Parque Nacional Los Haitises

The Dominican Republic is blessed to have a great deal of ecodiversity for such a small country, and the Parque Nacional Los Haitises (Land of the Mountains National Park) is one of the most distinctive of its national reserves, comprising nearly 160 kilometers of mangroves, estuaries, coves, and bays that together embrace the southwestern curve of the Bahía de Samaná.

Over 700 species of flora (17 are endemic to the area) thrive in the subhumid tropical forest due to its great amount of annual rainfall. Roughly 110 species of birds nest here, including the blue heron, the great white egret, the brown pelican, the roseate tern, and the rare Hispaniolan parakeet. The park’s fauna includes scores of bats, tortoises, and manatees, which reside in the mangrove systems along the coast and various caves throughout.

The extensive limestone cave system is a major attraction for its examples of stalactites, stalagmites, and Taíno pictographs and petroglyphs depicting animals, rituals, faces, and divine beings.

Considering the rugged topography and its remoteness, the park is best conquered by boat excursions. They will take you through mangrove rivers, islets, and caves along the coast.

Coming from Highway 103 or 104, you’ll see a park service sign in the south end of Sabana de la Mar. Excursions for the Parque Nacional Los Haitises are best done through various companies in Sabana de la Mar, Samaná, and Sánchez.

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Getting There

There is a guagua stop at the convergence of Highways 103 and 104 in Sabana de la Mar. A ticket to Santo Domingo (via Hato Mayor) will cost you about US$4; buses leave every half hour 6 a.m.–4 p.m. A ticket to Miches will cost US$2.50, and buses leave every half hour.

Transportation Maritimo (tel. 809/538-2556, US$3.50) is the only choice to get across the bay to Samaná and, surprising, is the most direct way to get to the Costa Ámbar (via Samaná). The ride takes about an hour, leaving at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. daily.

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Getting Around

Walking is easiest in Sabana de la Mar because it is so small. Motoconchos tool around the area, and it will run you US$2–3 for a ride to the park. The best place to look for a taxi is the bus stop or the ferry dock. Secure a price before getting in.