Before you go

Your trip to Santa Cruz de Barahona.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Santa Cruz de Barahona – Barahona Destination Barahona and Pedernales Capital

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional María Montez (BRX) Barahona · 13 km
Terminal Caribe Tours Barahona 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before purchasing. María Montez Airport (BRX) is about 13 km away and has few flights. Most arrive via Santo Domingo, about three and a half hours by car or bus along the south road.

How many days

Two days: one for the south coast, with San Rafael and Los Patos; another for Lake Enriquillo. With more time, continue to Pedernales.

When to go

From December to April the weather is drier and the coastal road looks better. Hurricanes can hit the coast between June and November, with heavy rains from August to October when rivers rise.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Yes for the coast and Lake Enriquillo: buses run along the road, but the beaches and viewpoints require stops. If you don't have a car, hire a driver or a local tour.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Santa Cruz de Barahona

Morning
Coastal road
Leave early along the south coastal road, with stops at viewpoints above the blue sea and the cliffs.
Afternoon
Playa San Rafael
Have fish for lunch at Playa San Rafael and swim in the river's freshwater pools next to the waves.
Late afternoon
San Rafael viewpoint
In the late afternoon, climb to the viewpoint above the beach to see the coast from above.
Evening
Malecón of Barahona
Return to town and walk along the malecón, with the bay in front of you.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

What to do in Barahona?

Travel the south coastal road with San Rafael and Los Patos, and visit Lake Enriquillo and the larimar mines in the mountains.

Does Barahona have a beach in town?

The city has a malecón and a simple urban beach; the nicer beaches are along the coastal road to the south.

What is larimar?

A blue stone that only exists in the Dominican Republic, mined in the mountains above the Barahona coast and sold in jewelry.

Is Barahona far from Santo Domingo?

About three and a half hours by car or bus along the south road.

Back to Santa Cruz de Barahona