Biodiversity, striking natural attractions, the largest lake, spectacular panoramic highway, mountain paradors, dry forests archaeological sites, pink flamingos, lazing american crocodiles, iguanas, magnetic hill, larimar, bird watching...

   The tourism destination with the greatest biodiversity, the Barahona-Pedernales area of the country is the final frontier of local touristic development located on the southwest coast. Today domestic travelers and international connoisseurs of nature are its most frequent visitors. The striking natural attractions of this region are incomparable. This region boasts the largest salt water lake in the Caribbean, a spectacular panoramic highway with vistas along the coast, a mountain parador that overlooks a remarkable chasm, scorchingly hot, dry forests that lie not far from pine tree forests, as well as being one of the most significant fruit-producing areas in the country.

   Small private planes or chartered flights into the Maria Montez International Airport in Barahona or the recently improved Cabo Rojo landing field in Pedernales can be arranged but people generally travel to the southwestern destinations by land. Barahona is about a threehour drive from Santo Domingo, the capital city, most of which journey is along a very good highway. Add another hour to get to Pedernales.

   Public transportation in Barahona is by minibus, publico/concho or the perilous motoconcho. Transportation is less abundant in Pedernales, where the motoconcho is popular. To properly visit this area, however, it is best to have the mobility of an SUV or vehicle at one’s service.