Pedernales Peninsula Road Trip

[IslandRedneck]

Aloha all-

I am planning a week of exploring the Pedernales peninsula and was hoping for any feedback on the wisdom and feasibility of what we would like to do- and most importantly, concerns possibly being overlooked!

We are 4 late-20's gringos with basic spanish and extensive travel experience, albeit first-timers to the DR. Was thinking of renting an SUV in Santo Domingo for this, but see so much advice against driving at all. Warnings are good, but I find it hard to imagine it being THAT bad for an experienced driver- at least during the day.

We want a day to circle Enriquillo, a day exploring the Pelempito mountain environs, an overnight camping trip at Bahia de Las Aguilas, and a few days hopping around the coastal towns without any solid itenerary.

I guess my main concerns are reports of hurricane damage, possible safety issues in the region (break-ins or worse), or that the anti-driving reports really are as dangerous as some people have posted.

I'm not opposed to going for public transit, it just seems like what we want to do will be alot more difficult and expensive that way! Much thanks in advance for your comments.

Mahalo,

-Kevin

[Marilyn]

If you want to do the Pedernales/Pelempito/Bahia de las Aguilas/Lago Enriquillo circuit, I suggest you get your own transportation. That's an excellent adventure and I have done it done several times and would do it again in a heartbeat. I do not recommend public transportaion because there's so many breathtaking views on the highway from Barahona to Pedernales that you will want to stop constantly to take pictures; having your own transportation will give you the freedom to stop whenever you want to take pictures, explore and talk to the people. There's a great deal to see and enjoy on that trip. I do not recommend overnight camping at Bahia de las Aguilas for safety reasons, if you need any pointers or any driving directions do not hesitate to PM me.

Thanks

[Budson]

Originally Posted by Marilyn

If you want to do the Pedernales/Pelempito/Bahia de las Aguilas/Lago Enriquillo circuit, I suggest you get your own transportation. That's an excellent adventure and I have done it done several times and would do it again in a heartbeat. I do not recommend public transportaion because there's so many breathtaking views on the highway from Barahona to Pedernales that you will want to stop constantly to take pictures; having your own transportation will give you the freedom to stop whenever you want to take pictures, explore and talk to the people. There's a great deal to see and enjoy on that trip. I do not recommend overnight camping at Bahia de las Aguilas for safety reasons, if you need any pointers or any driving directions do not hesitate to PM me.

Thanks

Could you expand on overnight camping safety issues? Do you have first-hand experience? Is this for this area in general or camping in the DR in general? Once you are in the park it is pretty remote and my guess is that is anyone would come to bother you they would have to make the trip by boat.

Thanks

[IslandRedneck]

Budson, you may find this VERY interesting. Having been alerted to the dangers of camping there, I poked around on google and found an obituary in the area- but the cause of death was... crocodile??? I was anticipating a very different kind of saftey concern! Check this out, I pasted the links as well. First two are the obituary and the missing persons report talking about camping at Bahia de Las Aguilas, the last one is S&R site where I got this citation.

"12-18-2002 2002-2575-403(D). SARM SP Dom. Republic. Sean Clinton Stover. Team: H. Oakes SAR Dog Valorie K-9-1. Results: Sent them telephone message and email consult. Worked on logistics. Flew to Dom. Republic. Met w/ Stovers in Philiy and we flew to Dom.Repub. Then looked at Hospital and city morgue for their son, sean. Then drove 6 hours West towards SAR Area. Airlines lost my luggage. Did search. Val located Sean's death site. He had been killed by a crocodile."


http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb.../s/o-sto01.txt
JW Missionary Missing in Dominican Republic : Latest Watchtower Information - Jehovah's Witness Abuse Survivors
K9 Search and Rescue

[IslandRedneck]

Thanks a bunch Marilyn, I'll PM you with a few more detailed questions on directions after I do a bit more homework. But for the time being, and for the benefit of the masses, are their certain areas/activities to avoid entirely due to safety issues? This is my main concern, as one of our crew is a bit "greener" than the rest- and is relying on the rest of us to avoid, what she refers to as "getting robbed for sticking out as white people in a new shiny SUV". A valid concern, in some countries I've been to at least!

[Budson]

Originally Posted by IslandRedneck

Budson, you may find this VERY interesting. Having been alerted to the dangers of camping there, I poked around on google and found an obituary in the area- but the cause of death was... crocodile??? I was anticipating a very different kind of saftey concern! Check this out, I pasted the links as well. First two are the obituary and the missing persons report talking about camping at Bahia de Las Aguilas, the last one is S&R site where I got this citation.

"12-18-2002 2002-2575-403(D). SARM SP Dom. Republic. Sean Clinton Stover. Team: H. Oakes SAR Dog Valorie K-9-1. Results: Sent them telephone message and email consult. Worked on logistics. Flew to Dom. Republic. Met w/ Stovers in Philiy and we flew to Dom.Repub. Then looked at Hospital and city morgue for their son, sean. Then drove 6 hours West towards SAR Area. Airlines lost my luggage. Did search. Val located Sean's death site. He had been killed by a crocodile."


http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb.../s/o-sto01.txt
JW Missionary Missing in Dominican Republic : Latest Watchtower Information - Jehovah's Witness Abuse Survivors
K9 Search and Rescue

Been there a number of time. Will be going back in a couple of weeks and this time I plan to camp there. Tired to driving long distances each day to hit a hotel. Never heard of crocs there although my guess is that there are. I have seen large iguanas that come up to my truck which can be pretty nasty if they smell food. I am more concerned about the locals and the roads.

BTW, it was hit hard by two hurricanes this summer. I couldn't get in after the first one and can only imagine how bad it is after the second. Anyone know the current status?

[Richard Alberto]

Another option is to contact these people. I've never used them personally but if you do your due dilegence you may find it another way to explore the southwest.

Ecotour Barahona, our ecologic tours in Dominican Republic

[Marilyn]

Originally Posted by IslandRedneck

Thanks a bunch Marilyn, I'll PM you with a few more detailed questions on directions after I do a bit more homework. But for the time being, and for the benefit of the masses, are their certain areas/activities to avoid entirely due to safety issues? This is my main concern, as one of our crew is a bit "greener" than the rest- and is relying on the rest of us to avoid, what she refers to as "getting robbed for sticking out as white people in a new shiny SUV". A valid concern, in some countries I've been to at least!

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.

[Budson]

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.

I agree in general with Marilyn about the general safety of camping in the DR. Bahia de la Aguilas is remote, and road access is closed at night. If you enter as a day visitor and don't establish a camp until nightfall, most likely no one will know you are in there and that is the best strategy. I will be camping there in 2 weeks. I will let you know how I do, if I survive

[London_Calling]

One place that interests me in the South West (though I have neve been) is El Hoyo de Pelempito - how good is the road there - would a car be Ok or do you neeed 4x wheel drive.