10 THINGS TO DO IN MONTE CRISTI PROVINCE
Monte Cristi province is not your typical tourist destination. Even though there is a wide variety of things to do in Monte Cristi Province. It is not a famous national or international tourist destination.
Unlike many other destinations in the Dominican Republic, Monte Cristi won’t blow your budget. Many of the things to do and the accommodations in Monte Cristi province are reasonably priced. Additionally, you will find many free things to do.
Monte Cristi is the best low budget Dominican vacation destination.
Here is our list of 10 things to do in Monte Cristi Province.
Aquatic Activities
1. Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
The Monte Cristi Underwater National Park offers a multitude of places to scuba dive and snorkel. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the park has something for you. Within the park is Monte Cristi Bay. The bay is known as the “ship graveyard of the Caribbean,” It is the final resting place of over 450 sunken galleons and shipwrecks that date back to colonial times.
Also within the national park is the Monte Cristi barrier reef. The reef is the largest reef formation of the Dominican Republic covering approximately 96 mi² (over 248 km²). It contains nearly 90% of all the country’s live coral reef where you will find more than 700 species of coral.
There is not a better place for scuba diving or snorkeling in the Dominican Republic than Monte Cristi. The Monte Cristi Underwater National Park is a scuba diving and snorkeling paradise.
2. Kitesurfing
Monte Cristi has strong winds year-round. This makes gives it the best kitesurfing conditions in the Dominican Republic. Come, learn to Kitesurf or hone your skills. You don’t need equipment or experience. Equipment rental and repair services and certified instructors are available.
3. Boat Tours
Tour the mangroves and Isla Cabra, visit the Cayos Siete Hermanos or Paradise Island. If going out on the ocean is not your fancy, you can leisurely tour Laguna Saladilla in a typical wooden boat that the local fishermen used.
Whichever you choose, each offers and unforgettable experience that can be enjoyed by all.
4. Fishing
The abundance of barrier reef make Monte Cristi’s waters are a great place to troll for barracuda, horse mackerel, mackerel, needle fish, and snook. Prefer to go a little deeper and further out? Fishermen commonly catch bonito, mahi mahi, blue marlin, tuna, sailfish and wahoo in deeper waters offshore.
5. Kayaking
Explore the mangroves of the Monte Cristi National Park, row along the shore of Laguna Saladilla or navigate down the Yaque river in a kayak. A guided or self-guided kayaking tour is the best way to see Monte Cristi’s costal estuaries and wildlife
Ecological/Outdoor Activities
6. Birdwatching
Over 200 different birds have been observed in Monte Cristi. Monte Cristi province is littered with wonderful bird watching sites. You’ll see endemic birds throughout the province year-round. Migratory birds begin arriving in late January and late April. There are a multitude of prime birding sites in the province. These include los Cayos Siete Hermanos, Laguna Saladilla, the Villa Elisa Scientific Reserve and the Marigó Wetlands just to list a few places.
7. Plantation Tours
Ever wondered how bananas and rice are grown and processed? Tour one of the local banana or plantations to learn all about the process from planting to harvesting to shipping.
Did you know that the Dominican Republic is the world’s largest producer of organic bananas? Dominican banana producers grow over 90% of the country’s bananas organically.
8. Beaches
Monte Cristi is a sparsely populated coastal province in the coastal lowlands in the northwest region of the country near the Haitian border. It has a number of well-know beaches and many more lesser known These beautiful secluded beaches are scatted along its coast. You will find a wide variety of sands on the the beaches. Punta Rucia, Playa Popa and Juan de Bolaños have white sandy beaches. Brown sand is characteristic at El Morro beach. Grey volcanic sand covers Punta Luna‘s and Punta Presidente’s beaches.
9. Villa Elisa Scientific Reserve
The Villa Elisa Scientific Reserve has 138 different plant species. This includes 28 endemic species and a wide variety of orchids, including the protected Bumble bee orchid. There are 23 bird species in the reserve. Among them are parrots, a variety of woodpecker and the endangered Palm crow.
10. Manzanillo
Manzanillo is another little know tourist destination in Monte Cristi province. Nevertheless, it is worth visiting. The first major attraction in Manzanillo is the Estero Balsa Mangrove National Park. The park contains all four types of mangrove trees. Red mangrove trees are the most common. At the same time, you’ll find black, white and button mangrove trees. In addition, cacti border the park. The wide variety of plant life makes this park worth visiting. As well, the park attracts many different birds. As a result, the Estero Balsa Mangrove National Park is a very attractive birding site too.
Manzanillo’s second major attraction is Manzanillo beach. The beach spans the entire coast line of the town. It ends in the west near the Haitian border. The beach is great for sunbathing and swimming. The bay is attractive for boat tours, fishing, scuba diving and windsurfing.
Conclusion
Come to Monte Cristi and see its many wonders! There are countless things to do in Monte Cristi province. As you can see, Monte Cristi has more to offer than you realize.
Do you have something that you love to do in Monte Cristi province? We’d love to hear your ideas and suggestions. Tell us what you think. Comment below or email us.