Punta Cana: As of now, due to driving distance and logistics, I can only meet my clients at National Park of the East/Cotubanamá Natl. Park. You’d need to find transportation from Punta Cana or Bávaro. We’d meet 7:00 am and go birding until approximately 1:00 pm, 5.5 hours. I am working on having fixed dates starting Summer 2026, so guests can book a day trip in advance. This would be for day trips and small groups, 2-6 participants.

Puerto Plata: I can pick up clients that are staying Puerto Plata or arriving for the day at the Amber or Taino ports, to go birding Isabel de Torres National Park and surrounding areas.

Samaná: As of now, I don’t offer guiding around Samana.

We are based in the city of Santo Domingo, hence we depart from there. There are a few instances when clients can be picked up, and dropped off if on route to and back from our birding destination. Plan on being picked up and dropped off in Santo Domingo. If in Punta Cana, Puerto Plata or Samaná area, for multiple day trips, plan on coming to Santo Domingo early or the evening before our departure date.

Easy to moderate. Trails are mostly easy to walk, and there will be no bushwhacking or steep climbs. We will be walking anywhere from 1 to 3 hours at times on relatively even terrain with many stops. If you have any health problems or physical limitations, tell us before coming so we can make the proper accommodations. We are trained in First Aid and CPR/AED and hold a valid certification from the American Red Cross.

You will experience typical Dominican food at most lodges, hotels, and restaurants while on tour, including rice, beans, poultry, seafood, plantains, and root vegetables, all cooked with some good sazón dominicano (dominican seasoning)! There will also be plenty of fresh salad, tropical fruit beverages, etc. If you have any kind of food restrictions or food intolerance, please let us know in advance.

We are a smoke and vape free company. Smoking or vaping is absolutely prohibited in the vehicle or when the group is gathered.

Lightweight field clothing (long pant and long sleeve shirts).
Light waterproof jacket.
A layer for high elevation sites, it can get chilly up there.
Reusable face mask and a spare ones.
Your camera, and related equipment.
Binoculars. You won’t find a pair locally.
Headlamp or a good flashlight.
Reusable water bottle.
Copy of your passport, this could be digital.
Any special medications. Most over-the-counter are available in DR.

Days in the tropics are generally warm, and humid at times, around 28º C – 82º F, bringing light field clothes is suggested. Depending on the trip, we might go from sea level up to 1, 300 m – 4,265 ft. Most of the time would be hot and pleasant, but do come prepared for the possibility of cold, damp, hot or rainy weather. Early mornings and evenings can get chilly or cold in the mountains, even at relatively low elevation areas in mountain valleys, from late October to May. At our highest visited areas, above 1,000 m – 3,280 ft, we can experience temperatures as los as 6ºC – 45ºF during the months of December to early April. Along the coast is usually hot and humid, specially during the rainy season, May – October. 

Cúa Birding staff is fully vaccinated, also with a seasonal Flu shot.  We know COVID-19 days are behind us, but if we found ourselves dealing with a similar situation, we would request all of our clients to  show proof of a vaccination, including the post-final dose two weeks waiting period, or show proof of a negative COVID test 4 days before the day of their tour. We ask our guests to self-assess their physical condition. If a guest has any kind of symptoms associated with COVID, have has been, or is in a household where someone has symptoms, we ask that they stay home, and please be mindful.

We will follow guidelines for social distancing and wearing masks inside the vehicle will be required. Please, consult with your physician and local health department about updated health advisories for travel to the Dominican Republic. Specialized medications may be difficult to obtain locally so we encourage you to bring enough to cover your entire stay on the island. Most over-the-counter medications can be obtained locally.