The Dominican Republic now oversees 14 national parks, nine natural monuments, and six scientific reserves. The entry to them is mostly allowed but some restrictions apply. However if you decide to visit the national park with an experienced guide or to join an organized trip, you should not have any problems.

1. Parque Nacional del Este

The park consists of 31,244 Ha of open space on the southeastern peninsula of Hispaniola and 10,650 Ha on Isla Saona. The park provides the habitat for many species of birds as well as for leguans. If you will be lucky enough you will see dolphins and sea turtles. Inside the park area you can also find many coverns with wall paintings from indigenous inhabitants.

2. Parque Nacional Armando Bermúdez

It is spread over 766 km2 and the highest mountain of the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean – the Pico Duarte is located here. The park is very densely covered with vegetation. It provides habitat for wild parrots (Amazonia ventralis) and we can find endangered orchid species as well as. 12 most significant rivers of the Dominican Republic begin on high ground or in hills or mountains located in ParqueNacional Armando Bermúdez.

3. Parque Nacional Montecristi

Covers an area of 530 km2 and lies north of the border of Haiti. The park is composed of both – coasts and lagoons, as well as islands of “Seven Brothers Islands“. In addition to the beautiful untouched landscape, provides habitat for special marine mammal called “manata“, which is also nicknamed “sea cow”.

4. Santuario Banco de la Plata or Silver Bank

It’s underwater area of 3,748 km2 located near to North Coast of the Dominican Republic, where hundreds of whales of the species Keporkak arrive to reproduce in the warm and peaceful waters.

5. Parque Nacional Los Haitises

The area of the park is 1,648 km2. A substantial part of this area is covered with mangrove growth. The mountainous part of the park, contains dozens underwater rivers which flows thru the limestone rock. This area was inhabited by indigenous Indians. Wall Paintings in caverns located here have survived to date. The park is also a home for endemic bird species.

6. Parque Nacional Submarino La Caleta (Submarine National Park)

The underwater park covers an area of 10 km2 and a maximum depth of 180 meters. However, the vast majority of the park is located at a depth of between 10 and 50 meters. The bottom is covered by coral reefs and probably the most interesting point is the wreck of the “Hickory” ship.

7. Parque Nacional José del Carmen Ramírez

The park occupies an area of 764 km2 and is part of the highest mountain range of the Dominican Republic – Cordillera Central. It is covered with rich tropical jungle vegetation with varied fauna.

8. Parque Nacional Isla Cabritos (Enriquillo lake)

The National Park is located on island with an area of 24 km2. The island lies inside Lake Enriquillo, the largest salt lagoon in the Caribbean. Island provides inhabitat for flocks of beautiful flamingos and other bird species, but also for the wild crocodiles of American and big iguanas.

9. Parque Nacional Jaragua

The park consist an area of 1,400 km2 and is located in the very south of the island. Part of the park is the uninhabited and almost untouched island – “Beata”. The area is very dry and covered with the corresponding vegetation type. The great number of endemic birds occurring in the Dominican Republic live here.

10. Parque Nacional Sierra de Bahoruco

Is located not far from Lake Enriquillo and covers a mountain ridge – Sierra Bahoruco with an area of 800 km2. In this park you will find over 50% of all orchid species that have until now been found only in the Dominican Republic.

11. Reserva Cientifíca Lagunas Redonda y Limón

Both lagoons with a total area of 101 km2 are located in the north-east of the Dominican Republic. The bottom of the lagoon is muddy with a maximum depth of 2 meters. Its mangroves are inhabited by dozens species of birds.

12. Reserva Científica Valle Nuevo

This alpine valley is located at an altitude of 2,640 meters above sea level and covers an area of 409 km2. Interestingly, 40% of the plant species that grow here can only be found in the Dominican Republic. It is also a place where temperatures are up to 0 ° C are regularly measured.

13. Reserva Cientifíca Isabel de Torres

Is located on the north of the Dominican Republic and covers an area of 22 km2 with blooming vegetation.

14. Reserva Científica Laguna Rincón de Cabral

It is the largest reservoir of freshwater on the island. It has an area of 47 km2 and is home for turtles as well as for a large number of birds.