Saona Island, the unknown of the Dominican Republic

Image | Pixabay

Located in the southeast of the Dominican Republic, Isla Saona is one of its largest islands and one of the most beautiful places in the country. It is located in the province of La Romana and is part of the Parque Nacional del Este extending over 110 square kilometers. Being part of a national park, it preserves the characteristics of a tropical paradise: exuberant and exotic vegetation, a wide variety of animals, kilometers of virgin white sand beaches and clean waters.

It is not surprising, therefore, that it is one of the most popular places to visit for those on vacation in the Dominican Republic.

Next, we will learn more about this beautiful Dominican island and what can be done there during an excursion to Isla Saona. 

How to go to Isla Saona?

Excursions to Isla Saona are one of the best-selling activities by hotel complexes in the Dominican Republic. Given its status as a natural park, this place is officially protected and therefore has no buildings on its coastline, which allows you to enjoy unspoiled nature and take spectacular photographs.

To go on an excursion to Isla Saona, you have to go to Bayahibe, a town from which the catamarans and boats depart for the island. However, any resort in Playa Bávaro or Punta Cana offers this excursion as well, although it can be planned from Santo Domingo directly. The journey takes approximately three hours from La Romana.

Image | Pixabay

What to do in Isla Saona?

The main tourist attraction of the island are its landscapes and nature, such as the largest natural pool in the world located in the middle of the sea 400 meters from the coast. A perfect place to dive in and take a bath as the depth barely reaches one meter.

It also stands out for its coral reefs and its endless beaches, characterized by its fine white sand and crystal clear waters that show different shades of blue in combination with the sky and the Caribbean sun. In these waters we can find marine species such as turtles, exotic fish and starfish.

Other species that can be seen on Isla Saona are birds in multiple varieties: gulls, roosters, parrots, crows, partridges, vaguazas and wild pigeons.

On the other hand, Isla Saona is rocky and has many caverns and grottos in the northwest area, being a very interesting area due to the large number of relics of the indigenous peoples that have been found there. The coast has low rocky edges and is where the only corner of the island that has a small elevation above sea level is located, known as Punta Roca.

Where to eat in Isla Saona?

Only around 1.200 inhabitants live on Saona Island, specifically in the town of Mano Juan and in the Catuano settlement. They inhabit huts built with palms and plants, since it is not allowed to build there and their main occupations are tourism and fishing.

As a restaurant, in Isla Saona there is a cabin that serves as a dining room to serve tourists who are on excursions and where a lunch consisting of dishes of coconut rice and fresh fish is offered.

Image | Pixabay

Other places of interest in Dominican Republic

Punta Cana

Punta Cana is one of the best Caribbean destinations in terms of quality / price ratio offered by impressive all-inclusive resorts in a paradisiacal setting. For a week or two, tourists enjoy some of the best beaches in the Caribbean between outdoor activities and tasty cocktails.

Pedernales Peninsula

In the Pedernales Peninsula you will find some of the most interesting natural attractions to see during a vacation in the Dominican Republic. Good examples of this are the Jaragua National Park, the Bahía de las Águilas beach, the Cachoté cloud forest, the Oviedo saltwater lagoon and the Sierra de Bahoruco National Park, ideal for bird watching.

Pico Duarte

Among the things to do in the Dominican Republic you have the opportunity to ascend to the highest peak in the Antilles: Pico Duarte, the best viewpoint in the country with 3.087 meters above sea level. 

It is the star of the Cordillera Central, the main mountain range in the Dominican Republic with 250 kilometers of extension, although it is surrounded by other very high peaks such as Pico del Barranco, Pelona Grande, Pico del Yaque and Pelona Chica.

Hiking lovers will find in the ascent to Pico Duarte one of the best experiences they can have in the Caribbean country. This route lasts three days through cultivated fields and during the journey you sleep in shelters until you reach the top.


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  1.   Cristina said

    Saona is not unknown. There are millions of offers to go, as well explained within the text. A little headline imagination, please. ?