Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine APRIL 2019 | Page 276
Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park & Reserve
a pristine subtropical forest
Isla Saona
Saona island is located off the coast of the small fishing village of
Bayahibe and is part of the protected Parque Nacional del Este. This
island is popular with tourists, attracting divers, anglers and sun
worshippers. The park is a turtle nesting site and is also home to birds
and a wide variety of wildlife. Visitors are welcome to enjoy but are
reminded not to destroy the natural resources found here.
Fed by an underground river, the “eyes” are
fresh water lagoons dotted throughout this
45 acre park, a lush tropical forest, which
is home to over 100 species of birds, 27 of
which are indigenous only to the Dominican
Republic. Attractions in the park include a
petting zoo, iguana farm, fruit gardens and
a botanical garden. Swimming is allowed in
three of the “eyes”.
Punta Cana
Photo Credit: Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism