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, could be your thing. In Punta Cana, you can stay in a friendly resort with all the luxury amenities while having easy access to some of the most amazing wildlife on Earth less than an hour away. The best way to have an exciting experience with wildlife in the Dominican Republic is to take excursions to Punta Cana, that is, day trips, with a respected eco-tour operator.

The rock stars of the animal world in the Dominican Republic are the 4 species of large sea turtles (hawksbills, green turtles, leatherbacks, and loggerheads), giant rays, West Indian manatees (sea cows), and dolphins. bottle. Visitors to the region are also quite impressed by the extensive colonies of frigatebirds, boobies and brown pelicans that roost and nest in the mangroves near Saona Island.

Of course, if you’re into snorkeling or scuba diving, the extensive coral reef ecosystem along the coast of the Dominican Republic will be the center of attention. The coral reefs of the Dominican Republic are home to literally thousands of tropical fish and invertebrate creatures so strange you might 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 amaze 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 furry hutia that looks like a cross between a guinea pig and a rat. Then there is the hairy Cacata tarantula (also known as the Dominican tarantula) and its cousin the tailless whip scorpion. If you like bats, you should definitely take the time to do some tours exploring the caves in the 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 in the Dominican Republic.

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