Discovering Paradise
Discovering Paradise
A comprehensive guide to eco-tourism in the Dominican Republic covering national parks, marine conservation projects, community-based tourism, eco-lodges, organic coffee farms, coral reef protection, and practical tips for reducing your environmental footprint while traveling.
The Dominican Republic holds an extraordinary paradox: it contains some of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the Caribbean — from cloud forests at 2,400 meters to the deepest saltwater lake in the Caribbean — while simultaneously facing severe environmental pressures from mass tourism, deforestation, and plastic pollution. Over 7 million tourists visit annually, and the all-inclusive resort model generates enormous waste.
But there is a growing movement in the opposite direction. Community-based tourism projects in the southwest, marine conservation organizations rebuilding coral reefs, organic coffee cooperatives in the mountains, and a national park system that protects over 25% of the country's land area — these are not fringe efforts. They represent a genuine shift in how the DR approaches tourism, and travelers who seek them out get a fundamentally different experience than the resort bubble provides.
The Dominican Republic has 29 national parks and 50+ protected areas managed by the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente (Ministry of Environment). Together they cover roughly 25% of the national territory — one of the highest percentages in the Caribbean. The system was formalized under Ley 202-04 (Sectoral Law on Protected Areas), which created strict protection categories.
The crown jewel of the Dominican park system. Located on the south shore of Samaná Bay, Los Haitises features limestone karst formations (mogotes) rising from mangrove channels, Taíno cave paintings dating back centuries, and one of the most significant seabird nesting sites in the Caribbean. Access is by boat from Samaná or Sabana de la Mar.
Entrance fee: RD$100 (US$1.70). Boat tour: RD$2,500-4,000 (US$42-67) depending on group size and operator. Choose an operator that limits group sizes and follows park rules about noise and distance from bird nesting sites.
The largest protected area in the DR, covering 1,374 km2 of dry forest, coastal desert, and marine habitat in the far southwest near Pedernales. Home to Bahía de las Águilas (the most pristine beach in the DR), Lago Oviedo (a saltwater lake with flamingos and rhinoceros iguanas), and important sea turtle nesting beaches. This is remote, wild, and relatively unvisited — exactly what eco-tourism should feel like.
A scientific reserve in the Cordillera Central protecting one of the last remaining stands of ébano verde (green ebony), a tree endemic to the island. The reserve sits at 800-1,565 meters elevation and features cloud forest, fern valleys, and mountain streams. Bird watching here is exceptional — Hispaniolan Trogon, La Selle Thrush, and Hispaniolan Emerald hummingbird. Access from Jarabacoa or Constanza.
In the far southwest, this park contains the most biodiverse forest in the Caribbean. Over 180 bird species including 32 Hispaniola endemics. The transition from dry forest at lower elevations to pine and cloud forest above 1,800 meters creates extraordinary ecological variety within a single park. The road from Pedernales to Rabo de Gato is a legendary birding route.
The most accessible marine conservation project for tourists. Their coral nursery in the Punta Cana reef system grows fragments of staghorn (Acropora cervicornis) and elkhorn (Acropora palmata) coral on underwater "trees," then transplants mature fragments onto degraded reef areas. Visitors can tour the nursery with a guided snorkel (US$35-50) and see the restoration work firsthand. Some programs allow visitors to participate in coral fragment planting — genuinely meaningful conservation tourism.
Based in Bayahíbe, FUNDEMAR conducts marine research, reef monitoring, and manatee conservation in the Parque Nacional del Este. They offer educational snorkeling tours that combine reef exploration with explanation of conservation challenges. Their manatee research program tracks the small population of Antillean manatees in Dominican waters — one of the most endangered marine mammals in the Caribbean.
The Dominican Republic's strict whale watching regulations in Samaná Bay — maximum approach distance, time limits with each whale group, engine protocols — serve as a model for other Caribbean nations. When you book a whale watching tour from Samaná, a portion of your fee goes to the Santuario de Mamíferos Marinos (Marine Mammal Sanctuary) fund. Choose operators like Whale Samaná (Kim Beddall) that follow ethical whale watching guidelines rather than the cheapest boat that chases whales aggressively.
Community-based tourism (turismo comunitario) puts money directly into rural communities rather than international hotel chains. The DR has several established community tourism initiatives:
A hillside eco-village above Imbert, run by a Dominican-American couple. Solar-powered cabins, organic garden, and community development projects. Stays include meals prepared from the on-site garden and interaction with the surrounding farming community. Rates: US$85-150/night including breakfast. The views from 550 meters above sea level across the north coast are extraordinary.
An eco-lodge built literally into the landscape at the edge of Los Haitises National Park. Natural swimming pools fed by freshwater springs, minimal environmental footprint, and locally hired staff from surrounding communities. Day visitors can access the pools and waterfalls (RD$500/US$8.50), or stay overnight (US$80-140/night). This is one of the most unique accommodations in the Caribbean — swimming in a natural freshwater pool while looking out at Los Haitises mangroves.
At 1,200 meters in the Sierra de Bahoruco above Barahona, the small community of Cachote operates homestays and guided hikes through cloud forest. Coffee production, bird watching, and genuine immersion in rural mountain life. Accommodations are basic (shared facilities) but the experience is unmatched for authenticity. Contact through the Red de Turismo Rural Comunitario or local guides in Paraíso.
The Dominican Republic produces excellent arabica coffee, and the mountain regions around Jarabacoa, Constanza, and the Cordillera Central are the heartland. Several farms offer tours:
The DR is the world's largest producer of organic cacao. Cacao tours are available near Samaná and in the northeast:
Caribbean coral reefs have declined by 50-80% since the 1970s. Every snorkeler and diver impacts the reef — for better or worse. Here is how to be part of the solution:
The Dominican Republic has a serious plastic problem, particularly visible on beaches and in waterways. Here is how to minimize your contribution:
Short-term volunteering (1-4 weeks) can be meaningful if you choose the right organization. Be wary of "voluntourism" operations that charge high fees and deliver minimal community benefit. Legitimate opportunities:
Avoid any volunteer program that involves caring for children in orphanages or institutions — this model has been widely criticized by child welfare organizations and can cause harm even when well-intentioned.
Practical packing for eco-travel: Bring a reusable water bottle with a built-in filter (LifeStraw or Grayl work well for Dominican tap water), reef-safe mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide-based, not chemical filters containing oxybenzone), a lightweight dry bag for boat excursions to keep electronics and documents safe, and biodegradable soap and shampoo for eco-lodges that use septic systems or grey-water irrigation. Skip single-use toiletry bottles entirely — most eco-accommodations provide locally made soap and shampoo. A headlamp is essential for early morning birdwatching excursions and nighttime turtle monitoring. Pack light, moisture-wicking clothing that dries quickly in the humid climate, and waterproof hiking sandals (Keen or Chaco style) that handle both trail and water equally well.
Carbon offsetting your flight: A round-trip flight from New York to Punta Cana generates approximately 0.5-0.8 metric tons of CO2 per passenger. Several credible offset programs operate directly in the Dominican Republic and Caribbean — the Jarabacoa reforestation programs managed by local cooperatives are among the most transparent. Budget RD$1,500-3,000 (US$25-50) per person for offsetting your flight emissions through verified programs. While carbon offsetting alone cannot solve aviation emissions, combining it with sustainable travel practices on the ground creates a meaningfully lower-impact trip.
It depends on the park. Los Haitises requires a boat and guide (no independent access). Jaragua National Park can be visited independently for beach access at Bahía de las Águilas (arrange a boat from La Cueva), but Lago Oviedo requires a park-authorized guide. Mountain parks like Valle Nuevo and Reserva Científica Ébano Verde have trails accessible independently, but a guide is strongly recommended for safety and navigation — trail markers are minimal. For Sierra de Bahoruco birding, a local guide is essential (the best birding spots are on unmarked trails). Park entrance fees are uniformly RD$100 (US$1.70), but guide fees range from RD$1,000-3,000 (US$17-50) depending on duration and complexity.
Not necessarily. Eco-lodges in Jarabacoa and Barahona run US$60-150/night — comparable to or cheaper than mid-range resort rooms. Community homestays in Cachote or rural areas cost US$20-40/night including meals. National park entrance fees are negligible (RD$100). What costs more is the transportation — eco-destinations in the southwest (Barahona, Pedernales) and central mountains require either a rental car or private transport, adding US$40-80/day. The flip side: you spend less on resort markups for food, drinks, and activities. A 10-day eco-itinerary through Jarabacoa, Samaná, and Barahona can cost less than a week at a Punta Cana all-inclusive.
Plastic pollution and coral reef degradation. The all-inclusive resort model generates enormous plastic waste — single-use cups, straws, food packaging, and water bottles for millions of guests annually. Municipal waste management infrastructure outside Santo Domingo is inadequate, and plastic routinely ends up in rivers and eventually the ocean. The most impactful thing an individual tourist can do is use a reusable water bottle (eliminating 3-5 plastic bottles daily), choose reef-safe sunscreen, and support operators and accommodations that demonstrate genuine environmental practices rather than greenwashed marketing.
This guide covers Jarabacoa. Explore more about this destination.
View DestinationOur team includes contributors who live in the Dominican Republic year-round and travel the island extensively, from Santo Domingo to remote southwest villages.