Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2016 | Page 195

REPUBLIC

rs aiming to reconnect with nature

BARAHONA in the southwest offers unparalleled biodiversity and eco-activities such as

bird watching, light hiking and surfing. While Dominican Republic is home to the Caribbean’s highest point,
tourists can also find the region’s lowest point near Barahona at Lake Enriquillo. At 140 43 meters below
sea level, Enriquillo is also the largest lake in the Caribbean. Here, and at nearby Isla Cabritos, visitors can
observe American crocodiles, flamingos, iguanas and many more island species.

CONSTANZA This municipality is nicknamed the “Switzerland of the Caribbean” and

offers locals and tourists cool mountain temperatures that can drop into the single digits in the evening!
Constanza is bordered by four national parks as well as the Ébano Verde Scientific Reserve, a hiking
destination with more than 600 different species of flowers and plants and more than 100 different types of
birds. A new, family-friendly bicycling route that showcases local plantations and educates visitors on the
growth of local crops is also an ideal activity for travelers of all ages.

BAYAHIBE Scuba divers flock to the shore to explore the coral reef and the remains of the St.

George and Atlantic Princess shipwrecks. Bayahibe’s calm, clear waters also appeal to snorkelers and standup paddle boarders. In addition to water activities, Cotubanamá Park, formerly known as the National
Park of the East, is one of the area’s most popular attractions, delighting bird watchers and general nature
enthusiasts alike. The park is home to sea turtles, dolphins, numerous species of fish and a spectacular array
of flora and fauna.

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