Discovering Paradise
Discovering Paradise
Crocodiles, iguanas, and the Caribbean's lowest point
Type
National Park
Entry Fee
RD$100 park entrance + RD$500-800 boat excursion to Isla Cabritos
Difficulty
Easy
Duration
Half day to full day
Guide
Required
Area
375 km²
Established
1974
Best Time
November through March for cooler temperatures; early morning for best wildlife viewing
Hours
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (boat departures until 2:00 PM)
Elevation
-40m to 200m
UNESCO
Part of Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (2002)
Cell Coverage
Limited coverage at La Descubierta; no coverage on Isla Cabritos or lake
Camping
Not Allowed
Lago Enriquillo is one of the Caribbean's most extraordinary natural phenomena — the largest lake in the Antilles and the lowest point in the entire island arc, sitting approximately 40 meters below sea level. This hypersaline lake (saltier than the ocean) fills a dramatic rift valley in the southwest Dominican Republic, flanked by the Sierra de Bahoruco to the south and the Sierra de Neiba to the north, creating landscapes that feel more like the Middle East than the Caribbean.
The lake is the remnant of an ancient marine channel that once connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea across the island of Hispaniola. As tectonic uplift gradually closed this channel, the trapped seawater became a lake, evolving into the unique hypersaline ecosystem we see today. At its center sits Isla Cabritos — a 24-kilometer-long island that is one of the most important wildlife refuges in the Dominican Republic.
Isla Cabritos and the surrounding lake host remarkable concentrations of wildlife:
Wildlife viewing is best in the early morning when crocodiles bask and iguanas are most active. The boat ride to Isla Cabritos itself often includes crocodile sightings along the shore.
Visiting Lago Enriquillo requires some planning but is straightforward:
Essential tips for your Lago Enriquillo visit:
Entry Fee
RD$100 park entrance + RD$500-800 boat excursion to Isla Cabritos
Opening Hours
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (boat departures until 2:00 PM)
Difficulty
Easy
Guide Required
Yes
Recommended Duration
Half day to full day
Best Time to Visit
November through March for cooler temperatures; early morning for best wildlife viewing
Elevation
-40m to 200m
Area
375 km²
Nearest Town
La Descubierta