Discovering Paradise
Discovering Paradise
Untouched wilderness in the remote northwest
Type
National Park
Entry Fee
RD$100 (approximately US$2)
Difficulty
Challenging
Duration
2-4 days
Guide
Required
Area
278 km²
Best Time
December through March for driest conditions
Hours
Daylight hours; no formal visitor center
Elevation
400-1990m
Parque Nacional Nalga de Maco is one of the Dominican Republic's most remote and least-visited national parks. Located in the northwestern Cordillera Central near the Haitian border, the park encompasses 278 square kilometers of dense montane forest, including some of the last undisturbed broadleaf forests on Hispaniola.
The park protects the headwaters of the Artibonito River, the longest river on the island of Hispaniola (which flows into Haiti). The terrain is extremely rugged, with deep valleys and ridges covered in virgin forest. The isolation has preserved habitat for the Hispaniolan solenodon, one of the world's most endangered mammals, as well as hutias, the Hispaniolan boa, and numerous endemic bird species. There is virtually no tourist infrastructure, and visits require significant planning, local guides, and camping equipment. This is a destination for serious wilderness enthusiasts and researchers only.
Entry Fee
RD$100 (approximately US$2)
Opening Hours
Daylight hours; no formal visitor center
Difficulty
Challenging
Guide Required
Yes
Recommended Duration
2-4 days
Best Time to Visit
December through March for driest conditions
Elevation
400-1990m
Area
278 km²
Nearest Town
Santiago Rodriguez