After traveling to Costa Rica last year, I realized that the area that most resembles Costa Rica in fauna, mountains, rivers and beaches in the Dominican Republic is the southwest area of Barahona. Nothing in the Dominican republic come even close with it's diversity.
From Barahona to Perdenales, which incidently has in my opinion has the most extraodinary beaches in the Dominican Republic. 10 minutes noth of las Bahia de Las Aguilas is the mountian retreat of Pelempito. The view is considered to be the "Grand Canyon" of the Caribbean and the history of the native Indians escaping into those very mountians will astound you when you look at it's immensity. Just knowing that this mountain range feeds 1/3 of the island natural river and spring water is amazing.
In Barahona, there are no just one but TWO rivers that flow out from the mountians into the ocean. Both have bathing pools that gather these cold waters before reaching their warm Caribbean Ocean destination a few feet away.
All said and told they are 5 or 6 scenic destinations in the area that are unbeatable.
The area is safe to travel by car and the road is one of the best in the country. Many Europeans are starting to discover this previous ignored area as one can sit out in the Malecon and have a meal and socialize for hours.
From Barahona to Perdenales, which incidently has in my opinion has the most extraodinary beaches in the Dominican Republic. 10 minutes noth of las Bahia de Las Aguilas is the mountian retreat of Pelempito. The view is considered to be the "Grand Canyon" of the Caribbean and the history of the native Indians escaping into those very mountians will astound you when you look at it's immensity. Just knowing that this mountain range feeds 1/3 of the island natural river and spring water is amazing.
In Barahona, there are no just one but TWO rivers that flow out from the mountians into the ocean. Both have bathing pools that gather these cold waters before reaching their warm Caribbean Ocean destination a few feet away.
All said and told they are 5 or 6 scenic destinations in the area that are unbeatable.
The area is safe to travel by car and the road is one of the best in the country. Many Europeans are starting to discover this previous ignored area as one can sit out in the Malecon and have a meal and socialize for hours.