Los Haitises: an Eco-Paradise in the Dominican Republic: this ecologically diverse national park. comprised of mangrove swamps, exotic waterways, and lush forests is home to a number of rare and endangered species.

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A jewel set in the Caribbean Sea, the Island of Hispaniola must have captivated Christopher Columbus with its astonishing beauty and sweet climate. Even today, those who visit the Dominican Republic fall under its spell as they encounter its natural treasures, picturesque towns, and welcoming people.

Rafael Nunez, Director of Information, Press, and Publicity for the Presidency, says: "The Dominican Republic has it all. We have extraordinary natural areas, which we strive to protect and preserve through our National Parks system, and tourism is the main pillar and economic support for our regions."

This interest in nature is manifested in an environmental policy overseen by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, the body in charge of conserving land and marine eco-systems and protecting environmental diversity, including native plants and animals important for scientific research.

Professional guide Carlos Romero Ortiz explains that "Law 64 established the National System of Protected Areas, with 40 protected zones including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserves for scientific study."

Some regions have gained international attention for their beauty and diversity and have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. That is the case with the Jaragua, Sierra de Bahoruco, and Lago Enriquillo National Parks, as well as Los Haitises National Park, among others.

On a recent trip to the Dominican Republic, my travelling companions and I decided to go to Los Haitises National Park, a journey that took us through the Hato Mayor Province established in the 15th century by Governor Nicolas de Ovando. It's about three hours from Santo Domingo on a road that runs along the east coast bordered by sugarcane fields, pasturelands, and tropical forests.

We arrived in the municipality of Sabana de la Mar, a fishing village with a wharf that serves as a connecting point to the Samana peninsula on the other side of the great Bay of San Lorenzo. This is where visitors catch the boat to go to Los Haitises National Park.

We spent the night in the Paraiso Cano Hondo guesthouse, whose owner, Reinaldo de Leon, a native of the region, told us some of the area's history. "We opened this eco-shelter in 1999 as an extension of the Park and as a response to the needs of the travelers," he said. "This used to be an area where bananas were grown for export, so there was a train route here, but that ended in the days of my great grandfather. They...