Guagua ride to Higuey

Higuey is a disappointing city to visit in the Dominican Republic. There is a market downtown, which is hard to find, and local shoe shine boys will follow you around the entire time, nagging you in Spanish for any kind of a tip. The noise pollution and air pollution is deafening and sickening, not to mention the high decibel level of music blasting from people's boom boxes. We took the bus to the basilica and found it large and impressive, but were nagged by locals with severe birth defects and disabilities hanging around the entrance to the building. As for dining in Higuey, you're better off waiting until you get back to where you are staying because power outages are a daily occurrence and perishable food can't be kept refrigerated.

Quick Tips:

Driving in Higuey would be a nightmare because the streets are confusing with no stop signs or street lights so the best way to get around is by bus. Also, the motorbikes crisscross all over the roads without much care for anyone else on the road.

Best Way To Get Around:

Basically, going to Higuey would pretty much be a waste of time if you were thinking of exploring.

The basilica can be seen from all over town because of its size, but once there, it is nothing more than a modern day church because it was built in the 1950s.

The original basilica is more impressive than the modern one even though it is about one tenth the size. It is quite old and is located in the park central and a tour of the inside can be arranged just by showing up.

The market in the center of Higuey was disappointing because there wasn't much else to buy other than local fruits and vegetables that were picked before they were ripe. The meat is hung up outside on hooks and is quite repulsive.

You're best to walk around Higuey because it's not safe to drive, but beware of pushy street vendors and annoying shoeshine boys that only go away if you get rude.