Pedernales Peninsula Road Trip - Page 2

Chirimoya · #11 02-08-2008, 01:33 PM

The last section of road, once you're in the pine forest, is pretty rough. I'd say a 4 wheel drive was needed.

Budson · #12 02-08-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

The last section of road, once you're in the pine forest, is pretty rough. I'd say a 4 wheel drive was needed.

I know the last section is rough. 4WD is a must although I have seen people make it with cars if they have enough strongmen to push. My question is has it gotten any worst (if that is possible) since Olga and have they dug out the access road just before the fishing village that was covered with a foot of sand during Noel?

BTW- Open fires are not allowed anywhere once you get inside the national park area.

mountainannie · #13 02-09-2008, 10:26 AM

Car is fine -- I did it on the back of a motoconcho-- ay yee --- but there is a good paved road from Pedernales along with a stunning beautiful back road. Ask in town if the back road is open as that is the more interesting "scenic route" --looks like Switzerland, really.. Also make sure to pack water and a picnic lunch (and sweater or jacket perhaps) as it is stunningly beautiful up there, with trails, with markers, and no facilities. One of the great treasures of the DR. Stunning, glorious, you can just walk out over the clouds, feel like you are sitting in the palm of God's hand..... (guess you can tell that I love it?)...

mountainannie · #14 02-09-2008, 10:30 AM

Oh, you know -- it is true that the last bit of road was washed out.... sorry, I was so stunned by the view that I forgot that bit. And, of course, a concho, although harder on the backside than a car, is a lot easier to manoever.... But don't miss it-- really-- and plan to spend a few hours there, not just a touch down (which is the standard sort of Dominican visit for some reason).. I am always surprised in Pedernales that there is not more of a business around taking people up there. No packed lunches, even for Bahia, no renting of snorkeling equipment, no day tours,,,, really.... undiscovered...

mountainannie · #15 02-09-2008, 10:31 AM

The paved road was open at the entrance to the fisherman's village. Since Olga. But as Chiri said, the worst part is inside the pine forest.

Borec · #16 02-23-2008, 08:27 PM

I was theresome three weeks ago, and my guess is you can get through the pine forest with ordinary car, but high clearence would help. However Bahia de las Aquilas is a different story, you need a proper 4x4 to get out of the beach, even though it has been fixed somewhat, when I was there year ago it was worse.
As to camping there, the park guard told me it was prohibited, I slept there last year, and nobody objected, but this year the park guard said it was prohibited, even though many people were camping there (it was long weekend), when I asked, they told me they had permission from some ministry. Some lot of bulls.t if you ask me. I plan to go there next month, and this time will camp. I would recomend going through the mountains from Lago enrequillo to Pedernales, through puerto excondido, prytty good scenery, but bad bad road. Not sure if it is safe or not.

EireFomhoire · #17 07-03-2009, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marilyn

When I mention safety issues I'm not referring to four legged creatures, I'm referring to 2 legged ones. I have never camped anywhere in the DR (I'm Dominican and live here) and wouldn't recommend anyone to do so. It would be good if you can get an off duty policeman (they come cheap) to keep keep watch at night for you (just an idea to be on the safe side). On the other hand, it migh be safe, but my concern is that tourists are easy prey for thieves.

BTW, no crocs anywhere close to Bahia de las Aguilas, plenty of iguanas but no crocs and iguanas are very safe unless they see food, but they won't attack.

If you are camping there do watch out for crocs at night. The person (Sean Stover) that was in the obituary was one of my brother's best friends. Sean and another friend were camping on the beach and one morning his friend woke up and all of Sean's stuff and shoes were there but he wasn't. The obituary about the croc is true and the fact that someone would say anything to claim that there are no crocs and therefore that his death couldn't of happened is a little upsetting. Shortly after his disappearance, we lost touch with his mother and we never brought up the subject so I never found out what happened to him til now so thanks to your post I know.

Chirimoya · #18 07-03-2009, 07:13 AM

None of those links worked for me - what was the exact location of the tragedy? I would have thought the crocs were in Lago Enriquillo, an inland lake a couple of hours drive away, not in Bahia de las Aguilas.

mountainannie · #19 07-03-2009, 11:58 AM

Kate Wallace has a camp ground down there and does local tours. I think that she will also just let you camp there if you have your own equipment. She can arrange for some of the locals to do cooking for you.

Tody Tours/home

minerva_feliz · #20 07-03-2009, 08:53 PM

I was there 2 weeks ago with a friend. We took public trans. to Pedernales, walked up to some conchos and rented a motorcycle for all day for $400 plus gas, drove out there and took a boat. It would be ideal to do the Southwest in a car, especially if you want to do Lago Enriquillo, but for budget reasons I couldn't. I was told by the park guard and by other friends who wanted to camp there that it was PROHIBITED because of something about the sea turtles. IF that is true, I think it's important to respect the government's attempt to protect endangered animals and NOT camp out there just because you feel like it. If you have a 4x4, just stay really late but don't camp. I have camped there in the past while no one else was there with a female friend and felt fine. But also there is another thread in here about some folks getting things stolen during the day, so when I went out in the water I moved my stuff up on the beach.

Other things...
In La Cueva (entrance to Bahia) they have built some nice new bathrooms! Great for changing into your suit before heading out there.
Take your own snorkeling stuff. There isn't much in terms of coral, but when I went I saw: giant starfish, sting ray of some type, schools of fish and a few little colorful ones. This was toward the beginning of the beach. If you can, buy a cheap US $40 snorkeling set at a sporting goods store in your country. Use it a couple times and it's already paid for here.
Please don't litter or leave your trash on the beach. Actually if you see some and are in a vehicle, why not pick some things up to take back and dispose? They have been cleaning the beach up but if everyone pitches in it will help keep it beautiful.