Bayahibe Beach

Jose Kevo
Jose Kevo
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
Reviews
13
Photos
Editor Pick

All Greased-Up... with No Place to Go

  • March 23, 2006
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Jose Kevo from Middle-of-Nowhere, Missouri
All Greased-Up... with No Place to Go

With change sweeping the area, my latest conquering blow was dealt when learning that Secrets had acquired the remaining stretch of dazzling public beach for private development. Details are sketchy for time frame and impact this will have for locals and independent travelers, but it can't be good! Once the resort opens, they'll acceptably follow suit by placing guards at their boundaries for prohibiting non-guests from entering; a direct violation of national law that's been disregarded in the name of tourism.

With Bayahibe's popularity as a beach and water sport destination, there's already speculation about how this will potentially deter travelers from staying in the village without direct access to public beach. As a Caucasian, chances are you'll be able to slip undetected through checkpoints for enjoying prime beach spots. Once organized, there's even talk of selling day passes to beaches at nearby resorts; something tourists are already complaining about thanks to boatloads of La Romana cruise ship passengers arriving on prebooked excursions. How this actually transpires has yet to be revealed, but here's public beach options available for now.


Narrow path along the shore, which passed from the bay area to the previous beach, had been primarily cleared of debris and filled with sand as potential crowd overflow; the indisputable telltale sign that the public was about to be displaced. Pictures might look enticing, but it's below second-rate compared to what once was. How long this newest strip lasts is anyone's guess. It runs along the village cemetery, which will undoubtedly be next to go so tourists aren't greeted by reminders of death, little alone vibrance of local life.

Disappearance of Bayahibe's public beach, at the same time a small swatch between southern resorts was claimed for the first casino, leaves the local population even more cut-off. For now, the only public beach which remains along the southeast Caribbean coast is the shambled Playa Caleta west of La Romana. Even its days appeared to be numbered thanks to ongoing coastal construction in the area.

Loss of the village's final crowning attribute ironically brings my Bayahibe rendezvous full-circle. When first arriving in '97, earliest stages of malcontentedness were actually brewing then, as a beginning to the end. For the rumored fortune of $98K, prime real estate adjoining farthest half of the public beach, and stretching to Highway 815, had been sold for building an all-inclusive resort within view of the village. Casa del Mar opened in '98, second only to the Italian-owned Club Dominicus Beach 5km south of town.

Now, with numerous complexes running full-tilt along this strip, which harbors some of the most placid waters in the entire country, what's not to enjoy? But these days, don't expect much basking unless paying for it while sequestered within the private confines of an all-inclusive resort.

From journal Goodbye Bayahibe - Gone but not Forgotten

Editor Pick

Exactly What You Came Looking For

  • March 7, 2002
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Jose Kevo from Middle-of-Nowhere, Missouri
Exactly What You Came Looking For

As the only public beach left on the SE Caribbean coast, Bayahibe's beach is certainly on the endangered/near extinction list before another all-inclusive resort claims it, too and privatizes it for their guests. In the meantime, its certainly the crowning jewel of the village and worth a daily visit while you're here.

Bayahibe Beach is a Caribbean gem with the sugary sands, which are raked and cleaned daily, shaded by coconut palms swaying gently in the breeze. The tranquil blue waters are warm and clear though they've been fairly picked over so don't expect to see/find much snorkeling. You can also walk out quite the distance from shore, but depending on the tides - it can be quite tiresome trying to make your way back in.

Aside from the natural beauty, the other highlight is its the only public beach left where independent travelers and locals CAN enjoy the day without being chased back by resort security guards. If you doubt me, walk beyond the sign or half-way point and see how quickly a Casa guard confronts you! Weekends used to draw the biggest crowds, but more Punta Cana/Bavaro reosrt tourist are now coming by boat on day trips which increases the beachside fiesta of music and dancing.

Along the back portion is a Crafts Market where locals will rent you a hammock cot...though I prefer lying on the crest of the beach where the gentle tides can wash over my lower body while melding me into the sand. The vendors also sell snacks/drinks for about twice the cost you'd pay in the village. The ISSA MAR CAFE, along the bay on the walk out, is a much better place to stop for what you'll need...especially if you're planning to "assassinate" any Presidents as described in my SURVIVOR-DR country journal.

The beach is likely the further place you'll have to walk in Bayahibe; a 5 or 7-minute amble; longer if you piddle. Head north out of town across the expansive bay area amid the assortment of scattered, interesting boats. You'll come to a small building where signs say, "No Trespassing/Keep Out/Military Post", but its only for there. You can either take a left and walk along the coast, or a right which is a somewhat generic sidewalk for Casa del Mar guests. Either way if you're passing the village cemetery, you're headed in the right direction!

To the south of the village, passed the baseball field and Casa Daniel, is a much smaller beach area great for collecting shells and broken coral. These also make the sand a little treacherous, including if swimming while barefoot. If you're looking for total beach seclusion, you should definitely check this area out.

From journal Barefoot in Bayahibe...again!

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