In the early 90s, not far from Barahona, the biggest city of the southwest of the island, a Swiss doctor realized his vacationdream right by the ocean. Where fishermen, farmers and small traders work and live with their families, away from the established tourism about 60km from the Haitian border on a small peninsula he founded the “Campo Suizo” - the Swiss camp. One main building with reception, bar and restaurant, two guest houses with ocean view, palm and almond tree orchards that lead straight to the coast and the private beach. Since summer 1999, Susanna Knapp, a friendly articulate and liberal-minded Swiss woman – called Doña Susanna by the locals – is in charge of the camp. Her qualities to mediate a familiar atmosphere to arrange extraordinarily delicious meals and to pass on a positive way of life have already spread all the way to St. Domingo.
Here you can get to know the “other Caribean”
You can expect a stimulating breakfast table, a most appetitzingly set dinner table for all guests together – a French Table d`Hôte – consisting of daily fresh caught fish as Carite (a personal tip), Dorado, Coloraos, langostinos, crabs and also local specialities as a Fishsoup with Coco, Sancocho (the National plate of the Dominicans), regional vegetables, a great varity of fruit and wonderful caribean cocktails. Ernest Hemingway would have enjoyed it.
On the daily colourful lively market (also Sundays) in the near-by city of Barahona you will meet most friendly local habitants and you will find very special shopping offers.
Walks into the mountains or to the Lago Enriquillo, to the Haitian market in Pedernales, daytrips to the Bahia de las Aguilas organized and accompanied by the friendly French couple Olivier and Marianne (they speaks English too) or to other beaches, beautiful villages like La Cienaga, Paraiso and Los Patos.
The evenings are spent at the colmados (little store with outdoor seating) on the African-like coast-roads, drinking Presidente (the best beer of the island), the different rum-variations, and eating small fried dishes like “Pollo frito, Pescado frito con Tostones (Platanos)”. At the Colmadon" in Baoruco or at Daisy’s Colmado, near by dancing Merengue, Bachata, Salsa and new Reggaeton – the locals will teach you how – you will feel like you entered a different world and will discover completely new rhythm-qualities within your own body.
In the guest-houses you will find clean and plainly furnished rooms for one to three persons incl. own bathrooms with shower. Fans.
You reach Casablanca in the “Campo Suizo” by airconditioned buses (Caribetour) from St. Domingo to Barahona (300 Pesos). The three-hour-drive along the road can bee seen as your first sightseeing-tour across the island to get to know the area. From Barahona you take a taxi (400 Pesos) to Juan Esteban (10 Km), to your accommodation
“Casablanca” with its guests and visitors from all around the world reminds of the meeting point of various different people in the cult-movie with identical title that Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergmann played, in unforgettable manner. The basketball trainer from New York with his family, the business woman from St. Domingo, the farmer from Columbia, the Swiss pilot with her crew, the globetrotter from Finland, the critic and fotographer from Venezuela, the gastronomy couple from Paris. UNESCO employees from Spain and Puerto Rico, Peace Corps workers from Germany, bikers and scuba divers from Europe, Noth and South and Central America enjoy the “other Caribean” and emphasize the uniqueness of the vacation on the “island on the island”.
Reservations can be made directly over the homepage or phone (001 829 740 12 30 and 829 794 12 30). If you are in the area just stop by and have a drink so we can get to know each other.
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