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The Southwest & Península de Pedernales

Why Go? Baní...... 185 Talk about criminally undervisited. Few travelers make it to San Juan de the southwest: it’s remote, and its little-known highlights la Maguana...... 186 take some effort to uncover – but that’s exactly the reason to visit. You can explore the cloud forests of the mountains Comendador del Rey (Elías Piña).... 189 with their soundtrack of twittering birdsong, or the cactus- studded desert that stretches all the way to the Haitian bor- Península de der. Then there’s the stunning coastline of the Península de Pedernales...... 190 Pedernales, which offers miles of pristine, empty sands and Parque Nacional clear turquoise sea. When you reach the Bahía de Las Águi- Jaragua...... 196 las, a 10km deserted stretch of postcard-perfect beach, you’ll Parque Nacional feel as though you’ve hit the traveler’s jackpot. Sierra de Bahoruco.....197 Lago Enriquillo & Isla Cabritos...... 199 When to Go Jimaní...... 199 ¨¨March and April Laguna Oviedo’s biodiversity is in full evidence now, so this is the best time for nature lovers to see birds and wildlife that migrate here. Best Places ¨¨December to February With sunny skies and seemingly to Eat endless fiestas on every corner, this is the busiest time for the ¨¨Rancho Tipico (p194) DR as a whole. North American and European holidays are in swing now. ¨¨Brisas del Caribe (p192) ¨¨June Caffeine fiends will want to visit the Polo Organic ¨ ¨Casa Bonita (p195) Coffee Festival, held in the first week of the month. ¨¨Rincón Mexicano (p188) ¨¨Restaurante Luz (p195)

Best Places to Stay ¨¨Casa Bonita (p195) ¨¨Hotel Casablanca (p195) ¨¨Piratas del Caribe (p195) ¨¨Salinas Hotel (p185) ¨¨Ecoturismo Comunitario Cachóte (p193)

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