Enjoy a Vacation in Caribbean National Parks
Most travelers are familiar with their home country's national
parks system, but the Caribbean's parks get relatively little
notice. From the many national parks throughout the Dominican
Republic to the world's second longest barrier reef in Belize,
there are a wide range of natural activities and sights to
delight all ages.
Want to spend an afternoon underwater, swimming with the fish?
What about a morning watching beautiful tropical birds awaken?
Or an evening gazing at the sun setting over mountains? You can
do all of this in the national parks found throughout the
Caribbean.
Unusual Terrain
Travelers looking for a place to stretch their legs can find
just what they're looking for among the Caribbean islands. With
so many different island terrains, doing a bit of island
exploration is never dull.
The famous Trois Pitons in Dominica offer picturesque splendor,
while the geysers in the interestingly-named Valley of
Desolation will delight visitors. Dominica is well-known for its
incredible nature and relatively untouched physical
surroundings.
You'll find the Dominican Republic's highest peak, Pico Duarte,
in the Cordillera Central mountain range, which is located in
The Madre de Las Aguas protected area. At more than 10,000 feet
tall, Pico Duarte is the tallest mountain in the Caribbean. Of
course, mountains aren't all you'll find on the Dominican
Republic. The ancient solenodon, a mammal which first appeared
30 million years ago, now lives only on this island.
Rincon de la Vieja, or Old Woman's Corner, is another unique
park in Costa Rica for vacationers interested in sights with
heights. The volcano is said to be named for an old lady in
Guatuso tribal lore who is, in some stories, angry, but in
others is a kind old lady whose cooking fires send up the smoke
for which the peak is known. This volcano is known to bubble and
steam even now.
Aruba offers an entirely different kind of island terrain in its
Arikok National Park. Don't forget to pack some extra water when
exploring this desert island. Aruba is unique in the Caribbean
and is known for its divi divi trees, aloe, and unusual animals.
Rainforests can be found at the other end of the terrain
spectrum, and the most well-known is probably Puerto Rico's El
Yunque, the only rainforest within the U.S. National Parks
system. Vacationers can explore the forest and see sights like
no other. Incredible animals and plants also flourish in this
beautiful spot.
Aquatic Adventures
While some travelers may be content to stay on land, others
enjoy time spent exploring beneath the waves. Fortunately, the
Caribbean is full of incredible underwater sights, from sunken
ships to amazing sea creatures.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Belize is just one of many areas full
of underwater treasures. Snorkel off of the world's
second-largest barrier reef during your stay in this unique
vacation hideaway. Make sure to check out the world-famous blue
hole, where the bottom suddenly drops to more than 300 feet in a
nearly-perfect circle.
Saba's National Marine Park was established in 1987 to help
preserve Saba's natural underwater beauty. What makes this
preserve unique is that the tiny island did not establish the
park to repair an already-damaged environment, but to stop any
damage from occurring, so these pristine reefs offer something
truly one of a kind.
Cura