Polo
Enriquillo, Dominican Republic
Why visit Polo?
El Polo Magnético If a car is stopped at the right place, and put in neutral, the car seems to be rolling up the hill. El Polo Magnético is an optical illusion known as a gravity hill which is caused by the shape of the slope and the surrounding landscape.
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Ask on WhatsAppHow do you get there?
By Plane
The nearest airport is Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo, which handles both domestic and international flights. From the airport, Polo can be reached by taxi or rental car. Pre-arranged hotel transfers are often the most convenient option.
By Car / Road
Polo is accessible by road from Barahona and other regional centers. Caribe Tours and other bus companies operate services from major cities. Driving from Santo Domingo takes approximately 2–4 hours depending on the route. Roads are generally paved but can be narrow in rural areas. Motoconchos (motorcycle taxis) and guaguas (minibuses) provide local connections to nearby towns.
The town of Polo can easily be seen on foot.
What are the things to do?
Mata de Maiz - natural pools from the river with refreshingly cold water. 1 hour on foot or 15 minutes by car or motorcycle.
Polo Magnetico - about 20 minutes from Polo. Put your car in neutral and it will look like the car is moving uphill.
Cafeto Madre - Oldest coffee tree in the country. Over 100 years old.
Festicafe - an organic coffee festival is held every year the last weekend in November with workshops, performances, and all types of coffee. Dates for 2017: November 27-29
Factoria El Toral - coffee factory with tours. Walk through the whole coffee process from seed to finished product. Guides can show the whole process.
Dancing at the Campo Verde open air discoteca Saturday and Sunday nights
Hiking along the many trails and old gravel roads for a hike through coffee plantations, small villages, and even views of the Caribbean Sea. It's even possible to hike all the way to the ocean, following the Nizao River. Wikiloc website has trails recorded in the area here.
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Ask on WhatsAppWhere to eat?
Comedor Nimelva - small, local restaurant serving delicious Dominican meals. Located next to the main square.
Street vendors sell empanadas and other small treats
Where to drink?
Presidente beer is sold in all colmados. Relax from an exciting day and have a drink hanging out at the main square.
Planning Polo? We’ll book the stays and dining for you.
Ask on WhatsAppWhere to stay?
🌍
Hostal Rural Backpackers Polo
( IDEAC ),
Calle Juan Bosch s/n
( Located at the bottom of the town ),
☏
+1 829-931-6786 .
Check-in: 14:00 , check-out: 12:00 .
Local accommodation in the mountains of Polo. Costs RD$ 350 a person for a shared room or RD$ 1000 for a private 2-person room. The second floor has beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Breakfast and dinner options for an extra price. Located at the bottom of Polo.
RD$ 350 .
Villa Altagracia - An upscale, beautiful house that can be rented out for about RD$ 3000 and can accommodate around 10 people. Located in Las Auyamas. The manager lives to the left of the church. His name is Alvaro (829-432-3314) and he can assist you. From Polo, turn left on the gravel road just before the Church of God (Iglesia de Dios) in Las Auyamas.
Rancho Lembert - Can accommodate up to 14 guests and available through booking.com. Located in Las Auyamas on a gravel road just up the hill from Villa Altagracia.
What should you buy?
Market Day every Sunday morning in the main plaza selling used clothes and all kinds of fruits and vegetables from the region.
Where to go next?
Guaguas leave the small park on the edge of town near the school to Barahona from 07:00 until 14:00 every 30 minutes. RD$ 100 (2018).
A gravel road in usually poor condition (must have 4x4 vehicle) takes you down the mountain the back way and you end up in the beach town of Los Cocos, south of Barahona .
Nearby in Enriquillo
More places to explore around Polo.
Guide content as of June 2026. Portions adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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