Insider Guides

Guide to Bayahibe

A fishing village turned diving mecca on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic. Here's everything worth knowing.

Activities

Beaches & Nature

Turquoise water and rocky coastline at Playa Magallanes, one of Bayahibe's free beaches

Free Things to Do in Bayahibe

From free-entry beaches to freshwater springs and shore snorkeling, here are the best free (and nearly-free) things to do in Bayahibe and Dominicus.

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Fishing boats moored on the calm turquoise water of Mano Juan beach, Isla Saona, with palm trees and a beachside restaurant in the background

Mano Juan, Isla Saona: The Local Way to Get There and What to Do

Skip the tour group. Here's how to reach Mano Juan on Isla Saona by public boat from Bayahibe, what it costs, where to stay overnight, and which beaches to explore.

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Interior of Cueva de Chicho showing stalactites reflected in the underground pool near Bayahibe

Cueva de Chicho: Bayahibe's Hidden Underground Cave

Everything you need to know about visiting Cueva de Chicho near Bayahibe — the cave's Taíno history, cave diving, how to get there, and the story of Padre Nuestro.

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Playa Magallanes beach with calm turquoise water and rocky coastline at Bayahibe

Playa Magallanes: Bayahibe's Best-Kept Snorkeling Secret

A local's guide to Playa Magallanes in Bayahibe — how to get there, where to enter the water, and what marine life you'll find on the reef.

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Entrance to a limestone cave in Cotubanamá National Park, with tropical vegetation framing the opening

Cotubanamá National Park: Caves, Taíno History, and How to Get There from Dominicus

Cotubanamá National Park sits right behind Dominicus. Here's what the park protects, which caves you can visit, and how to find the rangers' hut on foot.

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Pink Rosa de Bayahibe (Pereskia quisqueyana) blossoms on a thorny cactus-like stem

Rosa de Bayahibe: The Dominican Republic's National Flower

Learn about the Rosa de Bayahibe — the rare, rose-like cactus that became the Dominican Republic's national flower and grows wild near the village it's named after.

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Crystal-clear turquoise water and white sand beach on Isla Saona, Dominican Republic

Isla Saona Excursion from Bayahibe: What to Know Before You Go

Planning an Isla Saona day trip from Bayahibe or Dominicus? Here's what to expect, what to bring, and how to make the most of one of the DR's best excursions.

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Food & Drink

Nightlife

Getting Here

Local Life