A luxury vacation in the Dominican Republic often means a villa rental that features all of the amenities and services you might need throughout your entire stay. Of course, it is also nice to see the sights, and if you are in the Casa de Campo resort or neighboring area, your family getaway should include at least full single day trip to explore the island. We suggest a day trip that focuses on one or more of the following areas:
Bayahibe
This charming little fishing village is becoming a destination on its own, but it is also an area where many people depart for the appealing islands off the coast of the Dominican Republic. It is a great spot for some scuba diving lessons, booking a tour boat of the coastal areas, or simply sitting on one of the sugar colored beaches. You should also take a camera and just walk the town. Its many colored houses and charming little harbor with uninterrupted views of the sea are not to be missed.
Isle Saona
One of the most common things to do in Bayahibe, though, is to leave it on board one of the boats departing for the nearby island of Saona. You may book a trip with a private fishing charger or you can book a seat on one of the large catamarans that make frequent trips.
It takes only 90 minutes to reach the island and some offer meals and entertainment during the cruise. The island is exceptionally beautiful and it is actually part of the East National Park or “Parque Nacional del Este”. It is so beautiful that the island was recently recognized as one of the Eight Dream Beaches in the Caribbean by the Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine.
It is a 42-square kilometer island that was named Adamanay by the native Taino people and changed to Saona by Christopher Columbus upon his arrival in the New World. Today, visitors can spend their entire day on one of the picturesque beaches, they can do some snorkeling or just wade along the shore. There are excellent restaurants and bars, and even plenty of hammocks strung up for visitors to enjoy.
Most boats leave around 9AM and return around 4:30PM, allowing for a full day to explore the pristine beauty here.
Isla Catalina
Just off shore from Bayahibe is Isla Catalina. It is only six square miles and features some of the most impressive coral reefs in the entire region. It is also home to an authentic mangrove swamp and many sand dunes. Do keep in mind that it is incredibly popular with scuba divers, so if you want to book some lessons or enjoy some time beneath the waters here, be sure to charter ahead of time. It is uninhabited, and without services, so be prepared if you book a visit to this lovely spot.
Parque Nacional Del Este
The East National Park covers more than 175 square miles and includes land as well as sea. It has hundreds of caves to explore, and you can often see such wonderful native creatures as manatees and dolphins swimming in the shallow waters. It is also a habitat for hundreds of bird species as well as some reptiles, but visitors can really only explore it in a few ways. One of the best is to head to Padre Nuestro (close to Bayahibe) and use the foot trails that lead through native forests and introduce you to the flora and fauna of the region.
This area of the Dominican Republic is amazingly scenic and surprisingly easy to reach for those in a Casa de Campo luxury villa or beach house. Seeing the natural beauty of the region is a major reason to book your visit and plan a day trip nearby.