Punta Cana vs. Bayahibe

alt="blue sea with rocks dipping into water and white sand along the shore"

alt="Paper Pelicans girl buying fish from fisherman at Bayahibe beach"

alt="Fisherman in the middle of the sea on a small boat at Bayahibe beach"

alt="Paper Pelicans girl walking along shore on the beach at Bayahibe"

alt="Long pier along the sea at Bayahibe Dominican Republic"

alt="Souvenir shop selling clothes and bags at the beach in Punta Cana"

alt="Blue seat water at the shore at Bayahibe beach"

Dominican Republic

Adventure, Beach

When you think of the Dominican Republic, for most Punta Cana is the first destination to spring to mind – but is it the best choice? We decided to get our dose of winter sun over the Christmas period and visit the beautiful island, stopping off at the two most popular cities en la Republica Dominicana.

The most significant difference between the two is the sea. Punta Cana is located on the Atlantic, the water is therefore cooler, choppier and there is fair amount of seaweed. The beaches were less busy but we were hassled a lot by vendors and tour guides selling activities and such. This was almost constant, so we didn’t really get to relax. Bayahibe on the other hand is situated on the Caribbean sea, the waters were a brilliant turquoise colour, clear and perfect for snorkelling. It was much calmer and definitely warmer. The beaches were popular so quite busy, but unlike Punta Cana, no vendors or people hassling us for anything, so it was stress free.

Best time to go

December to April – These are the months where you’ll escape the rainy season. The Dominican Republic is hot wherever you choose to stay on the island but Bayahibe has higher temperatures compared to Punta Cana, and also far less windy.

The Vibe

Bayahibe has a more relaxed atmosphere than Punta Cana, far less tourists, less hustle and bustle down the streets, and we had a more local, genuine experience, and a big sense of community.

Eco Tip 15: Always carry a reusable bag with you for those impulsive shopping moments!

What To Do

There are tours to the beautiful Islands of Saona and Catalina, and if you leave from Bayahibe you are 1-2 hours closer since it is located on the south of the Island.

Saona was an absolute paradise, the different hues of blue from the sea were a dream. Snorkelling there was one of the best experiences while in the Dominican Republic, do not miss! Again, be sure to book from a verified tour guide, as we heard from other travellers that booking low-cost can land you in a nightmare voyage on cheap speed boats and be left of the port side of Saona instead of the beautiful beaches.

Something to be aware of in both cities – be sure to book activities and tours at registered outlets and not just from random sellers who might approach you at the beach or bar. We found out the hard way! We were offered a much cheaper deal and unfortunately bought tickets to a tour that didn’t exist…so beware!

Learn more in related article: How To Find A Sustainable Tour

“Seashells from the beach”

“Sitting on the dock of the bay”

Safety

We would definitely recommend Bayahibe over Punta Cana for female solo travellers. In Bayahibe we felt very safe and stress free, where as in PT we felt like we were constantly getting hassled and got a lot of unwanted attention, to a point where we felt completely uncomfortable on the beach and walking down the road.

Paper Pelicans