE”, especially considering that it is located in such a small country as the Dominican Republic. Built in 1992, to mark the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Novaya Zemlya by Columbus. Inside there is a mausoleum of the famous navigator Christopher Columbus and a museum. The lighthouse is made in the form of a cross and in the evenings, if you are lucky, you can see the light of lasers.

From the end of the building you can see that the museum is in the shape of a cross.

For the lighthouse, the project cost 40 million dollars, slums were cleared and laser beams drew a cross in the night sky, while there was not enough electricity for ordinary people. All this caused displeasure among the people. After several skirmishes, several people were killed and the public became involved in the construction issue. How much this reduced costs is not known, but all the tragic events left a generally bad impression of the lighthouse, so much so that the Pope even refused to consecrate the lighthouse. To this day, it is not always possible to see laser beams at night due to power outages.

From the entrance to the Columbus Lighthouse Museum there is a beautiful view of the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo.

There was an entrance fee, we didn't have local currency, and they didn't accept dollars, so we didn't get inside.

Three Eye Caves (Los Tres Ojos) in the Mirador del Este Park in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic

We also wanted to go to the Aquarium, but perhaps the taxi drivers have a well-established route, because the driver told us that it was not interesting there and took us to the Three Eyes Caves (Los Tres Ojos), which are located in the Mirador del Este park (Parque Mirador del Este). This natural park was not included in our plans, but since we had brought it, we went to have a look, and to our surprise, we were very pleased; it was truly an amazing sight within the city.

Since the park is national, they only accept local currency, but we didn’t have it. This is the same problem as the Columbus Lighthouse Museum. But since our taxi stop was 30 meters away, we asked our driver to exchange American dollars for Dominican ones to buy tickets. He also advised to have 25 Dominican dollars for the ferry crossing. Having received local currency, we purchased tickets for the visit. Cost of admission, ticket price for adults is 100 pesos. The peso to ruble exchange rate in October 2015 was 1:1.4. Thus, for 100 pesos we had to pay about 140 rubles, that is, the price is not high. In place of the ticket, they put a paper bracelet on your hand, which is your pass to the park.

Opening hours of the Three Eyes Cave from 8-00 to 17-00, daily

The tickets were purchased and we moved forward, but not for long, as you are greeted by the entrance to the dungeon.

The descent down the steps is good, there are handrails. You need to go to the bottom, there is no fuss, you are not limited in time, but given the high humidity and temperature, there is still a load.

The water in the lakes is very clean, but you cannot swim in them.

An interesting entertainment is crossing to the third lake by ferry. The crossing there is free, and back 25 Dominican dollars (about 35 rubles) or in any other currency, but keep in mind that not all change is given. But it’s still worth crossing, there’s silence and darkness all around.

Having crossed to the other shore in the dark, suddenly a gap opens up in front of you among the stones.

And a minute later you come out on the other side and move towards the light. Stalactites, or maybe stalagmites, appear in front of you.

Well, there’s more light now.

And the third lake opens in front of you.

For the convenience of visitors, there is a small bridge into the lake for those who like to take photos.

Having looked at the third lake, you return back on the same ferry. That's it, it's time to go back to the top. At the top you can walk around the park, but it is not big. Signs have been installed and the paths have been paved. In principle, there is no need for signs; it is impossible to get lost in the park.

Along the route of the walk there is an observation deck and benches for rest.

From the observation deck in the park, you can look at the third lake from above and see the bridge on which many take photos.

A leisurely walk, without gatherings, took 40 minutes. As you exit, mysterious figures accompany you.

With this, the tour of Santo Domingo came to an end, we got into the car and our way was back to the Be live collection Canoa hotel, through the city of La Romana and the JUMBO supermarket.

Supermarket "JUMBO" in La Romana Dominican Republic

The sightseeing in Santo Domingo is over, the photos are taken, and you can head back. Along the way, small shops again flash by.

The country was preparing for some elections, and therefore there was a lot of advertising of candidates.

We also stopped at a gas station, but not a gas station, but a gas station. In the Dominican Republic, there are many cars that run on gas and specialized gas stations; it seemed to us that there were more than gas stations.

About an hour or an hour and a half after leaving the capital, it began to rain in places.

And not far from La Romana a tropical downpour began. This is such a spectacle! Heavy rain that lasted for about thirty minutes. On the highway, the water did not linger on the road, but in the city it was a completely different matter. The road surface was covered with water about ten centimeters.

But towards the end of the rain, and especially when we entered the city, we saw that this meant tropical downpour. All the streets were knee-deep in water.

In some places, water reached the bumper on the roads.

And after turning into what seemed like a safe street, we simply saw a river rushing onto a parallel street and sweeping away everything in its path.

The rain left a strong impression on itself; during our stay in the Dominican Republic in October, it rained at night, but we didn’t even hear it, we just slept in the room, and in the morning we saw wet paths.

When we got to JUMBO in La Romana, the rain stopped.

In the Dominican Republic, cars do not have license plates in front, only in the rear, and also in the Dominican Republic, drivers drive with emergency lights on, when visibility is poor, and the speed can be 100 km/h.