Parque Nacional del Este (Parque Nacional del Este National Park)

Del Este is a national park in the Dominican Republic, located in the very southeast of the island of Saona. Here you will find the most unusual species of plants and animals, as well as historical sites. Del Este Park includes the beautiful Saona Island, which is visible from the southern shore. The park can be traveled on foot or by boat, but is not at all suitable for other vehicles. The park is home to endangered species such as West Indian manatees, sea turtles, and afalines, as well as rhinos, iguanas, and hedgehog rats. Taino settlement sites are found throughout Del Este.

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Bird lovers will find a paradise here: there are 112 species of birds in the vast territory of the park. Some of them are unique, such as white-headed gulls and lizard cuckoos. In the surrounding waters in January and February you can see the migration of whales, as well as manatees, large gray aquatic mammals called sea cows. The manatee’s closest land relative is the elephant.

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