Bayahibe & La Romana - Culture

Home to numerous catamarans and brightly coloured wooden fishing boats, Bayahibe is a tiny fishing village with a picturesque harbour and a strong Dominican feel. There is an abundance of cabanas, small pensions and a few restaurants that can still give visitors the sense of a bygone time when the inhabitants of Bayahibe lived in harmony with the sea. The village consists of one main street, with small streets branching off from it, along which you’ll find a handful of small shack restaurants and bars serving a variety of local Dominican dishes.

Bayahibe is growing to become a tourist city; it is a complete Vacation area for the entire family. One can eat well and for moderate prices in more than 5 restaurants, especially local specialities such as seafood, and also pasta, rice, and meat dishes. A few simple hotels can be found here and several small beach bars. This is a prime place to chill out in a funky, easygoing, end-of-the-road town. There are plans afoot to locate more resorts in the area, so get there sooner rather than later if you want to enjoy Bayahibe’s understated charms.

They say Bayahibe is one of the nicest small-sized beach towns in the Caribbean with a laid-back atmosphere. The stretch of sand near the town is short and shaded by palm trees, but there’s another very nice beach just to the east with a mile of white sand. The wonderful sand beach is open to the public and it is of the pleasure of all those who like to get in touch with local people. For night entertainment, a village disco and a bar provide two more meeting points. Bayahibe especially addresses people, who are not complicated and could do without luxury but do not want to miss a typical Dominican atmosphere.

Depending on the resort, there is something for everyone here. If you want an emphasis on sports activities, it's here. If you want to sit in the shade, relax and read a good book, you can. If you want to dance merengue all day and at the disco all night, go for it! 

There are day trips to the capital city of Santo Domingo, to explore the colonial past of the Caribbean's first established city. Bayahibe is next to nr.1 excursion target "Saona Island". Visitors can easily get to the off-shore wildlife preserves of Catalina and Saona that houses the National Park of the East. This park is the focus of international archaeological interest as well as media attention as scientists and anthropologists continue to unearth traces of the first inhabitants on the island - the Taino Tribe.

La Romana is a place with first-rate lodging, great golf, excellent dining and five-star service. La Romana is home to the tiny Minitas beach and lagoon as well as the long Bayahibe beach, which is palm-fringed and crescent-shaped.

You’ll find shop sells souvenirs and international newspapers and magazines. Shopping in Altos de Chavón is an experience. Craft shops in the artists' colony offer a variety of items, including handmade jewellery and pottery.