When tourists visit the Dominican Republic they expect to immerse themselves in the beauty of its famous beaches, such as Punta Cana, Bávaro or Samaná. However, there are other ecological attractions that are not well known by tourists and can be enjoyed within the city of Santo Domingo. Los Tres Ojos National Park is a perfect example of this. It is one of Santo Domingo’s most visited protected areas due to its inherent beauty: the crystal clear lakes, the preservation of its flora and fauna, and its close relation with the Taíno culture, which makes this place worth visiting for anyone, especially for those who enjoy breathtaking sceneries and breaking a healthy sweat.
Can you imagine living in a cave?
The Natural Monument Los Tres Ojos, which literally means “The Three Eyes,” is a limestone cave with great natural beauty and recreational areas. This site was created due to the collapse of underground caves, which outcropped from the Brujuela underground river and formed three different inner lakes: El Lago de Azufre, El Lago de las Damas and La Nevera. The Taíno Indians were the first inhabitants of the cave, which makes this area closely related to their culture and religious magical elements. You can find prehistoric petroglyphs and archaeological sites inside and outside of the cave.
There are natural resources that make the cave pretty interesting. In the adjacent areas exposed to light, you may see plants growing in the hollow parts of the limestone rock such as epiphytes and lianas.
Blue is the most magical color
One of the main reasons you have to visit Los Tres Ojos National Park is the low entrance cost, which is 100 DOP per person (approximately 2.17 USD). Then, you can start feeling the warmth in your soul with the combination of its magical colors. The only way to get into the cave is by going down the rock staircase. Thirty meters (almost 100 feet) below the ground you’ll find the first of the three lakes: El Lago de Azufre (The Sulfur Lake). The lake doesn’t really contain sulfur but due to its blue color, explorers thought it contained traces of the element. They never verified this using scientific methods, so the name stuck. However, there are white spots in the water, which are due to calcium carbonate coming from the stalactites. Next to it, you will find El Lago de las Damas (The Ladies’ Lake), which is the smallest of the three and the one preferred by ladies to swim in back in 1916, when it was first discovered after the American invasion.
The last of the inner lakes is La Nevera (The Fridge), which is the biggest and deepest of all. It is amazing to stand here and observe the height of the cave; no matter how tall you are you’ll feel very small in comparison to everything that surrounds you. Santo Domingo’s weather is extremely hot and humid, and even if there is scarce sunlight, you may feel like you’re suffocating if you’re not used to the weather. This is the darkest place of the cave, and you’ll find a wooden boat that pulls visitors through the lake to take them to the Fourth Lake, which is not considered part of Los Tres Ojos because it’s not inside a cave.
The Fourth Lake: an open air gem
To get to El Cuarto Lago (The Fourth Lake) it is necessary to cross La Nevera in a wooden boat. The round trip costs 25 DOP per person (approximately 0.54 USD) that you’ll have to pay in cash and it will take you to the other side in a minute. The darkness may intimidate you, but trusting nature has its rewards, and this one is totally worth it. El Cuarto Lago is also called Los Zamagullones (The Zamagullones), due to the presence of an endemic bird whose migratory route passes through here. You’ll love this lake: the presence of sunlight creates different shades of blue from the ones inside the cave. There are some animals you can find, such as bats, turtles, and plenty of fish.
You can also see the Fourth Lake from above, you just have to walk a trail located outside of the cave. You’ll see plenty of signs in English and Spanish; it’s very easy to follow them. The view from above is very different from the view you get inside the cave, but is a better way to see the vegetation that surrounds Los Tres Ojos National Park.
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
Buying larimar as the perfect gift
Once your visit is finished, you will find handicraft stalls on your way out. There are plenty of gemstones being sold as jewelry, but the perfect gift for your loved one is the one made of larimar. This is a mineral pectolite, which can only be found in the Dominican Republic. Its blue color is very similar to the color of the inner lakes, making it the perfect souvenir. However, I recommend not buying souvenirs made from coral. Avoiding coral helps to preserve the country’s environment.
Plan your visit to Los Tres Ojos
It’s always better to plan your visit in the morning. Los Tres Ojos National Park opens at 8:30 am. That’s the sunniest time of the day and the cave benefits from the better lighting. Don’t forget to take comfortable clothing, sneakers, and, of course, a lot of water. It is not necessary to take your swimsuit with you because swimming in the lakes is not allowed. Enjoy your visit!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to