Bayahíbe Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Photo provided by Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic
Despite being one of the most popular resort areas in the region, this former fishing village still captivates with its lovely beaches and laid-back tropical charm.

Set in a scenic bay, the seaside village of Bayahibe is one of the most popular resorts in the Dominican Republic. Visitors are attracted by the low-key vibe, lovely beaches and the unparalleled scuba and snorkeling opportunities in the nearby Parque del Este national park. Spend your days reveling in the beauty of the area's beaches and coral reefs and your nights eating the daily catch at romantic waterfront restaurants.

Bayahibe was originally settled by Puerto Rican fishermen in the 19th century. Although it remained a sleepy little fishing village for more than a century, it is now a tourist-oriented resort where a slow pace of life endures.

Life revolves around the beach here. Laze on public sands of Playa Bayahibe or sunbathe on the extensive Playa Dominicus south of the town, home to several major tourist resorts. If you visit the latter, look for the striped lighthouse bar, a great spot for a sundowner.

Go to the harbor in the morning and join the crowds waiting to board ferries to Isla Saona. This island, part of the Parque del Este national park, boasts breathtaking beaches, complete with snow-white sand, palms and warm, aqua water. Bars, live music and hawkers add to the lively atmosphere. Find a more peaceful scene on the smaller Isla Catalina, where a coral reef and a shark-frequented dive site lure scuba divers and snorkelers.

For a culture fix, make the journey to Cueva del Puente. Inside the stalagmite and stalactite-adorned interior are cave paintings completed by the island’s early Taíno inhabitants. Further south, the Cueva Peñon Gordo also features pictographs.

To further explore the national park, consider hiring a guide to show you around. The park is vast, spreading out across 120 square miles (310 square kilometers). A fascinating array of species live here, including more than 500 different types of flora, over 100 different bird species and gorgeous sea creatures including bottlenose dolphins and West Indian manatees.

Bayahibe is located on the Dominican Republic’s southeast coast. The nearest airport is La Romana, which is about 20 minutes away by car.

Sunscape Dominicus La Romana - All Inclusive
Sunscape Dominicus La Romana - All Inclusive
3.5 out of 5
Playa Dominicus, 22000, Bayahibe (La Romana), San Rafael del Yuma, La Altagracia
The price is AU$460 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
AU$460
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 3.5-star beach property in San Rafael del Yuma. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (93 reviews)
"Had a great time at Sunscape. Its my second visit and probably my go to place when I visit DR again. Had so much fun. Thanks to some people that made it great Isabel at the front bar she was great she knows so much. Elvin Rosa at the Choptic Restaurant he went over and beyond every time he saw me ..."

Reviewed on 21 Oct. 2024

Sunscape Dominicus La Romana - All Inclusive
HM Alma de Bayahibe - All Inclusive - Adults Only
HM Alma de Bayahibe - All Inclusive - Adults Only
4 out of 5
Los Corales s/n, Bayahibe, San Rafael del Yuma, La Altagracia
The price is AU$268 per night from 6 Nov to 7 Nov
AU$268
includes taxes & fees
6 Nov - 7 Nov
Stay at this 4-star all-inclusive hotel in San Rafael del Yuma. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
7.6/10 Good! (273 reviews)
"The service was excellent. The staff was polite. The transportation was on time. My reservation for the Italian, Mexican and Dominican was excellent."

Reviewed on 29 Oct. 2024

HM Alma de Bayahibe - All Inclusive - Adults Only
Dreams Dominicus La Romana - All Inclusive
Dreams Dominicus La Romana - All Inclusive
4 out of 5
Playa Bayahibe, San Rafael del Yuma, La Altagracia
The price is AU$588 per night from 6 Nov to 7 Nov
AU$588
includes taxes & fees
6 Nov - 7 Nov
Stay at this 4-star beach property in San Rafael del Yuma. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"The resort is not huge so it’s easy to get around. The beach is beautiful. The preferred club seemed to have a lot more benefits for those than without. Dreams has a good allergy policy in place which was reassuring when travelling with severe allergies. Food was good! Travel from airport to resort ..."

Reviewed on 3 Nov. 2024

Dreams Dominicus La Romana - All Inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Los Flamencos Aparthotel
Los Flamencos Aparthotel
3.5 out of 5
Avenida Fuller, Dominicus Americanus Bay, San Rafael del Yuma, La Altagracia
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in San Rafael del Yuma. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
7.6/10 Good! (123 reviews)
Nice
"Excellent hotels. Recommend"

Reviewed on 4 Sep. 2024

Los Flamencos Aparthotel
Private Villa 3 bedrooms 3.5 Bath with private pool, close to beautiful beaches
Private Villa 3 bedrooms 3.5 Bath with private pool, close to beautiful beaches
San Rafael del Yuma
Stay at this villa in San Rafael del Yuma. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and patios. Popular attractions Bayahibe Beach and Dominicus Beach are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Sencillamente Extraordinario
"Realmente vivimos una experiencia muy bonita junto a mi familia , pasamos varios días en esta casita que nos encantó , es muy acogedora , cómoda , moderna tiene una excelente ubicación está a minutos del pueblito que es un encanto está lleno de vida nocturna , deliciosos restaurantes, la gente es ..."

Reviewed on 16 Oct. 2023

Private Villa 3 bedrooms 3.5 Bath with private pool, close to beautiful beaches
Idyllic brand new apartment
Idyllic brand new apartment
Dominicus
Stay at this apartment in San Rafael del Yuma. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and a garden. Popular attractions Dominicus Beach and Bayahibe Beach are located ...
6/10 (2 reviews)
Not Idyllic at all Terrible do not rent from this owner not responsible or responsive
"The nightmare began on check in after traveling all 2 1/2 days to get there, the front desk had no record of us, it took about 40- 50 minutes (after a 1 1/2 drive to get there) to contact the owner to verify we rented the place. The place is run down, no coffee maker, filthy stove that had only one ..."

Reviewed on 18 Apr. 2024

Idyllic brand new apartment
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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