After a lot of reading in guide books and here, we have decided that we want to explore the SW coast/region on our next trip, and we want opinions regarding our agenda.
Our plan is to go the week after Easter and we have 4 days/3 nights and although we know that it might not be enough to scratch the surface, this is what we want to try to accommodate in that time (observe that the first day is actually a half day as it'll be the day we arrive to our hotel from SD):
- Lago Enriquillo
- Hoyo de Pelempito
- Bah?a de las ?guilas
- Cachote
- Las Caritas
- Polo Magn?tico
First question: can we see all this in the little time we have there and in what order? If not, what can we drop? We have a flexible schedule, although not as long as we wish it would be.
We're in the process of looking for car rentals but I've read that the deposit on booking is about 15,000 DR: is this true or gossip? We're not sure yet of if we should rent all the way from SD or rent from Barahona, as after this trip we're continuing to San Juan to visit my family (unfortunately non negotiable). Or better yet, can you recommend a driver/tour guide who could drive us around?
We have checked out Eco Tour Barahona but their prices are a little too expensive for our budget, considering that it's only 2 people (maybe 3).
Do we need to get any permit at Direcci?n Nacional de Parques to visit any of the sights above? We're not interested in camping as of now.
I have read in several recent to slightly old threads that the roads are OK for the most part but that to get to Bah?a de las ?guilas and Hoyo de Pelempito (and Cachote maybe?) we need a 4WD, is that still the case?
We'd like to overnight in Pedernales and then proceed to Hoyo de Pelempito and possibly Bah?a de las ?guilas (if we don't do that from Barahona) and continue towards Lago Enriquillo. Is this possible or should we go back to Barahona and head to the lake from there?
Anything else we're missing or that you think we should know is welcome.
TIA
Our plan is to go the week after Easter and we have 4 days/3 nights and although we know that it might not be enough to scratch the surface, this is what we want to try to accommodate in that time (observe that the first day is actually a half day as it'll be the day we arrive to our hotel from SD):
- Lago Enriquillo
- Hoyo de Pelempito
- Bah?a de las ?guilas
- Cachote
- Las Caritas
- Polo Magn?tico
First question: can we see all this in the little time we have there and in what order? If not, what can we drop? We have a flexible schedule, although not as long as we wish it would be.
We're in the process of looking for car rentals but I've read that the deposit on booking is about 15,000 DR: is this true or gossip? We're not sure yet of if we should rent all the way from SD or rent from Barahona, as after this trip we're continuing to San Juan to visit my family (unfortunately non negotiable). Or better yet, can you recommend a driver/tour guide who could drive us around?
We have checked out Eco Tour Barahona but their prices are a little too expensive for our budget, considering that it's only 2 people (maybe 3).
Do we need to get any permit at Direcci?n Nacional de Parques to visit any of the sights above? We're not interested in camping as of now.
I have read in several recent to slightly old threads that the roads are OK for the most part but that to get to Bah?a de las ?guilas and Hoyo de Pelempito (and Cachote maybe?) we need a 4WD, is that still the case?
We'd like to overnight in Pedernales and then proceed to Hoyo de Pelempito and possibly Bah?a de las ?guilas (if we don't do that from Barahona) and continue towards Lago Enriquillo. Is this possible or should we go back to Barahona and head to the lake from there?
Anything else we're missing or that you think we should know is welcome.
TIA