Bahia de las Aguilas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bahía de las Aguilas
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Beach
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Bahía de las Aguilas, Dominican Republic
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 Bahía de las Aguilas
Location in the Dominican Republic
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| Country | Dominican Republic |
| Activities |  Swimming  Diving |
Bahía de las Aguilas (which means "Eagles’ Bay") is a beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic. It stretches for about 8 kilometers (5 miles) along the southwestern coast. This amazing bay is in the Pedernales Province, close to the border with Haiti.
Many people, both Dominicans and visitors, think Bahía de las Aguilas is one of the most stunning beaches in the world. It's part of the Jaragua National Park, which means it's a protected area. Because of this, you can find lots of sea creatures living close to the shore.
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Exploring Bahía de las Aguilas
One of the coolest things about Bahía de las Aguilas is how isolated it is. It's like a secret oasis! The beach is about 323 kilometers (200 miles) from Santo Domingo, the capital city. It's also about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from Pedernales, which is the closest town.
To get to the beach, you first go to a small village called "La Cueva." This name means "The Cave" because there are many caves around it. In the past, local fishermen lived here. La Cueva is located on a piece of land called Cabo Rojo.
From La Cueva, you can hire a local person to take you to the beach. You can go by a small motorboat along the coast, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Or, if you have a good driver and a strong all-wheel-drive vehicle, you can drive through the park. Walking takes about 45 minutes.
Protecting the Land
There was a time when some people tried to claim the land where Bahía de las Aguilas is located. These claims were thought to be unfair and linked to corruption. Luckily, justice won! Bahía de las Aguilas was officially declared public land.
Now, the Dominican Republic government has plans to develop the area. However, President Luis Abinader has said that no buildings will be allowed in areas that are protected for the environment. This means the natural beauty of Bahía de las Aguilas will be kept safe.
Plants and Animals
Because Bahía de las Aguilas is inside the Jaragua National Park, it has a special climate. It's subtropical and a bit dry, with lots of bushes and shrubs. You can find unique plants here like canelillas, raft trees, and balsa palms. There are even interesting fruits like horned melons growing here!
Amazing Wildlife
The park is home to some very special animals.
- The Hispaniolan solenodon is a prehistoric mammal that looks a bit like a shrew.
- The Hutia is another unique mammal.
Both of these animals are endangered, which means they are at risk of disappearing forever.
You can also spot many reptiles and amphibians:
Many different birds fly around the area too. You might see sooty terns and both plain and white-crowned pigeons.
Underwater World
The Caribbean Sea floor around Bahía de las Aguilas is incredibly clean. It has healthy coral reefs and lots of seagrass beds. These seagrass areas are like underwater gardens, providing food for many sea creatures.
You can find:
- Large numbers of queen conch (a type of sea snail)
- Spiny lobsters
- Even bigger animals like the gentle Antillean manatee
Sea Turtle Haven
Bahía de las Aguilas is a very important place for endangered sea turtles.
These turtles come to these waters to lay their eggs and live safely, away from harm.
Images for kids
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View to the north.
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View to the south.
See also
In Spanish: Bahía de las Águilas para niños
