If you’re looking for somewhere to see flamingos in the Dominican Republic then you’re in the right place.
Nothing can beat that amazing feeling of seeing a flamingo up close and personal in their natural habitat! Why not try it for yourself?
This post will tell you all of the best places to see flamingos in the Dominican Republic and includes all the information you’ll need for a fun day out.
Are There Flamingos in the Dominican Republic?
Yes, there are flamingos in the Dominican Republic.
The species found in the Dominican Republic is the Caribbean flamingo, also commonly known as the American flamingo.
These types of flamingos are tall birds with large bodies and bright pink feathers, legs and bills.
Want to know where you can see them in the flesh whilst in the Dominican Republic? Keep reading to find out…
Best Places To See Flamingos In Dominican Republic
Flamingos are mainly found in wetlands and lakes.
There are several of these in the Dominican Republic and below I’ve listed the exact spots and locations to make things easy for you.
This list includes where to see flamingos in Punta Cana, Santo Domingo and more.
Laguna de Oviedo
The best place to see flamingos in the Dominican Republic is at Laguna de Oviedo which forms part of the Jaragua National Park.
This saltwater lake is actually a prime birdwatching location and has a great amount of biodiversity.
You’ll find thick mangrove swamps and over 20 small cays dotting its length which are brimming with beautiful birds.
This bird haven is home to many different species including American flamingos, royal & blue herons, the great egret, spoonbills, pelicans, parrots and more.
I’d recommend joining this tour to Laguna de Oviedo which includes a boat ride through the lake, a hike across one of the smaller islands and more.
Huge groups of flamingos call this lake home and, in fact, it will be really hard NOT to spot them.
Check out a couple of flamingos spotted at Laguna de Oviedo in the video below:
Lago Enriquillo
Another great place in the Dominican Republic where you can see flamingos is at Lago Enriquillo located in the southwest.
Lago Enriquillo is the place to be if you love wildlife and exploring nature as it is home to flamingos, American crocodiles and iguanas.
Located near the Haitian border, this huge lake is actually the largest in the Caribbean covering over 135 square miles.
You can either hike around the lake or take a boat tour to the small island that sits at the center of the lake, Isla Cabritos.
I’d recommend heading over to Isla Cabritos as this is where you’ll be able to see the wildlife up close.
On Isla Cabritos, you’ll be able to spot sun-bathing iguanas, playful crocodiles and, of course, pretty pink flamingos!
To make things super easy for you, you can book onto a boat tour which will take you around the lake.
This is less tiring than exploring the lake by foot and allows you to just sit back and relax as you look out for wildlife as you go.
Bahía de las Calderas
Another place where you can see flamingos in the Dominican Republic is at Bahía de las Calderas which sits on the southern coast just over an hour from Santo Domingo.
This large bay features beautiful sandy beaches which are very popular with tourists as well as a fishing port, small marina and the famous Bani Dunes.
The bay is a great place to spot wildlife and is home to a variety of birds, including flamingos, as well as sea turtles, fish, iguanas and more.
The flamingos congregate in large packs around the bay. For the best chance of seeing them, take a walk along the edge of the bay along the trail – it won’t take too long to spot them.
National Zoo Park, Santo Domingo
All of the places so far in this post have been places where you can see flamingos in their natural habitat.
If you don’t have time to visit them but still want to see flamingos then you can also see flamingos at the National Zoo Park in Santo Domingo.
This zoo is known locally as Parque Zoológico Nacional.
Although these flamingos are not wild, the zoo has done a good job of creating a nice atmosphere for the flamingos.
The flamingos are located right next to the entrance of the zoo in a large pond.
Address: Avenida de la Vega Real, Arroyo Hondo Distrito Nacional, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Opening Times: Tuesday through Sunday from 9AM to 5PM.
Check out the flamingos at the zoo in the video below:
Where Can I See Flamingos in Punta Cana?
Punta Cana is one of the most popular places to visit within the Dominican Republic.
Sitting on the easternmost tip of the island, this resort town is famous for its stunning white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and luxury resorts.
Unfortunately, you cannot see wild flamingos in Punta Cana as this area is not their native habitat.
The flamingos flourish in the habitats on the western side of the island such as the large lakes mentioned previously in this post.
All hope isn’t lost though, as there is a resident population of flamingos at the Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa.
The family of 4 flamingos have been at the resort since they were babies and love to roam around the grounds greeting guests all day long.
There are also flamingos present at the Grand Bavaro Princess resort. You’re even able to hand feed the flamingos here.
If you do really want to see flamingos in their natural habitat whilst in Punta Cana then you will need to travel elsewhere as flamingos aren’t native to the area.
Check out the flamingos at Dreams Punta Cana Resort in the video below:
Best Time of Year to See Flamingos in the Dominican Republic
The best time of year to see flamingos in the Dominican Republic is between April and July.
This is the flamingos migration season and when they are most likely to be present in the Dominican Republic.
During this time, more flamingos fly into the Dominican Republic from other countries.
Don’t worry if you’re not visiting during these months though as many of the flamingos do stay all year round so you should be able to spot some no matter when you visit.
Tips For Flamingo Spotting in the Dominican Republic
First time seeing flamingos?
To ensure the flamingos remain safe and you get the most out of your trip, there’s a few key things to bear in mind when seeing them in the Dominican Republic.
- Don’t get too close to the flamingos as you could startle them and disturb their natural behavior.
- Bring a pair of binoculars to observe them from afar.
- Don’t touch the flamingos. They are wild animals and should be respected.
These key tips protect both you and the flamingos.
Fun Flamingo Facts
To get you prepared for your trip to the Dominican Republic where you’ll hopefully see some beautiful flamingos, here’s some fun flamingo facts.
- Flamingos only lay one egg per year.
- Baby flamingos are gray and turn pink after 3 or 4 years.
- The flamingos can reach 180cm of wingspan.
- Flamingos live, on average, around 30 years.
- Some flamingos have been known to live into their fifties.
- The flamingos are pink because they feed on pink shellfish which contain pink pigments.
- The flamingo’s pink color intensifies when they eat more shellfish.
- A baby flamingo is called a flaminglet.
- A group of flamingos is called a flamboyance.
- Flamingos can sleep standing on one leg.
- Adult flamingos are four to five feet tall, but only weigh between four and eight pounds.
Thanks for reading this post on where to see flamingos in the Dominican Republic.
There’s not many places where you can see flamingos in the wild so if you’re visiting the Dominican Republic then seeing flamingos definitely has to be on your list of things to do.
Nothing beats seeing these glorious flamingos in their natural habitat.
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