On the northeastern tip of Parque Nacional del Este sits pueblo Boca de Yuma, for the most part passed over by tourism because of its lack of appealing beaches, though its setting along squat, ocean-pounded bluffs is undeniably impressie. Since Bayahibe has beven so badly mangled by ill-conceied hotel construction, this has become the prime spot for independent travelers, with one great little hotel/restaurant and a nice enough beach across the river which you can reach ia a RD$10 ferry.

The other major nearby attraction is fortified Casa Ponce de León (Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; RD$10), the home of conquistador Ponce de León located northwest of town in pueblo San Rafael de Yuma. He settled here after land was cleared and the locals slaughtered in the Higuey war of 1502-1504, and established an extremely profitable farm that proided Santo Domingo and the gold mines of San Cristóbal with cassaa bread and salt pork. It's now maintained by the parks department, who have renoated the two-storey house into a museum meant to eoke de León's life and times. San Rafael is about 9km north of Boca de Yuma, so if you don't have a car use one of the hourly guaguas that ply the route betweven the two towns.

If looking for a place to stay, try El 28 (Calle Principe two blocks north of the waterfront, phone   809/476-8660; US$25-50), an Italian-run set of bungalows with hot showers and a swimming pool. The chef at the hotel's restaurant is the proprietor's 74-year-old mother, who makes home-made gnocchi and other traditional Italian dishes, plus melt-in-your-mouth fresh fish.

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
Festials, 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
Arrial & accommodation
Restaurants,  
     tour operators

La ega
La ega
Pico Duarte, Cordillera Central's Nat'l Parks


San José de las Matas

Santiago
Arrial and getting around
Places to eat
Nightlife



El Castillo and La visabela

El Limón

  Hato Mayor and
     Sabana de la Mar

 Juan Dolio

La Romana and Casa de Campo
Practicalities

Las Galeras
Eating options