Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

dominican-rep-4-the-southeast_v1_m56577569830521345.pdf

Airport

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/75/Mappuntacana.jpg

map01

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1. Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park (Parque Ojos Indigenas)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g147293-d320656/Punta-Cana:Dominican-Republic:Indigenous.Eyes.Ecological.Park.html

http://www.godominicanrepublic.com/rd/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&Itemid=29&lang=en

p132   p133   p134   p135  

http://books.google.com/books?id=JJObOeOb0wEC&pg=PA282&lpg=PA282&dq=Ojos+Indigenas+bird&source=bl&ots=mk3aRIjwzO&sig=AGx0a-_Frf3SpFpQf1h8syp5Ljk&hl=en&ei=7ntLTcSFLYK88gbqr-nZDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CDQQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q&f=false

p282

location

Eyes = lagoon

To visit, you must be a guest at PUNTACANA Resort & Club ( http://www.puntacana.com ) or make arrangements with the PUNTACANA Ecological Foundation ( 809-959-9221, http://www.puntacana.org ). Indigenous Eyes is one of the only private forest reserves in Punta Cana.

The reserve has over 500 plant species, 36% of which live nowhere else in the world but the Dominican Republic. Red Land Crabs [ Photo: <1>   <2>   ; Info: <1>   ] are common in the Ecological Reserve. Once a year, these crabs climb up from their protective crevices by the thousands to mate. Over 100 different species of birds have been identified in Punta Cana during the winter migration season. Wasps, butterflies, ants and termites are common in Indigenous Eyes. As you are walking, you will see large brown [termites] nests in the trees. These are signs that the forest is healthy because the termites that live in the nests break down the dead and dying materials and transform it into fertile habitat. The reserve is guided by a Leave No Trace policy, visitors are asked to help maintain the natural beauty of Indigenous Eyes by disposing of trash in designated containers and being respectful of the plant and animal life that you encounter. Visitors are also asked to swim only in lagoons that are accessible for swimming and be careful as you enter and exit the lagoons. The reserve is open daily from sunup to sundown. The PUNTACANA Ecological Foundation manages the Indigenous Eyes Reserve as part of its ongoing efforts to protect and restore the natural resources of Punta Cana and contribute to the sustainable development of the Dominican Republic. You can learn more about the work of the Foundation by visiting the Center for Sustainability in PUNTACANA. Just ask guest services at the hotel to organize a visit. The PUNTACANA Ecological Foundation Telephone 809-959-9221 http://www.puntacana.org  fepc@puntacana.com 

Address: Ave. Abraham Lincoln No. 960, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Map of ponds and trails: http://www.jaunted.com/travel-photos/full/76/Ojos+Indigenas+Ecological+Park


An eco-trip in 2009:
2009 trip
http://www.puntacana.org/news_items/English/2009/2009%20Dec.Birding%20Tours.Gradling.com.pdf

 

2.  Dolphin Island

http://www.dolphinislandpark.com/video_en.html

has many bad reviews

 

3. Madre de las Aves Beach

PuntaCana.png (Fodor's Dominican Republic, 2008 p.129)

can't found any info.

 

4. Manati Park

http://manatipark.com/eng/accesos.htm

30 US$ (adult).  seem far away from Airport


5. more: http://www.godominicanrepublic.com/rd/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&Itemid=29&lang=en

 

6. more: http://www.therealdr.com/punta-cana.html

7. Dominican Republic Fauna

The only two native mammels species are Hutia (Jutia) and Solendon.

Hispaniolan Hutia (Plagiodontia aedium), inhabit forests, from sea level to 2,000 meters in elevation. Possible places to see Dominican Hutia is National Park Jaragua, and National Park del Este. Hutia is long (or round) 30 to 40 cm.

Hispaniolan Hutia

Hispaniolan Solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus) is a solenodon found only on this island, Hispaniola. Solendon was unknown until 1833 year, and was discovered by Johann Friedrich von Brandt, a German naturalist. Solendon Paradoxus is nocturnal animal, it has venomous bite, and not immune to its own venom. Solendon is long around 30 cm. It can be atacked by cat or dog. Solendon is considered endangered specie. Solendon can be seen in National Park Jaragua, National Park del Este and National Park Sierra de Bahoruco.

Solendon

 As we are surrounded by water, Dominican Republic is home for Humpback Whales and Manatees, a Sea mammals.