Hotels in Oviedo

Oviedo: Gateway to Jaragua National Park

Oviedo is a small town in the Pedernales Province of southwestern Dominican Republic, positioned roughly 30 km northeast of the Haitian border. It serves as the primary access point for Parque Nacional Jaragua, the largest protected area in the Caribbean at approximately 1,374 km², encompassing dry forest, coastal lagoons, and the offshore Isla Beata. The nearby Laguna de Oviedo — a brackish lagoon stretching about 28 km² — supports large colonies of flamingos and is one of the few reliable flamingo-viewing sites in the country.

Where to Stay

Accommodation in Oviedo is limited to small guesthouses and family-run lodges; international hotel chains are absent. Visitors typically use Oviedo as a base for one or two nights before returning toward Barahona (approximately 90 km north), which offers a wider range of hotels along the Ruta Ecoturística.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Public transport (guaguas) connects Oviedo to Barahona; the road south from Barahona is paved but narrow in sections.
• Best season: November through April offers drier conditions and calmer lagoon water for boat tours.
• Park access: Entry to Jaragua requires coordination with Medio Ambiente rangers stationed at the Oviedo checkpoint.