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The area is a sanctuary for various marine species and birds, including the Estero Hondo Manatee Reserve. Additionally, this is where the history of the Americas began, as Christopher Columbus founded La Isabela, the first European settlement in the New World, in 1493. A small museum narrates this history.
Villa Isabela, originally called “Las Lagunas” due to stagnant waters during the rainy season, is a thriving municipality in the province of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Its founding is attributed to Silvano Reynoso and other families in the early 1900s.
La Isabela Park showcases the ruins and house of Columbus, along with the quarry where limestone blocks were extracted. Although the original church no longer exists, the Temple of the Americas was erected in 1994, featuring stained glass windows by artist José Rincón Mora. Guides provide information about Taíno history and sell authentic local crafts, including guayacán wood carvings, both in the park and in the nearby village of El Castillo.
Discover the wonders this municipality has in store for you.
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