Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve — Attraction in Higüey

If you’re an explorer, there’s a limit to how much time you can spend on a beach or a resort. Chances are, you need to step out of your resort or hotel to experience something new. If you’re looking for something fun and relaxing, no further than the Ojos Indigenas waters self-tour. Firstly, I would like to explain what cenote is...A cenote (pronounced seh-no-teh) is a sinkhole that contains fresh groundwater coming from filtered seawater, underground water, rain water...etc. Most cenotes start out as a cave, and over thousands of years, the water erodes the “ceiling” which results in exposed sinkholes. Cenotes takes you on a self-tour of 4 small different cenotes. You should visit the cenotes in small groups. The order of the cenotes you visit might be different because the groups can go at different times and ways to avoid overcrowding, but you’ll get to experience all the cenotes throughout the day. There’s something here for everyone. The natural beauty of the cenotes is breathtaking and makes this a very relaxing tour, yet the different activities mean there’s plenty of fun and excitement for everyone. There’s just two things you need to be aware of; small children, very old persons and/or those with physical disabilities or very low stamina might find the self-tour tiring or difficult. If you don’t know how to swim, you should not get into water because they don't provide you life jackets, and there aren't lifeguards on duty at every cenote. Ojos Indigenas Cenotes self-tour was worth every penny. The cenotes were breathtakingly beautiful. I visited all 4 cenotes and each cenote provided a special unique experience that you can enjoy which makes a more intimate experience. All 4 cenotes are beautiful open air cenotes, but just two of them had the option to jump off a small cliff. The height was just right. It wasn’t so high that it was dangerous or scary, but high enough to have some fun, but in general were very cool and relaxed in that sense. All cenotes provided an amazing shade of blue, there are tree roots that extend all the way from side to side and to the bottom, and the sunlight shines down into the cenotes, creating an incredible light pattern. It was a picturesque spectacular cenotes. If snorkeling, the cenotes reveal themselves as an astonished beautiful world, there weren’t a lot of fish, but can enjoy shrimps, turtles which was an outstanding experience. The cenotes tour is really easy and straightforward. You will be delivered right in the cenotes entrance, and have to walk about 10 minutes. There are some things you should know in order to make the most of your day at cenotes: if don’t mind, please take a shower at your hotel before going in to cenotes to wash off any existing sun block, bug spray, and general dirt, also the water can be a little cool. It’s not bad, and on a hot day it’s actually quite refreshing, but it’s worth mentioning if you’re sensitive. The very important thing is that you need to know how to swim, as some celotes are deep. I would like to recommend what to pack: swimsuit, a change of clothes- if you don’t want to be wet for the ride back to your hotel, a pair of water shoes or aqua shoes, as you’ll be walking on dirt, grass, or paved trails before you get to the cenote, and sometimes you won’t come out from the same place that you went in, so aqua shoes are really convenient and comfortable. The nature and scenery were absolutely beautiful, and everyone was very glad to have experienced the natural beauty that was exclusive to this part of the world. When I booked the Ojos Indigenas cenotes tour, I had hoped for something that allowed me to take in the local sights & nature, which helps me relax. From that aspect, cenotes definitely delivered. Overall, the cenotes self-tour fully delivered on what I was looking for - nature and fun. If you’re looking for a tour that’ll allow you to experience the amazing and unique nature around the Punta Cana while having fun and bonding with a great group of people, I highly recommend Ojos Indigenas...

Embarking on a thrilling adventure doesn't always have to break the bank, as I discovered during my visit to the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve (Reserva Ecológica Ojos Indígenas). For a mere $10, I was able to immerse myself in the enchanting wilderness and refreshing waters of this hidden gem.

Upon entering the reserve, I was immediately captivated by the dense foliage, vibrant flora, and the tantalizing allure of the indigenous eyes, a series of crystal-clear freshwater lagoons scattered throughout the reserve. The reserve's well-marked trails guided me through a diverse ecosystem, teeming with life and showcasing the untouched beauty of nature.

The highlight of my adventure was undoubtedly the opportunity to plunge into the invigorating waters of the indigenous eyes. While the water was refreshingly cold at first, my body quickly adjusted to the temperature, and the exhilaration of swimming amidst such pristine surroundings made it all worthwhile. The tranquil ambiance and the feeling of being one with nature were truly unforgettable.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve was its commitment to conservation and preserving the natural environment. The reserve is meticulously maintained, ensuring that visitors can enjoy its unspoiled splendor while minimizing human impact. The presence of informative signs and knowledgeable guides enhanced the experience, providing valuable insights into the reserve's biodiversity and ecological significance.

Although the admission fee was remarkably affordable, there were a few minor considerations to keep in mind. The reserve's amenities were relatively basic, with limited facilities such as restrooms and changing areas. However, the focus on preserving the natural environment is understandable, and these small inconveniences were outweighed by the opportunity to explore such a unique ecological treasure.

In conclusion, the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve offers an adventure-packed experience at an astonishingly low cost. For just $10, I was able to venture into a world of natural wonder, with the lush woods and invigorating freshwater lagoons providing an ideal setting for exploration and relaxation. While basic amenities and the initial chill of the water were minor factors, the reserve's commitment to conservation and the chance to connect with nature's beauty more than compensated for these considerations. If you're seeking an affordable and memorable outdoor adventure, the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve is an excellent choice that...

3 stars only because of how hard this information was to find.

We could not figure out if it was possible to visit here without an $80 guided tour ($40 if you stay with specific hotels) and eventually we did find we could walk the grounds of the park for $10 per person for a day pass or $20 for a week long pass! The tour price was prohibitive for us so we were very excited when we learned out the $10 passes. I also posted a picture of the pricing because they may be different if you are not staying within the Puntacana Resorts area. Possible $50. We told them we were staying at Tortuga Bay and they didn’t verify. The fact we got around by golf cart made it obvious we were from the resorts area.

You must buy tickets at the main store (see pictures). If you are driving from the east, there will be signs on the road for the main building of which is blue and red (but you can’t see from the main building from the road FYI). The location is called Fundación Grupo Puntacana on Google maps. Walk in the front door and then go left a bit to a small store at the end of the hall. Card and cash are both accepted. We were given yellow wrist bands for a 1 day pass and pink bands for the week.

Then get back in the car or golf cart and turn right on to the main road. About 2 min farther down is the main entrance to the walking paths with the pools you can swim in. In Google maps, this entrance is called Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve (Reserva Ecológica Ojos Indígenas). The entrance is marked by the large indigenous wooden figure, that forms a gate. Sometimes someone is staffing the gate where you should check in but other times we just walked in. They ask you write your name down and take a picture of the map so you know where you are going. Between 10am-12pm we noticed lots of tour groups go through from many different companies so swim holes may be a bit busy. Last entry is at 3:15pm. (It says 3:30pm on the sign but they told us 3:15pm.)

One more note, the map at the main building (last picture) is obviously not to scale and extremely hard to follow. I wouldn’t recommend trying to follow it at all. The lagoon map is pretty helpful though.

The trails are lovely and shady and swimming in the lagoons is wonderful! If you are calm and not swimming, you will possibly see turtles and...