Los Haitises Boat Ride & Caño Hondo Natural Pools: Mangroves, Caves, and Criollo Lunch
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels—requires basic mobility for boarding boats and walking on uneven, wet rock surfaces
Overview
Board a small boat at Caño Hondo and wind through Los Haitises’ mangrove tunnels to explore caves with Taino petroglyphs, then spend the afternoon swimming in 14 stepped natural pools and eating a hearty Criollo lunch. This full-day trip blends geology, history, and relaxed seaside time.
Los Haitises Boat Ride & Caño Hondo Natural Pools: Mangroves, Caves, and Criollo Lunch
Select participants and date
The motor hums as the boat slips from the Caño Hondo pier and into a corridor of dark mangroves. Sunlight threads through the canopy and throws quicksilver reflections across the water; limestone mogotes rise like bruised knuckles from the bay and the air smells of salt and wet earth. For two hours the landscape changes rhythm—tight channels that dare the pilot to steer, broad bay views where frigatebirds wheel and the coast of Los Haitises unfurls in layered green and gray.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Wear water shoes
Pools and shoreline are rocky and can be slippery—closed-toe water shoes will protect feet and provide traction.
Bring a dry bag
A small dry bag keeps your phone, camera, and wallet safe during the boat ride and while swimming.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen and hat
Sun exposure is strong during the boat crossings and at the pools—protect skin and reduce pollution to marine life.
Carry small bills for tips and snacks
Local staff and guides appreciate cash tips; small change also helps for extra drinks or local crafts.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- frigatebird
- green heron
History
The caves in Los Haitises contain Taino petroglyphs and paintings that reveal ritual and daily life of indigenous peoples before European contact.
Conservation
The park is protected for its unique karst ecosystems and mangrove forests; visitors are asked to minimize impact by avoiding single-use plastics and respecting marked areas.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Sabana de la Mar
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sturdy water shoes
Provides grip on wet rock and comfort for walking between pools.
summer specific
Dry bag (small)
Protects electronics and documents from spray and splashes.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects skin while minimizing harm to marine ecosystems.
summer specific
Light daypack with towel
Carries water, snacks, and a towel for the pools and lunch stop.
summer specific