Category:

Ecotourism

Adventure

Location:

The province of Pedernales is located in the southwest of the island and limits to the North with the province of Independencia, to the northeast with Barahona, to the East and South with the neighboring Republic of Haiti.

About Pedernales:

• This province was created on December 16th of 1957 segregated from the province of Barahona. Pedernales has an area of 2,074.53 square kilometers.
• The main economic activity is the agriculture producing coffee and bovine cattle of meat. Also fishing activities and tourism in development are important activities.
• The Limestone is worked in the area of Cabo Rojo and all the north area of the province is amused by the mountain chain of Bahoruco.
• The Pedernales Peninsula is proud to be the home of the Jaragua National Park that includes the unique attractions of the country like Bahia de las Aguilas (Bay of the Eagle), Oviedo Lagoon, Cabo Rojo and Beata Island.
  Pedernales has only one river and has the same name like the province which takes place as a border with Haiti.

Climate

The annuel average temperature ranges between 28 to 30 Celsius and sometimes temperatures could be even higher. This area has dry and arid subtropical area characteristics.

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: Direct access traveling west on the Sanchez Highway.

Attractions:

Bahia de las Aguilas (Bay of the Eagles):

Bahia de las Aguilas is a Dominican proud ecological virgin beach that extends to 8 kilometers of white sand and crystal clear water surrounded by the beauty of the mountain and the dryness of the zone. The bay is part of the Jaragua National Park and is located approximately 25 kilometers from the town of Pedernales and 325 kilometers from the city of Santo Domingo. The main attraction of this beach is the unique and isolated contact with nature.

Currently to have access to the beach is through a small motorboat with an approximate 15 to 20 minutes trip that departs from the village of “Pescadores” (Fishermen) where you can hire a local to transport you there. In recent years, the tourism development of Bahia de las Aguilas had been a great source of debate in the Dominican society occupying wide places in the media. Due to the proximity of the reef to the coast, any territorial or surface contamination could cause a fast degradation in the area. That’s the main reason that today there is no hotel or resort facilities next to the beach.

Oviedo Lagoon:

The Oviedo Lagoon with an area of 28 km2 is located in the northeast limit of the Jaragua National Park. In its hyper salty waters flows several source of sweet water that is associated with extensive mangles and a rich fauna. Some of the fishes that can be seen in the lagoon are endemic of this place and is an important habitat for aquatic birds.

The Lagoon is the best place to contemplate the most beautiful birds of the Dominican Republic and the region. This lagoon has more than 40 islands and each of them is the refuge from species like seagull, pelicans and pink flamencos.

Beata Island:

The Beata Island is a small island located 7 km southwest from Cape Beata of the Pedernales Peninsula and is the southernmost point of the island Hispaniola. The island has an approximate area of 27 km² and is a Dominican territory. Arqueological sites had been discovered in the northeast side of the island and 600m from the beach and the investigations estimate that some indigenous culture lived there long time ago. If you want to visit the beach, is advisable to get there through help from the locals of Pedernales.

Jaragua National Park:

The Jaragua National Park was declared in August 11th, 1983. It has a total extension of 1,374 km², of which is mainly established of marine-coastal area of 905 km². The natural physiographic and dry area of the Park had given a natural historic protection because Jaragua is habitat for numerous native birds, endemics and migratory that can count up to 130 different species.

The park doesn’t have a important or good infrastructure, but it does offers the visitor the opportunity to explore its diverse areas besides Bahia de las Aguilas and Oviedo Lagoon that are known by the administration of the park.

Tips:

• It’s advisable to make the trip on a 4 x 4 vehicle.
• Take appropriate clothing for the beach and dry hot tropical areas such as: bathing suit, hat and sun block.
• Don’t forget your camera for great pictures!