A trip around Lake Enriquillo: The tourist attractions of the «deep south»
On a four-hour trip from Santo Domingo, the Dominican southwest offers an immersive experience of ecotourism and history: a trip around Lake Enriquillo, a walk around the lowest point in the Caribbean.
The provinces of Bahoruco and Independencia each have their charms. Three essential details for this excursion: company on a long journey, sunscreen in the high temperatures, and swimsuits for every dip.
The journey begins at the statue of the Indian near Duvergé, the setting for the first enlarged photos of the road. And in this municipality, the first obligatory stop: the La Zurza spa.
Its distinctive feature: sulfurous water with a source in the same place, in an environment surrounded by nature. It’s easily accessible, as it’s located on the secondary highway RD-46 that leads to El Limón-Jimaní.
This route has several viewpoints from which you can contemplate the lake and Cabritos Island—which is home to the largest population of American crocodiles—and borders the entire area for a next stop at Boca de Cachón.
The Boca de Cachón beach resort was recently renovated.
We enter a natural oasis of crystal-clear waters, which was recently renovated with an investment of 103 million pesos by the Ministry of Tourism.
This area features playgrounds, green areas, lighting, concrete benches, picnic tables, and free showers, as well as steps and ramps for improved accessibility.
With similar attractions to the next stop: Las Barias in La Descubierta, with cool, sometimes murky waters in a forest setting reserved mostly for the enjoyment of locals.
Las Barias, a freshwater pool in a forest setting.
The experience takes a turn as you head out towards Lago Enriquillo National Park, shifting the fun of a swimmer into a curiosity about zoogeography. Here, you’ll find the rhinoceros and rhinoceros iguanas, a pair of «photogenic» species.
The pier to the largest natural water reserve in the entire Antilles is also located, allowing you to get up close and appreciate every unique feature. It’s located at least 29 meters above sea level, in an endorheic basin, meaning it has no river outlet to the ocean.
A short distance from the Caritas de los Indios, which are accessed by climbing a short trail. It offers direct contact with history, observing petroglyphs that represent the Taino people’s form of communication.
Due to its height, it is a gallery with horizontal views of the lake. Climbing up and witnessing the sunsets is also an unforgettable experience.
Sunset observed from the Caritas de los Indios, overlooking Lake Enriquillo.
The journey continues through the resorts, including Hoyo de Felipe in Los Ríos and Los Cachones in Villa Jaragua, before reaching Las Marías in Neiba.
The latter is a more dynamic area: it has a hotel, bar, parking, and several fried food stands around it, whose distinctive feature is fried beef, accompanied by guasacaca and tostones.
Its crystal-clear waters come from a natural spring, making it famous among hikers and locals. It’s on the same road leading to Neiba, making it an easy destination to reach.
Swimmers in Las Marías in Neiba on a Wednesday afternoon.
Thus, each of the stops positions the «deep south» as an ecotourism space worth promoting.
What is needed to achieve this goal? Renovations to roads with potholes and overflowing streams, as well as a broader gastronomic offering (opening of places for this purpose).
