The beautiful 1,374-square-meter Jaragua National Park in the extreme southwest of the Dominican Republic is the country's largest protected area. The terrestrial portion of the park accounts for only one-third of the park's area, while the remaining two-thirds cover 905 square kilometers of protected waters. Featuring an array of terrestrial, dry forest, coastal and marine environments, Jaragua is home to many endemic Dominican Republic reptiles, amphibians and birds. It also serves as a major habitat for sea turtles, West Indian manatees and bottlenose dolphins.
Guests can make a stop at the sands of the eight-kilometer-long Bahia de las Aguilas beach, located on the park's west coast, or see the bright colors of the country's largest flamingo population at the Oriedo Lagoon. While there are no tourist facilities or guided tours of Jaragua National Park, visitors are welcome to explore the area daily from dawn to dusk. Admission is free.
