Its construction started in 1976 and it was an idea of Charles Bludhorn, president of Golf & Western Corporation. Its construction was accomplished by the italian Roberto Copa. According to some rumors, Charles made the village as a gift for his daughters on her birthday but she refused this version.

In Altos de Chavón you can find:

• Churches
• Restaurants
• Arts Galleries
• Taino Museum
• Stores
• Discotheques

The church is in the center of the village and it has the name of Saint Estanislao; such name was given on behalf of His Holiness Juan Pablo II, because he was from Poland and Saint Estanislao is this country’s patron.

Altos de Chavón Design School is the most prestigious school in the country related to fashion design, graphic and digital design classes, fine arts and illustration classes as well.  It is associated to Parsons School of Design of New York and other design schools located in France y Japan.

Its amphitheater is the best in its genre; it has 5,000 seats and it was inaugurated in 1982 with the presentation of Frank Sinatra and Carlos Santana.  This scenario is visited every year by national and international artists to present their concerts. Altos de Chavón is a tourist attraction visited by thousands of tourists and Dominican people who like the concerts made in Las Piedras (name given to the amphitheater).

To complete your visit and feel completely satisfied you can have a ride on boat by Chavón River or visit Casa de Campo Complex located few kilometers from there.  Other good alternative include visiting Bayahibe Beach or Basílica de Higüey.

Location: La Romana, around 15 minutes from Casa de Campo Complex.
Phone Numbers: (809) 523-8011 and (809) 523-8172

It´s offers visitors the chance to be in contact with nature, especially with the fauna, since this park presents especial shows with trained animals like dolphins.

Among the animals tourist can find in the park there are iguanas, snakes, crabs, flamencos, different types of birds, dolphins, and others. The park has around 55 different animal species like talking parrots: Manatí Park presents horses’ shows, sea lions and many other trained animals.

One of the major attractions for visitors is the possibility of swimming with the dolphins; this activity has a US$75 price and a previous reservation must be made.
Inside the park there are stores, restaurants and a taino’s museum, with its own taino country. It has a gift shop where you can buy a souvenir of your walk through.

Entrance prices go from US$15 for 2 to 12 years old children and US$30 for older than 12.  It is open from 9:00am to 6:00pm.  To verify the shows schedule click here, phone 809-221-9444 or 809 -552-6100

Its former name was Cueva Jagual, until 1949 when its actual name La Cueva de las Maravillas was given.

Within the cave we can appreciate around 500 paints on wall and engravings where black and red colors are predominant; they were made by tainos, ancient inhabitants of the island. This kind of picture is called cave art.

Since it is an underground place, the predominant fauna of this place is the bat but we can also find some reptiles and insects such as the anolis.

The walk through Cueva de las Maravillas lasts around 35 minutes; it is accomplished by groups of 20 or less people addressed by a guide. In order to protect the cave paintings several actions are forbidden: taking pictures (how do I get this …) or video record, using musical devices, throwing garbage inside the cave, scratching the walls (a legal action could be taken because of this); it is recommended to speak in low voice during the tour.

One information we must have in mind is that the cave has an inside elevator to make oldest, children and handicapped people tour easier.  Other interesting information is that we must wear comfortable clothes at visiting this place because it is a cave located in a tropical country so the weather is very humid and hot.

Cueva de las Maravillas
Location:  San Pedro de Macorís main road – La Romana
Schedule: Tuesdays to Sundays 9:00 A.M – 6:00 P.M (open on holly days)

The Gri-Grí Small Lake was a spring in 1958 that connected a brook to the sea, but in this year an earthquake turned Gri-Gri Small Lake into a touristic point and an attraction nowadays for those lovers of nature.  This is one of those worthy trips; it mangrove swamps and the lake shape are really admirable.

The name Gri-Grí was given by the inhabitants of Rio San Juan, due to the great abundance of a tree named Gri-Grí and it was considered the most adequate name.

This small lake is visited everyday by local and foreign tourists. At arriving to the small lake you will find the Boats Association of the community which offers trips on boats that go to this small lake mouth in the sea.  It’s an educative trip in which all the small lake details are given and it allows the tourists to understand the importance of this ecological lung of Dominican Republic.

In the waters of this small lake a platform is mounted every year since 1997 in order to celebrate the carnival of this municipality which is unique in its genre in the world because artists who design the costumes and masks are inspired by marine species; it is a great show.

The zone has hotels, drugstores and food places to offer service to tourists. The trip on boat from the lake port and back again last around 30 minutes; if you go to visit Gri-Gri small lake, don’t forget to bring your camera.

The Cable Railway of Puerto Plata is very interesting place to live an exciting adventure. The railway cabins of Puerto Plata go to Loma Isabel de Torres in the touristic city of Puerto Plata.

Once you get to Loma Isabel de Torres you can observe a beautiful and dense garden like few in the world, with the most colorful plantations and exotic flowers with its natural and pleasant perfume.

Traveling by the railway to 1000 meters height, you can observe exuberant vegetation while you enjoy an unforgettable moment.  Other spectacular view from the railway is the view of the Coast city of Puerto Plata.

On the top of Isabel de Torres Mountain it is the statue of Christ Redeemer or Christ of Liberty. The railway of Puerto Plata is the only one in the Dominican Republic; it was constructed in 1974.

The temperature on the mountain is very fresh and nice.  The top has a 17 degrees temperature. Sometime visitors enjoy the space with the thin fog an condensation, which can wet hair, making of this an exciting experience for the Dominican people who have an eternal summer all the year long.

On Isabel de Torres Mountain there are also several areas and environments for a nice paradise walk. It also has cafeteria, exotic items and postcards store and sanitary services.  The Railway of Puerto Plata and Isabel de Torres Mountain are part of Dominican pride.

Open Monday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Address: Loma Isabel de Torres, Puerto Plata, Dom. Rep..
Railway Price: RD$150

Santo Domingo Zoo Park is a real fauna sanctuary.  It was inaugurated in 1975 and since then it has been visited by thousands of students and people in general.

Santo Domingo Zoo is one of the biggest and the most complete in Latin America, due to its territory and the diversity of species lodges; there are different endemic and foreign species.

The Zoo has a great amount of attractions such as wild animals, lions, tigers, crocodiles, water ponds, turtles, monkeys, etc.  The birds’ area is really beautiful due to the colorful feathers of the elegant birds.

Dominican Zoo territory can be covered through an entertaining walk or taking the Zoo little train which makes a tour through the most important zones and then takes passengers to the green areas where a nice open air moment is spent.

There are veterinarian and scientific experts dedicated to the investigation and preservation of species. In Santo Domingo Zoo it is possible to enjoy a beautiful spot where animals are in recreation places according to their natural environment.

Santo Domingo Zoo is located in Los Arroyos Avenue, Arroyo Hondo, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic . The schedule is Tuesday to Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The historical and cultural city of Samaná, located in the peninsula of Samaná, gathers unique elements of nature in just one place: white sand beaches and a paradise view added to the song of the hunchback whales that visit the warm Atlantic waters every year.

Taking a tour off shore, in the proximity of the coats to enjoy the spectacular show with the hunchback whales as performers, is a unique and unforgettable experience.

Hunchback whales visit the coast of Samana every year from February to March.  They come from North America searching for the warmth of Dominican waters for their matting and reproduction, preparing the new babies for the long trip back home.

Males exhibit their song to attract females, while females are in reproduction.  Hunchback Whales are species in danger to become extinct, hence their importance and the effort of Dominican authorities for their preservation.

Thousands of visitors enjoy every year of this unforgettable experience in Samaná Bay and Banco de la Plata in Dominican Republic.

Several hotels located nearby the Peninsula of Samaná besides providing a pleasant stay, they also offer the guest to see this wonderful show.  Some of these hotels are “Bahía de las Ballenas”, “Playa Bonita” “Gran Bahía Príncipe”, and others.

Boats are provided by tourist agents and especial services from the zone; they’re save and comfortable.  Many of these boats have guides and lunch included. Hunchback whales’ show is an experience to be enjoyed.

The price is not over US$20 dollars, currency I recommend to have at visiting Samana.