North Coast, Dominican Republic birding

For those going to the North Coast(Puerto Plata, Cabarete, Sosua)of the Dominican Republic for birding: there's a problem. First, there are no birdng guides that we know of up there, and those we know of won't go up there. It is too far from where we all are located, in Santo Domingo. So unless you are willing to come to Santo Domingo, then there is not much we can do.

Secondly, it's way too far from the best birding areas - which is mainly the Southwest. It would be pretty much a whole day's travel to get there. That's fine if you have the time to spare. But to really make it worth it, you would need to make a minimum four-day commitment. Travel time and distance add significantly to the cost as well.

And thirdly, sorry to say that the North Coast is very poorly covered for birding. There has been very little birding exploration, so we just don't know the good spots.

However, I can give you some directions of a few places you can go(info from 2002).

1. Parque Nacional Laguna Cabarete, "El Choco" - this is in the town of Cabarete, there is a sign on the western end of town. Turn right and head in past the town, past the National Park booth. You have to pay a fee there but don't pay for the cave tours. Just keep going straight in until basically the road runs out. There are (unmarked) trails, in good scrub forest and "Karsk" (limestone) hills.

2.The other part of Parque Nacional Laguna Cabarete, is in the town of Islabon, east of Cabarete. there is a sign: Turn right and at a short distance is a National Park booth. This area is swampy, wetlands. You can walk around and find waders, etc.

There are some mountains, and the field guides report trogons and other highland species, but there's not enough birding going on there to establish an info base.

Sorry we can't be of more help. However, if you are really serious about birding here, in the best areas, such as the far southwest, please contact us before making plans so that we can arrange a whole package.

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