The Península de Pedernales has been called the Dominican Republic’s best-kept secret. But how can it be a secret if the Ministry of Tourism and travel guides (like Moon!) have been blabbing about its beauty and attributes for years?

The Península de Pedernales is the last place you should go if you want all-inclusive resorts, shopping till you drop or casino-lit nights. But, it is the first place to go to be embraced by what is left of the true Dominican experience. Here you will find hospitable locals, beaches with Dominican families relaxing and endangered species roaming freely.

This is the region of the Dominican Republic where one can feel warm hospitality from locals as warm as the Caribbean sun. At the same time, travelers are able to disappear into fold of authentic Dominican society free from mass tourism.

The Península de Pedernales is as gorgeous for its realness as it is for its physical beauty and natural diversity. It makes up the southernmost shoreline along the Caribbean and contains three national parks (Jaragua, Sierra de Bahoruco, and Isla Cabritos), attracting more ecotourists every year. Some unique natural attractions are here: Bahía de las Águilas, Laguna Oviedo, Lago Enriquillo, the Larimar Mines, and Hoyo del Pelempito, for starters.