One of the many attractions of the Dominican Republic are the cenotes, underwater caves that have become a favorite excursion for thousands of visitors. The Tainos already used them as a natural pool, and in their crystalline water they used to swim and even perform some of their purification rites.
Although cenotes are not exclusive to the Dominican Republic (there are Mayan cenotes and similar caves throughout the Caribbean), Punta Cana has some of the best natural springs of this type. Caves that are part of a lagoon that are a must-see tourist destination. If you come to spend a few days here, you can't miss these natural corners where nature and history come together forever.
About 14 meters deep and with crystal clear turquoise waters, this deep blue hole is located in the middle of a forest that is part of Scape Park. You can organize a day trip to discover the native flora and fauna of the Dominican Republic while stopping at this cenote for the same price.
This cenote is accessed by a somewhat steep path that goes deep into the forest, and when you get there you can look up and be amazed by a spectacular 75-meter cliff covered by vegetation, which makes this place a magical corner where you can enjoy a unique bath.
Hoyo Claro is between 1 and 10 meters deep, and is located in the middle of a tropical forest. It is a very quiet place because it is not yet a very exploited tourist destination, and it is also somewhat difficult to find, which makes it one of the ideal cenotes for a family trip and relax with your family. You will have the sensation of having arrived at a secret place, and its environment has nothing to envy to Hoyo Azul.
The inhabitants of the area know it as Punta Cana Lagoon, and it is located in a protected ecological reserve, where conservation, research and repopulation of species are carried out.
This cenote has 12 springs that come out of the ground and offer crystal clear water ideal for swimming. In addition, you will hear the sound of the birds that inhabit the surroundings and you can walk along the path that runs through all the places where there is water, the "eyes" that give name to this cenote.
With a number of visits of almost a thousand tourists every day, this cenote near Macao is one of the most visited daily. Its depth reaches 8 meters and has a length of 50 meters, with clean water that is covered by a cave from which hang a number of stalactites. Submerged, and even protruding a bit some of them, there are stalagmites that you can surround while you take a dip in these waters.
And if you want more, after a swim in this cenote you can go to Macao beach, a virgin beach that is well worth a walk on the sand.
Two lagoons form this cenote, one of them surrounded by areas from which to jump and another that communicates with this underwater and that allows a unique activity in the world that is to practice speleology diving. Although it is not necessary to go to this extreme to enjoy the beauty of this natural lagoon surrounded by lush trees and caves where you can see cave paintings made by the Tainos, good connoisseurs of the tunnels that are hidden under this place.
If Macao stands out for being a virgin beach, Las Ondas cenote resembles a spa naturally excavated in the rock. It is a cavern through which some light enters, which makes the water quite cool.
The road that leads to this cenote runs through a forest that marks a path to the stairs down to this natural pool with stone walls in which the Tainos also recorded their passage with different paintings that you can observe while you bathe.
The Hoyos Las Ondas are located in Scape Park, as well as the Hoyo Azul and other cenotes that you can find in the park.
The truth is that Punta Cana has hundreds of cenotes from Macao to the place where the Chavón flows into the sea, submerged caves that make this area a spectacular place to experience nature in its purest form. Although these 6 are the best if you are looking to swim in natural springs surrounded by vegetation.
