Lake Enriquillo (Lago Enriquillo)

Lake Enriquillo (Lago Enriquillo)

Lake Enriquillo (Lago Enriquillo)
4.5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
This rural 13-mile-long lake near the Haiti border is the lowest point in the Caribbean and is a popular tourist attraction for spotting crocodiles.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles56 reviews
Excellent
31
Very good
14
Average
7
Poor
2
Terrible
2

Belkys H
Oakville, Canada29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
Lake Enriquillo is a beautiful, hot, and magic spot in the southwest of the Dominican Republic. It is the largest and most hypersaline lake in the Caribbean. The water in the lake can reach hypersaline levels up to 66% higher than sea water. It was previously called Lake Xaragua (Jaragua) after the Taino chiefdom in which it was located. The Lake was formed 10 million years ago when the north island, which was the area toward the Sierra the Neiba’s and the south island, which included Sierra del Bahoruco, le Massif de la Selle, and the Tiburon Peninsula in today Haiti - joined as result of earth movement that formed the Hispaniola island (see photo No. 2).

Although arid and harsh, the area is rich in wildlife. Among the fauna: the American flamingos, 61 other species of birds, three species of fishes, and American crocodiles. The Ricord’s and rhinoceros iguana are endemic species. The iguanas are the most welcoming of all the inhabitants in the area.

The flora is 10 % endemic and includes cacti, bayahonda, cambrón, guayacán, baitoa, cayucos, melón espinos, and many other species.

The journey to the Lake is as exciting as the destination. In our way we cross cities and small towns – San Cristobal, Bani, Azua, Tamayo, Galvan, Neiba, Postrer Rio, Los Rios, Villa Jaragua. During a big part of the trip, the majestic an imposing Sierra del Bahoruco made us company. The physical environment around the Lake is captivating and the sensation of being in a special place is worth the trip.

References: National Geographic, World Wildlife Fund, Parque Nacional Lago Enriquillo e Isla Cabritos.
Written 28 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

josephzebley
Elkton, MD136 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Lago Enriquillo is a land locked salt water lake that is slowly rising and flooding the surrounding agricultural land and even some towns. At 47 meters below sea level it is the lowest point in the Caribbean. It features the highest population of salt water crocodiles in the Caribbean. There is an island one can visit and there are endangered Iguanas in the National Park. Up on the cliffs above the lake are petroglyphs dating back to the days of the Arawak and Taino people and perhaps even earlier. Lots of coral fossils, the lake is in a rift valley along a slip fault that starts at the eastern end of Jamaica and ends in the middle of the D.R.
A four to six hour drive from Santo Domingo it is not worth the trip unless you are a student of geology or of D.R. national parks. Few tourist accommodations in the towns of Los Rios, La Descubierta, or Jimani. so just be aware.
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

yz1991
505 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Couples
saw many iguanas here, visited as part of tour from Santo Domingo. I am not sure I should recommend it as part of the itinerary, as the tour around the lake and then going to Pedernales is brutal. 6am-9pm in the minibus.
Written 1 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Oscar D
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic224 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Friends
Even when, as of January 2019 you cannot reach anymore Isla Cabritos, there is still the chance to take a boat guided visit. There such nice scenes with the trees, Iguanas and Lizards. Also try touring around the lake starting with Monumento Natural Las Marías, Las Caritas, Balneario Las Barias and Balneario La Zurza.
Written 26 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MD_T0urist
New Jersey222 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018 • Couples
We came to the famous Lake Enriquillo after the infamous 160+ speed bumps only to find that 1) many boats no longer go to Isla Cabritos (which we did not know) because the lake has expanded (which we knew), 2) as a result you will only see the rhino iguana (literally at the entrance, which you can see in Parque Jaragua) but not the red-eyed blue iguana (which you can’t see anywhere else), 3) flamingos have left. There were a handful of crocodiles and birds, but definitely not worth the horrific drive there and back. If you are in the area, go to Parque Nacional Jaragua instead.
Written 30 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EnClair
Randers443 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2018 • Couples
The lake itself is wonderful and worth a round trip. Especially from the north, you will get lovely view of the dead trees.

If you go to the np entrance you will find a huge welcome committee of iguana. And that's it.. no info, explanation at all.

A few guys with boats, old and not shielded for the sun, and that's it.

Go to lake oviedo instead.
Written 7 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lisa2734
Aarhus, Denmark37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2017 • Couples
It was a very, very long drive getting here from Santo Domingo - we drove at 6 in the morning and returned at 7 in the evening! But it was well worth it! The nature is really different from the rest of the Island, and we got to see several crocodiles, birds and iguanas. We even saw a tiny baby crocodile! We didn't book the boat trip in advance and I think we could real lucky, because when we arrived at the park entrance at noon, two local guides were just hanging around, and they took us on a boat trip. We payed 3500 RD and got a boat for ourselves. Remember to bring lots of food and water!
Written 12 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michal G
Ko Chang, Thailand269 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2017 • Friends
Close to the boarder of Haiti you find the hypersaline Lake Enriquillo which is the home of hundreds of crodiles, fish, iguanas and different bird species. We didn't see any flamingoes while being there but the water level has been increasing through recent years which can explain changes in ecosystem. The official entry to the lake is towards the city La Descubierta and it's totally free to enter. The staff at the official office are only Spanish speaking and will eventually ask you for 100 pesos to have watched your car while going down to the lake which seems a little ridiculous since nobody else is out there. Perhaps the crocodiles have been taught how to drive. I don't know. However, paying the Dominican personel is a cultural gestus the people have adapted through many years when seeing white people. You will experience that everywhere. The lake itself is astonishing to watch. Especially if you choose to take the boat ride which is about 3500 for 3-4 people. We payed 2500 for three persons since we had a Dominican guy with us from the hotel who claimed he could reduce the price for us and so he did! Since he was Dominican he expected us to provide him during the trip so you have to consider if you want to go by yourself, a guide or a local semi-crazy man like we did. We took some amazing pictures on the boat ride and saw a lot of crodiles! We couldn't go to Isla Cabritos because the boat guy told us it was closed. I guess if we payed 2000 pesos more he would have taken us there due to Dominican corruption. It's sad to know but true. Around the lake you'll be able to see dead trees everywhere which creates a mysterious scenery. Fossiled corals are also to be found everywhere. There's another sight point just few hundred meters from the park entry which is an old monuments from the Taíno Indians who used to live there. The enormous rocks have Taíno paintings on them. Watch the sign from the road! We drove from Hotel Panoramica near Barahona. It took about two hours.
Written 23 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Aldeliris F
123 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2017 • Family
This is a must see! The lake look like a ocean. It sits below the sea. Is really out of the way but worth the drive. Around the lake is many natural sulfur pools. Recommend to stay in Barahona take a day to see the lake, one day to see Bahia de las Águilas and the magnetic pole in between.
Written 15 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marci6tx
Gulf Breeze, FL753 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2016 • Family
We went to the lake with Ecotour Barahona which was nice because they took care of everything for us. The boat ride around the lake was very interesting. The lake is so unique with the dead palm trees jutting out of the middle of it! We loved spotting crocodiles from the boat and iguanas back on shore. It is definitely worth a trip if you are in the southwest of the Dominican Republic! Such a unique place compared to the rest of the country.
Written 23 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Lake Enriquillo (Lago Enriquillo) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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