Bayahíbe
Bayahíbe is a town in the Dominican Republic, located about east of La Romana on the shore of the Caribbean Sea with 5,618 inhabitants. Founded as a fishing village in 1874 by Juan Brito and his family, who came from Puerto Rico, the town is now a tourist destination.
Etymology
Bayahíbe is an indigenous word. Its meaning is not known for sure, but there are many names that include the Tainos word "Baya." "Baya" is the name given to a bivalve mollusk, like clams that are glued to the rocks or roots of mangrove trees. "Jib" is the name of a sieve manufactured from sticks used to sift cassava flour.Tourism
Bayahíbe Beach, a public beach, is located less than a mile from the town center, and Dominicus Beach is in about three miles' distance. Bayahíbe serves as an embarkation point for boat trips to Saona Island, a thinly inhabited island with extensive beaches located in a national park. Numerous large resorts are located in the vicinity of Bayahíbe. The town has an Albergo Diffuso named Bayahibe Village, founded by Fabrizio Annunzi.Scuba diving is practiced in Bayahíbe—Bayahíbe. There are three shipwrecks in the area including the Atlantic Princess, St George and Coco.
The natural caves
Chicho's cave, an exceptionally impressive cavern, may be accessed at Bayahibe by following the Padre Nuestro trail. Cueva del Chicho is a cave in the Cotubanamá National Park, that has Taino petroglyphs. The park's location, with its deep and immaculate blue oceans, attracts a significant influx of tourists annually. Moreover, it contains a wealth of petroglyphs that provide as evidence of the enduring existence of the Tainos people.Padre Nuestro, which used to be inhabited by only 180 families, was converted into a reserve in 2003 following their compulsory relocation to the outskirts of the park. Visitors can currently explore caves and springs embellished with petroglyphs and Tainos art along a 2-kilometer walk that meanders through the forest.