Jungle Eco Tour from Punta Cana and Bayahibe

Explore the Parque Nacional del Este

Available for guests of Bayahibe, Dominicus, Punta Cana, La Romana and Juan Dolio

During this excursion you will experience the jungle of the National Park del Este and it direct surroundings. This park is well-known for the excursions to the Islands Saona, Catalinita and Catalina. But the land part of the park is virtually un-explored. With this excursion you can experience the various parts of the Park: the dense dry jungle, the fauna and flora and the - very special- story of the people who lived in the area, before the park was inaugurated.

Guided by expert guides and park rangers. This is no disguised shopping trip like many "Safaris", but this is a real jungle tour. Most of the photo's are made by Tony Tosto, our company photographer.

Videos:

Jungle Eco Tour - 1.05m

Itinerary:

This guided excursion will explore the Parque Nacional del Este. We meet at our visitors center on the beach of Bayahibe. The excursion starts with a short briefing to explain the proceedings of the day. We then go to our first stop: the Padre Nuestro Ecological and Archaeological Jungle Trail. Padre Nuestro is located within the area of Parque Nacional del Este just outside Bayahibe. The trail has different pathways, ranging in difficulty along its 1.9 km / 1.2 miles. Sturdy shoes are recommended. The trail takes you through the dry tropical jungle, a landscape of limestone, butterflies and birds, as well as impressive underground fresh water caverns.

The Padre Nuestro Trail

Jungle Tour - briefing by official park ranger

Jungle Eco Tour - not that difficult

We will tell you about the history of the Park and you can explore the remains of the Taino settlements, the first inhabitants of the Dominican Republic. You also get to experience the magnificent native flora and fauna, which is unique to the East Coast of Hispaniola.

Jungle tour - walk in the dry tropical jungle

Descending in Cueva de Chicho

Inside Cueva de Chicho - a magnificent view

At the end of the trail we visit the freshwater springs secluded inside the caves. We will decent into the cave Cueva de Chicho. This large cave has at the bottom a stunning underground lake. Used as a water supply since pre-Hispanic times, a significant collection of large ceramic artifacts remain of the era. A total of 26 petroglyphs can be seen at the entrance of the cave.

Padre Nuestro Cave Lake

Padre Nuestro Cave stalactite

Padre Nuestro Cave bats

Stalagmites... Stalactites.... bats and rock art.... Those who want can decent to the bottom of the cave and swim in the cold, fresh water lake inside the cave. You can enjoy the spectacle, when we illuminate the crystals sunk in the sandstone cave walls.... This is the land of Mystery and Imagination...

Rio Chavon Cruise

Gorge Chavon

Chavon cruise

After a short drive we will reach the River Chavon. We will board the traditional boat and cruise stream up through the gorge of this beautiful river.

View high above the chavon river

Boat trip Rio Chavon

Rio Chavon Cruise

The tropical jungle can be seen on the banks. The block busters Apocalypse Now and Rambo 3 are filmed here. We will reach our riverside farm.

Farm above the chavon river

Taino hut on the farm Chavon

Inside the Taino hut

Here we will give more information about the Taino lifestyle. Some of the words we use, such as barbacoa ("barbecue"), hamaca ("hammock"), kanoa ("canoe"), tabaco ("tobacco"), yuca, batata ("sweet potato") and Juracan ("hurricane"), origin from the Taino language. You can taste the small dishes prepared in the traditional Taino way.

Jungle bar on farm Chavon

lunch on the farm

View on the farm Chavon

This is followed by a traditional Dominican "barbacoa", with pork chops, chicken wings, traditional Dominican rice, 'batata', platanos and various salads.

Jacuzzi above the chavon river

Jacuzzi on the farm

Relax in the jacuzzi

After lunch you can relax in our jacuzzi high above the river!! You can show your skills at our shooting range (air guns), you can test one of the 'hamaca' (hammocks) or try your luck with fishing from the fishing platform.

Benerito Padre Nuestro Village

Benerito Padre Nuestro Village 2

Benerito domino play

The next stop is in the village of Benerito (10 minutes from Bayahibe) and in particular the 'Campo Padre Nuestro'. This is the new settlement were the inhabitants of the National Park were relocated when the park got inaugurated. It shows a vibrant and colorful community. We will stroll through the village to the tiny market place, surrounded by the local children. We'll visit the jewelry project sponsored by the USAID to help the women to earn an income...

Bayahibe Church

Hundreds of boats in the marina of Bayahibe

Tourist trade Bayahibe

We are heading back to Bayahibe now. We'll show you what the present influence of the National Park is on the village. Thousands of tourists flock to Bayahibe on a daily basis to board the boats to one of the islands. The local economy depends for 100% on the stream of tourists. We will also visit "La Punta", where a number of species of the Rose of Bayahibe are cultivated. You also have the chance to buy rum etc. for normal prices in the local colmado.

Snake in Seavis center Bayahibe

Who dares to hold the tarantula?

Seaside restaurant

The last stop will be at our visitors center overlooking the bay of Bayahibe. We will tell you about the history of the area and we will present the animals living in the park. If you dare you can hold the Boas and the Tarantulas. You will return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Now Available: transfers from the Punta Cana hotels and resorts

For more information or reservations use our secure form, send us an or phone us: +(1) 829 714 4947.

People who watched this page are also interested in the Saona Crusoe VIP and the 2 Island Tour.

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