Laguna Gri-Gri
Located in the fishing village of Río San Juan, about 100 kilometers east of Puerto Plata, Laguna Gri-Gri is one of the country's major bird sanctuaries, set along a peaceful lagoon flanked by forests. A boat ride will take you along this mystical lagoon at any time of the day, although sunset is the best time to see storks, and vultures soar and sing loudly over the flooded forest salty as you make your way through the narrow canals, which eventually lead to the sea. Daily guided boat tours of the lagoon include a stop at Cueva de Las Golondrinas (Swallow's Cave), which faces a turquoise cove where you can swim, and ends at Playa Caletón magical to enjoy one of the bliss of Río San Juan beaches.
Laguna Gri-Gri has not only become one of the best lakes to visit in the Dominican Republic but is also known as a paradise for nature lovers and tropical birdwatchers. It gets its name from the abundant presence of Gri-Gri trees in the area. The dense mangrove forest that surrounds and separates it from the beaches of Corpses and Los Minos is home to the Bird Sanctuary, home to thousands of species of birds. Before 1958, the lagoon was just a natural spring connected to the sea through a stream, but after an earthquake, groundwater emerged and the Gri-Gri lagoon was created. Sightseeing tours lead visitors through a natural canal to the sea, to Caletón Beach is one of the interesting activities in this place. During the walk, you can bathe in the pond and visit the swallow's cave, where thousands of swiftlets nest each year. These tours are conducted on a boat, some of them with crystal decks that allow people to admire each of the wonders this sea has to offer.
- Location: Río San Juan, Dominican Republic
