Los Haitises is the most famous national park in the Dominican Republic. It's hard to reach by road, it's densely wooded and teeming with rare flora and fauna – and it looks pretty much like it did when Christopher Columbus turned up with his caravels five centuries ago. And as well as exploring Los Haitises, you'll also get to visit the island of Cayo Levantado.
Heavy rainfall means Los Haitises has hundreds of species of plants sprouting out of the ground. You'll find mangroves, bamboo, ferns and bromeliads that provide a habitat to many bird species. The park also has caves from the pre-Columbus era with paintings by native Tainos depicting faces and hunting scenes. You'll get to hear about their history and the culture.
Next, you'll hop on a boat to the tropical paradise of Cayo Levantado – a tiny islet in Samana Bay. You can help yourself to a buffet lunch and later enjoy the beautiful white, sandy beach and take a dip in turquoise waters.
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