Province · Sudoeste: Barahona e Pedernales

Baoruco

Baoruco is the land of Dominican grapes and wine, in the Neiba valley: vineyards, the Las Marías bathing resort, coffee plantations in the Sierra de Neiba and the east shore of Lago Enriquillo.

In the photo: Balneário de Las Marías, perto de Neiba (Baoruco)

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

The province

Get to know Baoruco

The province of Baoruco, also spelled Bahoruco, is in the southwest, in the Neiba valley, a dry, warm plain between the Sierra de Neiba to the north and Lago Enriquillo to the south. The capital, Neiba, is an agricultural city known nationwide for its grapes, cultivated in the region since colonial times.

Neiba’s vineyards produce table grapes and wine, and local cooperatives organize visits to the vendimia, the grape harvest, and wine production. Around them, the dry climate and strong sun also favor bananas, plantains and other fruits.

At the foot of the range, groundwater surfaces in cool bathing spots, such as the Monumento Natural Las Marías, near Galván, an oasis of natural pools in an arid region. Climbing the Sierra de Neiba, a national park since 1995, the road leads to coffee communities where you can see the harvest and artisanal roasting.

Lago Enriquillo, the lowest point in the Caribbean, is shared with Independencia; visits to the national park, with crocodiles and iguanas, depart from the north shore near La Descubierta, which the guide lists under the Barahona and Pedernales destination.

When to go

The region is dry and very hot year-round; from December to March the heat is milder. The grape harvest takes place at more than one time of year, with a notable spring harvest. In the mountains of the Sierra de Neiba the climate is cooler, with rains from May to November.

Getting there

Neiba is about three and a half hours from Santo Domingo via the south road, passing through Azua, and about one hour from Barahona. There are buses from the capital and from Barahona. Barahona has the nearest airport with flights, María Montez (BRX). For the Sierra de Neiba, the mountain road departs from Neiba.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Baoruco

Why is Neiba known for grapes?

Because the valley’s dry climate and strong sun favor grape growing, cultivated in the region since colonial times; local cooperatives produce table grapes and wine.

What is the Las Marías bathing area?

A set of natural pools of fresh water that springs at the foot of the mountain range, near Galván, protected as a natural monument.

Is Lake Enriquillo in Baoruco?

The lake is divided between Baoruco and Independencia; the entrance to the national park is on the north shore, near La Descubierta.

Can you visit Baoruco from Barahona?

Yes, Neiba is about one hour from Barahona, and the trip can be combined with Lake Enriquillo.

Tap a province to see its destinations. Limites: Oficina Nacional de Estadística / OCHA-HDX / geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.