Discovering Paradise
Bayahibe
Experience Bayahibe, a charming fishing village and gateway to Saona Island.
☀️December to April
🌡️28°C (82°F)
✈️La Romana International (LRM) or Punta Cana (PUJ)
Quick Facts
🌡️
Avg Temperature
28°C (82°F)
☀️
Best Months
December to April
✈️
Nearest Airport
La Romana International (LRM) or Punta Cana (PUJ)
Bayahíbe is a charming fishing village that somehow survived the resort boom with its soul intact. Yes, there are all-inclusive hotels nearby, but the village itself remains authentically Dominican — colorful wooden boats bob in the harbor, fishermen mend nets at dawn, and Dominican families run the seafood restaurants lining the beach.
It's the gateway to two of the country's most spectacular natural areas: Parque Nacional del Este (now Parque Nacional Cotubanamá) and Isla Saona. The diving and snorkeling here are among the best in the Caribbean, with healthy coral reefs, underwater caves, and shipwrecks.
Bayahíbe offers the rare combination of resort convenience with village authenticity — you can spend the morning at a world-class dive site and the afternoon eating fresh-caught fish at a family restaurant on the beach.
Ideal
Good
Rainy
Apr
22° — 30°
💧💧
Aug
24° — 32°
💧💧
Dec
21° — 29°
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Feb
21° — 29°
💧💧
Jan
21° — 29°
💧💧
Jul
24° — 32°
💧💧
Jun
24° — 32°
💧💧
Mar
21° — 30°
💧💧
May
23° — 31°
💧💧💧
Nov
22° — 30°
💧💧
Oct
23° — 31°
💧💧💧
Sep
24° — 32°
💧💧💧
Temperature in °C💧 = ~5 rain days
Bayahíbe sits on the southeastern coast, about 30 minutes east of La Romana.
By Air
La Romana International Airport (LRM) is the closest airport, just 25 minutes away. It receives flights from select US and Canadian cities. Alternatively, Punta Cana (PUJ) is about 1.5 hours east, and Santo Domingo (SDQ) is 2 hours west.
By Bus
Take a Caribe Tours or Metro bus to La Romana, then a local guagua (RD$100) or taxi to Bayahíbe. Total from Santo Domingo: about 2.5 hours.
By Car
From Santo Domingo, take the autopista del Este toward La Romana. The turnoff to Bayahíbe is well-signed. The road is good and the drive is straightforward — about 1 hour 45 minutes without traffic.
Bayahíbe has two distinct accommodation zones: the village itself and the resort strip.
Bayahíbe Village
Small guesthouses, dive-lodge combos, and family-run hotels sit right in the fishing village. Prices are very reasonable (US$40-80/night). You'll be steps from the beach, local restaurants, and dive shops. This is the authentic option.
Dominicus Beach
A few kilometers east of the village, the Dominicus area has larger all-inclusive resorts including Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus and Dreams Dominicus. These offer the full resort experience with pools, buffets, and entertainment.
Viva Dominicus
One of the most popular mid-range all-inclusive options, with Italian management and surprisingly good food for the price point.
Diving & Snorkeling
Bayahíbe is the DR's top dive destination. The reef system at Parque Nacional Cotubanamá is pristine, with visibility often exceeding 30 meters. Highlights include the St. George shipwreck, the underwater cave at Padre Nuestro, and the coral gardens off Isla Catalina. PADI-certified dive shops in the village offer packages starting at US$60 for two dives.
Isla Saona
Day trips to this palm-fringed island depart from the Bayahíbe dock daily. The trip includes a catamaran ride, the famous shallow sandbar "piscina natural," and a beach barbecue on the island. Tours run US$50-80 per person.
Parque Nacional Cotubanamá
Beyond diving, the national park offers hiking trails through dry forest, Taíno cave art at Cueva de Padre Nuestro, and freshwater cenotes perfect for swimming. Boat access from Bayahíbe dock.
Village Life
Wander the village at sunset when fishermen return with the day's catch. Buy a lobster straight from the boat and have a beachfront restaurant cook it for you for a small fee.
- Book Saona Island independently. Village operators charge US$50-60 vs. US$90+ through resorts. Walk to the dock and negotiate directly — boats leave around 9am.
- Dive with local shops. Scubacaribe and Casa Daniel are well-established dive operators in the village with excellent safety records and multi-dive discounts.
- Eat at Saona Café on the main village street for the best wood-fired pizza outside of Italy. Run by an Italian expat who nails it.
- Don't skip Padre Nuestro. The freshwater cenote is a 10-minute boat ride from the dock and is far less crowded than Saona. Perfect for snorkeling.
- Visit Isla Catalina instead of Saona if you hate crowds. Smaller, less touristy, and the snorkeling at "The Wall" is spectacular.
- Bring water shoes. Some beaches in the national park have rocky entries.
Sample Itineraries
Bayahíbe Dive & Beach Day
World-class diving and authentic fishing village charm.
🌅 Morning3.5h
Two-Tank Reef Dive
Dive the pristine reefs of Parque Nacional Cotubanamá. See coral gardens, tropical fish, and possibly the St. George shipwreck.
National Park reefs
Tip: Book with a village dive shop — Scubacaribe or Casa Daniel are excellent.
☀️ Afternoon2.5h
Village Beach & Lunch
Swim at the village beach, then lunch at a beachfront restaurant. Order fresh-caught fish — the fishermen sell directly to the kitchens.
Bayahíbe village
🌙 Evening1.5h
Sunset from the Dock
Watch the fishing boats return as the sun sets over the bay. Buy a cold Presidente and find a spot on the dock.
Bayahíbe dock
Practical Information
🚗 Getting Around
Resort Transfer(Usually included)
Most hotels arrange transfers from LRM or PUJ airports.
Taxi from La Romana(US$20-30)
About 30 min drive from La Romana airport.
Boat to Saona Island(US$50-80 excursion)
Day trips to Saona Island leave from Bayahibe dock.
💵 Daily Budget
BudgetUS$80-120
Mid-rangeUS$150-250
LuxuryUS$300-500+
🛡️ Safety Tips
- ✓Bayahibe is a quiet fishing village — very safe for tourists
- ✓Wear water shoes for reef areas
- ✓Book diving trips with certified operators
- ✓Carry small bills for local vendors
📶 Connectivity
Good. Hotels have WiFi. 4G available. Smaller village feel — fewer amenities than Punta Cana.
💰 Tipping
10% service charge (propina legal) included in restaurant bills. Tip extra 5-10% for excellent service. Hotel housekeeping: RD$50-100/day. Tour guides: US$5-10/person.
Photo Gallery
Beautiful Beaches
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bayahíbe good for diving beginners?
Excellent for beginners. The reefs are shallow (10-20m), the water is warm and calm, and visibility is typically 20-30m. PADI-certified dive shops in the village offer Discover Scuba courses and Open Water certification.
Should I go to Saona Island or Isla Catalina?
Saona is the classic experience — bigger, more famous, with the iconic sandbar "natural pool." Catalina is smaller, less crowded, and has better snorkeling at "The Wall." If you hate crowds, choose Catalina. For the quintessential excursion, choose Saona.
Can I stay in the village instead of a resort?
Yes, and it's a great choice. The fishing village has guesthouses and dive lodges from US$40-80/night. You'll be steps from the beach, local restaurants, and dive shops — with more character than the resort zone.
How far is Bayahíbe from Punta Cana?
About 1.5 hours by car via the autopista. Many Punta Cana visitors do Bayahíbe excursions as day trips, but staying in Bayahíbe gives you a more authentic and relaxed experience.
What's the best time to visit Bayahíbe?
December through April for the driest weather and best diving visibility. However, Bayahíbe is enjoyable year-round — even in rainy season, showers are typically brief afternoon affairs.
Nearby Destinations
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Plan Your Bayahibe Trip
Everything you need to plan an unforgettable visit.
Nearest airport: La Romana International (LRM) or Punta Cana (PUJ)