The Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, the second largest island in the Greater Antilles. Dominated by the highest mountains in the Caribbean and ringed by a startlingly beautiful coastline, this varied landscape is home to no fewer than thirty-two endemic bird species, including Palmchat, the single representative of the monotypic family Dulidae, and two species of Tody. Our search for endemics and regional specialties will take us to the cloud forest, pine savannas, and thorn scrub of the rugged Sierra de Bahoruco, as well as the bizarre cactus forest of the Lago Enriquillo basin, home to Palm and White-necked Crows, American Flamingo, and various species of herons, shorebirds, and waterfowl. A side trip to the very different north shore of the island will allow us to look in lush limestone karst forest for the extremely rare Ridgway’s Hawk. Our visit to the Dominican Republic will be enriched by the gracious hospitality of its people and their excellent Caribbean-style cuisine.

For those interested in a longer Caribbean adventure, this tour can be combined with Puerto Rico.