What it is
A chain of collapsed caves in Parque Mirador del Este. Stairs lead down to three lagoons — La Nevera, the Lago de Azufre and Las Damas — and a small cable raft crosses to the jungle-framed fourth lake, Los Zaramagullones.
Visiting tips
Allow 45–60 minutes. Wear non-slip shoes; about 60 steps lead down. The entrance fee is around DOP 100 plus a small raft fee. Swimming is not allowed.
What Los Tres Ojos actually is
Los Tres Ojos ("The Three Eyes") is a chain of limestone sinkholes and open caves inside Parque Nacional Mirador del Este. Stairs carved into the rock lead down to lagoons of fresh and sulphur-tinted water, fed by an underground river. A small hand-pulled raft crosses one lagoon to reach the fourth and largest 'eye', open to the sky and draped with vines.
The four lagoons
La Nevera is the coldest and clearest. Lago de Azufre has a greenish tint from its mineral content. El Lago de las Damas is shallow, where tradition says Taíno women bathed. Los Zaramagullones, the hidden fourth lagoon, is reached by raft and is named after the small water birds that nest there.
How long to spend and what to combine
Allow about an hour inside the park. It pairs naturally with the Faro a Colón monument nearby, the Malecón drive and the Colonial Zone, which is only 15–20 minutes away across the Ozama River.
Practical tips
Wear shoes with grip — the steps can be damp. The caves stay cooler than the street, which makes this a good midday stop. There is an entry fee for foreign visitors (approx. a few US dollars) and a small extra charge for the raft. Swimming is not allowed. Decide whether this stop fits your children.
Getting there
The park sits in Santo Domingo Este on Avenida Las Américas, on the way to Las Américas airport. Many travellers stop here right after landing or before a flight — ask for it when you book an airport transfer. Before heading out, plan your journeys around Santo Domingo, including the return to your accommodation. Plan sightseeing routes and transport around your mobility requirements.
