Los Haitises, Dominican Republic – We Sailed into Another World.
Have you heard of Los Haitises, Dominican Republic?
It is one of the DR’s National Parks, in Samana Bay. The park and the surrounding areas are quite popular in the whale-watching season (January-February).
We anchored at Los Haitises National Park, during our cruising the Dominican Republic. Words cannot describe this place. You have to see it to believe it.
Which is why I took lots of photos:
Our group of three boats anchored in one of the calm bays. We sailed to the DR along with 7 more kid-boats (sailing families).
A park ranger arrived to check our papers and collect a small fee for the three days we planned on staying.
In order to change anchorages, in the DR, a boater needs a special permission for the planned destination, called a despacho.
The park made us really slow down. Not that we were a fast-moving bunch.
We enjoyed slow dinghy rides along the shores, listening to what must have been hundreds of owls, hidden in the shade of the jungle.
Those passages were out of a fairytale, with some of the most majestic mangrove forests we had ever seen.
They had been keeping stories from hundreds of years ago, woven tightly in the roots.
A Yellow Village Weaver’s nest – such a piece of art.
Known as Madame Saga, those native African singers found their way into the Caribbean many years ago! The males build the nests trying to attract females!
Now, that’s fierce competition for Madame’s heart!
It was impossible to take a photo of those cute, loud, yellow birds; they flew too fast!
One of the main caves, in the park – a popular tourist attraction, with ancient cave drawings.
The park is full of many smaller caves, not too hard to get into. A few tiny peers have been built in the area, marking the start of marked trails into the forest.
The kids would spend hours exploring various caves and holes, while I took photos and kept a bit of a distance.
Some of the cave floors were quite slippery, and that was not a park spoiled with caution signs.
After three magical days in Los Haitises, we sailed to Samana, stocked up on the freshest fruits and vegetables and headed back to Luperon – one of the best hurricane holes in the world.
Wait, you must read a couple of very embarrassing and funny stories, both took place in the amazing DR, we loved the country:
A Very Embarrassing and Funny Waterfall Story
Darn it! I Failed Yoga, again! (In the Prettiest Gym on Earth!)
That was it, our unforgettable stay at Los Haitises.
If you ever find yourself in the Dominican Republic, forget Punta Cana and those endless pools with gated communities. Take a ride (ask at the local market, it is how we got ours) to Los Haitises.
Explore the Samana peninsula and the northern DR – it has much to offer.
You will love it.
More posts about the Dominican Republic
Luperon the Locals’ Way. Guide to Luperon. – No Texting and Tacking
Darn it! I Failed Yoga, again! (In the Prettiest Gym on Earth!)
Crossing the Mona Passage: How to do it Safely
A Very Embarrassing and Funny Waterfall Story
Beautiful post! We miss you.
Aska! We are already planning a boat reunion in Mexico! Will send you signup link for the potluck meal soon 😉
Wonderful website of yours! I had no idea!
Thank you! So do we!