Lago Enriquillo and Isla Cabritos National Park Day Trip from Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Trip Type: Day Trips
Duration: 12 hours
Discover the wildlife treasures of the Dominican Republic on this day trip to Lago Enriquillo and Isla Cabritos National Park. Ride a boat across the largest lake in the Caribbean, and catch close-up views of crocs and flamingos. On the desert shores of Isla Cabritos, spot iguanas, scorpions and butterflies; gaze at mysterious carvings at a Taíno cave; and learn about the local geology and history from an informative guide. Birdwatchers will find paradise at Oviedo Lagoon, a UNESCO biosphere preserve. Lunch and hotel transport by minivan are included.
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Discover the wildlife treasures of the Dominican Republic on this day trip to Lago Enriquillo and Isla Cabritos National Park. Ride a boat across the largest lake in the Caribbean, and catch close-up views of crocs and flamingos. On the desert shores of Isla Cabritos, spot iguanas, scorpions and butterflies; gaze at mysterious carvings at a Taíno cave; and learn about the local geology and history from an informative guide. Birdwatchers will find paradise at Oviedo Lagoon, a UNESCO biosphere preserve. Lunch and hotel transport by minivan are included.After early morning hotel pickup by comfortable minivan in Santo Domingo, travel with your guide and enjoy the scenery as you head west toward Lago Enriquillo, located in southwestern Dominican Republic near the border with Haiti. Recognized as both the largest lake and the lowest point in the Caribbean at 148 feet (45 meters) below sea level, Lago Enriquillo continues to rise.
Arrive at the lake midmorning and stretch your legs with a short (albeit steep) hike up to nearby Las Caritas, a Taíno cave covered in indigenous carvings of mask figures. As you hear about the archaeological site’s history, take in sweeping panoramas of the lake and Bahoruco mountains.
Then back aboard your minivan, enter the national park and marvel at the massive body of saltwater, spanning 77 square miles (200 sq km), with the desert stretch of Isla Cabritos (Goat Island) in its center. Learn about the geological formation of the lake, the remnants of an old channel that once connected Neiba Bay to Port-au-Prince. It now serves as the Dominican Republic’s largest water reserve.
Walk along Lago Enriquillo and spot some of the 200 American crocodiles that call the lake home. You’re also likely to see flamingos, terns, herons and egrets.
Follow your guide for the next leg of your journey: a boat ride that gives you even better vantage points of the lake’s wildlife en route to Isla Cabritos. When you arrive, hop out and stroll around the 7-mile-long (12-km) arid island as your guide explains its geology and history. Pass by cacti, and keep your eyes peeled for giant iguanas, and even scorpions. If you’re here in the spring, butterflies flit about desert blooms. (Note: In case of bad weather, the boat ride to Isla Cabritos will be cancelled, with more time spent at Las Caritas.)
After the park, head to a restaurant in the neighboring town of La Descubierta, and tuck into a hearty lunch buffet (sample menu below) featuring local cuisine. During your meal, enjoy a performance of merengue, a style of music and dance native to the Dominican Republic.
Wrap up your wildlife sightseeing with a 45-minute visit to Oviedo Lagoon, a UNESCO biosphere preserve located on the Dominican Republic's southern coast. During the boat ride, catch sight of a wide variety of migratory birds that populate the 20 small islands dotting the lagoon.
Then board your minivan and arrive at your Santo Domingo hotel in the evening.
Sample buffet menu:
Arrive at the lake midmorning and stretch your legs with a short (albeit steep) hike up to nearby Las Caritas, a Taíno cave covered in indigenous carvings of mask figures. As you hear about the archaeological site’s history, take in sweeping panoramas of the lake and Bahoruco mountains.
Then back aboard your minivan, enter the national park and marvel at the massive body of saltwater, spanning 77 square miles (200 sq km), with the desert stretch of Isla Cabritos (Goat Island) in its center. Learn about the geological formation of the lake, the remnants of an old channel that once connected Neiba Bay to Port-au-Prince. It now serves as the Dominican Republic’s largest water reserve.
Walk along Lago Enriquillo and spot some of the 200 American crocodiles that call the lake home. You’re also likely to see flamingos, terns, herons and egrets.
Follow your guide for the next leg of your journey: a boat ride that gives you even better vantage points of the lake’s wildlife en route to Isla Cabritos. When you arrive, hop out and stroll around the 7-mile-long (12-km) arid island as your guide explains its geology and history. Pass by cacti, and keep your eyes peeled for giant iguanas, and even scorpions. If you’re here in the spring, butterflies flit about desert blooms. (Note: In case of bad weather, the boat ride to Isla Cabritos will be cancelled, with more time spent at Las Caritas.)
After the park, head to a restaurant in the neighboring town of La Descubierta, and tuck into a hearty lunch buffet (sample menu below) featuring local cuisine. During your meal, enjoy a performance of merengue, a style of music and dance native to the Dominican Republic.
Wrap up your wildlife sightseeing with a 45-minute visit to Oviedo Lagoon, a UNESCO biosphere preserve located on the Dominican Republic's southern coast. During the boat ride, catch sight of a wide variety of migratory birds that populate the 20 small islands dotting the lagoon.
Then board your minivan and arrive at your Santo Domingo hotel in the evening.
Sample buffet menu:
- Vegetable salad
- Variety of locally made breads
- Rice with steamed vegetables and bean sauce
- Pastas
- Steamed fish
- Southern-style chicken
- Variety of local sweets
- Soda, juice, water
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