Oviedo Lagoon: A Nature Lover’s Paradise in the Dominican Republic
Tucked away in the deep south of the Dominican Republic lies a hidden oasis that few have had the privilege to discover – Laguna de Oviedo (Oviedo Lagoon). This serene lagoon is a must-visit destination for adventure travelers, nature enthusiasts, and bird watchers. Despite its relative obscurity, Laguna de Oviedo offers a unique blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and ecological diversity that makes it a captivating destination for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience.
In this post, we will give you all the tools and resources you need for an unforgettable experience at Laguna de Oviedo.
Why to Visit Laguna de Oviedo?
Satellite view of Oviedo Lagoon Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Laguna de Oviedo is a pristine saltwater lagoon situated within the Jaragua National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the southwestern part of the Dominican Republic. It is the largest lagoon in the Dominican Republic and one of the largest bodies of water second to Lago Enriquillo. This remote oasis spans over 27 square kilometers and is surrounded by lush mangrove forests, making it a haven for various species of flora and fauna. The lagoon is named after the Oviedo family, who were among the first settlers in this region. Its history dates back to the time of the Taino indigenous people, who once inhabited these lands.
The first thing that stands out about this body of water is the color. The greenish-yellow color is like nothing I’ve ever seen. The color of the water is caused by limestone sediment that is brought into the lagoon by the underground water flow. During your tour, you can stop and get out of the boat for an exfoliating “mud bath”...more about that later.
Laguna de Oviedo is especially intriguing because of the wildlife. Calling all bird watchers…this is the place you didn’t know you needed in the Dominican Republic! This reserve is home to 150 reported species of birds, including the American Flamingo, Roseate Spoonbill, and White Ibis. A tour through the lagoon will also bring you to one of the cays or keys (small islands) to visit and feed the endangered Rhinoceros Iguanas - a truly up close and personal experience you can’t miss!
Photo Credit: @arisnaturaleza
How to Get to Laguna de Oviedo?
Laguna de Oviedo is off the beaten path, quite literally. Driving there is recommended. You could take the guagua (public bus) from Barahona to Pedernales and tell the driver you want to get off at the “entrada de laguna de Oviedo”. The issue you will have though is assuring you will get picked up by a bus when you are done with your excursion.
From Route 44 in the south, the entrance to Laguna de Oviedo is 72 km west of Barahona. The town of Oviedo is a couple of miles further west. The journey can easily take 2 hours, as the drive goes through many small towns. The entrance will be marked with a sign on your left and you will go down a dirt road.
Grupo de Jaragua are the caretakers of the area and provide guided excursions. The building will be on your left. If you are planning this excursion yourself, this is where you will meet your guide and captain. Upon arrival, you will be directed to a small hut to pay the entrance fee of the national park which is $150 DOP ($3 USD) per person. Each person will receive a wristband for proof of payment. There is a bathroom here to use before you go on your tour. Your guide will then escort you to the dock where your boat will leave.
Our Tour Experience of Laguna de Oviedo
A guided boat tour is the best way to explore this magical oasis. We took the Flamingo and Iguana tour and booked directly with the association of guides and it was fantastic! More information is below on how to book a tour.
After getting situated on the boat (life jackets are provided), we set out to the other side of the lagoon to Cayo Iguana, which took about 20 minutes. The views of the lagoon and the mangroves whipping past is incredible. The guide highlighted areas of interest and let us know what kind of birds we came across.
The boat docked at Cayo Iguana, and from here we got out and started on a somewhat treacherous journey to meet our new friends, the Rhinoceros Iguanas. I recommend wearing shoes with hard soles as you are stepping on sharp coral rock. Watch out for your hands too, as there are cactus and other sharp plants around. We made it to a sandy area and were greeted by Iguanas looking for a snack. Don’t worry, we were not the snack. These endangered reptiles eat a diet of leaves, shrubs, flowers, and fruit. The guide will bring food like cherries and other fruits to feed the Iguanas. I must say, these are not cute and cuddly-looking creatures, they look more like small dragons - but they were fascinating to watch.
IMPORTANT TIP (that I learned a bit too late): If you do wear open-toed shoes, do not have bright red or pink toenail polish on. Guess what red toes look like to Iguanas…yummy cherries! There were a few iguanas that got a little too close for comfort to my cherry toes.
Photo Credit: Grupo Jaragua
The boat departed from this small island and proceeded toward other small cayos or keys in the lagoon. Some were filled with flocks of birds that began to circle around us as we went by. We began to see small pink specks from afar. Our captain assured us we would see the flamingos much closer up ahead. He was right! As we hugged the shore, more and more of the American Flamingos came into site. As we got closer, they began to take flight. It looked as if they were taking off on a runway and then effortlessly glided to a new area. This was by far the most impressive part of the tour as I have never seen Flamingos in their natural habitat.
We requested the “bano de barro” or mud bath. Our captain chose a shallow spot in the middle of the lagoon. He anchored the boat and helped us into the water. My first thought was that it felt like quicksand. With each step, I sunk into the sediment. It was much easier to walk on your knees or just take a seat. This is where the “spa” experience began. The clay-like sediment is said to have benefits for the skin. Similar to the experience I had at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, you just scoop up what’s at the bottom of the sea, and rub it on your skin. You should let it dry for a few minutes and then rinse it off. As you let it dry, and after you take the mandatory photos, take a moment to enjoy your gorgeous surroundings.
After this natural spa treatment, you will mount the boat (with some assistance from the captain, because it’s not that easy) and head back to the dock. Enjoy the serene, peaceful views of the mountains with the wind farms sprinkled over the hills. Here is where you appreciate the pearls of nature that the deep south of the Dominican Republic has to offer and that you only get to experience by taking the path less traveled and immersing yourself in nature.
How to Book a Tour of Laguna de Oviedo
There are several ways to book a tour of Oviedo Lagoon.
DIY OPTION
Book a tour directly with the Association of Guides of the Lagoon of Oviedo. There are three tours to choose from that explore the Lagoon:
Flamingo Walk (hiking only) - 20-30 minutes
$2,000 DOP ($35 USD) for the group
Hike along the northwest bank of the lagoon, starting from the visitor center of El Cajuil towards Caño Escobín. BEWARE, the road can be very muddy or even flooded.
Flamingo Express - 1 hour
$3,500 DOP ($62 USD) for the group (max 5 people)
This excursion includes a boat trip to the most likely sites of sighting of flamingos and other waterfowl, usually in the area of Caño Escobín and Los Pichiriles, in the northern part of the lagoon.
Flamingos and Iguanas (recommended) - 2-2:30 hours
$4,500 DOP ($79 USD) for the group (max 5 people)
This complete tour includes a visit to the islets or cayos of the south of the lagoon, a stop at Cay Iguana, bird-watching opportunities and a mud bath.
The booking process is easier for a spanish speaker, but Google Translate will do. You will need to contact the guide directly to make arrangements. There is a list of guides on the website. We used Luis Manel Cuevas, and were very pleased with our experience. He was very communicative. Use Whatsapp (everyone uses this app here, if you don’t have it, download it) to text Luis (809-704-8914) and let him know which tour you want to take, what day and time, and how many people are in your group.
If you have more than 5 people in your group, let them know, they may be able to accommodate more with a small extra charge. The lagoon is very shallow, so the boat cannot be filled to capacity.
TIP: If you would like to eat lunch before or after your tour, ask the guide if that is an option. We were given the option of a typical Dominican lunch. We paid upfront with the price of the tour and the lunch was served when we got back from the boat. This is a great option as there are few places to grab a bite in this area. This has to be pre-arranged and confirmed with your guide.
USE A TOUR COMPANY
EcoTours: $126 USD per person
Includes:
Transportation to and from Barahona
Park entrance fee
Boat tour
Soda
Tours provided in English or Spanish
Larimar EcoTours: $115 USD per person (for a group from 2-5)
Includes:
Transportation to and from Barahona
Visit other sites in the south including Larimar Museum, San Rafael, Los Patos, Los Cocos Wind Farm
Boat tour
Water and snacks
Tours provided in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian
Terra Tours Costa Sur: $175 for a group of up to 5 people
Includes:
Transportation to and from Barahona
Boat tour
Tours provided in Spanish and Italian
What Should I Bring to Laguna de Oviedo?
Sun protection! The boat ride can last for a couple of hours. Sunscreen is a must. A hat, that will not easily fly off is recommended. You may want to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants or use a towel or SPF fabric to cover your back, shoulders, and knees during the ride. Sunburn is no fun!
Water - the sun can be dehydrating, so bring some agua.
Proper shoes with a good sole
Binoculars. If you have a pair of binoculars at home, this is the time to break them out. You will get a much better look at the wildlife.
Moisturizing lotion for after the tour. The clay-like spa treatment can dry your skin because of the water's salt. You will most likely need to moisturize when you get back to shore.
