Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A short distance east of the park entrance, look for
Las Caritas
(The Masks). On the
north side of the highway, bright yellow handrails lead up to a small rock formation with
what are believed to be pre-Taíno petroglyphs. A short but somewhat tricky climb up the
hillside - you'll need shoes or decent sandals - affords a close look at the pictures and a
fine view of the lake. Very little is known about the meaning of the figures. Note that
much of the rock here is actually petrified coral, remnants of the time the entire area was
under the sea.
Ecotour Barahona (
Click here
)
offers a popular day trip to Isla Cabritos (US$139), in-
cluding lunch at the swimming hole at La Descubierta and a visit to Las Caritas and the
Haitian market at Jimaní, though this border area often floods, canceling the market.
Sleeping & Eating
About 3km west of the park entrance lies the small town of La Descubierta, which is pop-
ular for its large swimming hole right in the middle of town. There are food shacks in
town, near the park and swimming hole.
Hotel Iguana
( 809-958-7636; Calle Padre Billini 3; r per person without/with full board RD$400/1000)
There's not
much reason to spend the night here, but if you get stuck, Hotel Iguana, on the main road
west of the park, will do in a pinch. Rooms are small and simple, but also clean and quiet,
with private bathrooms and better-than-expected beds. Call ahead to arrange excellent
home-cooked meals.
GUESTHOUSE
$
Getting There & Away
You're better off driving yourself if you're coming this far north of Pedernales, but you
can also grab a
guagua
from Barahona to Neyba. Tell the driver to stop at the ranger sta-
tion, where you can then change for any westbound
guagua
.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Jimaní
POP 10,034
This dusty border town is on the most direct route from Santo Domingo to Port-au-Prince,
and is therefore the busiest of the four official border crossings. Dominicans from as far
