National Park of the East
National Park of the East
National Park of the East
4.5
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4.5
602 reviews
Excellent
407
Very good
150
Average
37
Poor
1
Terrible
7
Jen
Munich, Germany23 contributions
June 2021 • Couples
We went to Padre Nuestra Cave - we just drove to the park, paid 200Pesos per person entrance, and then 1.4 km further at the park entrance met a guide who offers a full tour for free (plus tips) which was absolutely awesome. He took us through the whole park, showed us the local plants, took photos and most importantly helped us on the last cave where you can swim in the dark in refreshing waters. You can also see the carving of the indigenous people here in this cave.
Ramon (the Guide) is very knowledgable and friendly, we actually ended up giving him 1000 Pesos as a tip which was worth it.
Can highly recommend this for any nature lovers! Bring good shoes, mosquito spray, water and bathing suit- no need for snorkelling gear as it’s too dark to see much in the Cave. We spent a total of almost 3 hours here.
Ramon (the Guide) is very knowledgable and friendly, we actually ended up giving him 1000 Pesos as a tip which was worth it.
Can highly recommend this for any nature lovers! Bring good shoes, mosquito spray, water and bathing suit- no need for snorkelling gear as it’s too dark to see much in the Cave. We spent a total of almost 3 hours here.
Written 18 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MamaBerg87
Orlando, FL35 contributions
May 2014 • Family
We stayed at Viva Wyndam Dominicus Beach resort. We wanted to go to the National Park of the East and Saona Island on a day trip. We gathered information from the resort ($89 -- no lobster and shorter trip), and then went exploring. I had read about Mariposa Tours on line before we arrived because I was looking for someone we could deal with in Dominicus rather than Bayahibe. Turning right outside the resort gates, we walked down the main pedestrian street. Pierre at Mariposa Tours asked if he could give us some information. We sat down and listened to his pitch. For $80 each (reg. $85), the four of us would have a full-day adventure by motorboat…including an all-you-could eat beach lunch with grilled lobster. For son #2, that was a delicious dream come true. The boat held only 28 passengers plus crew, so it was a small intimate group. It was also partially shaded.
At 8:30 the next morning, we arrived at the Dominicus offices and were transported as part of the package to nearby Bayahibe for the boat launch. Roberto was our guide. The Italian owners were an active part of the arrangements. She taking money. He came along on the boat for the day. Our family were the only four English speakers. The rest were Spanish or Italian speaking. Roberto did great switching between languages and making sure we understood what he was talking about.
Our first stop was the natural pool – a shallow water area to see starfish. The crew broke out rum & coke and waters as we shuffled around looking for sealife.
If you want a water adventure, the motorboat is the way to visit Isla Saona! It was not a calm, boring ride out to Canto de la Playa – the farthest point on the island. We spent about three hours relaxing and swimming there. There was a reef for snorkeling but it was a rough day, so my husband didn’t go out. He had brought his own snorkeling equipment. Women were available for beach massages. A man was selling fresh coconuts for $2. Roberto brought out snacks after we were there for an hour. There were about 8 other motorboats with their passengers on the island at the same time as we were. It wasn’t crowded. This location is too far for catamarans to sail to. The coconut palm tree setting was gorgeous. The warm water was clear and a beautiful turquoise.
The photographer wanted to take pictures of our family. OK. But it became a full-fledged beach photo shoot. We were good sports about it, and there were actually some pictures of all of us we ended up purchasing at the end as a souvenir of our beach adventure.
From here we went to Manojuan, a small fishing village, for a beachside lunch. We had previously dropped off our cook before we enjoyed Canto de la Playa. He grilled pork & lobster. There were sides of beans & rice, potatoes, raw cabbage/carrot salad, rolls and for dessert, freshly cut fruit. Mariposa has their own picnic tables and bathrooms. After lunch, we could walk the main street and shop at the stores or explore town. It was a relaxing lunch stop.
On the way back, we went past the mangroves and met some fishermen with their catch of fresh lobsters. We made another stop at the natural pool. Son #1 loved the warm, shallow water with the soft sandy bottom. We looked for more starfish and saw a stingray.
We chose this over a larger party boat catamaran because of the beaches we could visit with the motorboat and the buffet lunch with grilled lobster. The price was good. The boat was full the day we went so be sure not to bring large beach bags since they have to fit on your lap or at your feet. You won’t need to bring much more than sunglasses, a beach towel, lotion, some spending money, and camera. They supplied snorkel equipment if you don’t have your own. We highly recommend Mariposa Tours.
At 8:30 the next morning, we arrived at the Dominicus offices and were transported as part of the package to nearby Bayahibe for the boat launch. Roberto was our guide. The Italian owners were an active part of the arrangements. She taking money. He came along on the boat for the day. Our family were the only four English speakers. The rest were Spanish or Italian speaking. Roberto did great switching between languages and making sure we understood what he was talking about.
Our first stop was the natural pool – a shallow water area to see starfish. The crew broke out rum & coke and waters as we shuffled around looking for sealife.
If you want a water adventure, the motorboat is the way to visit Isla Saona! It was not a calm, boring ride out to Canto de la Playa – the farthest point on the island. We spent about three hours relaxing and swimming there. There was a reef for snorkeling but it was a rough day, so my husband didn’t go out. He had brought his own snorkeling equipment. Women were available for beach massages. A man was selling fresh coconuts for $2. Roberto brought out snacks after we were there for an hour. There were about 8 other motorboats with their passengers on the island at the same time as we were. It wasn’t crowded. This location is too far for catamarans to sail to. The coconut palm tree setting was gorgeous. The warm water was clear and a beautiful turquoise.
The photographer wanted to take pictures of our family. OK. But it became a full-fledged beach photo shoot. We were good sports about it, and there were actually some pictures of all of us we ended up purchasing at the end as a souvenir of our beach adventure.
From here we went to Manojuan, a small fishing village, for a beachside lunch. We had previously dropped off our cook before we enjoyed Canto de la Playa. He grilled pork & lobster. There were sides of beans & rice, potatoes, raw cabbage/carrot salad, rolls and for dessert, freshly cut fruit. Mariposa has their own picnic tables and bathrooms. After lunch, we could walk the main street and shop at the stores or explore town. It was a relaxing lunch stop.
On the way back, we went past the mangroves and met some fishermen with their catch of fresh lobsters. We made another stop at the natural pool. Son #1 loved the warm, shallow water with the soft sandy bottom. We looked for more starfish and saw a stingray.
We chose this over a larger party boat catamaran because of the beaches we could visit with the motorboat and the buffet lunch with grilled lobster. The price was good. The boat was full the day we went so be sure not to bring large beach bags since they have to fit on your lap or at your feet. You won’t need to bring much more than sunglasses, a beach towel, lotion, some spending money, and camera. They supplied snorkel equipment if you don’t have your own. We highly recommend Mariposa Tours.
Written 19 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ecosur
Miami, FL168 contributions
Sept 2016 • Family
Only for Nature life lover. This National park its wonderful for see the wild side in this Island. You can go at your way, do not need a tour guide or pay for go to know it.
The entrance fee its only U$S 2, or 100 Domincan Pesos per person.
If you are going from Dominicus-Americanus town you can find the main entrance at final of the Bayahibe Road. Beside to the Cadaques Hotel, cross the gate and you find the rustic road and finally the sea. Stop there and go to the wildlife office and there you pay.
After walk almost 45 minutes beside the sea you will find the caves. (cuevas del Puente). Fallow the few signals.
In the way you can swim and snorkel, watch birds, star sea, turtles, sprocket weels, hermit crabs, snails and more.
Its mandatory for your health carry with you a good insect repellent, a hat and a sun screen for your skin. Tennis shoes and water. Camera and sunglasses.
Avoid the noon hours.
Saona Island belongs of this park and if you like visit this island you can go to bayahibe fisher town and take a boat for only a few payment.
This kind of tours are better for visit at your way and with your own time and expend in the natural life all the time.
Enjoy the silence and solitude of the National Parks in all the world.
The entrance fee its only U$S 2, or 100 Domincan Pesos per person.
If you are going from Dominicus-Americanus town you can find the main entrance at final of the Bayahibe Road. Beside to the Cadaques Hotel, cross the gate and you find the rustic road and finally the sea. Stop there and go to the wildlife office and there you pay.
After walk almost 45 minutes beside the sea you will find the caves. (cuevas del Puente). Fallow the few signals.
In the way you can swim and snorkel, watch birds, star sea, turtles, sprocket weels, hermit crabs, snails and more.
Its mandatory for your health carry with you a good insect repellent, a hat and a sun screen for your skin. Tennis shoes and water. Camera and sunglasses.
Avoid the noon hours.
Saona Island belongs of this park and if you like visit this island you can go to bayahibe fisher town and take a boat for only a few payment.
This kind of tours are better for visit at your way and with your own time and expend in the natural life all the time.
Enjoy the silence and solitude of the National Parks in all the world.
Written 5 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PARASCOSA
Knebworth, UK265 contributions
Jan 2022
We had hired a car from our hotel in Cap Cana and driven to this reserve and expected a lot more. At first we went to the entrance near Cueva Padre Nuestro (bear Bayahibe) but we decided that the entrance near the coast was probably better. On reflection, we should have stayed at the first location.
We parked at the end of the road after all of the hotels and went through a gate and along the side of a hotel. All a bit run down and uninviting.
After about 100 m you get to a few buildings but there is no information building and we were just pointed down a path. After about 250 m we came a cross a guy (official? ... who knows!) who relieved us of a very small entrance fee.
We walked for about a mile but gave up (we are 65+) as the humidity was building up and it started to rain heavily.
We did see some humming birds but, otherwise, the place was pretty sterile and uninteresting. Nobody offered to act as a guide.
We parked at the end of the road after all of the hotels and went through a gate and along the side of a hotel. All a bit run down and uninviting.
After about 100 m you get to a few buildings but there is no information building and we were just pointed down a path. After about 250 m we came a cross a guy (official? ... who knows!) who relieved us of a very small entrance fee.
We walked for about a mile but gave up (we are 65+) as the humidity was building up and it started to rain heavily.
We did see some humming birds but, otherwise, the place was pretty sterile and uninteresting. Nobody offered to act as a guide.
Written 21 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paul_winkler
Kingston, Canada6 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
On an excursion to Isla Saona our catamaran stopped by the Parque del Este supposedly to view sea stars. Instead drunken passengers swarmed into the water to drink more out of plastic cups handed out by crew members. One passenger found a single sea star, which was handed around roughly from person to person (rather than being left undisturbed). Plastic cups were left floating in the water as we departed. Although the Parque is on UNESCO's list, I can't see how this activity is educational, scientific, OR cultural.
Written 1 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
james v
Montreal, Canada8 contributions
May 2013 • Family
A hidden gem in Bayahibe. Hire a motoconcho/guide ($10) and get a park pass ($2.50) and spend your afternoon looking at and swimming in some cool caves. We went there and had the caves to ourselves for most of an hour before another couple showed up. Kids loved it.
Written 8 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adam D
lguard739 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
We took the Padre Nuestro route inside the national park. We paid for our entry bracelets and a guide in advance at the Medio Ambiente office near where the mass tourism buses park in bayahibe. They gave us a ride to the park entrance where we walked about a mile to where the guides are (get a motoconcho if you can, it's a long, hot walk). Just two of us and a guide walked through and learned about the environmental and cultural history of the area. There was beautiful and unique scenery (cactus amongst the tropical flowers, hiking over ancient coral), and a really cool cave at the end. We paid just 200 pesos each for park entry and the guide. It is possible to go by horse but I don't know how. Definitely do this if you can! And put on seem bug spray!
Written 24 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shipshape_florida
miami3 contributions
June 2013 • Couples
we booked horseriding from D Palace and was suprised that they went into Nat Park and to a beautifil cave that you could swim in..
Written 9 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peterfenn1
Westwood, MA175 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
you have to buy a ticket in Bayahibe to enter the park. Then you have to engage a guide or tour to access the park. fairly confusing system. You should book thru your hotel if you dont speak at least some spanish
Written 10 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MHessNYC
New York City, NY79 contributions
July 2012 • Friends
We drove from santo Domingo to Bayahibe, a 2 hours drive through surprisingly good roads. At Bayahibe we took a guided boat tour to the island saona. On the way we stopped at a natural pool in the middle of the ocean, an amazing experience. It's a large area of shallow crystal clear water in the middle of the ocean. From there we made a few stops to see some mangroves, caves and birds, then we arrived in saona where we had a great Dominican lunch. When we got back to Bayahibe we took another short guided tour to a small park called padre de nuestro. It's a small trail with a lot of cactuses, and a cave that has a natural pool in it with cold water, very refreshing. Highly recommended!
Written 21 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are staying at dreams Dominica's LA Ramona. Can we walk to the park from our hotel along the beach? And how much is it to get in
Written 28 February 2024
Hola!!! Con qué agencia realizaste el tour?
Written 11 February 2020
Jacana
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Me gustaría saber si es seguro caminar por los senderos con equipo fotográfico y cuál es el mejor horario para visitar el parque a pie.
Written 23 May 2019
La mejor hora temprano para no coincidir con mucha gente en el manantial
Written 24 May 2019
Hi, does Amstar do an excursion to the National Park of the East? I did not see it with Apple Vacation tours that uses Amstar. I would prefer to use Amstar.
Written 5 March 2019
I used my rental car so can not assist.
Written 5 March 2019
La única manera de acceder a este parque es contratando excursión?
No se puede acceder de otro modo desde Bayahibe?
Gracias desde ya
Written 22 April 2018
Nosotros alquilamos la barca de los chicos de la zona de recreos acuáticos del complejo y cuando no estaban los jefes a la tarde nos llevaron y les dimos 20€. recogimos todo y volvimos andando por toda la costa que es una hora más menos andado, playas que no hay nadie.
esta genial
Written 22 April 2018
Is the main entrance to the park quite visible from the beach? Was it easy to find the cave, some say it is difficult without a guide, but we are non-guide type as well.
Written 13 March 2018
We walked from Bayhibe to entrance of park. It was about 1/2 mile walk. The cave is down a dirt road on a well known signed path. The sign says a guide is required, however the guide ask for way more than we were told by a local in town. We negotiated down from $40 to $10. the trail is easy to follow,and cave eay to find, the guide was overkill. The cave was awesome though!
Written 23 March 2018
We zouden graag met een taxi vanaf het resort naar het park gaan en ter plaatse de intree bewijzen kopen.
Onze vraag is wat er allemaal mogelijk is in het park (we hoorden dat we ook een stukje met een boot mee konden)en ook willen we graag weten of het de moeite loont om buiten de gebruikelijke excursies om hier naar toe te gaan.
Alvast bedankt voor de reactie!
Ton
Written 2 November 2017
What is the admission fee to just walk around the park on your own? We will be staying at the IB Hacienda Dominicus and thought we would take the bus or cab to the park.
Written 5 August 2016
Is there a Map of the park so we can see where the trails are?
Written 4 February 2016
There are marked trails that are pretty easy to follow but kind of rough. There is a Park Ranger who will come out and great you when you walk/drive up. He is plains clothes but really nice (does not speak english). The trail gets kind of rough (but mostly flat) in the back and requires something with ankle support as a lot of the path is on old coral and has holes and what not. When you get to the caves, make sure you go all the way into to the otherside, it's worth it. Make sure you bring a flashlight. There are other caves as well but we went with younger 5 kids and definitely pushed it getting to the first set.
Written 8 February 2016
hola vamos en 5 dias al Be Live canoa de Bayahibe a cuanto queda el parque?
hay alguna bus o Guagua que viaje hasta alli?
Written 15 August 2015
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