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Los Haitises National Park – Mangroves, Taino Caves and Islets in Samaná Bay

Los Haitises National Park – Mangroves, Taino Caves and Islets in Samaná Bay

Most popular

Los Haitises Classic

Complete tour from Sabana de la Mar, Caño Hondo or Samaná. Includes navigation through islets, mangroves and visit to Taino caves.

From US$85 per person

Subject to availability. Direct payment to provider.

Families

Los Haitises + Cayo Levantado

Perfect combination: exploration of Los Haitises plus beach time at Cayo Levantado with lunch and free time.

From US$95 per person

Subject to availability. Direct payment to provider.

Full Day

Full Day Los Haitises from Punta Cana / Bávaro

Complete tour from hotels in Punta Cana or Bávaro. Includes transfers, complete navigation and the full Los Haitises experience.

From US$125 per person

Subject to availability. Direct payment to provider.

Nature

Birdwatching & Mangroves

Specialized bird watching tour with naturalist guide. Ideal for birding and nature lovers.

From US$110 per person

Subject to availability. Direct payment to provider.

Adventure

Kayak in Los Haitises

Kayak exploration through the mangroves and channels of the park. More intimate experience with nature (subject to availability).

From US$105 per person

Subject to availability. Direct payment to provider.

Description

Los Haitises National Park is one of the most impressive and biodiverse ecosystems in the Caribbean. Located in Samaná Bay, it spans the provinces of Hato Mayor, Monte Plata and Samaná, offering a unique landscape of mogotes (karst hills) covered in tropical jungle, extensive mangrove forests, caves with Taino rock art and an incredible variety of wildlife.

The tour takes you to navigate between the karst islets that emerge from the water, creating a dreamlike landscape. You will explore the mangroves where more than 200 species of birds nest, including pelicans, herons, frigate birds and endemic species. You will visit caves where the Taino indigenous people left their pictographs more than 1,000 years ago, learning about pre-Columbian history and culture.

This experience combines ecotourism, history and nature, being perfect for the whole family. Los Haitises is part of the Dominican Republic National Protected Areas System and is home to unique endemic species, being considered one of the most important ecosystems in the Caribbean.

### Responsible Tourism and Environmental Protection

Los Haitises National Park is part of the National Protected Areas System and is regulated by the Ministry of Environment (Law 64-00 and Sectoral Law 202-04). Our tours respect speed limits and navigation routes within the park, as well as the prohibition of littering or feeding animals.

We ask visitors not to touch or scratch the cave pictographs, not to extract wildlife or flora (shells, plants, etc.), and to maintain a low noise level so as not to disturb the wildlife. Your visit helps finance park conservation programs.

Quick Summary

Location

Samaná Bay (Hato Mayor, Monte Plata and Samaná provinces)

Type of experience

Nature – Ecotourism – Taino Culture

Duration

4-5 hours (local departures) / 7-10 hours (full day from Punta Cana / Bayahibe / Samaná)

Modality

Boat tour + short walks

Activity level

Easy – Moderate

Languages

Spanish / English

What's Included

  • Round trip transfer from your hotel by bus or minivan with air conditioning (depending on origin)
  • Boarding on certified boat/catamaran from assigned port
  • Local bilingual guide (Spanish / English) specialized in nature
  • Navigation among the karst islets of Los Haitises
  • Tour through mangrove forests
  • Visit to 1-3 caves with Taino pictographs
  • Explanation about flora, fauna and Taino culture
  • Transfer to Cayo Levantado (in combined option)
  • Typical Dominican buffet lunch
  • Free beach time at Cayo Levantado (if applicable)
  • Water and soft drinks during the tour

What's NOT Included

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Environmental or port fee (if applicable, can be paid in cash)
  • Extra life jacket rental for children (if operator handles it separately)
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Optional activities (kayak, advanced birdwatching), unless specified

What to Bring

  • Light clothing, hat/cap, sunscreen
  • Comfortable footwear (closed sandals or sneakers that can get wet)
  • Insect repellent
  • Swimsuit and towel if Cayo Levantado is included
  • Waterproof or waterproof camera
  • Dry change of clothes

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the service. Cancellations with less than 48 hours are subject to a 50% charge. No-show will be charged 100%.

⚠️ Intermediation Notice: Billetaxo Travel acts as a digital intermediary connecting customers with certified providers. We do not process online payments nor execute services directly. Payment is agreed directly with the provider after confirming availability. Read our complete Usage Policy .

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know how to swim? +
It is not strictly necessary, as the tour is mainly done by boat. However, life jackets are provided for all participants and it is recommended to have some comfort near the water.
Is it suitable for children? +
Yes, this tour is perfect for the whole family, including children. It is an educational and safe experience that combines nature and history in an accessible way. Children must be under adult supervision at all times.
What animals will I be able to see? +
In Los Haitises you can observe a great variety of birds (pelicans, herons, frigate birds, seagulls), fish, and with luck, dolphins and manatees. The park is home to more than 200 species of birds, including endemic and migratory species.
What does lunch include? +
The buffet lunch includes rice, beans, chicken or fish, salad, plantains and fruits. If you have dietary restrictions, let us know in advance and we will make the necessary adjustments.
What happens if the weather is bad? +
In case of bad weather or dangerous conditions at sea, the tour may be canceled or rescheduled at no charge. If the weather is unstable but safe, the tour takes place with additional precautions and the itinerary may be adjusted for safety.
Can I take photos in the caves? +
Yes, you can take photos in the caves, but without flash to protect the rock art. We also offer professional photography service for an additional charge.
How long does the boat ride last? +
The boat ride lasts approximately 2-3 hours on the complete tour, including stops to explore caves, mangroves and islets. Total tour time includes transportation, boat ride and lunch.
Where is the meeting point? +
Depends on chosen option: Punta Cana/Bávaro (pick-up 06:00-07:00 AM), Samaná/Sabana de la Mar (pick-up according to option), or Bayahibe (pick-up 07:00-07:30 AM). Exact meeting point and time will be confirmed 24 hours before via WhatsApp or email.
Are premium options available? +
Yes, we offer premium variants: Private Los Haitises (exclusive boat for your group, flexible schedules and personalized attention), Birdwatching Pro (very early departure, routes focused on endemic and migratory birds), and Los Haitises + El Limón Waterfall / Round Mountain (two-day combo with discount). Contact us via WhatsApp for more information.
What is the environmental or port fee? +
Some departures may require an environmental or port fee that is paid directly at the port in cash. The amount varies according to the operator and route. Our team will inform you in advance if it applies to your tour.
What should I bring or know before the tour? +
Suitable for families and children (under adult supervision)
What should I bring or know before the tour? +
Not recommended for people with severe motion sickness (there may be some waves)
What should I bring or know before the tour? +
Activity subject to sea and weather conditions; itinerary may be adjusted for safety
What should I bring or know before the tour? +
Bring sunscreen and insect repellent
What should I bring or know before the tour? +
Maintain low noise level so as not to disturb wildlife
What should I bring or know before the tour? +
Do not touch or scratch the cave pictographs
Where is the meeting point? +
Depends on chosen option: Punta Cana/Bávaro (pick-up 06:00-07:00 AM), Samaná/Sabana de la Mar (pick-up according to option), or Bayahibe (pick-up 07:00-07:30 AM). Exact meeting point and time will be confirmed 24 hours before via WhatsApp or email.
What is the detailed itinerary? +
1. Full Day from Punta Cana – Example:
2. 1) 06:00-07:00 – Pick-up at hotels in Punta Cana / Bávaro / Uvero Alto
3. 2) 07:00-09:00 – Road transfer to Sabana de la Mar or departure port
4. 3) 09:00-09:30 – Boarding, explanation of park rules
5. 4) 09:30-11:30 – Navigation through Samaná Bay and Los Haitises:
6. • Jungle-covered karst islets
7. • Marine bird watching
8. • Tour through mangrove channels
9. 5) 11:30-12:30 – Cave visit:
10. • Cueva de la Arena / Cueva de San Gabriel / Cueva de la Línea (depending on route)
11. • Taino pictographs and historical explanations
12. 6) 12:30-13:00 – Navigation to Cayo Levantado (if option includes it)
13. 7) 13:00-14:30 – Buffet lunch and beach time at Cayo Levantado
14. 8) 14:30-15:30 – Return to port by boat
15. 9) 15:30-17:30 – Return by bus to hotels in Punta Cana
16.
17. Short Itinerary – From Samaná / Sabana de la Mar – 4-5 hours:
18. 1) Meeting at port
19. 2) Navigation through islets and mangroves
20. 3) Visit to Taino caves
21. 4) Return to port and end of tour

Hotels in Samaná

Discover the best accommodations in Samaná, the perfect complement to your adventure.

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Airport Transfers

Samana Airport Transfers

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