Driving PC to Bayahibe
The drive from PC to Bayahibe will takes about an hour 15 min - 40 min for the locals. This depends on the time of day, traffic and the route they may take. For the novice it will take longer. Total distance I would guess is about 70-90 km. The condition of the two lane paved roads for the most part are OK by Dominican standards, there are good areas and areas that have to be negotiated with care. Only the locals familiar with the roads drive at night. The locations worthy of caution are the stretches of road near La Otra Banda, Higuey and within Higuey. They are heavy with potholes, man made obstacles and unruly traffic conditions.
The first section of note is from the airport to pueblo of Veron or Beron, the name depends on who you speak with. It is about a 5-10 min drive, the scenery is of lowland scrub, a slight light congestion of concrete block or wooden houses right at the roadside. Caution should be taken, the people walk on or next to the road. Also, in many cases they will have horses or burros tied up at the roadside and watch out for dogs. The end of this section ends with a small commercial area of Veron. There is a Shell gas station with an ATM and convenience shop at the intersection of the road that heads to Bavaro. Also, in the area there are restaurants, various colmados and a pharmacy.
The next section as you leave Veron to La Otra Banda and Higuey is an area that you need to be cautious of speed, other drivers, the buses, and especially the yellow one's, the drivers proceed rapidly and with reckless abandon. Give them plenty of room. The road is noted for its long stretches and parts of many twists and turns, about a 15-20 min drive. The latter part of the road deserves caution because the potholes in sections The scenery is mostly tree lined roadway and of rocky cattle farm land extending beyond with a few settlements scattered along its length. Once you arrive to the area of the cane fields you will be entering La Otra Banda. It is a fairly large settlement, sort of a satelite of Higuey. The road through there is narrow and heavily traveled. Be careful of the speed bumps. When you arrive at the village traffic light, turn left to head to Higuey.
The road from La Otra Banda to Higuey is commercial, 10-15 min travel time, there are many shops along the way. Some may be of interest. There are some that sell pottery and other touristy items. The road itself is hilly with various twists and turns, the caution in this area is for the other traffic (watch out for the motobikes), pedestrians, potholes, patches on potholes, patches on the patches and roadside vendors.
Once you cross over the small bridge you are in urban Higuey, take a quick right and a quick left, head up the street, go slow, you will be going uphill. Exercise caution at all the intersections, there are motorbikes everywhere and they move about with rules of their own (that's a story for another thread) and the road at these areas is that of a washboard made by deep depressions to drain rainwater will slow one down. There will be signs indicating a left turn for the route to La Romana and Santo. Follow them. The directions will bring you by the front of the cathedral. If you get lost, ask for directions to get to the front, or better just look, you can't miss it, stop and visit. Once your are in the very front of the cathedral under the traffic lights, the Higuey fire department engine house should be at your left (If you turn left here, there are banks, casas of cambio, movie theater, supermarkets, and other assorted stores). Proceed to the next set of traffic lights, turn left and then make a quick turn right you will be on the road in the correct direction to Bayhibe. You know you have done this manuever right, if after the turn you pass under a pedestrian bridge. Follow the signs for La Romana and Santo Domingo. 10-15 min.
The road section, 25-30 min, has you departing the urban area of Higuey. There are auto dealers and the university. Once you get beyond the city limits you will encounter the sugar cane fields of the Central Romana Company again. The road surface will improve as it twist and turns its way towards your destination. You know you have arrived at the Yuma crossroads when you going over a railroad track crosssing. Beyond the tracks you will be bearing to the roadway on the right, a 90 degree turn. The cane fields will continue to your right with some scrub hills to your left. You will be going gradually uphill. The area then will change to flat cattle lands on either side. You will again pass through a small settlement, watch out for the speed bumps. The road then goes uphill, at the crest of the hill and to your left is an Isla gas station and beyond it your turnoff to the left for the road to Bayahibe.
The road to Bayahibe, 10 min, has been recently resurfaced in some places. Scenery is of scrub brush as one enters. It then opens up to the beach, resort and village areas. The road in the village is dirt and gravel. Yet, it may have improved since I was last there 5 months ago.
Note: If you are a good driver and exercise caution, this trip should be no problem. However, if you have any self-doubt or you will be driving to or from Bayahibe at night, it would be wise to take public transportation. There are taxis at the airport and the rates are posted in the taxi area.
Enjoy you time in the DR. Regards, PJT
