The best beaches and attractions of Dominican Republic




                               

                    Lake Enriquillo

Lake Enriquillo

Lake Enriquillo (Spanish: Lago Enriquillo) is a lake in the Dominican Republic and is the largest lake and lowest point in the Caribbean and the lowest point on any ocean island. It is one of only a few saltwater lakes in the world inhabited by crocodiles. Lake Enriquillo is located in a rift valley formed by the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault that extends 79 miles (127 km) from Port-au-Prince Bay in Haiti in the west, to near Neiba Bay in the Dominican Republic in the east. This fault was responsible for the catastrophic 2010 Haiti earthquake.

The rift valley is a former marine strait, and was created around 1 million years ago when the water level fell and the strait was filled in by sediments of the Yaque del Sur River. The lake is 9 to 12 miles (15 to 20 km) wide. Known as the Cul-de-Sac Depression in Haiti and the Hoya de Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic, parts of the rift valley are below sea level and are covered by large salt lakes.

Lake Enriquillo covers an area of 102 square miles (265 km²) and is the lowest point in the Caribbean falling 129 feet (39 m) below sea level. Its drainage basin includes 10 minor river systems. The rivers that rise in the Neiba Mountains to the north (lower center and lower right of the image) are perennial. Those rivers that rise in the Baoruco Mountains to the south (upper center and upper left of the image) are intermittent.

Lake Enriquillo has no outlet. The lake's water level varies because of a combination of storm-driven precipitation events and the region's high evaporation rate. Salinity in the lake can vary between 33 ppt to over 100 ppt. Tremors in the region are common. Just above the right center of the image, the other large salt lake in the rift valley, Etang Saumâtre located in the country of Haiti, is visible.

The lake contains 3 islands: Isla Barbarita, Islita, and Isla Cabritos. The last one is the largest of all and contains a National Park famous for its crocodiles and flamingos. When water levels drop as a result of dry spells, the islands are usually linked to each other by sandbars.

The region has a hot, semiarid climate with an average annual rainfall of about 24 inches. Plants that thrive in arid places, like the cactus, can be found here.

This monument is on a small cross-road on the way to the lake. This great Taino gave the name to the whole area and the lake. His real name was Guarocuya and he was educated by the Spanish before he led the greatest Indian rebelllion against the colonizers .

       The best beaches and attractions of Dominican Republic


                                        las terrenas

Las Terrenas

Las Terrenas is a town in the Samaná province of the Dominican Republic.

Samana was a famous slave trade port for the British in the early 17th century. Today, the people of these provinces are a mix of Taino, Spanish and African descent. The name originates in the French phrase "la terriene" (the landowner).

Las Terrenas is a new hotspot for foreigners but also people from the Capital. Since the new highway between Santo Domingo and Samaná is done, people from SD come here every week. It takes 3 hours from the center Las Terrenas to the center Santo Domingo. Also, the new airport El Catey also is open for international flights, mainly used for connections in Europe and Canada.

In the 2002 census, the town had a population of 13,869.

Las Terrenas, located approximately 245 km east of Puerto Plata, must be accessed by one of two mountain roads. If you are coming from the west, you would turn left after the town of Sánchez. If you are arriving from the east, you would drive through Samaná, and turn right on the road towards El Limón and El Portillo. Once you're on either road it will take another 1/2 hour to 45 minutes to reach the town of Las Terrenas. The road from Sánchez is the most exciting route to take. This curvy, steep road takes you through the Cordillera Samaná mountain range. Go slowly and you'll see spectacular views of Samaná Bay and Parque Los Haitises on the south side, and the Atlantic coast on the north side. Along the way you'll see brightly painted Dominican homes, as well as the unique farming and vegetation of the area, including 60 varieties of palms. Upon arrival in Las Terrenas, you'll be awed with the calmness of the area and the beautiful white sand beach lined with tall palms and pastel-colored wooden fishing boats. The next thing you may notice is its Mediterranean-influenced atmosphere. There are plenty of cafés and oceanfront restaurants where people can be found sipping wine, over long, leisurely lunches, or having a mid-day break over a café latte. Shops there offer a variety of arts and crafts, many of them unique handmade items that can be difficult to find elsewhere in the Dominican Republic. Activity-wise, you can enjoy watersports like snorkeling, diving, windsurfing and kiteboarding. The 4-wheel drive and horseback riding trips are also popular because they allow you to see otherwise non-accessible areas of beauty. If you just want to plant yourself on a beautiful beach you can also visit closeby Playa Bonita or Playa Las galleras.

                  Las Terrenas Hotels  

Hotel Residencia del Paseo	Hotel Residencia del Paseo   Calle duarte 272,  Las Terrenas,  32200 Location. Hotel Residencia del Paseo is located on the beach in central Las Terrenas, close to Playa Bonita. Hotel Features. Recreational...
Hotel Residence Playa Colibri	Hotel Residence Playa Colibri   Francisco Caamana Deno,  Las Terrenas,  Location. Hotel Residence Playa Colibri is located on the beach in central Las Terrenas, close to Playa Bonita. Property Features. Hotel Residence...
Albachiara Hotel	Albachiara Hotel   C/27 De Febrero Camino Playa De Popy,  Las Terrenas,  32000 Location. Albachiara Hotel is located in Las Terrenas, close to Playa Bonita. Hotel Features. Albachiara Hotel features a snack bar/deli....
Garden Hotel Lomita Maravilla	Garden Hotel Lomita Maravilla   Calle Salome Urena,  Las Terrenas,  Location. Garden Hotel Lomita Maravilla is located near the beach in Las Terrenas and close to Playa Bonita. Property Features. Garden Hotel...
Hotel La Tortuga	Hotel La Tortuga   Avenida italia n 10, Las terrenas,  Las Terrenas,  55577 Location. Located in Las Terrenas, Hotel La Tortuga is connected to the airport and close to Playa Bonita. Hotel Features. Recreational amenities...
Viva Residence Las Terrenas	Viva Residence Las Terrenas   Bahia de Coson,  Las Terrenas,  32000 Location. Viva Residence Las Terrenas is located in Las Terrenas, close to Playa Bonita. Hotel Features. Recreational amenities include a private...
Balcones del Atlantico All-Suites	Balcones del Atlantico All-Suites   Carretera Las Terrenas El Limon,  Las Terrenas,  Location. Balcones del Atlantico All-Suites is located on the beach in Las Terrenas and local attractions include Playa Bonita and El Salto del Limon....
Gran Bahia Principe El Portillo	Gran Bahia Principe El Portillo   Las Terrenas,  Las Terrenas,  Location. Gran Bahia Principe El Portillo is located on the beach in Las Terrenas and local attractions include Playa Bonita and El Salto del Limon....  Salto de Limón A 130-ft (40-m) cascade of white water ends up in a delightfully clear pool, reached by a one-hour horseback ride from El Limón village. The trek to this remote waterfall is through beautiful and fertile countryside

Diving

Relatively unspoilt coral reefs lie close to Las Terrenas. Divers are attracted to nearby Playa Las Ballenas, where a group of small islands stand just offshore. There are many dive shops, such as Stellina Diving Center, and snorkel hire