Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Guaguas
are the only means of public transportation to and from Bayahibe. Servicio de
Transporte Romana-Bayahibe
guaguas
leave from a stand of trees across from Super Col-
mado Bayahibe in the center of town, a block north of the Hotel Bayahibe. Services run to
La Romana (RD$60, 20 minutes, every 20 minutes from 7:20am to 7:40pm). You can also
catch a ride over to Dominicus Americanus (RD$25, five minutes, every 20 minutes). For
Higüey, it's best to connect in La Romana.
Sichotuhbared
( 809-833-0059)
is the local taxi union, with a stop next to the Viva
Wyndham Dominicus Beach. One-way rates for one to five people include La Romana
airport (US$35), Casa de Campo (US$35), Higüey (US$45), and Bávaro resorts
(US$110). Be sure to agree upon a price before you get in the car.
To rent a car, look for
MTM
(
809-949-8162; Calle Cayuco, Dominicus Americanus)
in
Dominicus Americanus or
D&M
(
809-833-0047; Nuevo Bayahibe)
in Bayahibe.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Higüey
POP 168,501
Higüey is a hectic, working-class hub kept in line by its giant concrete basilica, famous
around the country and the lone needle worth visiting in this massive concrete haystack
surrounded by sugarcane fields in all directions. The basilica, rising from the center of
town like an arched stone rocket set to launch, is both odd and beautiful and well worth a
day trip or pit stop while passing through - in fact, you're bound to end up here at some
point traveling around the southeast. If not, its prominence on the RD$50 note will have to
do.
Sights
Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia
(admission RD$40; 6am-7pm)
From the outside, this is a strange mixture of the sacred and
profane. A utilitarian concrete facade, not far removed from a military bunker, is topped
by an elongated arch reaching high into the sky. But it's one of the most famous cathedrals
in the country because of the glass-encased image of the Virgin of Altagracia housed in-
side.
CHURCH
