The Wildlife Near Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

If you love eco-adventures to see wildlife but also prefer to relax in a hot tub instead of a tent at the end of the day, I have a great suggestion for you. A vacation in Punta Cana on the east coast of the Dominican Republic may be the ideal for you. In Punta Cana, you can stay in a nice resort with all the luxurious amenities, while at the same time having easy access to some of the most incredible wildlife on Earth less than an hour away. The best way to have an exciting wildlife experience in the Dominican Republic is to take excursions to Punta Cana, that is, day trips, with a respected ecotourism operator.

The rock stars of the animal world in the Dominican Republic are the 4 species of large sea turtles (hawksbill turtles, green turtles, leatherback turtles and loggerhead turtles), giant rays, Antillean manatees (sea cows), and bottlenose dolphins. . Visitors to the region are also quite impressed with the extensive colonies of frigates, boobies, and brown pelicans that roost and nest in the mangroves near Saona Island.

Of course, if you like snorkeling or scuba diving, the extensive coral reef ecosystem along the coast of the Dominican Republic will take center stage. The coral reefs of the Dominican Republic are home to literally thousands of tropical fish and invertebrates so strange that you may mistake them for plants at first. Regardless of whether or not you can identify all the creatures you see on the reefs, the vivid colors and patterns will dazzle you.

There are also many other fascinating animals to see in the Dominican Republic. These include the very large rhinoceros iguana, the agouta (solenodon) that looks a bit like an anteater, and the small hairy hutia that looks like a cross between a guinea pig and a rat. Then there is the hairy tarantula Cacata (also known as the Dominican tarantula) and its cousin, the tailless whip scorpion. If you like bats, you should definitely take the time to go on some excursions exploring the caves of Parque Nacional del Este, the largest natural park in the country and less than an hour from Punta Cana. There are several interesting species of bats that live in these caves of Dominican Republic.

While people are often more curious to see exotic animals than plants, there is one species of plant in the Dominican Republic that is a real star and a “must see.” The plant I am referring to is the mangrove which forms dense mangrove forests. The mangroves located off the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic are easily accessible from Punta Cana by taking excursions to Punta Cana. Mangrove forests also serve as vital habitat for thousands of other species. They serve as critical spawning grounds for fish and invertebrates and protect young fish and sea turtles from predators. That is why conservationists around the world and many Dominicans are so interested in conserving them.