Most visitors pass through Bayahíbe without noticing it. They arrive by bus from Punta Cana at 8am, walk across the beach onto a catamaran to Saona, and are bussed back in the evening.
Stay a night and it's a different place: a small fishing village with some of the calmest, clearest water in the country.
Where it is
On the south-east coast, just east of La Romana, roughly halfway between Santo Domingo and Punta Cana. About two hours from the capital and an hour to an hour and a half from Punta Cana, which makes it an easy stop between the two; see Santo Domingo to Punta Cana.
Village or Dominicus?
- Bayahíbe village: small guesthouses, fishermen, the dive shops, restaurants on the water. The place to stay for character.
- Dominicus: a short way along the coast, with the all-inclusive resorts and a long public beach.
What to do
The boats to Saona and Catalina. This is where nearly every Saona trip actually leaves from. Staying here means you can go early, before the buses from Punta Cana arrive. See the Saona Island day trip.
Diving and snorkelling. Bayahíbe is widely considered the best diving area in the country: calm water, reefs and wrecks inside the Cotubanamá National Park area.
Altos de Chavón. A replica Mediterranean village above the Chavón river, near La Romana, with an amphitheatre and one of the best views in the country. Go late in the day when the groups have left.
The beach. The public beach at Dominicus is long and calm, and good for families.
Getting there
By car or private transfer from Santo Domingo or Punta Cana, or by bus to La Romana and a taxi on from there. More options in getting around the Dominican Republic.
Is it for you?
Bayahíbe suits divers, couples, anyone who finds Punta Cana too big, and people doing the capital-to-coast trip who want a night in between. For the other regions, see where to stay in the Dominican Republic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bayahíbe worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you want somewhere quieter than Punta Cana, with calm water and a real village. It's also the main departure point for Saona Island trips.How far is Bayahíbe from Punta Cana?
Roughly an hour to an hour and a half by road, depending on where in Punta Cana you start. It's about two hours from Santo Domingo.Is Bayahíbe good for diving and snorkelling?
It's widely considered the best diving area in the Dominican Republic, with calm, clear water, reefs and wrecks, and it's inside the Cotubanamá National Park area.Where do the boats to Saona leave from?
Most Saona and Catalina trips leave from Bayahíbe's beach, including those sold in Punta Cana, which bus visitors here first.