Overview
The primary section of the park is a large area of tropical semi-dry forest taking up much of a wide peninsula. The central areas of this forest is not accessible due to lack of trails. Along the coast and on Saona island there is mangrove habitat.
This national park has been proposed for UNESCO world heritage status. It covers a total of 41,894 Ha.
Birds
Notable Species
One attraction in this area is the large Magnificent Frigatebird colony. Among the Caribbean (near) endemics, the following can be found in Parque Nacional del Este: White-crowned Pigeon, Key West Quail-Dove, Hispaniolan Parrot, Hispaniolan Lizard Cuckoo, Ashy-faced Owl, Hispaniolan Mango, Vervain Hummingbird, Broad-billed Tody, Hispaniolan Woodpecker, Antillean Piculet, Stolid Flycatcher, Flat-billed Vireo, Green-tailed Warbler, Palmchat, Black-crowned Palm Tanager, White-necked Crow, Greater Antillean Bullfinch.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Magnificent Frigatebird, Brown Booby, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Green Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, White-cheeked Pintail, Lesser Yellowlegs, White-crowned Pigeon, Key West Quail-Dove, Hispaniolan Parrot, Hispaniolan Lizard Cuckoo, Ashy-faced Owl, Hispaniolan Mango, Vervain Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Broad-billed Tody, Hispaniolan Woodpecker, Antillean Piculet, Stolid Flycatcher, Flat-billed Vireo, Black-whiskered Vireo, Green-tailed Warbler, Palmchat, Black-crowned Palm Tanager, White-necked Crow, Yellow-faced Grassquit, Greater Antillean Bullfinch
Other Wildlife
Lizards and butterfly and moth are easily seen. The two endemic mammals in Hispaniola should also be present but are virtually impossible to get to see.
Site Information
History and Use
This area has been utilized by both animals and humans since before the arrival of Columbus, as evidenced by petroglyphs usually in caves of the area.
Areas of Interest
There are several sections to this park:
Headquarter
Situated in the former fishing village of Bayahibe, this is where you are expected to purchase access tickets in advance before entering PN del Este. However, for example at Guaraguao, it might very well be possible to purchase access when entering. Bayahibe is also where the boat tours to Saona Island depart. See "Access and Facilities" below for directions.
Padre Nuestro Trail
This trail is found on the north side of Bayahibe, on the west side of the park. The short gravel road leading to the start of the trail is on the north-east side of the road about 200 meters/yards before reaching the Y-intersection mentioned in "Access and Facilities". The trail can be walked or driven (extra cost for vehicle access). The trail starts in dry forest and goes towards the coast.
Guaraguao ranger station
Also known as Caseta del Parque Guaraguao, this is the entry point to the south of Playa Dominicus beach (south of Bayahibe), on the west side of the park. From the Y fork mentioned under access, continue towards Playa Dominicus. Continua along all the hotels, until just after the last one, entering through a gate. Just after the gate the road (which now is a trail) continues to the right until it reaches within 100 ft of the sea, where one is supposed to park. The trail continues past a picnic area to the ranger station, where it becames a walking trail. This goes paralel with the coast for some hundreds of meters/yards, before turning inland. It continues slightly up for the next long section, eventually ending where the entry to a cave will be visible. That cave is rumored to sometimes hold an Ashy-faced Owl. Along the entire stretch of 3 km/1.9 miles goes through dry forest and is easily accessible, but does not accommodate wheelchairs.
Boca de Yuma
This little town on the east side of the park is located on cliffs without easy beach access and therefore without much tourist development. Access if by traveling highway 4 through San Rafael de Yuma. When reaching Boda de Yuma, continue straight through town until reaching the coast, turn right in the T-intersection and go to the park office (less than 1 mile). After purchasing access, follow the trail leading among cattle pasture and good forest to the top of the limestone cliffs, from where there is a possibility to view waterbirds.
It should also be possible to walk inland for more forest birding and access to caves with Taino indian petroglyphs, but only in company with a park guide.
Saona Island
This island is most well known for its beaches which are visited by lots of tourists, but the island is part of the national park. The Magnificent Frigatebird colony is located on the mainland (at Las Calderas) but most easily accessed from one of the boats ferrying tourists to this island -- inquire in the headquarter when making arrangements. There are trails on the island from which both landbirds and shorebirds and other waterbirds can be seen, or touring the island in a rowing boat may provide some good birding.
Access and Facilities
Starting point here is the exit to Bayahibe from the new (about 2012) Autopista del Coral (payment highway). Following the signs towards Bayahibe it will be a few km before there is a Y intersection with the straight-away leading to Playa Dominicus and the right fork leading to Bayahibe village. The national park offices should be visible on the right with a short road leading to it; look for a large parking lot that much of the day will have many tour buses. This is the official place to purchase tickets to enter the park, to arrange access to Isla Saona and along the way to the Magnificent Frigatebird colony, etc.
Autopista del Coral goes from the Punta Cana Airport to just outside of La Romana. If coming from Santo Domingo follow main highway #3 past La Romana until meeting the autopista.
Both Bayahibe and Playa Dominicus have plenty of hotels and restaurants. More can be found in the Punta Cana area.
Contact Details
Telephone number for the Bayahibe park headquarter is 829-718-0399 (as per 2011).
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
