Lago Enriquillo

Lago Enriquillo sits in a rift valley in the southwest, roughly forty metres below sea level, which makes it the lowest point anywhere in the Caribbean, and it is a remnant of a marine channel that once joined the two coasts, cut off and left to evaporate until it became saltier than the sea. It holds the largest population of American crocodiles in the Caribbean, which bask on the shores and gather where fresh water enters. In the middle lies Isla Cabritos, a long low island of cactus and thorn scrub where rhinoceros iguanas and the smaller Ricord's iguana live in numbers, both of them found only on this island of Hispaniola. Flamingos work the shallows. The lake level has risen and fallen dramatically in recent decades.

History

The lake is named after Enriquillo, a Taíno cacique who rebelled against the Spaniards in the early 16th century and hid in the mountains south of the lake; it was previously called Lake Xaragua, after the Taíno chiefdom in which it lay. It is the largest lake in the Dominican Republic, on Hispaniola and in the whole Caribbean (Wikipedia, Lake Enriquillo).

What you'll find

• American crocodiles - the largest Caribbean population, basking on the shores.
• Isla Cabritos - rhinoceros and Ricord's iguanas among cactus scrub.
• The salt lake itself - below sea level and saltier than the ocean.
• Las Caritas - Taíno faces carved into rock above the lake shore.

When to go

November to April is the cooler dry season; the valley is one of the hottest parts of the country and midday in summer is severe. Boat trips leave early in the morning, which is also when crocodiles are most visible on the banks. Trips depend on water levels and can be suspended.

Things to know

This is a four-hour drive from Santo Domingo through hot lowland country with limited services, and it works best as part of a wider southwest trip rather than a day out. Boat access to Isla Cabritos has been interrupted for long periods as lake levels changed, so confirm trips are running. Crocodile sightings are not guaranteed and there is almost no shade anywhere.

Nearby

Bahía de las Águilas is three hours southwest; the Bahoruco mountains rise to the south.

Key facts