Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and Hispaniolan trogon. Lago Enriquillo and Laguna Oviedo are known for populations of
wading birds.
The Jardín Botánico Nacional (
Click here
)
in Santo Domingo are, surprisingly, also a
good spot to look for birds, especially the palm chat, black-crowned palm tanagers, Hispa-
niolan woodpeckers, vervain hummingbirds and Antillean mangoes. In the Punta Cana
area, head to the Indigeneous Eyes Ecological Park; and near Bayahibe, Parque Nacional
del Este where 112 species have been recorded.
Parque Nacional Los Haitises is the only place you're likely to see the highly en-
dangered Ridgway's hawk.
While numerous overseas birding groups bring enthusiasts here, there's only one tour
company devoted to birdwatching based in the DR.
Paragliding
Head out to Jarabacoa for the thrill of soaring on a thermal with a bird's-eye view of the
spectacular mountains surrounding this valley town, with its unusual sights of pine trees
and Swiss-type A-frame houses - right in the middle of the Caribbean. There's a great
local group of pilots living here year-round.
Horseback Riding
Those equestrian-inclined will find good riding on beaches and in the mountains. You
may be somewhat disappointed in the horses, however - Dominicans themselves tend to
use mules, and the few horses are principally for tourists and rich Dominicans. Don't ex-
pect to ride a thoroughbred, however a handful of well-run, independent operations, espe-
cially in the Sosúa and Cabarete region, can be recommended.
A number of stables offer their services through tour agencies and resorts. Expect to
pay roughly US$50 to US$70 per person for a half-day ride. You can also ride a mule to
the top of Pico Duarte.
The most popular trip is to the waterfalls around Limón on the Península de Samaná.
