The Romana-Bayahibe Hotel Association and the Ministry of Environment have formally opened their new Padre Nuestro Ecological and Archaeological Route that makes it easy for visitors to appreciate the tropical vegetation along trails into areas populated by the Taino Indians hundreds of years ago. In addition to learning about the flora of the area, tourists carrying out the 2km Padre Nuestro hike will also visit caves to observe pictographs and water sources of much of the National Park of the East. An additional shorter route takes tourists around the flora and cultural heritage of Bayahibe town. A visit to the early 20th century church, an Indian burial site, and the Flower of Bayahibe cactus forest are highlights of the 1km La Punta walk.
The project was funded by contributions from the Inter-American Development Bank and the United States Agency for International Development. It was implemented by the Dominican Integrated Development Institute (IDDI) in scientific partnership with the National Botanical Gardens, the Museum of Dominican Man, the Santo Domingo Zoo and Ecoparque.
Speaking at the launch event, Rafael Blanco Canto, president of the Romana-Bayahibe Association, highlighted the need to improve competitiveness through sustainable projects of this kind. He said this motivates interest in research, conservation and promotion of the cultural and natural heritage of Bayahibe. Kelly Robinson, the new executive director of the association, highlighted the fact that that the trails recreate the historic past while stimulating the imagination through the variety of landscape.