Covering an area of 1,500 acres (607 hectares), Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park is a pristine nature reserve encompassing both coastal and inland habitats. Take a guided tour, either by Segway, on foot or by horseback, to discover the park’s many freshwater lagoons, lush forest trails, gardens, beaches and petting zoo.
The park is a private reserve owned by the Puntacana Ecological Foundation, a non-profit organization created by the Punta Cana Resort and Club in 1994 to help protect and preserve natural resources of the region. The park, which sits just 1,640 feet (500 meters) from the Punta Cana Resort, takes its name from an old nickname the indigenous Taíno Indians bestowed on the freshwater lagoons: they called them “eyes” because of their shape.
Choose between a selection of guided tours, which allow visitors to explore different parts of the park by different means. Some tours are conducted on foot and include a visit to the on-site petting zoo and the sugar cane exhibit. Other tours are by Segway and horseback, and lead visitors to the park’s fruit tree garden and along lush forest trails to sandy beaches. Be sure to bring a swimsuit as several tours finish with a dip in one of the park’s freshwater lagoons, which are fed by an underground river.
As you explore the park, be alert for various wildlife species. Around 100 different birds, including 27 that are endemic to the Dominican Republic, can be seen in the park. The park also features an iguana farm, where conservation teams work to reintroduce captive-bred rhinoceros iguanas to the Punta Cana area.
The Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Guests of the Puntacana Resort and Club can embark on self-guided visits free of charge. All other visitors can only access the park as part of a guided ecological excursion. To get to the park, drive or take a taxi. The journey time from Bavaro and El Cortecito is around 40 minutes.
