Pedernales - Dominican Republic
Pedernales delivers its promise of memorable views for tourists driving the extra hour and a half south from Barahona to get there.
The flora and fauna biodiversity of the Jaragua National Park is recognized by its designation as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. In the area, at the Oviedo Lagoon (Laguna de Oviedo) tourists can arrange for bird-watching tours.
But these can also be done for those willing to wake real early and visit the Pelempito Drop (Hoyo de Pelempito), a natural depression, bordered by heights of up to 5,940 feet (1,800 meters), and a 2,300-foot (700-meters) drop. On the way, observe the contrast of dry forests with all their cacti and then lush thick pine tree forests that also make for perfect birdwatching. A rest stop kept by the Ministry of Environment is located at the height of 3,845 feet (1,165 meters) with an observatory that features easy mountain trails.
Town restaurants offer crab and lobster specialties, as well as usual Dominican food meat dishes and lots of chilled beer to combat the blazing heat.
Pedernales is best known for Bahia de las Aguilas beach, a beach that is today as it was 500 years ago when the European settlers first came. There are no palm trees on these white sands, where turtles hatch their eggs. The beach can be reached by a rugged 4 SUV vehicle, or by boat.
The flora and fauna biodiversity of the Jaragua National Park is recognized by its designation as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. In the area, at the Oviedo Lagoon (Laguna de Oviedo) tourists can arrange for bird-watching tours.
But these can also be done for those willing to wake real early and visit the Pelempito Drop (Hoyo de Pelempito), a natural depression, bordered by heights of up to 5,940 feet (1,800 meters), and a 2,300-foot (700-meters) drop. On the way, observe the contrast of dry forests with all their cacti and then lush thick pine tree forests that also make for perfect birdwatching. A rest stop kept by the Ministry of Environment is located at the height of 3,845 feet (1,165 meters) with an observatory that features easy mountain trails.
Town restaurants offer crab and lobster specialties, as well as usual Dominican food meat dishes and lots of chilled beer to combat the blazing heat.
Pedernales is best known for Bahia de las Aguilas beach, a beach that is today as it was 500 years ago when the European settlers first came. There are no palm trees on these white sands, where turtles hatch their eggs. The beach can be reached by a rugged 4 SUV vehicle, or by boat.
