National Parks
From tropical forests to semi-deserts, the Dominican Republic is comprised of various climate conditions, the largest being sub-tropical moist and sub-tropical dry forests. Four mountain ranges elevate the island and are capped by four of the tallest peaks in the Caribbean: Pico Duarte at 10,128 feet above sea level (ASL), La Pelona at 10,072 feet ASL, La Rucilla at 9,990 feet ASL and Pico Yaque at 9,055 feet ASL. However, being the tallest isn't its only colossal claim. The Dominican Republic also has the lowest point in the Caribbean at 144 feet below sea level at Lake Enriguillo.
These mountain ranges, valleys, deserts, lakes and islands serve as home to 5,600 plant species. Thirty-six percent of the country's floral species are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on the planet, of which, 300 endemic orchids have been identified. The Dominican Republic even has an endemic palm tree called the "manacle palm."
Of the 303 bird species living in the country, 27 are endemic, including the yellow and brown Hispaniola woodpecker and the narrow-billed tody. Many of the birds are also listed as endangered or threatened throughout the world. One bird, listed as critical, is the Ridgway's hawk.
Other creatures also call the national parks home including 300 species of butterflies and 33 land mammals. Many naturalists will hope to get a peek of the endangered solenodonte, a small shrew-like critter with a long nose that eats ants. The hutia, a small gerbil-like rodent, is also rarely seen. Much larger than these tiny beings are the American crocodile, reaching lengths of 15 feet, and the rhinoceros iguana which grows to four feet and gets its name from the horn-like bump on its nose.
Several marine areas have been classified as national parks and many animals have found refuge here where 14 percent of the world's coral reefs reside. Six of the world's seven marine turtles live in the DR including the mammoth leatherback which can grow to over six feet and weigh 800 pounds. In addition, the endangered Antillean manatee, humpback whale and bottlenose dolphin are often observed in the Dominican Republic's bays.
While the country has invested a significant amount of time and funds to conservation efforts, it has established several partnerships with internationally recognized environmental organizations to further this cause. In 1984, the country joined the Caribbean Conservation Association. Since 1990, the Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development (CIIFAD) has worked in the country to develop strategies for managing agricultural and ecological resources, with particular emphasis on the Los Haitises National Park and the coastal border region of Samaná Bay.
CIIFAD recently received a grant from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) to further its work. And, the Nature Conservancy is collaborating with local organizations to protect the island's areas with a current emphasis on the Madre de las Aquas Conservation area in the west. It also has programs at Parque Nacional del Este with funding from the Rescue the Reef (RTR) program.
Entrance Fees
Although entrance fees to the national parks vary from location to location, the amount is nominal ranging from $1 to $5. Guides are nearly always mandatory and fees can usually be negotiated. When exploring the national parks, authorities recommend having the appropriate gear on hand: shoes with proper traction, layered clothing for temperature changes at different elevations, flashlight for descending into caves, binoculars for bird-watching, insect repellent and water.
National Parks Offices
Dominican Republic National Parks Office
Av Independencia 539 esq Cervantes
Santo Domingo (Apartado Postal 2487)
Eoturisa, Santiago 203, B
The Ecotourism Department of the National Parks Office
Located next to Santo Domingo's zoological gardens
(809) 472-3717
Offices open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.