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images: awl images; getty; alamy |
Clockwise from left: The view from Casibari Rock Formations; snorkelling off Malmok Beach, Aruba; Hispaniolan lizard cuckoo perched on a branch with feathers puffed, Dominican Republic; native cactuses of Cabo Rojo |
CABO ROJO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Nestled on the wild southwest coast of the Dominican Republic, this small cape that juts into the Caribbean Sea gets its name from the red soil found in the hills above the coastline.
A relatively new stop for cruise ships, Cabo Rojo’ s growth has been stratospheric, with 200,000 passengers projected to visit by 2027. There are free pools, a small sandy beach, lazy river, live shows and fairground rides in the port complex for visitors to enjoy.
Cabo Rojo is as remote as it gets for a Dominican destination. This dramatic place has few visitors and a basic infrastructure— for now at least, as a development project is underway to transform the region.
Contrasting landscapes include limestone cliffs, arid cactus-studded deserts and empty beaches including Bahia de las Aguilas, which has been hailed as one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the Caribbean, and is only accessible by boat.
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High in the Sierra de Bahoruco mountains, the remote Hoyo de Pelempito is a 2,300-foot-deep geological depression. There’ s a creaking wooden observation platform positioned at its edge, providing spectacular views. If you’ re not brave enough to step out, some say the drive up is as good as the viewpoint.
Nature-lovers will appreciate the striking and surprising wildlife in the in the Pedernales region. Ancient rhinoceros iguanas and American flamingoes are just some of the fauna to be found at Oviedo Lake in Jaragua National Park— one of the largest protected areas in the Dominican Republic. The park also features sea turtle nesting beaches, Taino cave art dating back thousands of years, mangrove trails and over 130 species of bird.
Haitian-Dominican cultural influences are apparent in the local cuisine, merengue music and day-to-day goings on, thanks to Cabo Rojo’ s close proximity to the Haitian border.
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fall 2026 • 69 |