The harbour
Colourful boats.
Cochoncarlos — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oleg Yunakov — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oleg Yunakov — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oleg Yunakov — CC BY-SA 4.0
A small fishing village on the Caribbean, founded in 1874 by Juan Brito's family from Puerto Rico, which became the gateway for trips to Saona and Catalina islands and Cotubanamá National Park without losing its simple character. Colourful fishing boats and catamarans line the village harbour in clear emerald water; on the small beach people sit under sea-grape trees, and wooden houses and small restaurants serve fresh fish and lobster. Boat trips start here in the morning, so the harbour is busy for an hour before quietening. Bayahibe is also one of the country's best dive spots, with shipwrecks and nearby reefs, and next to it lies long Dominicus beach with its hotels. The village is loveliest at sunset over the sea from its pier, as the boats come home. It is hot and humid, with plenty of mosquitoes at dusk, so bring repellent. Pork is common in local dishes, so ask about ingredients. The sun is strong all year, so carry water, a hat and sunscreen.
Colourful boats.
Reefs and wrecks.
From the pier.
South-east coast, about 16 km east of La Romana
Bayahibe is calmer and closer to Saona and Catalina; Punta Cana has more resorts, longer beaches and services.