The Dominican Republic is an excellent destination for camping as it’s home to 67 protected areas and 16 national parks. The tiny Caribbean country features white sandy beaches, lush forests and vegetation, interesting flora and fauna, and towering mountains. It’s quite a popular location for those looking for a splendid eco-adventure.
But while it’s a fantastic country to explore, independent and traditional camping opportunities are somewhat limited.
For this reason, many visitors stay at small lodges or hotels as a base and then take day trips.
The national parks are a great place to start, but be aware there aren’t any official campgrounds in them. However, you can visit and explore them if you receive a pass from the nation’s National Parks Office. You can also apply for a camping permit in the parks from the same office.
There are some campgrounds though, and these are hostel-style sites that are situated close to some of the country’s best natural attractions. You pay a small fee and are free to pitch a tent and you can also sleep in a dormitory-type of hall. In the southwest regions and the country’s interior you can also find small cabins, cottages, and hotels that are ideal for sleeping in.
Some of these places offer some excellent service and tours for visitors who’d like to spend some time exploring the wonderful countryside. Many establishments rent rooms only, but you may also be able to find some that offer full meal plans.
Some of the most popular and best national parks to visit are Parque Nacional Jose del Carmen Ramirez and Parque Nacional Armando Bermudez.
These parks offer an interesting variety of landscapes including major mountains and rivers that can be scaled and sailed down. The Pico Duarte mountain top is probably the most famous destination in the Dominican Republic.
The Parque Nacional Jaragua is another fine location and it sits in the southwest part of Barahona, which is on the Pedernales Peninsula. This region features some of the most unspoiled and remote locations in the country.
It’s filled with deserted beaches and a wide variety of bird species.
Other good areas to visit include Cabarete, which is ideal for windsurfing, Samana, for whale watching, and exploring caves in the peninsula. Other activities include Hiking, Biking, Scuba Diving, Kayaking, Snorkelling, and Horseback Riding.
There is a lot to see and do in the Dominican Republic besides spending a week on the country’s lovely beaches. A camping and hiking trip is a great way to discover the beautiful island.
