Larimar Mines (Los Chupaderos)
Minas de Larimar
The only mountain mine in the world that produces the sea-blue larimar stone. Visitors can watch hand-dug shafts being worked and buy rough stones.
Larimar (also known as blue pectolite) is found only in the Los Chupaderos area of the Sierra de Baoruco mountains in Barahona Province, where miners still dig by hand with simple shafts. From the area near Playa Baoruco, the road climbs more than 10 km into the hills to the mine. Road conditions are poor, so a 4WD or motorcycle taxi is recommended. At the mine you can see the shafts and the stone-sorting work. Buying rough stone directly from miners is cheaper than in town, but you must judge its quality yourself. In the village of Baoruco below and in Barahona town, there are several larimar workshops and museum-style shops where you can see the polishing process. There is no formal entrance fee at the mine, and it is best to visit with a local guide.
Opening hours
Daytime (about 8:00 am–4:00 pm)
Nearby sights
- Balneario San Rafael
- Polo Magnético
- Playa Baoruco
- Los Patos River & Beach
- Playa El Quemaito
- Barahona Malecón & Parque Central
- Laguna Cabral (Laguna del Rincón)
- Hoyo de Pelempito