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Wednesday, February 22, 2012 ..:: Anniversary 2012 » Pre- and Post-Celebration Activities » Regional Excursion East--Bayahibe Beaches & More ::.. Register  Login
  
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Enjoy the white sands of Bayahibe via San Pedro and La Romana

Much of the recent development of the Dominican Republic can be found to the Southeast, in the beisbol town of San Pedro, the continued sugar producing La Romana, and the beautiful, beautiful beaches and hotels in Bayahibe.  Did you know that Bayahibe, only 10 miles east of La Romana was founded as a fishing village in 1874 by Juan Brito and his family, who came from Puerto Rico.  Many Peace Corps volunteers served in the region; this is an opportunity to see some of their legacy.
This tour is from Saturday, February 11, through Monday, February 13, with ability to stay longer. Our PCV tour organizer, Selina Smith, would like to work directly with you  to customize your excursion and arrange transportation.  Her contact information is below.
  
  
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South East Coast -- Bayahibe Itinerary:

9:30 AM Saturday, meet in hotel lobby.  With sufficient sign up for a van or bus rental, this group will leave the hotel and travel to San Pedro de Marcoris for a stroll.  San Pedro is a focal point for developing Dominican beisbol talent.  Be reminded of the role of PCVs in community level beisbol and of Juan Luis Guerra's famous song about San Pedro.....

After lunch, you will journey on to La Romana, have a break to see the changes in this City, now a major tourist destination, and then on to your lovely hotel, the Hotel Bayahibe on the beach.

There should be time in the afternoon to visit Arte Cuseco “Design Your Own Jewelry” (Villa Padre Nuestro, La Altagracia) – Tour the all natural jewelry workshop  of an association of local women artisans (some of the natural materials the artisans use are coconut shell, cow's horn, suede, seashells, local seeds, and crystal among others).  Meet the women, have a first-hand look at the process of jewelry making in action, and learn from the artisans to design your own jewelry to take home as a keepsake.  Also located in the workshop is a gift shop where you can view a wide selection of pieces that are available to take home as gifts for friends and family.

Saturday evening:  Dinner at Cafecito de la Cubana:  Take a taste of authentic Cuban cuisine at this waterside restaurant.

Sunday, morning:  

Padre Nuestro Ecoturistic and Archaelogical Trail  (Bayahibe, La Altagracia) – Take a guided tour through Parque Nacional del Este and hike through a dry tropical forest, a landscape of limestone, butterflies and birds, as well as impressive underground fresh water caverns.  Explore remains of the indigenous Taíno, native flora and fauna, and freshwater springs secluded inside the caverns, with pre-Columbian era rock-art samples. 

To bring: Comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, and bathing suit if you choose to swim in the freshwater cavern.  
 

Sunday Afternoon: Time off to go for a leisurely walk on the beach, and check out the offerings of local artisans.

Sunday Evening:  Dinner on your own.  The hotel restaurant offers a lovely view over the water. 

Monday  Morning:
Living Museums of the Sea (Bayahibe, La Altagracia) – Snorkel in living museums under the sea!  This system of underwater archaeological preserves protects the area's biodiversity and biological resources. Explore the Captain William Kidd pirate shipwreck.  This late seventeenth century shipwreck of Scottish sailor turned pirate Captain Kidd can be found just off the shore of Isla Catalina.  Take the enjoyable boat ride along the coast in between Bayahibe and La Romana to the site.  Learn the history of this buccaneer and discover the beautiful coral reef of this site and the shipwreck that lies among it.

If you prefer to SCUBA, two Living Museums of the Sea sites are available for SCUBA instead if you prefer:

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe was a 1,000 ton, 74 gun galleon designed to carry the precious cargo of mercury from the Old World to the New World silver mines of Mexico. On August 24, 1724, the galleon was caught in a hurricane near Samana Bay on the northeast coast of Hispanola, and driven onto a shoal in the bay. This Living Museum consists of seven cannons and an anchor from the Guadalupe shipwreck, in addition to a deadeye, amphora, cannon balls and galley bricks from the Guadalupe.  As well as a museum exhibit, these artifacts provide habitat for a diverse array of marine life.

 The Morales 18th Century Shipwreck lies in twelve meters of water, one kilometer off-shore of the Parque Nacional del Este.  First installed in 2004, this site contains six eighteenth century cannons including one with an intact breech cover, and dozens of loose and cemented artifacts, including galley bricks, cannon balls, ceramic amphorae, and iron fragments. The site was strategically placed among a thriving coral reef to help rovide additional habitat for marine life and coral substrate.

To bring: Bathing suit, SCUBA certification card if you chose to SCUBA. 

Or you can make arrangements to visit your site, or, just choose to hang out on the Bayahibe beach!

Monday Afternoon:  Return to capital unless other arrangements are made to stay longer or go to the Las Americas Airport.
 

For longer stays:  There are many other Additional Options of activities to do in the area: 

·         Explore Rancho Bayahibe on horseback (more >)

·         Zip line through Wild Ranch (more >)

·         Enjoy a 4-wheel or dunebuggy tour through the countryside  (more>)

·         Scuba dive at one of over 20 dive sites in the area (more>)

·         Relax at scenic beaches

·         Visit the Explore La Romana website to see other activities available in the area (more > )

Selina will reserve two nights for you at the Hotel Bayahibe unless you wish to consider alternatives such as an all-inclusive (all meals) hotel. The Bayahibe/Dominicus area has 7 all-inclusive hotels that RPCVs can find the individual websites to book online at http://www.explorelaromana.com/en/lodging/resorts. Prices of these hotels range from $60-$250 USD per person per night, depending on the number of people/time of the year.

 

 
  
  
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 Costs and Details 

Tour Cost:  Around $250  We require a minimum deposit of $50 with full payment made after all arrangements are in place and minimum partipation level is ensured.

Costs include 
        --Transportation from the capital to Bayahibe and return 
        --Tours
        -- 2 nights hotel with breakfast
        -- Dinner @ Cafecito de Cuba
Costs do not include: 
        --Meals not included with hotel or Cafecito
        --Transportation to your site (CCF site visits to be arranged when available)
        --Incidentals 
 Transportation:  Depending on the number of participants, we expect to arrange a van or bus.   

  Tour Guide(s) Your tour will be led by current volunteers working on projects in the region and/or by a knowledgeable RPCV. Your contact is PCV Selina Smith, 809-467-2781, ssmithdrv@gmail.com.   You can expect them to help you choose or prepare for the day's activities, find a nice restaurant and generally troubleshoot for you. 

 Hotel:  2 nights at Hotel Bayahibe in downtown Bayahibe on the beach (Saturday and Sunday).  Rooms come with air-conditioning,hot water, and breakfast.  Web:  http://www.hotelbayahibe.net/   

Minimum Participation required

  
  
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 Register and Pay:

This link will take you to our Registration Info page. This will provide information and/or links to sign up and pay, either through mail or Pay Pal.   

Your deposit will be refunded if the minimum required participation is not reached.
Final payment is due by January 9.   If you change your mind, we can either

  • Refund your payment by original method
  • You can donate your deposit to the Community Challenge Fund
  
 Celebration Mini Menu
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 Bayahibe and East Photos
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Bayahibe village main drag 1964


The only way to Bayahibe in 1964 was by boat
  
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