You didn't know it, but the Dominican Republic has two of the most beautiful natural treasures in the world, and you can visit them. Discover Los Haitises National Park and El Limón Waterfall, two natural treasures of the Dominican Republic located on the Samaná Peninsula.
Just two and a half hours from the colonial city of Santo Domingo, lies one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the Dominican Republic. It is the Samaná Peninsula, a beautiful place covered by large mountains where lush tropical jungle and the most spectacular soft white sand turquoise beaches of the Caribbean Sea lie. Around this region are two of the most emblematic natural treasures such as Los Haitises National Park and El Limón Waterfall.
Los Haitises National Park
Visiting Los Haitises National Park and El Limón Waterfall is a must if you are in or visiting the Samaná Bay for the first time. To get to the park, you will need to head to the maritime port in Santa Barbara Samaná and board a catamaran through a tour. As you approach the bay—a 45-minute journey—you will discover a protected natural reserve—covering at least 60% of the territory—that will captivate you with its extreme beauty and spectacular landscapes. Its name means 'highland' or 'mountain land' because it is surrounded by enormous mountain ranges.
You should know that Los Haitises National Park is considered one of the most beautiful natural lungs of the Dominican Republic, as it covers three main provinces: Hato Mayor, Monte Plata, and Samaná. During the tour, pay attention, as a variety of animal species inhabit the area, such as anteaters, some reptiles, bats, and up to 100 species of birds, including herons and brown pelicans.
Upon reaching the mainland—after passing through enormous mangroves that serve as protection against hurricanes—you will realize that the park consists of caves that you can explore with a specialized guide. The most visited caves are San Gabriel, Arena, and La Línea—the latter named after the railroad line that used to pass through the area. Once inside, you will discover the Taíno pictographs that these indigenous inhabitants painted in these caves hundreds of years ago.
Salto El Limón
You cannot leave Samaná without first visiting El Limón Waterfall. This natural attraction is located just 16 kilometers—or 25 minutes—from Samaná Bay. To reach this waterfall, you need to take a road trip—Samaná-El Limón. Along the way, you will discover small houses made of royal palm wood and men, women, and children riding horses.
This waterfall has different starting points for the ascent; however, we recommend starting at La Manzana stop, as it is the easiest entry point. The hike can take 40 minutes to approximately an hour. There are ascents, descents, rocks, moss, and mud, so consider wearing comfortable clothing and footwear. During the hike, enjoy the landscapes and pay attention to the cacao and passion fruit (also known as chinola or maracuyá) trees.
Before reaching this waterfall, you will find a hut to buy souvenirs or a prepared coconut. You will have to go down some stairs, and you will finally reach El Limón Waterfall, named for its peculiar hue. This waterfall has a 40-meter drop that falls into a pool where you can swim safely. The spot is 100% Instagrammable, so we recommend arriving early to take spectacular photos without anyone ruining them, as the place gets quite crowded.
Website: parquenacionalloshaitises.com
This article was originally published in Food and Pleasure. Visit their site for more articles on gastronomy, lifestyle, and culinary pleasures.
