Top 9 Things To Do In The Untouched Southwest Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is paradise.

While the all-inclusive resorts and palm tree-covered beaches of Punta Cana may have been the first thing that came to mind when you read the above sentence, I actually wrote it about the Southwest region of the country.

During my week-long trip with the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism, our adventures included discovering secret waterfalls, remote beaches, exotic wildlife, Caribbean wine, and so much more. I truly was blown away by the beauty and excitement waiting behind every corner!

So to help you plan your next venture to the Southwest Dominican Republic, here are the Top 9 Things To Do.

Driving along the coast in Barahona, you will come across a view worthy of a postcard. San Rafael lookout is located high on the cliffs and offers stunning views of San Rafael Beach, where the mountains meet the sea. It is an infamous landmark in the Dominican Republic and should not be missed!

Directions: Take the main highway along the coast (the 44) and pull over between Casa Bonita and Los Patos. There are some signs along the way, so keep your eyes open!

As always, I found some adventure!

You’ll find it too if you hike to La Plaza in the Barahona mountains. This hike will lead you to three tiers of waterfalls and crystal clear pools of the Bahoruco River. However, the trick is getting there.

The trail is off the beaten path, so you will need some help finding the trailhead and a 4×4. The best thing you can do is book a guide through Casa Bonita to take you to La Plaza.

Since you will be trekking through the forest, climbing over boulders, and crossing the river, I highly recommend wearing waterproof hiking shoes or at least comfortable water shoes. You will be walking for about 1-2 hours (depending on your speed and fitness level), so proper footwear is a must! Unfortunately, our group of 10 was not prepared for the water crossings, so it took us 2 hours to reach the falls.

Tip: Once you reach the first pool and waterfall, be sure to keep going. You can either climb around the rocks or up the waterfall itself. After hiking for about 5-10 minutes, you will reach the second and third pools and waterfalls (which were my personal favorites).

If you’re driving along the coast and are looking for a place to stop for lunch, check out Playa de Los Patos, aka ‘The Ducks Beach”.

This beautiful pebble beach is a hotspot for fishing and dining among locals. At the restaurant, be sure to try the fish! You won’t find fresher food in the country!

There is even a river that runs down to the ocean near the restaurant, so while you wait for your food, you can escape the heat by taking a dip in the crystal clear water.

Located in the extreme southwest of the Dominican Republic, Jaragua National Park covers 530 square miles, the largest protected area in the Caribbean region.

Within this park is the hypersaline lake, Lago de Oviedo.

What you’ll first notice about this body of water is its bright green color! This is caused by limestone sediments that are dragged into the lake by underground water flow.

What makes Lago de Oviedo special is the 70 different species of animals and fish that make this lake their home due to its hypersalinity. Of course, my personal favorite animal we discovered was the Rhinoceros Iguanas!

On small islands made up of dead coral, you can find and feed these iguanas. You all by now know my affinity for these dinosaur-looking creatures, but I’ll be honest: these ones looked a lot more intimidating and were far more aggressive about their food than the ones I encountered in Exuma, Bahamas. They are still perfectly safe to feed, but don’t expect to pet them.

Lago de Oviedo is perfect for anyone curious about seeing wildlife in the Dominican Republic up close.

TIP: Bring bug spray! This was my biggest mistake. If you are planning on exploring some of the small islands around the lake, then you must spray yourself head to toe with bug spray. I didn’t do this, and after walking around for only 10 minutes, I had about 30 mosquito bites.  

My absolute favorite part of the trip to the Dominican Republic was visiting Bahia de las Aguilas!

Located in Jaragua National Park, just a couple of miles from the Haitian border, this untouched beach offers white sand, turquoise waters, and privacy. Due to its isolation, the only way you can access this beach is by boat or 4×4. If you go by boat, you will get some awesome views of the coastal cliffs and open ocean.

We spent the afternoon playing in the warm Caribbean Sea, lying on the beach, and watching one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever witnessed.

Tip: Bring bug spray and sunblock! The heat and humidity create a perfect environment for mosquitoes, so be cautious. And of course, with the lack of vegetation on the shore and the direct sunlight, protect your skin with a strong sunscreen.

Hidden in the Baoruco Mountains, which stretch from Haiti into the Southwest Dominican Republic, is Rancho Platón Eco Lodge.

This unique ranch is located along a mountain river with cabins and tree houses. Inside each room, wooden panel walls and decorations seamlessly meld with the surrounding landscape.

TIP: Stay in the Tree House Room!!!! It is the nicest room with the best views and accommodations!

My favorite part about Rancho Platón is how they utilize the river on the property to create a waterslide and pool! In the pool, they have a contraption in the middle that lets you swing around like Tarzan and jump into the water, plus jets that spray water high into the air, so it feels as if it is raining (see photos below)! Both the slide and pool are perfect for groups of all ages, especially children!

Some other activities you can do on and around the property are horseback riding, tubing down the river, waterfall climbing, and hiking.

You will need a 4×4 vehicle to access the ranch; however, the staff is more than happy to send out a van to the main road to pick up those who do not have the appropriate car and take them to the lodge.

Because Rancho Platón is off the beaten track, it is the perfect place to get away from many of the touristy places in the Dominican Republic.

Attention all wine lovers! There is now a winery in the Caribbean!

Yep, you heard that right! At Ocoa Bay Vineyard, you can sip on some delicious Colombard wine while gazing outward toward to beautiful vineyards and the turquoise sea.

Most people are shocked to discover that wine can be grown in the Caribbean, but in reality, the tropical climate provides the perfect conditions for growing grapes. The 16th-century Spanish explorers knew this. In fact, they planted the first vineyard in the New World here! How incredible is that????

At the moment, the property features beautiful vineyards, a luxury pool, and a restaurant. In the next few years, Ocao Bay plans to expand its property to create an eco-luxury hotel with many rooms and several villas. We were shown these future plans, and let me tell you, it looks seriously insane!! I’ll definitely be back to stay!

Across Ocao Bay, you will find another uninhabited beach only accessible by boat or a 4×4. I personally found the boat ride to be enjoyable, as you’ll have incredible views of the bay and the distant mountain range.

Once you arrive, your boat will anchor about 20 feet offshore! This is where you jump into that Caribbean blue sea and swim to the white sand beach of Playa Blanca. Now I am definitely someone who is afraid of sharks, but have no fear! The water is shallow, and  I was assured more than once that there were no sharks in the area.

Driving along the roads, you will pass many stands run by the locals. They sell fresh fruits, juice, souvenirs, and other various items at these shops. I definitely recommend stopping by not only to fill up on snacks but to have a chat with some of the friendliest people. Better pull out your old Spanish school books to brush up on the language!

The southwest of the Dominican Republic is a hidden gem that is just waiting to be explored. From quiet beaches to jungle waterfalls, the Southwest has everything for your adventurous soul. I promise you will be swept away by the beauty of this Caribbean island and never want to leave.

If you want to read more from my trip to the Dominican Republic, check out my blog post “The 10 Most Insta-Worthy Sites In The Heart Of Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo“.

Thank you so much to the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism for inviting me to explore your beautiful country. As always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.

Angie xoxo