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The former fishing village of
Bayahibe
was once the most beautiful and remote spot along the entire
coast, but due to over-building by the big all-inclusive
hoteliers, the place has been ruined and retains little
intrinsic beauty or interest. The only reason to stop here
is to use it as base camp from which to visit Parque
Nacional des Este, a park just east of Bayahibe on a
peninsula jutting south into the Caribbean.
The national park maintains a maze of forests, trails, caves
and cliffs, home to an impressive array of birdlife and
signs of early Taíno activity. Not much of the park,
however, is conveniently accessible; no roads lead directly
into its interior, and the best method of approach is to
hire boats from Bayahibe to hit specific points along the
rim.
The most popular part of the park - and rightfully so - is
Isla Saona , an island off the southern coast lined
with alternating stretches of idyllic, coconut tree-backed
beachfront and mangrove swamp, unpopulated except for two
tiny fishing villages.
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The larger ships stop off at Mano Juan, a strip of
pastel shacks with a hiking trail that leads inland, an
expensive restaurant and a couple of modest beachfront
eateries; or Piscina Natural, a sand bar with a clear
lagoon behind it good for swimming.
Another good option is to hike into the interior of
the park to the Cuevas José María, a set of stunningly
beautiful caves 10km from Bayahibe. Inside them is a
treasure-trove of Taíno rock art, including 1200 pictographs
depicting the major events of Taíno mythology and some
historical events, including a 1501 peace treaty that the
Taínos established with the Spaniards.
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Dominican
Republic
travel guide
Dominican Republic
Where to go
 When
to go
Getting there
Entry requirements
Money and costs
Getting around
 Food
and drink
 Communications
Crime and safety
 Brief
history
Best of DR
Info and maps
 Diving,
surfing
 Festivals,
holidays
Explore
Dominican Republic
Barahona
Barahona
The City
East of Barahona
San
Cristóbal
San José de Ocóa
West of Barahona
Bayahibe
Bayahibe
Travel info
Boca Chica
Boca de Yuma
Cabarete
Cabarete
Windsurfing
Restaurants
Sports outfitters
Cibao
Cibao
Explore Cibao
Cordillera Central
Explore Cordillera Central
Jarabocoa
Jarabocoa
Arrival & accommodation
Restaurants,
tour operators
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La Vega
La Vega
Pico Duarte, Cordillera
Central's Nat'l Parks
San José de las Matas
Santiago
Arrival and getting around
Places to eat
Nightlife
El Castillo and La Isabela
El Limón
Hato Mayor and
Sabana de la Mar
Juan
Dolio
La Romana and
Casa de Campo
Practicalities
Las Galeras
Eating options
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