Bayahibe

While the town of Bayahibe is fun to explore and walk around, the real draw is its gorgeous coastline. The beach borders clear turquoise water, whose clarity makes an excellent spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. If you can tear yourself away from the sand, explore the area on horseback or by bike. Bayahibe is also a gateway to the island of Saona, located 45 minutes away by boat.

• Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit, beach towel, and reef-safe sunscreen for your trip to Bayahibe.
• Most businesses in Bayahibe do not accept credit cards. You can pull out cash from the ATMs at the town’s bank near Hotel Villa Iguana.
• The town makes an excellent base for exploring National Park of the East (Parque Nacional del Este).

Bayahibe is 43 miles (70 kilometers) from Punta Cana and 89 miles (143 kilometers) from Santo Domingo. The town is difficult to reach via public transport so the best option is to drive or book a guided tour. The nearest airport is in La Romana, about 10 miles (15 kilometers) to the east.

Conditions in Bayahibe tend to be sunny, hot, and humid most of the year, with only the occasional bout of rain. Plan to arrive in the morning to stake out the best place in the sand. After the sun goes down, a series of beach bars create a lively night time atmosphere.

The village of Bayahibe enjoys easy access to four different beaches. The main public beach is lined with a few restaurants and shops, and tends to get lively on weekends. The smaller Magallanes Beach doesn’t look like much, but it’s actually one of the best snorkeling spots in the region, and has excellent visibility. Dominicus Public Beach (Playa Publica Dominicus), a bit further away, attracts more tourists, while the private Anani Beach requires an entrance fee but provides amenities such as a bar, restaurant, beach beds, and Wi-Fi.

Bayahibe is known for being a resort town with some of the best scuba diving in the Dominican Republic thanks to reefs not far from town. It’s also known for being a jumping-off point to visit Cotubanamá National Park and islands off the south coast of the Dominican Republic.

Many of the main activities that visitors can enjoy in Bayahibe are suitable for families with kids. Besides going to the beach and swimming, other family-friendly activities include snorkeling from catamarans to see the local reefs and marine life, as well as riding e-bikes through Cotubanamá National Park.

Yes, taking day trips to visit nearby islands from Bayahibe is a popular thing to do among tourists. Day trips from Bayahibe to Saona Island and Catalina Island are easy to do and typically include sailing to the island by catamaran, swimming or snorkeling, and free time at a beach.

Besides its beaches, Bayahibe has a variety of attractions near it for tourists to visit. Altos de Chavón, just outside La Romana, has been built as a replica village with a medieval look and hosts a regional archaeological museum. There are also several caves nearby, including Cueva Padre Nuestro and Cueva del Puente.

While the weather in Bayahibe mostly stays consistent year-round, the best time to visit is between December and March. This is the dry season for the Dominican Republic, meaning less rain and lower humidity. To avoid the high-season crowds, come in April or May before the weather turns wet.

You can book a variety of tours or a private speedboat to get to Saona Island from Bayahibe for the day. Most visitors to Saona Island travel there with a shared speedboat or large catamaran directly from the town, enjoying the social atmosphere as they have lunch and drinks onboard.