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The Ultimate Guide to Three Eyes National Park Caves in Santo Domingo

Blog , Caribbean , Dominican Republic / December 17, 2022 by Monica / Leave a Comment

Are you wondering what to do in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic? Or maybe you have already explored the Zona Colonial, and now you are ready for something different. I recently visited the Three Eyes National Park in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and can provide all of the important facts and an honest review of the caves.

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Three Eyes National Park was on my radar before I ever touched down in the Dominican Republic.

I chose Santo Domingo as my base in DR because of its rich history. But as you might know by now, I’m incredibly drawn to natural wonders and focus a lot of my travels on exploring the nature of our beautiful planet. So naturally, these Dominican Republic caves were high on my list of things to see.

No time to read? No problem! Book your Three Eyes National Park tour here!

Two Hour Tour of the Three Eyes National Park Caves – An expert guide will lead you through the cave system, teaching you the history and geology of the park. This tour meets at the national park. Book your spot here !

Coming from Punta Cana? Book the Day Tour! – this full day tour visits top sites in Santo Domingo, caves at Tres Ojos, and even includes lunch. Anyone staying in Punta Cana – this tour will give you a great taste of Santo Domingo as well as the Three Eyes National Park. Book your spot here !

However, once in-country, a long-time expat at my hotel warned me not to go there. He said it was a tourist trap and a waste of time.

His words gave me a moment of pause. In the end I decided to visit regardless, since it was extremely easy and cheap to visit. I figured I wasn’t losing much if it got a thumbs-down in the end.

So, what exactly is the Three Eyes National Park cave system and more importantly, should you bother to go there?

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Table of Contents

What Is Three Eyes National Park?

The Three Eyes National Park in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (known locally as Los Tres Ojos) is a nature reserve covering a 50-yard area of the Mirador del Este park. It sits roughly ten minutes from Zona Colonial by car.

Though from the surface, it appears to be a standard grassy park, an amazing open-air limestone cave system awaits beneath your feet. The crystal clear and turquoise blue lakes known as the “eyes” are what makes this cave system in Santo Domingo spectacular.

The site was formed due to tectonic shifts and collapsing caves centuries before our time. The three main depressions in the ground filled with water fed from an underground river, and each “eye” has a different mineral composition, interestingly.

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The lagoons range in depth from 8 feet to 25 feet deep. Taino Indians – the first inhabitants of Hispaniola – used these caves for religious rituals many years ago.

The three main “eyes” are names “Lago de Azufre”, “La Nevera”, and “El Lago de las Damas”.

Surprisingly, there is a fourth body of water called “Los Zaramagullones,” which can be reached by boarding a wooden raft that is pulled across the third eye. This fourth lagoon is not included in the park’s name as it is located outside of the roofed cave system. Instead, it has open sky above.

Where Is Three Eyes National Park Located?

These caves are located just a ten minute drive north of Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial.

My Experience and Review of the Three Eyes National Park

Three Eyes National Park Entrance Fee and Operating Hours

I set out from Zona Colonial just after 8am, even though the caves don’t technically open until 9am. The ten minute Uber ride got me there before 8:30am and cost roughly $3 USD each way. This was a steal, so if you don’t have a rental car , taking an Uber is a great option.

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I got my bearings and was pointed in the direction of the ticket booth by one of the men selling guide services nearby. Though I do think guides can teach you facts you wouldn’t have otherwise known, I turned him down. I had already researched the history of these Dominican Republic caves, and wanted time to take them in solo.

I’m not sure if it was just luck, but the ticket booth lady let me in extra early. She sold me my ticket at 8:30am and I got an entire half hour to explore solo before the official open time.

What is it like inside the caves of Santo Domingo?

There are steep steps leading down to the cave area and to the eyes. This would not be an ideal place to visit for anyone with accessibility needs, but it is definitely a dramatic entrance!

The deeper you go into the caves, the more intense the humidity feels. It can get fairly oppressive, even by 10am.

The “eyes” are beautiful to look at, and you can see different shades of turquoise blue depending on the depth of the various lagoons. Stalactites and stalagmites dangle down from above the pools and above your head, illuminated by the natural light pouring down. It is quite a sight!

I knew instantly that the expat’s advice was wrong.

Perhaps I would feel differently if I’d arrived on a busy day, or in the midday heat. But getting in early and having solo time with the caves was exactly what I’d been hoping for.

It was around 9:30am that a few other people started wandering in, and probably closer to 10am when the larger groups arrived. But by then, I’d already visited all three main pools. The area is not huge.

All about the Fourth Eye

I decided to take the wooden raft across the third eye to see the fourth lagoon, and wow, am I glad I did! While the first three are fairly similar in color and in surroundings, the fourth is from another planet.

Lush green plant life surrounds this open-air lagoon and vines hang down in front of the rocky walls. It is beautiful. Completely worth the extra pesos! I have no doubt you will enjoy it.

I probably spent around two hours here total, give or take. If I were to visit in the midday heat, I’m not sure I would last that long. The humidity is for real inside the caves.

I can report that I wholeheartedly disagree with the grumpy expat in Santo Domingo. Three Eyes National Park was extremely worth the visit for me!

It was easy and cheap to get to. I was able to spend time with the pools by myself. And I was blown away by all of the “eyes” – especially the fourth.

It was also refreshing to see some nature after all of the time spent in busy Zona Colonial .

If you have time to spare, you can walk around the fourth lagoon from above afterwards, once back on the ground level of the park. It was extremely easy to call an Uber for a ride back to Santo Domingo from Three Eyes National Park, as well.

The next day I left the Zona Colonial area altogether to continue my Dominican Republic exploration on the shore. Check out my post on the three main beaches near Santo Domingo and the pros and cons of each if you are planning your route through the Dominican Republic.

These caves in the Dominican Republic should definitely make it onto your itinerary. If you want to avoid the hassle of planning it yourself, you can absolutely join a group tour . It all depends on your preference.

Can you swim in the Three Eyes National Park?

No, you cannot. Swimming is not allowed here. Head to the nearby beaches for that!

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Things to Know Before Visiting “Los Tres Ojos”, Dominican Republic

Here are the main tips that will help you make the most of your visit to these caves in the Dominican Republic.

• Hours of operation are 9am to 5pm , 7 days a week.
• Tickets are currently $100 pesos ($2 USD) for entry to the park and caves. The boat ride to the fourth “eye” is an additional $25 pesos (.50 cents USD).
• Wear loose, cool clothing because it is extremely humid down there, even at 9am! Check out my Dominican Republic packing list post for tips on the clothing that I brought.
• There are guides near the ticket booth who will offer their services, sometimes aggressively. I chose to go alone, as I had already researched the history of the caves, but if you are interested, be sure to negotiate the price.
• Definitely bring a water bottle.
• Wear sandals with a good grip, as surfaces can be uneven or slippery. You have probably heard me rave about the Keen trekking sandals that I own – these have now been to countless countries with me over the years and I’ve yet to find anything better. Nor am I looking!
• No swimming is allowed. These are not like the cenotes in Mexico, so don’t come expecting to swim! These lagoons are for viewing only.
• Unless you have a car, take an Uber from Zona Colonial early in the morning. I beat all of the tour groups and I believe this is what made my visit so wonderful; I had the caves all to myself for a while.
• Address (if you use Uber or Taxi): Calle Marginal Las Americas Este, Santo Domingo Este 11604, Dominican Republic

I highly recommend visiting the caves of the Three Eyes National Park outside of Santo Domingo. I think it is very much worth the trip and is quite easy to accomplish.

Follow my tips above to make the most out of your visit, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Additional planning resources for the Dominican Republic:

• Is Santo Domingo Safe?
• Visiting Three Eyes National Park Caves in Santo Domingo
• 21 Essential Travel Safety Items for Solo Travelers
• Santo Domingo Beaches to Visit
• What to Wear in the Dominican Republic

Will you add these Santo Domingo caves to your Dominican Republic itinerary? Have you already seen them? Let me know below!

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About Monica

Monica has been a solo female world traveler for over 15 years. She is an expert on outdoor adventures, solo female travel, and off the beaten path destinations. She is the founder of This Rare Earth and is a firm believer that the world is not as scary as the media might have you think! Learn more about her here . Connect with her on Instagram .

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Three Eyes National Park

The breathtaking Los Tres Ojos (The Three Eyes) National Park is a  natural reserve located in the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo. It is an open air cave system that houses three crystal clear turquoise lakes/lagoons.  It was definitely one of the top things we did during our time in Santo Domingo and we would highly recommend a trip here!

The cave system was previously used by the Taíno population,  as a place of refuge or to carry out their spiritual rituals. The lakes were formed thousands of years ago due to tectonic movements causing part of the cave ceiling to collapse. The depressions then filled with water to create the separate oval pools, giving each one a different mineral composition and unique turqouise colours earning them their name of ‘the eyes.’

To reach the The Three Eyes National Park you can easily get from La Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo to the park by car. We used Uber which cost around $3 and the journey took 10 minutes.

When you get there you’ll find lots of tour guides waiting near the ticket kiosk. We heard a lot of them as they were taking people around and they definitely know their stuff! We just decided that we wanted the freedom and time to wander around and take pictures for as long as we wanted.

Without a tour guide the park costs 200 Dominican Pesos

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Aguas Azufradas

The journey begins as you head down a set of steep stairs which open out into the cave system. As you descend you are met by the beautiful turquoise waters of the first lake, Aguas Azufradas.  It’s honestly some of the bluest water we’ve ever seen and the way the sunlight glimmers on the surface and creates reflections is amazing to see.

It gets super muggy and humid down by the lakes so you can end up getting pretty sweaty. It’s best to wear light and comfortable clothing that you can move around easily in. It’s also a good idea to wear trainers or sturdy shoes as you are constantly going up and down stairs and, with the humidity it can get a bit slippy.

El Lago de las Damas

As you walk along the winding paths and staircases you reach the second lake. It is the shallowest of all three and is known as ‘the ladies lake’ as it was where women and children bathed and swam.

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The third lake, La Nevera, takes you into the darkness of the caves. It is here that you can board a small wooden boat for 50 pesos and be pulled across the water to the other side. What lies waiting for you here is, in our opinion, the best part. There is a fourth lake named ‘Los Zaramagullones’ which is a gorgeous aqua colour pool of water surrounded by vegetation. It isn’t included with the ‘three eyes’ as it is a fresh water lagoon that sits outside of the cave system.

 You can also view this fourth lake from above. After you’ve finished inside the park, head back up the steps and you can wander around the circular opening looking down into the lake. 

If you’re in Santo Domingo and have the time, Three Eyes National Park is definitely worth visiting! It’s easy to get to and a great price for the views inside the cave system. It was one of our favourite things to do and some of the prettiest lakes we’ve seen!

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• About this activity

Three Eyes National Park Exploration Tour

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Enjoy a 2 hours inmersion in nature in the middle of the biggest city of the Dominican Republic. With me you will learn in a fun way the unique ecosystem that this amazing place keep. I will show you how the Dominican Culture is related to nature, will show you the speleothems that nature artistically create in the caves. Will take you to every corner of the park and will tell you the importance and characteristics of each place, will show you the best places to take the best pictures for your trip memories. With me you will learn about the aboriginal people that once inhabited the island and left part of their culture inside the caves. I'm sure you are going to love this tour and remember this as one of the best parts of your vacation.

Activity location

• 11604, Santo Domingo Este, Santo Domingo Province, Dominican Republic

Meeting/Redemption Point

• Calle Marginal Las Americas Este
• 11604, Santo Domingo Este, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
• Tue, Apr 30 -
• Wed, May 1 $35
• Thu, May 2 $35
• Fri, May 3 $35
• Sat, May 4 $35
• Sun, May 5 $35
• Mon, May 6 $35
• Tue, May 7 $35
• Wed, May 8 $35
• Thu, May 9 $35
• Fri, May 10 $35
• Sat, May 11 $35
• Sun, May 12 $35
• Mon, May 13 $35
• Tue, May 14 $35
• Activity duration is 2 hours 2h 2h

What's included, what's not

• What's included What's included Bottled water
• What's included What's included All Fees and Taxes
• What's excluded What's excluded Snacks
• What's excluded What's excluded Lunch

Know before you book

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

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The 3 Eyes National Park

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The 3 Eyes National Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

The Three Eyes National Park's Beautiful Lagoons Are A Must-See In Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo is the stunning capital city of the Dominican Republic. It's full of Spanish colonial and contemporary architecture while being surrounded by natural beauty and a pristine coastline. Santo Domingo holds an important role in history as it was one of the earliest colonial settlements and received recognition in 1990 as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Besides its colonial history, there are many reasons to visit Santo Domingo. According to Dominican Abroad , some of the best sites to experience include Quinta Dominica, the Amber Museum, Teatro Nacional Eduardo Brito, and Parque Nacional Los Tres Ojos, aka the Three Eyes National Park. The Three Eyes National Park is a nature reserve with stunning limestone caves and lagoons that gets its name from three eye-shaped lagoons. A natural gem, the area offers an unforgettable experience for all travelers and should be on your list of must-see places to visit in Santo Domingo.

Discover the Three Eyes National Park

According to Dominican Abroad , the first lagoon travelers will encounter is named Aguas Azufradas, which translates to sulfur waters. However, the waters of this lagoon do not contain any traces of sulfur. It was given its name due to a white component in the water that turned out to be calcium, among other minerals. The next lagoon is called La Nevera (the fridge), and it is the coolest of the lagoons since sunlight hardly reaches it. The third lagoon is called Las Damas (the ladies) since it was formerly used as a place for women and children to bathe. Despite its name, the Three Eyes National Park has a fourth lagoon: "Los Zaramagullones," named after a duck-like bird that passes through the area. The park itself has reportedly played a role in some well-known movies, including "Tarzan" and "Jurassic Park III," according to Listin Diario .

Due to its location and the many steps required to reach the cave system, sturdy shoes with a good grip, along with cool clothes, are recommended, as the caves tend to be humid and hot (per Dominican Abroad). The warmer Caribbean climate also creates the ideal environment for mosquitos, so insect repellant is a good idea. You can arrive at the park by car, ride-share, or public transportation. There are also some guided tours offered in the area, but travelers can also visit by themselves as it is easy to navigate.

Los Tres Ojos National Park

Los Tres Ojos National Park is a cave that has a freshwater lake, naturally divided into three lakes that can only be seen from the inside and a single lake that can be seen without having to be inside. Located in the Santo Domingo Este municipality in the Dominican Republic.

The name of the park derives from the eye shape that can be seen in the three interior lakes. It should be noted that there is only one lake that can be seen from the outside. It was discovered in 1916. It is believed that the cave was frequented by ancient aborigines of La Spanish.

Among the interesting things that the complex has are four primary lakes, which are:

Aguas Azufradas Lake: It is four meters deep and a whitish component can be seen at its bottom that was thought to be sulfur, hence the name of the lake, but later it was discovered that it was calcium and other minerals.

La Nevera Lake: It is 5.4 meters deep; It is the coldest of the three, since sunlight does not reach it. The most interesting thing is that its temperature varies between 15 and 21 ºC.

Lago de las Damas: 2.5 meters deep in the deepest area. Formerly used as a spa for women and children, it is a sanctuary that keeps many interesting stories.

Los Zaramagullones Lake: The curious name given to the lake is due to some native ducks in the area. At 6.1 meters deep, the beautiful lake is surrounded by exuberant vegetation, since it is the only cavity that is found in the open air.

Within this ecological paradise you can take boat tours inside the caves, you will be able to see that some caves communicate with others and will allow you to contemplate on the walls the curious drawings of the ancient Tainos.

The entire route that is made is interesting and we must be attentive to the petroglyphs and handmade ceramic items, these discoveries being unique wonders that you can only appreciate in this beautiful place.

To learn about many interesting and beautiful destinations in the Dominican Republic, click here:

How to get to Los Tres Ojos National Park:

For a time, the caves were famous as the setting for some of the Tarzan movies. More recently, the complex, formed by natural sinkholes in the earth, was a background setting for some scenes from Jurassic Park. Indeed, taking a (not unstrenuous) hike around the beautiful lakes, you may feel like you've entered a lost world.

Open daily from 9am to 5pm, the first lake is accessed by a staircase. Visitors then navigate the caves using pathways and steps, with a pulled boatride across the second lake included in the price of admission. Gape at the stalacites and stalagmites as you navigate the various lakes, each filled with a different color and chemistry of water.

Los Tres Ojos is also close to the Columbus Lighthouse (Faro a Colon), the burial place of Christopher Columbus, and Boca Chica, a pleasant beach. Tours are available from most hotels or agencies. Don't miss these beautiful Dominican Republic caves .

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