Category:
Ecotourism
Adventure

Location:

Barahona is located in the Southwest of the Dominican Republic. Barahona limits to the North with the province of Independencia, to the South with the Caribbean Sea, to the East with Azua and to the West with the Pedernales province. The town of Barahona is located at the Caribbean Sea shore and approximately 204 km away from the capital city of Dominican Republic.

About Barahona:

• Barahona has an area of 693,42 km² and represents 44 kilometers of blue turquoise beaches with an extensive variety of white sand, gravel and flattened stones. Also its mountain chains bordering the sea make it a spectacular place.
• The village of Barahona was founded in 1802 by the instructions of General Touissant Louverture. In 1907 it was declared a province and its economic income comes from the agricultural and mine production and tourism as well.
• Is commonly called the Pearl of the Dominican South and its marine trajectory includes the villages of El Quemaito, El Arroyo, La Cienaga, San Rafael, Paraiso, Los Patos and Enriquillo.
• Barahona has 5 main rivers and it rains almost daily in this zone. The vegetation of this part of the country depends on the level of precipitation.
• Its handicraft industry is known by the Blue Larimar which is unique in the world.

Climate:

The average annual temperature is 26 °C and sometimes goes down to 12°C and the average Annual precipitation is 655 - 2296 mm

How to get there?

· By Air: Closest airport: International Airport María Montéz (BRX) located in Barahona or International Airport Las Americas (SDQ) of Santo Domingo city.

· By car: West bound on the Sanchez Highway.

Attractions:

Los Patos:

The place is well known by the name of ‘Los Patos’ beach or the small river that is next to it which is called the same. It’s crystal clear and cold waters that flow from the mountain and form a not very deep lagoon that ends in the sea. It is considered the shortest river of the world and it flows into the beach that has the same name. Los Patos is a much concurred place by local and tourist all year round.

San Rafael:

Is one of the most concurred beaches of Barahona. The water is brave and represents pure fun due to the movement of the waves. The waves of San Rafael are very strong and are not recommended for all type of swimmers. The village of San Rafael is also known because of the road view along both sides of the highway and the little river that has the same name with crystal clear natural pool and cold cascades. If you are a photography lover, San Rafael is a great spot for pictures.

Villa Miriam:

Villa Miriam is a zone with several natural pools and little cascades located approximately 50 meters in opposite direction to San Rafael. It is fully surrounded by beautiful vegetation and its crystal clear water is very cold. These pools can be visited in the same time you decide to visit San Rafael.

Polo and its Magnetic Pole:

The town of Polo is located in the path of Las Auyamas. This small town is famous for its Magnetic Pole in the mountain. Polo is usually called the magnetic community and it’s a big producer of coffee. Every June of each year they celebrate the harvest in a festival called ‘Festicafe” that combines the exhibition and sale of organic products with the musical performance of local and international artists. In the magnetic pole, if a car is stopped at the right place, and put in neutral, the car seems to be rolling up the hill. This is type of optical illusion known as a gravity hill which is caused by the shape of the slope and the surrounding landscape.

Rincon Lagoon:

Is a deposit of sweet water that is protected as a National Scientific Reserve due to its variety of flora and fauna. The Lagoon is shared with the province of Independencia and is located 20 kilometers of the coast of Barahona. It has an area of 65 km2 that includes dry tropical and subtropical forests and today is the biggest natural wetland of sweet waters of the Hispaniola Island.

Paraiso Viewpoint:

The viewpoint of “Paraiso” (paradise) is a panoramic view integrades in the national system of protected areas. It is part of the highway that goes from the south of Barahona until the municipality of Enriquillo along the coast of the Caribbean Sea. The landscapes and views can be enjoyed from the mountain in the highway and from the coast.

Tips:

It’s advisable to make the trip on a 4 x 4 vehicle.
Take adequate clothing appropriate for the mountains and beach such as: bathing suit, tennis shoes or comfortable shoes to walk in the rocky beaches of Barahona.

Don’t forget your camera for great landscape pictures!