LOS HAITÍSES

Los Haitíses national park is a true journey to the heart of the Dominican Republic. Haitíses means "highlands" or "mountains" in the Taíno language (indigenous people of the Dominican Republic) and at 1,600 square kilometers, only part of the park is open to the public. This Caribbean oasis is home to virgin mangrove forests, Taíno drawings, secluded beaches, pirate hideouts, and a great diversity of endemic flora and fauna.

Arriving at our destination, the coastal town of Sabana de la Mar, we board a catamaran on the outskirts of Los Haitíses National Park and pass through the narrow channels of the mangroves, which act as an ideal home for hundreds of species of birds. , fish, reptiles and crustaceans. Leaving the mangrove forests behind, the landscape opens up to the bay of San Lorenzo with fantastic views of the park and the mountains of Samaná in the distance. If we are lucky, we may even have a little company in the deep waters of the bay, since seeing dolphins is very common.

During our visit to Los Haitses, we are going to visit two caves, once used by the Taino Indians for more than a millennium. The first, Cueva de la Arena, is situated on a secluded beach with several oceanfront caverns and Taino rock carvings. The second, Cueva de la Línea, is located in the forest and is full of Taino drawings, which gives us a better idea of ​​how these indigenous people lived before the arrival of Christopher Columbus.

Leaving the park, it's time to eat. Lunch will be served at Yanigua Spa, a small ranch with lush vegetation and even a hidden waterfall! You will enjoy a typical Dominican lunch of chicken, rice, beans, vegetables, salads, fruits and a delicious local fish called Minuta. After lunch, we go to the river where you can swim in the refreshing waters, jump from the jump, or apply healing mud from the bottom of the river. When we get out of the water we will try some hot chocolate or coffee made in the same ranch.

For an authentic contact with the Dominican Republic's history, culture and natural beauty, join us on this unique adventure to Los Haitises National Park.