This port city on the south Dominican coast is close to some of the country’s best wilderness and is a great base for daytrips to lakes and national parks.
Travel to the south coast of the Dominican Republic to find Barahona, an active port nestled in a protected bay. Enjoy the company of friendly locals, try some of the region’s famed coffee or embark on a Caribbean adventure through the surrounding countryside.
Barahona was settled by French colonists in 1802. In the protected Bay of Neiba and with a tropical savannah climate, it was an ideal base for trade, which transformed the town into a city.
Begin each day by the Caribbean Sea at a café along the Barahona Malecon. Swim in the temperate waters or stroll along palm tree-lined beaches fronted by shops. Be sure to try the distinct “Barahona Type Coffee,” a blend produced in the nearby mountains of Bahoruco. Friendly locals make this promenade the place to be at night, relaxing after a hard day’s work with drinking and dancing at the city nightclubs.
Use Barahona as a base for trips to the surrounding countryside. Rent a car to drive along the Barahona-Enriquillo Coastal Highway, passing pristine coastline and traditional villages. Visit the glistening Enriquillo Lake, which is the largest lake in the Caribbean. Take a boat tour across its salty water to the Cabritos Isle, where you can see crocodiles and flamingos.
North of the lake, visit Las Caritas archeological site, a cliff face that has been etched with ancient drawings. Venture further toward the Dominican border with Haiti to photograph the salt and gypsum mines at La Salina.
Drive through the verdant forest of Jaragua National Park. Between Oviedo and Pedernales, you’ll witness flowering cactuses and pass through some fantastic locations for bird-watching. At Pedernales, enjoy a fresh lobster for lunch and take a turtle-watching boat tour in the clear Bay of the Eagles.
Barahona is served by an international airport and ferry routes from Santo Domingo. Rent a car to get around with ease.
