Fauna of the Dominican Republic

Travelers in the Dominican Republic manage to enjoy the beauties of natural nature. And they pay off with positive emotions from meeting unique animals in their habitats.

Jaragua Park

In the south of the country is the Jaragua Park with the famous salt lake. Laguna de Oviedo, with emerald water, is surrounded by mangrove forests that are home to rare bird species. Pink flamingos feel like owners, they are not afraid of camera flashes. White herons, ibises and sandpipers proudly pace here.

If you are patient, you can meet large rhinoceros iguanas. May - October - the time of observation of sea turtles. Green turtles, laud turtles, kaguamos and other species sometimes reach almost two meters in length.

Estero Hondo Park

The landmark of the Dominican Republic is the sea cow. A huge reserve of manatees is located in Estero Hondo, whose territory is located in the province of Puerto Plata. Animals live in a special pond. Park staff talk about this amazing endangered species of animals. You can watch baby manatees in their natural environment. Souvenirs in the form of these unusual animals are also bought here.

Samana bay

January - March is the time of arrival of humpback whales in Samana Bay. Boat trips are conducted by sailors. They swim up to mammals as close as possible. mating games sea ​​giants and their incredible jumps are clearly visible from the shore.

Los Haitises Nature Reserve

A fascinating boat trip is for people traveling through the Los Haitises Reserve. Majestic bamboo groves and mangroves have become a haven for beautiful pelicans, amazing frigatebirds and other birds. Here, the caves of the ancient Taino Indians with rock paintings remained in their original form.

Animal Adventure Park

A huge piece of tropical paradise on the ocean is Animal Adventure Park. Thrill-seekers are invited to swim next to sharks and rays, which are separated from people by a transparent partition, cute fur seals and smart dolphins. Shows with the participation of fur seals and lions are often held, and the performances of trained birds become a real treat for their lovers.

Here live the brightly colored striped Bengal tigers and their special cousins ​​with blue eyes and white fur. Exotic iguanas of various sizes, toucans with huge heavy beaks, reptiles and monkeys - all this can be seen for 70 USD.

Manati Park

Manati Park is an ideal place to visit with children. Various animal shows are scheduled here. It is best to check the schedule at the entrance. Demonstration performances of dancing horses, dolphin shows and parrot choirs can be covered in one day's visit. It is recommended to take a walk in the park and admire predatory crocodiles, iguanas and crabs, turtles of all stripes and birds of various colors and sizes in between shows.

The cost of visiting the park for adults is 35 USD, for teenagers 20. You can take a child under 2 years old for free.

The fauna of the Dominican Republic is a bright journey and a cure for stress.

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The geography of the Dominican Republic is very extraordinary in its essence, and its uniqueness attracts many tourists from all over the world, in particular the younger generation of the United States. The Dominican Republic is located on one of the islands of the Caribbean called Haiti and is the second largest state after in this region.

On this island is the second state of the same name Haiti. On all sides the island is surrounded by famous tourist attraction seas. From the south the island is washed by the caribbean, which, one might say, is the majority of Dominican resorts. From the north, the Dominican Republic feels the waves Atlantic Ocean and the Sargasso Sea. From the eastern part, the island is washed by the Mona Strait, which separates from it another island of Puerto Rico, which belongs to the United States. And from the west of the state through the mountains on the same island is the territory of the country of Haiti. A little to the west is the island of Cuba, and a little to the south is Jamaica.

In addition to the main island territory, the state owns 3 small islands: Beata, Saona and Catalina. Oddly enough, they are all located in the south. The largest of them - Saona is recognized national reserve, vegetable and animal world which will surprise any tourist with its diversity and beauty.

In addition to the surrounding water of the island from the outside, many rivers and lakes are located inside the island. This is a huge water system of the state. Of the largest rivers, one can distinguish such as Yuna and Yaque del Norte. As for lakes, the largest in the Dominican Republic is Lake Enriquillo.

very pronounced mountain system, which forms ridges and wide valleys, located mainly in the central part. Between these mountains are tropical groves and forests, along which are located tourist routes crossing rivers, lakes and crop plantations. Of these, plantations of sugar cane or royal palms are clearly expressed. Sometimes there are huge cacti and many different forms of living creatures among the tropical forests located on the slopes of the mountains.

It is a green place with many climatic zones. Therefore, in addition to dense green tropical vegetation, sandy deserts are sometimes found.

The fauna of the local tropical nature is also very diverse. Here there is an opportunity to watch sea whales and swim between them. Also widespread are marine life such as sharks, stingrays and dolphins.

Horse riding is in high demand. And exotic birds, such as parrots, are common here. Also in the mouths of the rivers there are alligators.

What interests ecotourists? First of all, the uniqueness and diversity of natural landscapes, which make it possible active rest or relaxation in the bosom of nature. There are not many countries in the world that, like the Dominican Republic, fit such a diversity in a small area. natural resources. tropical climate conditions all year round contributed to the creation of unique landscapes, flora and fauna here. On the territory of about 50 thousand square meters. km, an inquisitive naturalist will find everything from tropical rainforests to hot sand dunes, from high waterfalls to deep-sea caves. Almost two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola is occupied by three mountain ranges, and the rest of the territory is replaced by valleys, forests, beaches, lakes, lagoons, rivers - it is not surprising that all this attracts lovers wildlife. Here everyone, armed with a simple camera, can feel like an artist.

The Dominican Republic has the most high points in the Caribbean - Pico Duarte (Duarte Peak, 3,175 m), La Pelona (La Pelona, ​​3,087 m), La Rucilla (La Rusilla, 3,049 m) and Pico Yaque (Yake Peak, 2,760 m). The lowest point in the Caribbean is also located here - the largest in the region. salt Lake Enriquillo, located 43 meters below sea level. The Samana Peninsula has the largest number of palm trees per square meter in the world; every year from January to March, it comes to its shores to breed offspring a large number of humpback whales. Another find for ecotourists is a complex of 27 spectacular Damajagua waterfalls, half an hour drive from Puerto Plata.

In the Dominican Republic, the greenery of valleys and forests is interspersed with sand dunes, of which the dunes of the southern province of Peravia Dunas de Bani, which are about 50 thousand years old, deserve special attention. The beaches of the Caribbean coast alone with fine white sand and coconut palms stretch for more than one and a half thousand kilometers. In addition to land, the territory of the country includes beautiful nearby islands, to which excursions for ecotourists are held - Saona, Beata, Catalina and Alto Velo. Scuba diving fans will find one of the most beautiful underwater caves in the world, La Sirena, the richest coral reefs and sunken ships off the coast of the Dominican Republic.

Protected flora and fauna

Respect for the environment is an important component of the state policy of the Dominican Republic, so the richness of the local flora and fauna is under the tutelage of a system of numerous national parks country. National east park , located between Bayahibe and the mouth of the Yuma River, is one of the most popular among tourists. On the protected area of ​​430 sq. km dense mangrove forests grow in which redwood, gris-gris tree and sea ​​grapes. The fauna of the park is represented by 112 species of birds, 11 of which are endemic to the Caribbean. In addition to land, the reserve includes the territories of the islands of Saona and Catalina, near which there are manatees, manatees and sea turtles.

Two popular national parks are located in the north of the country. IN Monte Cristi National Park pelicans, yellow-fronted yacans, plovers and other rare birds can be found on the Atlantic coast, and one of the largest populations of gulls in the Caribbean lives on the nearby islands of Siete Hermanos. South of Puerto Plata, on an 800-meter mountain, is the Isabel de Torres Scientific Reserve, where you can photograph unusual views of the surroundings, walk along botanical garden and admire the original ferns, orchids and bromeliads.

In the central region, northwest of Constanta, are located José Armando Bermudez and José del Carmen Ramirez National Parks, which divide Duarte Peak among themselves and in which several rivers of the island originate. The flora of the José Armando Bermudez Park is represented mainly by coniferous trees; from the animal world, magpies, woodpeckers, parrots, mice, and steppe vipers live here. In the Jose del Carmen Ramirez park, coniferous, broad-leaved and mixed forests coexist, where you can find partridges, canaries, crows, swifts, wild boars.

Despite the typicality of tropical rainforests, the Dominican Republic also has an arid reserve - national park Jaragua, where the sea shelves are located, many of which are more than 50 million years old. Cacti, oaks, sea grapes and medicinal herbs grow here, iguanas and bats, many species of birds live, and off the coast of the nearby island of Beata, the most southern point Republic, there are unique species of turtles and fish.

North of Pedernales is the longest Sierra del Baoruco National Park(1126 sq. km). Here, mountains give way to diverse forests, where half of all orchid species that exist in the country grow, as well as rare and endangered species of mammals and birds.

Further north, on an island in the middle of salt lake Enriquillo, is Isla Cabritos National Park. Here, in addition to the largest population of American crocodiles and other reptiles in the Caribbean, 134 species of birds live, including pink flamingos and blue herons.

Popular with ecotourists Los Haitises National Park, located on islets in Samana Bay in the northwest of the Dominican Republic, is a reserve of tropical jungles and swampy mangrove forests. 700 species of vascular plants and trees grow here, as well as 110 species of birds.

Just 17 km from Santo Domingo is located La Caleta National Underwater Park home to many tropical fish and the famous Hickory wreck.

The State Secretariat of the Dominican Republic for National Parks is responsible for the protection, management and development of the country's system of reserves. To visit some parks, a special permit is required, therefore, before going to a particular reserve, it is necessary to clarify in advance the need for obtaining it.

Ecotourist fun

Travel companies actively monitor the growing popularity of eco-tourism and offer guests of the Dominican Republic special excursion programs to protected areas where you can see the unique wealth of landscapes, flora and fauna and find the lost harmony with nature. You can pick up excursions in a travel agency, or go to independent searches adventure. Here are some ideas on how to organize such trips.

Hiking In the countryside you can always find many paths leading through mountains, valleys and rivers. The most famous footpath is the trail to Pico Duarte. Many trails are located in national parks, which require special permission to enter. Moreover, some routes are dangerous for inexperienced tourists, so it is best to enlist the support of an experienced guide - most often they offer their services at the entrance to the national park.	Birdwatching. It is best to watch birds in national parks where they are in their natural environment under state care. About 300 species of birds with outlandish shapes and colors live in the Dominican Republic, some of which fly there for temporary residence. Of these, 27 species are endemic to the island of Hispaniola.	Whale watching. Dominican Republic is one of the most famous places around the world to watch humpback whales. From January to March to Samana Bay and to north coast Many humpback whales come to the Dominican Republic to breed their offspring. For centuries, these huge mammals make an annual trip to the warm shores of the Dominican Republic in the winter. Almost all tour operators for this period provide an opportunity to visit Samana and admire the whales. The reserves of the Dominican Republic, such as the Sanctuary for the Marine Mammals of the Dominican Republic - the first whale sanctuary in the world - attract many ecotourists here. The Association of Tour Operators of the Dominican Republic takes care of these animals and actively advocates for a total ban on hunting them.
Horseback riding. Many excursion programs use horseback riding as a healthy and fun way to get around. The most popular option is a full-day horseback ride through the mountains and mountain rivers with stops at waterfalls and caves.	Canyoning. Canyoning, which is a descent along the canyons of a mountain river without floating means, combines various types of outdoor activities - hiking, swimming, rock climbing, and jumping into the water, and usually ends with swimming in a cool mountain pool. Thanks to the mountainous terrain of the Dominican Republic and the abundance of rivers, this relatively new sport has already become one of the most popular entertainments on the island. On the north coast, it will be possible to go on a similar walk near Cabarete, but the most popular place- Jarabacoa, in the Central Region. It is good to practice descending the cascades at the Salto de Jimenoa waterfall, as well as on famous waterfall Damajagua near Puerto Plata, consisting of 27 cascades. Each waterfall of the Damajagua complex flows into a natural pool, but only 12 of them are suitable for canyoning. The key to success in this business is the support of an experienced instructor, courage and suitable equipment.	Kayaking and rafting. Kayaking and rafting, involving rafting on mountain rivers on special floating facilities, are especially popular in the central region of the Dominican Republic. mountain rivers full of seething foam, sharp turns and rapid cliffs. There are one-day rafting tours from Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata and Cabarete, including full equipment, instructor services and meals throughout the day. Similar programs are available for adults and children from 12 years old.
Rock climbing. Climbing enthusiasts know that the Dominican Republic is one of the the most beautiful places in the world, ideal for these activities. Local mountain ranges challenge the thrill-seekers. One of the best places- Playa El Fronton in the northeast of the Samana Peninsula, easily accessible from Las Galeras.	Excursions in the caves. There are hundreds of caves in the Dominican Republic, most of which are located in national parks. The most popular caves among tourists are Los Tres Ojos (“Three Eyes”) in Santo Domingo, Las Cuevas del Pomier and Fun-Fun Cave, as well as La Cueva de Las Maravillas (“Cave of Wonders”). There are also underwater caves, for example, the underwater cave Padre Nuestro in the National east park where you can go diving.	Tours to the waterfalls. Most high waterfall in the country - the 40-meter Salto del Limon on the Samana Peninsula, located at an altitude of 300 m above sea level; its cascades fall into a deep pool of crystal clear greenish water. Just below the Salto de Jimenoa waterfall, located in Jarabacoa. A long mountain path leads to the waterfall and a narrow suspension bridge over the cold streams of the Yaque del Norte river, cascading into a natural pool. The 25 m high Salto Baiguate waterfall is also located in Jarabacoa and is surrounded by beautiful tropical vegetation.
Excursions to the plantations. The Dominican Republic is happy to open the secrets of its agricultural production to tourists. One of the types of local ecotourism is special agro-tours to plantations of cocoa, coffee, tobacco, sugar cane and other traditional crops. In the Cibao Valley, there is a “chocolate tour” of cocoa plantations, in the Constanta Valley there are special exhibitions of agricultural products, and in Jarabacoa flower festivals are held.

In memory of the ecotourist

The Dominican Republic has a tropical climate all year round. Sunny weather, sometimes with partly cloudy weather, is typical. Tropical showers occur in summer, from August to the end of October there is a period of cyclones and possible hurricanes, so for long hikes, active walks and outdoor sports, it is better to choose another time of the year. The average annual temperature ranges from 19° to 34° C (the lowest temperatures are observed from November to April, and the hottest season lasts from May to October), so it is unlikely that you will need to take warm clothes on a research expedition. On the contrary, light and comfortable clothing will be used, and do not neglect the advice to bring insect repellent.

Hotels operating in the Dominican Republic are trying to meet the new standards of environmentally responsible tourism, and very successfully. Yes, in June Hotel Sol Melia in the Dominican Republic has been certified by the Institute for Responsible Tourism (ITR) as a Biosphere Hotel Company, a distinction for the hotel's contribution to the sustainable development of the area. The certification takes into account aspects such as environmentally responsible procurement of materials and products with a preference for local suppliers and sustainable products, food safety and diversity, sustainable waste management and participation in improving the lives of local communities.

If you want to become a responsible tourist, the infrastructure of the Dominican Republic is ready to support you in this endeavor. Whatever you choose to stay during your vacation - a hotel, an apartment in a tourist residence or a local bungalow, here nature itself and the hospitality of the inhabitants will tune you in to the “ecological wave”, help restore the lost balance with the environment. Come and see: such beauties, as in the Dominican Republic, give rise only to admiration, the desire for harmony and creation.

The Dominican Republic is the most diverse country in the Caribbean. There are 9 ecological zones in the country, at the same time there is the hottest, driest and coldest point in the Caribbean. The most high peak- Peak Duarte (more than 3000 meters) and the lowest point (Lake Enrique - 4 meters). And besides, on the island there are real sand dunes, the shortest river in the world big lake in the Antilles, an American crocodile sanctuary and a place where almost the entire population of North Atlantic humpback whales sails every year.

Vegetable world

tropical country Dominican Republic is distinguished by unique landscapes and landscapes, as well as the richness of flora and fauna. More than one year will have to be spent to study the extraordinary flora and fauna of the Dominican Republic. Official data shows that there are about 8,000 varieties of plants, of which 1,800 are unique plants that are not found anywhere else on the planet. The total number of plant species in the Dominican Republic is three times the number of plant species in all of Europe.

The island of Haiti, where the Dominican Republic is located, is characterized by a stable state of late spring throughout the year, because of this, flowers are constantly blooming here, and the trees are always covered with greenery. On the offshore islands mainly cacti and thorny bushes grow, as drought prevails here most of the time.

But in the rest of the territory of the Republic, plants characteristic of temperate latitudes and tropical trees get along well with each other, which is a very rare occurrence and is not repeated anywhere else in the world. Shrubs, dwarf trees, flowers grow on the flat surface, and along each beach there are coconut palms and mangrove trees, thanks to which the coast is protected from hurricanes.

There are about 3,000 species of exotic flowers growing in the Dominican Republic. Among this variety of colors and smells, the orchid occupies the main step. A huge number of orchids are grown here, including a special species that is equated with national value; it is forbidden to export it outside the country.

From agricultural plants, bananas, coffee, cocoa, sugar cane are grown here, chocolate and coffee trees, coconut palms, pineapple and orange groves, a lot of various tropical fruits grow. Cutting down trees in the Dominican Republic is prohibited by law.

Animal world

The extraordinary and exceptional nature of the Dominican Republic was almost completely destroyed due to wars and civilization, which very quickly spread throughout the island, thanks to colonization. All large mammals were exterminated on the island.

Many species of animals are under state protection. However, the Dominican Republic is able to surprise any tourist with a variety of marine life in the lagoons. Sharks are not here because they are protected coral reefs thanks to which marine inhabitants are provided with food and the opportunity to breed. Here you can meet the extraordinary beauty of bright fish, shrimps, lobsters, crabs. Incredible sight - humpback whales in their natural environment. Here they produce offspring, here are favorable conditions for this, a lot of food and warm water Bay of Samana. Also in the coast of the Dominican Republic live sea cows, dolphins.

There are several species of turtles on land, including the rare leatherback turtle, which is an endangered species. Turtles emerge to lay their eggs in the sand. Eggs laid by leatherback turtles are carefully protected by the state by law.

There are approximately 250 species of birds in the Dominican Republic. Unique Species albatrosses, flamingos, herons, cranes, Amazonian parrots, hummingbirds, palm mint and others.

There are no venomous snakes in the Dominican Republic. Among reptiles, here you can see six-meter boa constrictors, unique specimens of lizards, crocodiles, iguana-rhinos. And it's far from full list animals living in the Dominican Republic.

Facts about Dominican nature

Interesting, but winter time over the Dominican Republic you can see an unusual Russian tourists month. It "hangs" in the sky upside down, forming a pretty "boat". Seeing this phenomenon for the first time, directly related to geographic location Islands, many tourists are confused and attribute what they see to the excessive consumption of rum, which is so abundant in the Dominican Republic.

Fresh fish and oysters on the islands can be much cheaper than fruits, which are also plentiful here. Vacationers in the north of the Dominican Republic, on the popular Samana Peninsula, will be able to buy fresh oysters from the local population at a price of 4-5 pesos apiece, by the way, one lemon will cost about the same. Thus, you can organize an exotic and healthy dinner for yourself for only 20-25 pesos.

Only in this country of the world is mined a wonderful larimar. This turquoise-like stone is a variety of the unique blue pectolite.

Flora and fauna lovers will not be disappointed. In the Dominican Republic, you can observe the life of rare endemics - red-eyed iguanas. The scientific name of the large, nimble iguanas is Cyclura ricordi and can be seen near the settlement of Barahon. To date, about 2 thousand individuals of red-eyed iguanas remain.

Of the rare animals, there is a unique sand tooth. In addition to the Dominican Republic, Solenodon Paradoxus is also found in Cuba. The most striking fact about this animal is that it is highly venomous and yet has no immunity of its own against its own venom. Territory fights often end in the death of one of the opposing flint teeth. Females bear only two, less often three cubs, since the sand teeth have only two nipples for feeding offspring.

In the Dominican Republic, there is a huge salt lake, one of the top largest similar lakes in the world. It is called Lago Enriquillo, which means Crocodile Lake. This is not surprising: about 400 individuals of this American crocodile live in the salty waters of this lake. total area a reservoir of 370 km2, and the level of "salinity" is about eight times higher than in the Caribbean Sea.

The local rainy season falls on the period from late May to early September. But do not be afraid of prolonged tropical downpours. It usually rains here for 1-2 hours and mostly at night. The local climate is one of the most comfortable in the region, attracting tourists in any season.

Despite the fact that the Dominican Republic is one of the largest exporters of cocoa, chocolate is practically not made here. There are three or four different types of chocolate, but the taste is not very good and is only of interest to traveling gourmets who want to try all the chocolates in the world.

Cafes and restaurants serve only unripe cooked tomatoes. It's strange, but red, ripe fruits are almost never served anywhere.

You can talk about the features of the Dominican Republic endlessly: these are chickens resting on trees, and whole swarms of one-day ants, and much more. At least once in your life you must visit this wonderful country and see all the wonders with your own eyes.