Sulpher Spas in Barahona

BPL888 · #1 09-29-2009, 07:08 PM

I will be spending a few days in Barahona in October. I have seen some information on Sulfer Spas in the area, in Canoa(Themal Spa?), Zurza Spa in Duverge and I believe there is one in Cabral. Does anyone have any information and/or recomendations as to which one would be best for a 1/2 day visit?

Chirimoya · #2 09-29-2009, 07:14 PM

These 'spas' are not resorts, just waterholes that you can visit with zero or little infrastructure. Don't get your hopes up - they are often surrounded by litter. The one in Canoa is thermal, not sure about the others.

I recommend staying at one of the nice hotels near Barahona and taking trips to all the ones you mention.

BPL888 · #3 09-29-2009, 07:51 PM

I will be staying at either Pontevedre or Playa Azul down on the coast. If I was to visit one of the "Spas" for a few hours I was just wondering if one was recomended more than another, if I only had time for one of them. A dominican driver I was with once recomended the one at Duverge, but some of his information didn't pan out. The web site GoBarahona GoBarahona.com - Come and Enjoy this Adventurous Place!!! - The Zurza spa in Duvergé says the one in Duverge has restrooms a parking lot and a cafeteria on weekends.

minerva_feliz · #4 09-29-2009, 08:09 PM

I think it depends on how much time you have. If you go to Duverge, you're looking at like half a day. But on the plus side, you'd get to see Lago Enriquillo, and could go a little further up the road to Jimani and the border with Haiti to the market, and get some Haitian rum. But if you literally only have a couple hours, Canoa is much closer.

I haven't been to either one, just know the area. They are both on my "to do" list. I have heard that neither one has a lot of infrastructure, but also that they aren't dirty and full of trash. Just very natural looking. Bring your own food and anything that you think you might need while there.

I would have recommended the one on the other side of Lago Enriquillo, at the park where you can see the iguanas, but that one got washed out when the lake filled up with so much water from the tropical storms in 2007.

minerva_feliz · #5 09-29-2009, 08:18 PM

I don't think there is a sulfur spring there. Just a cold, fresh-water bathing hole used by the locals (I have been there). If you are looking for just a swimming hole with no sulfur, my favorite is called "Tres Marias" and is on the way to Neyba, right before getting there. It's an amazing color of blue/green from the minerals I suppose.

But the again you can bathe in fresh, cold water in the rivers at los Patos and San Rafael beaches...

BPL888 · #6 09-29-2009, 08:51 PM

Minerva Feliz, Do you know what days the Haitian Market is open in Jimani?

Marilyn · #7 09-30-2009, 06:57 PM

The only actual "spa" is the one in Canoa and I recommend that if you go do not go alone, it's in the middle of nowhere, the road is barely passable and there's hardly any traffic that way, the "waterhole" is very small, at least the one I visited, and surrounded by litter, the water is hot, at least 35 degrees (celsius), while the others the water is really cold.

As someone mentioned the better ones are the ones in Duverge and La Descubierta, they have a huge parking lot, refreshments and food, but the water is really cold but they are on the main road and it gets a lot of visitors. The one in Cabral is a little smaller but is also pretty safe, is right on the road that goes up to Polo Magnetico.

BPL888 · #8 10-01-2009, 07:57 PM

Based on the descriptions I probably will try the one in Duverge. If I wanted to drive around Largo Enriquillo how long should I allow from Barahona? How long if I just went straight to the market in Jimani and back? Are there still any problems from the flooding mentioned about six months ago? I may start out early and try to enjoy a few stops.

Marilyn · #9 10-03-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BPL888

Based on the descriptions I probably will try the one in Duverge. If I wanted to drive around Largo Enriquillo how long should I allow from Barahona? How long if I just went straight to the market in Jimani and back? Are there still any problems from the flooding mentioned about six months ago? I may start out early and try to enjoy a few stops.

Allow at least 4 hours for the circuit around Lago Enriquillo (including stops for food and pictures) or maybe 5, if you only want to go to Jimani only is about two hours from Barahona, the road is not so good or it would be less time

Arrica · #10 10-04-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BPL888

Minerva Feliz, Do you know what days the Haitian Market is open in Jimani?

The market stalls on the Haitian side are open every day - selling a mix of rum, clothes, tennis shoes, pots and pans and trading whatever other substances. Open from early morning and starts to dwindle by mid-afternoon

On Mondays and Thursdays there is a larger market on the Dominican Side, selling mainly food (sausages, hams, salami and the sorts), toiletries and cosmetics. Open from early morning until 1 pm. or so.

Enjoy the visit.