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5 Days in Bayahibe Itinerary
If you are planning 5 days in Bayahibe this is the itinerary you need! Most people come to the Dominican Republic but don’t make it past Punta Cana. Honestly we think this is such a mistake…Bayahibe is our favourite out of the three places we have visited so far in the Dominican Republic.
We prefer Bayahibe over Punta Cana as it is quieter and calmer, there are only a couple of resorts here which tells you how small it is. The town is full of a unique relaxed local vibe, you can really soak up the atmosphere here. Bayahibe also makes an excellent base for Saona Island day trips as all of these trips leave from the Bayahibe beach harbour.
In our itinerary you will get everything you need to know to enjoy your time in Bayahibe. We give you the best accommodation options (resort and non-resort), the best restaurants, tours that are worth your money as well as the best beaches to visit. The beaches in Bayahibe are perfect for slow sunny days, they really are unique. Bayahibe is a must to add to your Dominican Republic Itinerary.
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QUICK OVERVIEW OF YOUR 5 DAYS IN BAYAHIBE
- Day 1: Arrival + beach
- Day 2: Dominicus Beach
- Day 3: Saona Island tour
- Day 4: Relax + snorkelling / optional tour
- Day 5: Slow morning + local experience
WHERE IS BAYAHIBE + WHY VISIT
Bayahibe is a fishing village that is starting to become more popular amongst travellers. Located 25km from La Romana and 70km from Punta Cana, sitting on the south coast of the Dominican Republic. This is important as due to its location the beaches here usually are not as affected by the sargasm seaweed that can flank Punta Cana beaches. It is significantly smaller, more walkable, less crowded and better value than Punta Cana.
THINGS TO DO IN BAYAHIBE (Quick List)
If you are short on time these are the absolute best things to do in Bayahibe that can’t be missed!
- Relax at Dominicus Beach for the clearest water and best sand in the area.
- Take a day trip to Saona Island, it is magic!
- Visit Catalina Island for the best reefs, diving and snorkelling.
- Head out snorkelling or diving in the marine park, get your SCUBA ticket or just take a fun trip.
- Enjoy the local vibes at Bayahibe town and beach
- Watch sunset over the ocean in Bayahibe at Saona Cafe
- Go on a jungle or cenote tour in Cotubanamรก National Park
DAY 1: ARRIVE + BEACH WALK
Your first day in Bayahibe has to be settling into your hotel and then discovering the town and beach. There are lots of things to do Bayahibe and we will cover them all in the coming days. Take the first day to relax and unwind. We stayed in a self contained apartment which was modern and very well located, it was the perfect base for a slower beach trip and we loved it! After checking in take a walk along the local beach, wander into town, grab some supplies and get your bearings. Spend the rest of the day on the Bayahibe local beach or at your resort beach if you have one.
Bayahibe Beach has a more relaxed local vibe than Punta Cana beaches. Here you will be chilling with the locals. You can grab a drink from one of the many vendors in the sand behind you and they will offer you chairs for the day. Alternatively bring your own and throw out your towel, swim and people watch. This beach gets busy on weekends when all the local familes come out to enjoy. There will be music, meals and kids having a ball. Stay for sunset before either grabbing dinner in town or at your resort, you will find the Secrets Resort and Dreams Resort right here on the sand which are incredible all inclusive options.
DAY 2: Dominicus Beach
Spending the day at Dominicus Beach Bayahibe is a must do, in fact it is the prettiest beach in the area. We could have spent a few days here just soaking it up. This is definitely one of the best beaches Bayahibe for its clear water and soft sand.
What to do at Dominicus Beach
Stay here for the day, there is a caravan that serves icy cold Presidente Beer for 250DOP and great pina colada cocktails to take away for 400DOP. There is a restaurant where you can go and get takeaway meals or they will deliver to you on the beach. Throw your towel down in the sand or find the guys setting up the sun beds and get a set of sunbeds and an umbrella for 1000DOP. This is standard pricing and there is a sign up to see the variations. We arrived early and were able to get a sun bed on the front row, it was perfect! If you are not staying at an all inclusive resort right on the beach then this is the beach you want to spend your time at.
How to get from Bayahibe to Dominicus Beach
We came here on the local mini bus from Bayahibe which cost only 50DOP per person. The buses are small and can fill up quickly. You pay when you get off, let the driver know where you are going. Look for the location name in the front window, there will be a sign saying Dominicus Beach or Bayahibe.
To go to the beach we stood right out front of our apartment and the buses came along here. To leave Dominicus Beach we walked to this spot, just up from the MYA Market and waited for a bus with Bayahibe on it that turned the corner, this is the one that goes into Bayahibe rather than dropping you off on the outer town corner. There is a bus stop to the right from here but that is a different bus. You want to get on the one that turns the corner at the Italian Shop, if you are unsure ask the locals they will help you.
DAY 3: SAONA ISLAND TOUR
A Saona Island tour is a absolute must do in Bayahibe, and is a lot easier to do from here. You will skip the couple of hours drive on a bus as all the tours leave from the harbour here. There are lots of tour options, there are a few different types of trips you can choose to go by speedboat, catamaran , these are the most popular:
SeaVis Saona Island Tour by Speedboat: an adventure with speedboat to the most remote and the most beautiful beaches on Saona Island. Highlights are Mano Juan Village, Sea Turtle Project, Canto de la Playa and the Starfish Sandbank. This is the one we did.
Saona Island: Small Group Virgin Beaches Cruise Day Trip: Discover the beauty of the wild beach of Canto de la Playa, the fishermen village and the National Park aboard a comfortable boat. Visit the turtle nursery and get a chance to see hatchlings.
Catamaran Boat to Saona Island with Buffet Lunch: Visit Isla Saona, explore this quintessential tropical beach with swaying palm trees, bone-white sand, and lapping turquoise waters.
What to expect
We went with this tour to Saona Island and really think it is the best option as it has a more eco friendly focus, rather than being a typical all out ‘booze cruise’. This is a speedboat option that gets you there when the crowds are lower. You visit the beaches, turtle centre, local island town and natural pool. Have lunch on the beachfront and there are drinks included at all locations. It really is a brilliant day, Check availability here. I have written a post on our whole day explaining what you can expect and what we thought of each location.
DAY 4: RELAX OR OPTIONAL TOURS
There are lots of Bayahibe excursions to do from here so for today you can spend an extra day at your favourite beach or head out on a tour to check out more of the area. These are our top picks for Bayahibe, the ones that are worth dragging yourself off the beaches for:
Things to do near Bayahibe Options:
Snorkelling / Diving
Bayahibe is one of the best diving spots in the Dominican Republic, you can do diving or snorkelling from here and there are lots of options-this is the best reviewed.
- Scuba Diving Initiation by Go Dive Bayahibe: Dive into an aquatic dream where colorful corals and dancing fish await you. In a small group of 2 to 4, experience an intimate and unforgettable adventure, all while safety is our top priority.
- National Park Jungle Walk & Snorkeling in Cenotes: Travel from Bayahibe to walk through the lush jungle of the Cotubanama National Park. Snorkel in Cenotes Chicho natural pool of crystal-clear water under stalactites and stalagmites.
- Cenotes Scuba Diving – Godive Bayahibe: After a journey through the jungle, dive into the stunning cenote El Chicho. Explore its crystal-clear waters and admire the play of light, all while enjoying a safe and magical experience.
Catalina Island Tour
Catalina Island is another great tour, I would definitely do Saona Island first but if you have a spare day then this is the second one I would do. It has better snorkelling as well.
- Catalina Island Snorkeling and Diving Tour: Embark on a snorkeling and diving tour to Catalina Island from Bayahibe. Enjoy a buffet lunch and drinks on the island, and take a dance class.
- Catalina Island Comfort: Snorkeling & Catamaran Experience: Full day tour on a luxurious catamaran. Snorkeling in the open waters of the Caribbean next to the island of Catalina. Lunch, open bar and free time on one of Catalinaโs best beaches
Culture or Adventure Tours:
These tours are either adventurous options or they are cultural, either way they are a great way to experience Bayahibe and the Dominican Republic.
- Dominican Life & Flavors from Bayahibe – Half Day Tour: Explore the real authentic rural and city life of the Dominican Republic in small groups.
- From Bayahibe: Half Day Monkeyland Safari:Get the unique chance to interact with a family of squirrel monkeys at a center run by a Canadian couple. Let the monkeys eat right from a fruit bowl in your hands and pose for pictures for you. Explore the enclosures and botanical gardens.
- From Bayahibe: Half-day La Romana ATV or 4X4 Buggy Tour: Awaken your adventurous spirit with our Buggy Excursion in Bayahibe. From the vibrant culture of the bateyes to the excitement in the waters of the Chavรณn River
- Bayahibe: Larimar Stone Jewelry Making: At private workshop in Dominicus, you to create your own necklace or bracelet using Larimar, a semi-precious stone whose only mine in the world is located in the Dominican Republic.
DAY 5: SLOW MORNING + LOCAL EXPERIENCE
A beach morning in Bayahibe is the best way to spend the day, it would be hard for me not to head back to Dominicus Beach for my last day. It really is the perfect place to soak up. Otherwise head to the Bayahibe local beach or your resort beach.
Spend some time strolling the town, soak up the chill vibes and people watch. We loved watching the sunset from near the harbour. Grab dinner from a seaside spot and sunset drinks by the harbour.
In the evening head to the Colmado Bayahibe which is the local store/pub/friends house. It is a one stop shop where locals head in to grab a beer and sit outside in the fresh air having a drink. In Bayahibe it is green and serves a freezing cold Presidente beer. Mike loved this, chilling with the locals and everyone enjoying themselves. For a late night snack you need to walk across the road to the empanada stand and order your flavour. Eat them hot and fresh, made right in front of you.
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Best Restaurants In Bayahibe
There are some great restaurants in Bayahibe, excellent high end options but also some fabulous local places that are really affordable.
Saona Cafe This is one of the most popular waterfront dining spots in Bayahibe, they have great seafood and do happy hour specials. The cocktails at sunset are really popular with travellers. It is definitely a spot to come to grab a drink and a snack.
Mare Nuestro Super popular and a gorgeous location at the waterfront, this one gets really busy around sunset and is a perfect spot to watch it from.
Mama Mia Spaghetteria Casual and well-reviewed this super popular IItalian restaurant is always busy, they cater to gluten free also.
Restaurante Playa BarcoBar Check this one out for the beachfront vibes, it is great for sunset!
Our top picks for local food are:
Restaurante y comedor yadiel: the best and cheapest local meal! We ate here regularly and it is a massive meal. You can choose from rice and peas, a chicken stew or fried chicken up at the buffet. It is essentially a buffet plate of the day and this huge meal only costs 350DOP. TIP-if a lady offers you avocado it is charged separately (it is also huge) at a cost of about 120DOP and you pay her separately.
Navegantes Resto Bar: this restaurant is excellent, grab the plate of the day which is next level good or on a Saturday you will get the special soup-this is so good! It has a mix of meat and vegetables and is a flavour sensation. So worth it.
De china empanadas: a local institution, everyone comes here at some point in the afternoon/evening to get an empanada or two. The couple that run it are lovely and make your order up fresh every time.
PATACON: a great spot run by a family to get a burger, arepa or loaded fries.
Our Bayahibe Itidnerary Map
Where To Stay In Bayahibe
When you are looking at where to stay Bayahibe you have two options, resort or non-resort. Both have their positive points. Resorts are all inclusive options on the beachfront and are the best for convenience. Non-resort hotel options are better value boutique stays with more of a local feel. These are our top picks in both category.
Resorts – All Inclusive
Luxury: Dreams La Romana All-Inclusive Resort & Spa, Secrets La Romana All-Inclusive Adult Only Resort & Spa – stunning all inclusive options, very luxurious. We met lots of people who were staying at these hotels and they were having a wonderful time.
Non-Resort Hotels
Luxury: TRACADERO Beach Club & Holidays Rentals-great pools, resort feel with apartment style rooms
Midrange: Soficu Hotel on the beach bayahibe– Great location and really well liked. Esprit Caribbean Bayahibe – this is where we stayed and loved it!
Budget: Bayahibe Guest House Hotel, EL TOUCAN, Apartament in bayahibe – affordable options, these all have solid reviews.
Cost of 5 Days in Bayahibe (midrange budget)
The Dominican Republic is surprisingly affordable, if you choose for it to be! Bayahibe is one of the best examples of this as it is not as resort heavy as Punta Cana. If you are planning 5 days in Bayahibe this is a realistic midrange budget using a mix of boutique accommodation, local dining, and one or two tours (including Saona Island).
| Accommodation Boutique hotel / non-resort: $80โ$160 per night All-inclusive resort: $180โ$300 per night Total (5 nights): ~$500 USD per person (non-resort) ~$1200 USD per person (resort) Tip: Staying in a smaller hotel in Bayahibe gives you better value and a more local experience, while still being close to the beach. |
| Food & Drinks Local restaurants: ~$10USD per meal Mid-range dining: ~$25USD per meal Coffee/snacks: $5โ$10USD Daily average: $25โ$50USD Total (5 days): $125 โ $250 USD per person Tip: Bayahibe has some of the best and most affordable local options, we have listed them in our best restaurants in Bayahibe section! |
| Tours & Activities Saona Island tour: $70โ$120USD Snorkelling/diving: $25โ$60USD Optional Catalina Island tour: $70โ$110USD Total: $100 โ $250 USD per person Tip: Saona Island is the must do tour in Bayahibe, we recommend booking early to avoid missing out. |
| Transport Punta Cana โ Bayahibe transfer: approximately $50 USD Local taxis/Uber: $5โ$15USD per trip Total: $80 โ $150 USD per person |
| Extras Tips: $30โ$60USD Groceries/snacks: $30โ$60USD Souvenirs: $30โ$100USD Total: $90 โ $200 USD per person |
| Total Estimated Cost for 5 Days in Bayahibe Mid-Range Per Person: $800 โ $1,650 USD Per Couple: $1,600 โ $3,300 USD |
Is Bayahibe Expensive?
Compared to Punta Cana, Bayahibe is significantly better value. The accommodation is cheaper, food is more affordable and experiences feel less โtourist-pricedโ. It is possible to have a relaxed and more affordable time in Bayahibe.
Bayahibe vs Punta Cana: Which Is Better?
This is our comparison of Bayahibe and Punta Cana from our experience visiting both, it will give you an idea of which is worth your time.
- Beaches – The beaches in Punta Cana are beatuiful but they are covered by sun beds and filled with resorts. In Bayahibe the beaches are open and there is lots of space to use without being at a resort. Result: Bayahibe for the open space.
- Price – Punta Cana is heavily touristed so prices are a little higher here. Bayahibe is still a little undiscovered and there are bargains to be found. Result: Bayahibe is more affordable.
- Vibe – Punta Cana has a touristic vibe, it is upbeat and there is a ‘nightlife’ energy in town. Bayahibe is quieter, more local and has a vibrant vibe. It feels naturally upbeat which we loved. Result: Bayahibe for its calm local vibes.
- Accessibility – Punta Cana is easy to get to from the airport, Uber works here as well which is excellent. Bayahibe is a long ride from the airport on a bus and you have to arrange private transfer in Punta Cana if coming from there. Uber also doesn’t really work here either. Result: Punta Cana is much more accessible than Bayahibe.
How To Get To Bayahibe
Private Transfer
Punta Cana to Bayahibe transport is best with either a shuttle or a private transfer. We booked with the In Driver App where you put up your route and what you want to pay. Drivers can accept the fare and most will message you and tell you their pricing. We finally accepted a price for 1600DOP to get from our hotel in Punta Cana to Bayahibe. The driver was perfect, a great driver and good clean car. Definitely ask what type of car it is and make sure all tolls are included in the fare before agreeing. It takes about an hour to get to Bayahibe and is about 70km.
Buses
To get from Bayahibe to Santo Domingo it is about 145km drive. There are big buses you can take which is what we did, however they only leave from La Romana 25km away. We grabbed an Uber from Bayahibe to La Romana to catch the bus which leaves about every half hour and you just buy your ticket when you get there.
Uber
Uber didn’t work well in Bayahibe as they rarely if ever picked up the ride. We got lucky and were able to get one from our accomodation to La Romana but this was after 3 drivers cancelled on us. It really is unreliable and the drivers would message to change the price after taking the fare. The driver that finally picked up the fare was great, didn’t change the price and it cost us 848DOP.
Local Buses
We used local buses to get around in Bayahibe, they cost about 50DOP per person. They can get really full but are the easiest and cheapest way to get around. Have cash ready so you can pay the driver when getting out.
Best Time To Visit Bayahibe
The best time Bayahibe is during December to April when it offers sunny weather and little rain. The skies should be blue and not too windy. If you are looking for a cheaper time then head there in November for shoulder season. We visited in March and it was excellent. The low season is during June to October which is also the hurricane season and we would avoid this.
Is Bayahibe Safe?
Yes! Bayahibe felt the safest of all three locations we visitied in the Dominican Republic. There were loads of police and tourist police out on the roads and around the town. Always use your regular travel safety precautions but this was the one town we felt more at ease.
Mistakes To Avoid
There are a few tips to avoid annoying mistakes in Bayahibe:
- Skipping Dominicus Beach – this is unthinkable! Yes it is a little annoying to take the bus there but it is so nice that you will be glad you went. It is so good I would come back for it.
- Not booking Saona early – this tour sells out, it is the most popular and best tour in the area so booking early will save disappointment.
- Staying only in Punta Cana – Punta Cana is great but there is so much more to see in the Dominican Republic, I think missing out on the local vibe of Bayahibe and the history and culture of Santo Domingo would be a real shame.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bayahibe
Is Bayahibe better than Punta Cana?
Bayahibe and Punta Cana are different and offer different experiences. Bayahibe is smaller, quieter and has a more local feel. Punta Cana is more touristic, busy and full of resorts.
How many days do you need in Bayahibe?
I think 3 days is a minimum for Bayahibe and could stay up to 7 if you wanted to do more tours. 5 is a general happy middle ground where you can spend a few days relaxing on the beach, spend evenings in the cool little town and take a couple of day trips.
Is Bayahibe worth visiting?
Yes, Bayahibe is absolutely worth visiting. It is our favourite place in the Dominican Republic, its beautiful beaches, island day trips and cool local vibes really make it a must visit.
Is Bayahibe safe for tourists?
Bayahibe felt safe to us, we saw lots of police and tourist police around the centre and harbour areas. We do recommend taking usual precautions especially in the evening.
Can you visit Saona Island from Bayahibe?
Bayahibe is actually the best place to visit Saona Island from as it is where all the boats leave from! We did our day trip to Saona Island from Bayahibe and all we had to do was walk to the beach harbour. If you come from Punta Cana you have to sit on a bus for about an hour and a half before and after the day trip.
What is the difference between Bayahibe and Dominicus Beach?
Dominicus Beach is located about 10 minutes from Bayahbe. It is more resort focused and a little bigger than Bayahibe. It feels a little more ‘tourism established’ than Bayahibe as well. Where Bayahibe Beach is very local Dominicus Beach is a little more organised but still has a bit of the local vibe, it is also the nicer beach to spend a day when taking water and sand into consideration.
How much does a 5-day trip to Bayahibe cost?
A 5 day midrange trip to Bayahibe costs approximately $900 USD however it can be made cheaper by choosing more budget accommodation or more expensive if you choose an all inclusive resort.
Bayahibe is full of beautiful beaches, excellent day trips and local atmosphere. If you love countries that feel like you really get to soak up the vibe then you will love the Dominican Republic.
Plan your trip:
๐ Read next: Things to do in Punta Cana
๐ Plan your trip: Dominican Republic Travel Guide
๐ Donโt miss: Is Santo Domingo worth visiting?
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We hope this guide helped you plan an unforgettable trip.
