Los Tres Ojos: Three Jewel Toned Lakes of the Dominican Republic
Los Tres Ojos is a trio of vibrant green and blue lakes connected to a cave system tucked away in a dense forest in the Dominican Republic. Ojos is Spanish for eyes. Due to the high mineral and bacteria content in the water, the lakes often take on the same brilliant blue and green tones of human eyes. Visitors flock to Los Tres Ojos to gaze into colorful pools of water so vivid that they appear as though they have the ability to gaze back.
The caves of Los Tres Ojos feature winding staircases that offer a variety of vantage points to view the colossal caverns. Los Tres Ojos was considered a sacred space by the Taino Indians. The Taino used the caves for important religious ceremonies. The Taino also believed that the waters of Los Tres Ojos could increase fertility. Bats, fish, and turtles live a content existence in the caverns of Los Tres Ojos.
There is an unofficial fourth eye called Los Zaramagullones with an outside opening that can be reached by a small ferry pulled by ropes. In the early 1900s, European explorers thought that the waters of Los Tres Ojos had to contain sulfur, due to the bright blue color. Over time, the explorers realized that calcium deposits were responsible for the sapphire colored water. Los Tres Ojos offers a relaxing escape from the bustling streets of Santo Domingo.
Los Tres Ojos is all the proof that you will need that the Dominican Republic is a true island paradise. A few hours wandering the pathways of Los Tres Ojos surrounded by dazzling pools of water that early residents of Hispaniola thought had sacred properties is sure to leave you feeling revived and refreshed. No visit to the Dominican Republic is compete without gazing into Los Tres Ojos.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Los Tres Ojos cave lakes, Santo Domingo Este, Dominican Republic
- Coordinates
- 18.481111, -69.842778
- Access
- Public cave-park visit follows paths and stairs between the lakes; the fourth, outdoor lake is reached by a small raft/boat crossing.
- Admission
- The Visit Dominican Republic guide lists RD$50 for adults/foreign visitors and RD$30 for children/students; reconfirm locally before travel.
- Time needed
- Santo Domingo Tourism describes the cave tour as approximately one hour. Reaching the lakes involves a long stairway through a narrow tunnel; this estimate applies to the tour, not travel to the park or time waiting for entry.
- Opening hours
- The Visit Dominican Republic guide lists 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; confirm locally before visiting.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-25
- Facts checked
- 2026-09-30
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