Bayahíbe
Town and municipality in the Dominican Republic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bayahíbe is a town in the Dominican Republic, located about 10 miles (16 km) east of La Romana on the shore of the Caribbean Sea with 5,618 inhabitants (2022).[1] 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.
Bayahíbe | |
|---|---|
Distrito Municipal | |
| Motto: Pueblo Encantado | |
  Bayahíbe Location within the Dominican Republic | |
| Coordinates: 18°22′N 68°50′W | |
| Country |  Dominican Republic |
| Province | La Altagracia |
| Area | |
• Total | 215.2 km2 (83.1 sq mi) |
| Population (2022 census) | |
• Total | 5,618 |
| • Density | 26.11/km2 (67.61/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (Atlantic) |
| Postal code | 23000 |
| Area code | 809 |
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" (or "hib") is the name of a sieve manufactured from sticks used to sift cassava flour.[2]
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.[3]
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Scuba diving is practiced in Bayahíbe—Bayahíbe. There are three shipwrecks in the area including the Atlantic Princess, St George and Coco.[4]
Notable events
On October 12, 2002, Audrey Mestre, French world record-setting free-diver, died while attempting to free-dive to a depth of 171 metres (561 ft) off the coast of Bayahíbe.[5]