Los Haitises National Park
Caves and pelicans, with 500-year-old graffitiExplore limestone hills, mangrove tunnels, and ancient Taino cave art in this 1,600 km² coastal park. Watch pelicans soar while manatees swim in protected bays below.
Los Haitises National Park covers 1,600 square kilometers of northeastern Dominican Republic. You can paddle through narrow mangrove tunnels where herons nest overhead, or step into the Cueva de la Arena to see 500-year-old Taino petroglyphs etched into limestone walls. At Cayo de los Pájaros, brown pelicans and frigatebirds circle above the water while manatees swim in the protected bays below. The park's limestone hills rise 300 meters above the coastline, creating a maze of caves, sinkholes, and forest-covered peaks.
Getting to Los Haitises
You can reach the park by boat from Sabana de la Mar, Sánchez, or Samaná. From Punta Cana, drive 2.5 hours through the eastern Oriental Mountain Range, passing small villages and highland farms. If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, you can enter through the southern entrance, but this route requires advance coordination with park authorities.
Geological Formation and Landscape
The limestone plateau emerged during the Miocene epoch, forming clusters of cone-shaped hills 200-300 meters high. Rainwater has carved extensive cave systems and sinkholes throughout the rock. The area's heavy rainfall (1,900-2,000mm annually) supports 1,380 plant species and the Caribbean's largest mangrove forest system.
Birds and Marine Life
Los Haitises hosts 120 bird species, including 76 resident species and 44 migratory birds. You might spot brown pelicans diving for fish, magnificent frigatebirds soaring overhead, or one of the remaining 60 pairs of Ridgway hawks. Red and white mangroves create nurseries for young fish, while manatees and bottle-nosed dolphins swim in deeper waters. From January to March, humpback whales migrate through the nearby Samaná Bay.
Cave Art and Ancient History
You'll find 97 documented caves throughout the park, many with Taino Indian artwork. Walk through Cueva de la Arena's chambers to see rock carvings of daily life scenes and religious symbols. Deep in the forest, Cueva de la Linea's walls display pre-Columbian drawings dating back to the 15th century.
Planning Your Visit
Visit between November and April for mild temperatures and less rain. Bring sun protection, insect repellent, and water bottles. When hiking, wear sturdy boots and long pants to protect against thorny plants. Contact authorized tour operators at least two days in advance - the park maintains strict daily visitor limits. Start your tour early in the morning when wildlife is most active and temperatures are cool.
