Los Haitises National Park
Parque Nacional Los Haitises
A national park of karst hills and mangroves on the south shore of Samaná Bay, best seen on a classic day trip by boat to seabird islands and Taíno caves.
Los Haitises National Park lies on the south shore of Samaná Bay, where hundreds of limestone domes covered in rainforest rise out of the sea. (“Haitises” means “mountainous land” in Taíno.) The coastline is lined with mangroves, islets where seabirds nest, and caves. Inside the caves are Taíno rock paintings and carvings, and the park was used as a filming location for Jurassic Park. Day trips from Punta Cana usually depart from Sabana de la Mar, then cruise past San Lorenzo Bay, the bird islands and caves such as Cueva de la Línea. Expect to pay about US$130–160, including transfers and lunch, though prices vary by operator. The drive takes about 2.5 hours one way.
Opening hours
Day trips about 06:30–18:30
Nearby sights
- Playa Cosón
- Playa Bonita
- Playa Las Ballenas
- El Limón Waterfall
- Pueblo de los Pescadores
- Santa Bárbara de Samaná
- Samaná Bay Whale Watching
- Cayo Levantado