Ecotourism isn’t a new concept – sustainable travel is no longer solely the domain of activists as more and more people travel with notions of responsibility in mind while experiencing new locations and cultures. While some of the basic principles of ecotourism are certainly firmly rooted in an activist mindset, anybody can travel with an agenda that includes responsibility, awareness and respect.
The Dominican Republic contains nine ecological zones; this kind of natural diversity allows a visitor to experience many different adventures all on one island. Of all locations in the Caribbean, the Dominica Republic has both the highest and the lowest geographical points above and below the sea level. Within the mountains of the Cordillera chain, Duarte peak is a full 3,187 meters above sea level, while in contrast, Enriquillo Lake is 42 meters below sea level – in between these two points lays an ecologically diverse nine zone playground.
The activities you can partake in are varied and distinct in relation to each area. Rafting, horseback riding, mountain climbing, hiking, safari’s (*jeep and other off road vehicles), deep diving and wind surfing are all possible, it really depends on what your agenda is and how active you wish to be. Some notable locations are described briefly below.
Samana Whale Sanctuary
The northern coast of Samana Bay is the location of Santa Barbara de Samana City, the capital of Samana province and also the location of the Dominican Sanctuary for Marine mammals. Once described (by Christopher Columbus) as “the fairest land on the face of the earth”, Samana is a favored destination for tourists, mainly due to its whale watching. The marine sanctuary is between Christmas Bank and the bay of Samana and is home to the largest mating and birthing grounds in the entire world when it comes to humpback whales.
Armando Bermudez
The location of four of the highest peaks in the Antilles, Armando Bermudez national Park is a hub for a dozen different rivers. The park is 306 square miles and plays host too many forms of wildlife, many of which are openly visible to tourists. The highest peak in the park is Pico Duarte with a height of 10,128 feet; climbing is permitted on supervised trips but it should be noted that the excursion is not a one day activity and visitors should be prepared to stay overnight.
Los Haitises
Another Samana national park, Los Haitises is most notable for its caves. Visitors to the Fun Fun Cave can try their hand at spelunking; a 60 foot rappel leads to an exploration of the underground caves. There are two life zones in the park, the subtropical rainforest and the wet forest; many tropical trees, as well as a number of different birds, can be found in the two locations. Many of the smaller caves can be explored via guided tours. Visitors can expect to spend an entire day at this park to thoroughly explore everything available.
BookIt.com is an online travel company determined and dedicated to becoming the leader in providing travelers with the most intuitive online booking experience full of relevant information, helpful guides and travel tips. Find great deals on dominican republic vacation at BookIt.com!