Bayahibe Holidays 2025/2026
Sitting on the edge of tropical forests, the charming old fishing village of Bayahibe has long sandy beaches and a tranquil, relaxed pace. The coral reefs and old shipwrecks along the Caribbean shoreline here also offer you some of the best diving and snorkelling experiences for your Dominican Republic holidays.
Bayahibe Holiday Deals
Unwind and take it slow
The village of Bayahibe sits on the edge of Parque Nacional de Este national park which forms a lush palm-fringed backdrop to the white sandy beaches here on the Caribbean coast. Founded as a fishing village in 1874, Bayahibe maintains its roots and is set in a natural landscape. You’ll find colourful buildings in the original parts of the village and a small harbour where fishing boats still bring in fresh fish and seafood.
In the village centre there are plenty of opportunities for shopping and browsing to pick up local handicrafts and souvenirs, and you’ll find a good selection of restaurants and bars to try out.
Enjoy relaxed beach life on Playa Bayahibe
The main beach in Bayahibe is Playa Bayahibe, located just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of the village. It’s an ideal sandy spot if you’re looking to stretch out under a palm-leaf parasol, snooze in the sunshine and paddle in the warm, shallow water at the shoreline. About six kilometres east of the village is Playa Dominicus, where many popular resorts for All Inclusive holidays to the Dominican Republic are located.
Playa Bayahibe is a Blue Flag awarded public beach with excellent visitor facilities. They also have an active environmental management and education programme so you can find out more about the flourishing wildlife and sea life in the area.
Walking along Playa Bayahibe you’ll find beachside restaurants where you can stop off for some delicious Dominican style fresh fish and seafood dishes and a few refreshing drinks. If you feel like varying things with some watersports action you’ll find a good selection dotted along Playa Bayahibe, as well as some excellent snorkelling and diving options. The Dominican Republic has plenty to do whether it’s sporty, sightseeing or tasting.
Explore the exotic underwater world
You don’t have to venture far from the beach before you start seeing the sealife here. The water is clear and only a few steps into the shallows you’ll start spotting bright orange and brown starfish on the sandy seafloor and lots of tiny, colourful fish swimming around. You can also snorkel a bit further out to get a look at the multitude of fascinating sea creatures that make the local coral reefs their home.
Bayahibe is a hugely popular destination for scuba diving and there are shipwrecks to explore nearby, two of the most popular being the Atlantic Princess and the St George. You can do some great dives around these underwater sea life hotels and get up close to some of the exotic residents.
If you take a walk along the seashore in the evenings, the phosphorescence created by the wide variety of underwater creatures illuminates the water, creating a magical, shimmering effect under the night sky.
Plenty of choice for places to shop and eat
There are several good restaurants and bars in the centre of Bayahibe where you can stop off for lunch or have a relaxed dinner and drinks in the evenings. You’ll also find small, laid-back beachside venues dotted along the shoreline. There’s a good selection of food choices here including familiar international favourites and delicious Caribbean style fresh fish and seafood cuisine.
Plaza Montecarlo Bayahibe is the main shopping district in town with a street of shops, restaurants and cafes. You can browse here for local handicrafts and souvenirs from your holidays to the Dominican Republic, and pick up a handy bottle or two of mineral water.
If you’re a Harley Davidson motorbike fan, you’ll love the displays at Freedom Riders where they specialise in customising bikes with superb artwork. Museo y Fabrica de Puras is another interesting shop, as well as a cigar factory and museum, where you can get a taste of their Caribbean rum before you buy.
Take in the tropical wildlife and forests
Bayahibe sits on the edge of Parque Nacional de Este national park which is a large wildlife reserve with many colourful species of birds, miles of forests, mangroves, cliffs and caves. The best way to explore it is to take a boat out to a landing point on the shoreline and then walk inland. One of the most popular locations in the park is Isla Saona which lies a short boat ride away across Bayahibe’s little bay.