Dominican Republic's Southeastern Region Attractions
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This coastal area is home to the some of the Caribbean's best beaches and famous resorts plus the Eastern National Park, Saona Island and Manatí Park, an ecological park with a replica of a Taíno village.The Southeast region of the Dominican Republic comprises the areas of Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, La Romana and Higuey, Nisibon and San Rafael de Yuma.
Eastern National Park
The coastal ecosystem of Parque Nacional del Este is a prime habitat for hundreds of species of plants, birds, fish and other marine animals. The area was also named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.As one of the Caribbean's largest marine parks, Parque Nacional del Este is a reserve for 112 of the Dominican Republic's 303 bird species. Four species of sea turtles nest in the park and manatees, bottlenose dolphins, numerous fish species and an immense coral reef system exist in the park's offshore waters.The park has remote beaches, examples of pre-Columbian art in a system of caves and is the habitat of the now-scarce paloma coronita (crowned, or white-headed dove) and the rhinoceros iguana.
Saona Island
Popular Isla Saona is an island lying off the south coast of the Dominican Republic with three large lagoons. It's the nesting place of many bird species and the coral gardens surrounding the island are home to an abundance of marine life.Isla Saona can be easily visited on a day trip excursion from Punta Cana.
El Macao & Playa del Macao, Dominican Republic
El Macao is the fishing village on the beautiful beach of Playa del Macao.From the cliffs above are good views of the sea leading to a shipwreck which local diving schools use for classes.The high waves here are suitable for surfing.UNESCO has declared this beach one of the best of the Caribbean for its fine sand and abundant palm trees.
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Laguna Bávaro
The Laguna Bávaro has 37km/23mi of white sand beaches and a large resort complex with over 2 dozen hotels, apartment blocks and several golf courses.
Miches, Dominican Republic
Miches is a little port town at the south entrance to the Bahiá Samaná and a base for sailing, game fishing and coral diving.
Round Lake & Lemon Lake
The two lagoons that make up Laguna Redonda & Limon National Park are rich in bird life and unusual marine fauna. They encompass 103 sq km/40 sq mi with an average depth of 141m/470 ft reaching as low as 207m/690 ft.Bird species here include the pied-billed grebe, common gallinula, great egret, roseate spoonbill, northern pintail and black-crowned night heron. The marine life includes crabs and róbalo and tilapia fish.
San Pedro Macoris, Dominican Republic
San Pedro de Macorís, a large city in southeastern Dominican Republic, is surrounded by sugar fields at the mouth of the Iguamo River.Once a thriving sugar town in the early 20th C San Pedro Macorís is once again in the limelight due to its renowned university, Universidad Central del Este, and its contribution to major league baseball and its model industrial park.San Pedro Macorís has supplied the greatest number of star players to American baseball teams and the winter league games are an attraction at the local stadium.
Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic
A large market town located in the eastern portion of the country, Plantación Tropical is one of the largest horticultural centers in the Caribbean.Plantación Tropical displays bromeliads, anthuriums and orchids along challenging paths. Complementing the foliage is an aviary with the island's native birds and a large butterfly enclosure.
Cueva Fun Fun
The largest cave in the Caribbean, running 7km/4.3mi underground with giant corridors and cave art is reached via the Rancho Capote, the Dominican Republic's leading orange growers.
Manatí Park
Manatí Park is a theme park with a landscape of orchids and tropical plants. Animal keepers oversee interaction between visitors and iguanas, tropical birds, and sea lions. Varied perfomances feature horses, parrots or seals. There is the opportunity to swim with dolphins.A reconstructed Taíno Village with folklore and dancing is included as is a museum featuring statues, art and traditional dress.
Boca Chica, Dominican Republic
Boca Chica is a village with resorts, restaurants, bars and cafes. A semi-circular coral reef protects the beach making a 0.4km/0.25mi swimming area 1m/3.25ft deep.This naturally calm, clear, and shallow water makes it ideal small children and for water sports, boating and swimming.
El Seibo, Dominican Republic
Beautifully situated at a bend in the Río Soco, El Seibo has developed into a considerable commercial center.El Seibo celebrates Santa Cruz in early May with bullfights and drum festivals.El Seibo was founded in 1506 by the conqueror of Jamaica.
Sierra Del Seibo
Sierra Del Seibo are mountains on the forest-covered eastern edge of the Cordillera Central and are also known as the Cordillera Oriental.
Cabo Engano
Cabo Engano, at the end of the eastern tip of Hispaniola, is a very long stretch of beach where local artisans sell handicrafts and cigars in beach stalls. The Cabo Engano lighthouse is nearby.
Punta Cana
Punta Cana is a large town on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. This area is known for beautiful beaches and has many hotel resorts, golf courses and an airstrip with regular flight service and charters. This is one of the most popular tourist areas on the island and draws people from all over the world.
La Cana Golf Course
La Cana Golf Course is part of the Punta Cana Resort and Club. This challenging course is located along the ocean front offering beautiful scenery of beach and palm trees.
Higuey, Dominican Republic
Higuey, the chief town of the province of La Altagracia lies at the confluence of the Río Duey and Río Yuma on the eastern side of the Dominican Republic. Its imposing basilica is one of the leading pilgrimage centers in Latin America.
Basilica of Our Lady
The modern Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Altagracia is the center of religious activity in the area and one of Latin America's finest examples of modern religious architecture. Annually, on January 21, a pilgrimage from across the country attends the church.
Juan Dolio
Rapidly-growing Juan Dolio, is known for its beaches, clear calm waters, resorts and the 18-hole Los Marlins Golf Course at the Metro Country Club designed by Charles Ankrom. Diving is popular and there is a Go-Kart track nearby.
San Rafael del Yuma, Dominican Republic
The fortress-like house of Ponce de León is found in San Rafael de Yuma; the starting point for his quest for the Fountain of Youth.
Boca de Yuma
Boca de Yuma is a small fishing village on the Bahiá De Yuma which attracts many to the international game fishing competitions held here July to October. Boca de Yuma is the mouth of the Yuma River.
Nisibon, Dominican Republic
Nisibon is a small town near the beautiful Playa del Muerto.
Río Yuma
Ruins from the Spanish colonial period can be seen along the Río Yuma.
