Where is Bayahibe?
Bayahibe is a small fishing village on the south east coast of the Dominican Republic, inside Cotubanama National Park. It is the gateway port for Saona Island, Catalina Island and the surrounding marine reserve. About one hour west of Punta Cana and 25 minutes east of La Romana.
The village itself is tiny: one main beach, a few seafood restaurants, dive shops and the boat dock from where every Saona tour departs. Most travelers do not stay overnight and treat Bayahibe purely as the embarkation point.
Option 1: Tour with hotel pickup (recommended)
The simplest option is to book a Saona tour that includes hotel pickup. Almost every Viator and operator tour includes round trip transport in air conditioned mini bus or coach. Pickup runs from 6:30 to 8 am depending on your hotel location.
- Punta Cana and Bavaro hotels: pickup 6:30 to 7:30 am
- Uvero Alto hotels: pickup 6 to 6:30 am (further east)
- La Romana and Casa de Campo: pickup 8 to 8:30 am (closest)
Option 2: Public bus and taxi
Take an Expreso Bavaro bus from Punta Cana to La Romana (around $8), then a taxi from La Romana to Bayahibe (around $15). Total budget option around $25 each way but takes 2 hours each way and you have to coordinate with the boat departure time. Not recommended for Saona day trips.
Option 3: Self drive
Rent a car from Punta Cana International Airport and drive Highway 3 west to Bayahibe. About one hour. Parking near the dock is available for around $5 a day. Worth it only if you are based outside resort hotels and want flexibility.
Option 4: Private transfer
Private taxi from Punta Cana to Bayahibe runs around $80 to $120 each way. Faster than public transport but much more expensive than a tour with included pickup. Useful only if you are not going to Saona but visiting Bayahibe village or staying at a Bayahibe hotel.
Skip the transport headache
Book a Saona day trip with included round trip pickup from your Punta Cana, Bavaro or La Romana hotel.
Preguntas frecuentes
About 80 km west of Punta Cana, roughly one hour by car along Highway 3. Most Saona tours include free round trip transport from Punta Cana, Bavaro and Uvero Alto hotels.
Yes, parking is available at the Bayahibe dock area. However booking a tour with included pickup is usually cheaper than a rental car plus parking, and you avoid driving back tired after a full day on the water.
Most boats depart Bayahibe between 9 and 10 am after the round of hotel pickups. Hotels in Punta Cana are picked up between 6:30 and 7:30 am. Return to the dock is between 4 and 5 pm with hotel drop off by 5:30 to 6:30 pm.
