Polo

The Polo Magnético: the car seems to climb on its own

The Polo Magnético is on that road. On the marked stretch you put the car in neutral, and it seems to climb the slope on its own.7, 4

It's an optical illusion. The curve of the land, the trees and the horizon fool the eye, and the road actually goes downhill.4, 7

Green hills and coffee in the Sierra de Bahoruco

Polo is a municipality in Barahona province, in the Sierra de Bahoruco, more than 700 meters up and surrounded by mountains that reach 1,680 meters.4, 7

It's known for its green hills and its coffee. It has 7,646 residents, according to the 2022 census.8, 4

Café Barahona, with a designation of origin

IDIAF studied the coffee of the Polo-Barahona area to create the Café Barahona designation of origin, which protects the region's arabica coffee.5

In Polo there's an organic coffee growers' cooperative and a women's cooperative.6

Every year, the Fundación Cultural Cofradía holds Festicafé, which celebrates the organic coffee harvest and includes a Coffee Route with tastings.6

Hazard lights for the test

• If you try the Polo Magnético, check first that nobody is coming behind you and turn on your hazard lights.
• If you're going for Festicafé, confirm the date before you set out.