The 10 best Bayahibe resorts – the low-key all-inclusive alternative to Punta Cana

Bayahibe can be considered the little sister of Punta Cana, but it is neither less attractive, nor are its all-inclusive resorts. Quite the contrary, Bayahibe is a very interesting tourist destination, particularly for those who are looking for crystal-clear water, seaweed-free beaches and fewer tourists than in Punta Cana. If you’re looking for an all-inclusive holiday in the Dominican Republic and considering a vacation in Bayahibe, you should definitely read the following article, as it explains the differences between all the Bayahibe resorts, lists the best Bayahibe hotels, mentions the ideal choices for each kind of traveler and presents the most gorgeous spots when it comes to all-inclusive resorts in Bayahibe.

This article is about the best Bayahibe all-inclusive resorts. If you’re looking for more information about Bayahibe, check out the Bayahibe Travel Guide.
For airport transfers from Punta Cana to Bayahibe, check out this article about airport transfers to the La Romana area.
If you’re arriving in Santo Domingo and would like to get to Bayahibe, have a look at the Santo Domingo Airport Transfers.

Overview: why Bayahibe (and not Punta Cana)

It seems like an unfair comparison when you mention Bayahibe and Punta Cana in one sentence. There are only 10 Bayahibe Resorts while Punta Cana has more than 70, the beach with 3 miles is significantly shorter than Punta Canas beaches with a length of 25 miles and also in terms of restaurants, Airbnbs and bars, everything is much more low-key in Bayahibe.

But the last sentence already indicates why Bayahibe is also a worthy holiday choice. Besides the more relaxed atmosphere, you can also take advantage of a less touristy feel here. Even though the village is clearly dominated by tourists, you get a much more authentic feel in Bayahibe than in Punta Cana when you’re wandering through the streets.

However, the biggest attraction why you should spend your all-inclusive vacation in Bayahibe is the beach and the ocean. While the water is as turquoise and crystal-clear as hardly anywhere else in the Dominican Republic, the beaches guarantee a holiday without seaweed or sargassum, which often turns into a problem during some years in Punta Canas’ summer months.

If you’d love to learn more about the reasons why it is worth visiting Bayahibe, check out our full Bayahibe Travel Guide.

What is also important to note is that Bayahibes’ resorts are usually a bit cheaper than the all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana. Expect prices that are around 10% lower on average when looking for your favorite Bayahibe beach resort. Furthermore, you won’t find any mega-resort in Bayahibe, nor is Bayahibe the right place for any kind of party hotel. 

The 10 best all-inclusive resorts in Bayahibe

Talking about hotels in Bayahibe, the title of this article “the 10 best all-inclusive resorts in Bayahibe” might even be a bit misleading as there is only a total of 10 Bayahibe resorts. Just this fact alone is showing you that Bayahibe is much more low-key than its bigger brother in the far east of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana.

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The following list shows you all the current all-inclusive resorts in Bayahibe, from which we have visited quite a few in recent years. You will learn for which kind of travelers each hotel in Bayahibe is most suitable and which ones are the best among those Bayahibe beach resorts.

Whala Bayahibe

Let’s start with the cheapest of Bayahibes’ resorts – whala Bayahibe. It is not only the cheapest all-inclusive resort in Bayahibe, it is by FAR the cheapest – nearly double as cheap as the second-cheapest hotel in Bayahibe.

This being said, it is impressive what number of amenities and services you get here. Yes, it is not a luxury all-inclusive and you shouldn’t expect too much, but considering that you’re only paying 50 USD per person per night during the low season on an all-inclusive meal plan, it is simply amazing – which is, by the way, also confirmed by the Tripadvisor reviews, which rate whala Bayahibe as the second-best Bayahibe resort when it comes to price-value. 

Even though the whala Bayahibe rooms are a bit outdated, they are perfectly clean and sufficient for a good night’s sleep. Restaurant options are a bit limited compared to other all-inclusive resorts in Bayahibe as just one à-la-carte and the buffet is included in your stay. However, the oceanfront location of this restaurant is absolutely stunning. Food and drinks are ok, but again – considering you pay less than for a regular hotel room – it is pretty amazing that you get three meals a day + snacks until late at night + (basic) drinks all day long.

An important thing you should know about whala Bayahibe is, even though it is located right at the ocean, it doesn’t have a beach. If you want to go swimming, you enter the water via some stairs. 

In the end, whala Bayahibe offers indeed a great price-value ratio. It shouldn’t be booked for a 2-week holiday when you only want to stay in the resort, but if you want to base yourself in Bayahibe for excursions and some road trips in the Dominican Republic without having to care about food and drinks (nor about your travel budget), whala Bayahibe is a great option.

Make sure to check out the full whala Bayahibe review for further information.

This Bayahibe Resort is best for: individual travelers, explorers and budget travelers
Booking. com rating (as of March 2023): 6.5/10 (check reviews*)
Tripadvisor rating (as of March 2023): 4.5/5 (check reviews*)
Prices starting in low season from: 50 USD per person per night (check availability now*)
Prices starting in high season from: 90 USD per person per night (check availability now*)

Catalonia Bayahibe

The Bayahibe hotel which usually comes right after whala Bayahibe regarding the cheapest all-inclusive resort in Bayahibe is Catalonia La Romana. While whala Bayahibe indeed is like a slimmed version of a resort, Catalonia is a proper resort in Bayahibe with a large pool area, multiple restaurants, day and nighttime entertainment as well as a picture-perfect beach. 

With rates starting at 80 USD per person per night in low season, it is super affordable and offers a great price-value ratio. When booking this Bayahibe hotel, you should also consider reserving a Privilege Room, as they are not only much newer than the mostly outdated standard rooms at Catalonia Bayahibe, but they also come with the advantage of free access to one of the most amazing beachfront restaurants you can find in Bayahibe (and Punta Cana as well). Check the Catalonia Bayahibe review for further details about this restaurant, but the photo you see below is exactly from this restaurant called Terrace Tapas.

Besides this, Catalonia Bayahibe (which was called Catalonia La Romana and Catalonia Gran Dominicus before) is a recommendable resort for most types of travelers. Families will love the various kids club offers while adults – doesn’t matter if single or couples – will enjoy the completely modernized sunken pool bar. 

This Bayahibe Resort is best for: individual travelers, explorers and budget travelers
Booking. com rating (as of March 2023): 7.9/10 (check reviews*)
Tripadvisor rating (as of March 2023): 4/5 (check reviews*)
Prices starting in low season from: 80 USD per person per night (check availability now*)
Prices starting in high season from: 140 USD per person per night (check availability now*)

Catalonia Royal La Romana

If you like the idea, amenities and location of Catalonia Bayahibe but are looking for a more upscale resort in Bayahibe with an adults-only atmosphere, Catalonia Royal La Romana is the perfect choice for you. It has its own buffet, its own à-la-carte restaurants and its own beach section, but you still have access to the main resort Catalonia Bayahibe in case you’re missing anything.

It is one of the newer Bayahibe beach resorts as it has only been built and opened in 2017, hence particular the rooms and facilities are close to brand-new what you already can feel when entering the resort lobby and the elegant patio. The resort features two centerpieces – on the one side, the lobby area with the mentioned patio, several seating areas, restaurants, most of the accommodation buildings as well as an elegant and fully-stocked bar, on the other side the beach area with 2 restaurants, the beach bar and the beach lounge area.

With just 117 rooms, Catalonia Royal La Romana is among the smallest Bayahibe all-inclusive resorts, which gives it a particularly homey feeling, kind of like a boutique hotel. What’s interesting is that the surcharge compared to Catalonia Bayahibe is not very high, hence if you want a little upgrade of the standard rooms, Catalonia Royal La Romana offers you a perfect option.

This Bayahibe Resort is best for: couples, travelers preferring smaller hotels
Booking. com rating (as of March 2023): 8.4/10 (check reviews*)
Tripadvisor rating (as of March 2023): 4.5/5 (check reviews*)
Prices starting in low season from: 110 USD per person per night (check availability now*)
Prices starting in high season from: 160 USD per person per night (check availability now*)

Be Live Collection Canoa

Be Live Collection Canoa is another budget beach resort in Bayahibe. Considering the price, the price-value ratio is not as attractive as for Catalonia Bayahibe or whala Bayahibe. While it is much more expensive than whala Bayahibe, it offers less quality than Catalonia Bayahibe.

Still, it can be a decent choice, especially when booking one of the better room categories, which have beautifully decorated and renovated rooms. With those rooms – especially when booking the VIP package at Be Live Collection Punta Cana – you also have better chances of getting reservations for the à-la-carte restaurants at Be Live Collection Canoa which are a bit hard to achieve sometimes. 

One of the most beautiful places at Be Live Collection Canoa Resort in Bayahibe is the Pelicano Beach Club, which is a jetty leading into the ocean with a bar and restaurant. However, this is not included in your all-inclusive stay, hence plan some extra budget to enjoy this gorgeous place.

This Bayahibe Resort is best for: budget travelers
Booking. com rating (as of March 2023): 6.4/10 (check reviews*)
Tripadvisor rating (as of March 2023): 4/5 (check reviews*)
Prices starting in low season from: 110 USD per person per night (check availability now*)
Prices starting in high season from: 160 USD per person per night (check availability now*)

Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach

Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach is the lower tier part of the Viva Wyndham beach resort in Bayahibe. It is located directly at the beach, but also very centric in the Dominicus area, which means you can leave it walking and immediately arrive in the small but pleasant center of Dominicus, a separate part of Bayahibe.

This Bayahibe resort is also one of the more affordable ones, particularly when booked through a package tour operator. Three à-la-carte restaurants (reservations are needed), two buffets, one pizzeria and one (extra charge) gourmet restaurant are available throughout your stay, along with sufficient bars all over the resort.

What’s unique about Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach is the great location of their beach bungalows. If you want to stay right at the beach in Bayahibes’s all-inclusive resorts without breaking the bank, Viva Wyndham Domininicus Beach is the perfect choice for you.

This Bayahibe Resort is best for: beach lovers, budget travelers
Booking. com rating (as of March 2023): 7.3/10 (check reviews*)
Tripadvisor rating (as of March 2023): 4/5 (check reviews*)
Prices starting in low season from: 120 USD per person per night (check availability now*)
Prices starting in high season from: 185 USD per person per night (check availability now*)

Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace

If Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace is the lower tier resort, it doesn’t come with much surprise that Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace is the higher tier resort – even though the difference is not extremely big. While the Beach Resort in Bayahibe is usually considered a 3.5-star hotel, the Palace section is mostly rated as a 4-star resort.

The great thing about Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace is that you have free access to Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach as well – which means you can enjoy two Bayahibe hotels at the price of one. This is particularly interesting as Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace is currently priced similarly to the Beach section, hence I would definitely recommend booking the Palace hotel, especially as the quality here is slightly better as well. Furthermore, it means that you have a selection of 3 buffets and 7 à-la-carte restaurants, including those at Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach.

Location-wise, this Bayahibe all-inclusive resort is also located right at the center of Dominicus Beach and its small center, hence you have the choice among two Bayahibe beach resorts in such a privileged location.

This Bayahibe Resort is best for: beach lovers, families
Booking. com rating (as of March 2023): 7.4/10 (check reviews*)
Tripadvisor rating (as of March 2023): 4/5 (check reviews*)
Prices starting in low season from: 113 USD per person per night (check availability now*)
Prices starting in high season from: 185 USD per person per night (check availability now*)

Dreams Dominicus La Romana

As you can see, you have a lot of choices when it comes to affordable Bayahibe hotels (if you’re looking for more budget-friendly resorts in the Dominican Republic, you can also check out the most affordable resorts in Punta Cana), but there are also a few upscale resorts in Bayahibe – even one has to say that there is no 100% high-end resort. One of those upscale Bayahibe hotels is Dreams Dominicus La Romana, a resort perfectly suitable for adults and families alike.

Dreams Dominicus La Romana is an all-inclusive resort built Mediterranean style, with lots of smaller buildings instead of one large accommodation building. Compared to options like Catalonia, Viva Wyndham, Be Live or whala Bayahibe, it particularly convinces thanks to their premium liquors and no reservation policy in restaurants, which means you can enjoy à-la-carte dinners as many as you want. 

As at many of the other Bayahibe resorts with all-inclusive, the beach at Dreams Dominicus is wonderful. Additionally, you have a beautiful jetty here and a watercolor that is nearly too good to be true.

What is important to mention is that there is a separate family section at Dreams Dominicus, making it one of the best family resorts in Bayahibe (even though it is also perfect for couples or adults without kids). The family section features plenty of board games, a water splash area, guaranteed interconnecting rooms and special family restaurants, along with the kids and teens club of the resort, which are offering extended opening hours up until midnight. For more family resorts in the Dominican Republic, you can also check out our list of the best Punta Cana family hotels.

Dreams Dominicus La Romana all-inclusive resort was only opened in 2016, hence it is one of the most modern hotels in Bayahibe.

This Bayahibe Resort is best for: families, comfort seekers, couples, groups
Booking. com rating (as of March 2023): 8.6/10 (check reviews*)
Tripadvisor rating (as of March 2023): 4.5/5 (check reviews*)
Prices starting in low season from: 150 USD per person per night (check availability now*)
Prices starting in high season from: 200 USD per person per night (check availability now*)

Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus

Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus is another one of the more upscale all-inclusive resorts in Bayahibe, even though the outdated rooms would not imply this. However, besides the rooms, everything seems to be close to perfect.

Even though I like the selection of food and drinks at Dreams Dominicus more, nearly all of the guests are raving about the quality of restaurants and bars at Iberostar Bayahibe All-Inclusive Resort – hence you can look forward to visiting the 3 à-la-carte restaurants, 2 buffet restaurants (incl. them 1 Italian buffet) and 1 snack bar here at the hotel.

The location and property are also very appealing. While the grounds spread a particular tropical vibe thanks to their extended gardens and vegetation, the beach section is one of the most beautiful in Bayahibe, especially as the famous lighthouse of Bayahibe is right in front of the property. Walking along the beach, it is also just a 10-minute walk to the public center of the Dominicus area.

This Bayahibe Resort is best for: families, comfort seekers, couples, groups
Booking. com rating (as of March 2023): 8.3/10 (check reviews*)
Tripadvisor rating (as of March 2023): 4.5/5 (check reviews*)
Prices starting in low season from: 120 USD per person per night (check availability now*)
Prices starting in high season from: 200 USD per person per night (check availability now*)

Hilton La Romana – Family Section

Another upscale Bayahibe resort is Hilton La Romana, which, similar to Viva Wyndham and Catalonia, also contains two parts. In this case, it’s a family section and an adult-only section.

Hilton La Romana, which was branded as Dreams La Romana until approx. 2017, is particularly famous for its on-site water park, which is the biggest one in Bayahibe (for more resorts with a water park, check out this article), with multiple water slides for younger and older kids (and adults if you want to have some fun 😉 ), a kids splash zone and a large lazy river. Families will also be happy about the kids and teens club as well as family-friendly rooms, which are, however, not as modern as at Dreams Dominicus.

Hilton La Romana Family Resort offers you 4 à-la-carte restaurants and 1 buffet, with additional options available on the adult’s side, which are available for all guests of 18 years and older. In case you’re traveling without kids you have access to the entire Hilton La Romana Adults Only, which is a great option to further diversify your holidays. Reservations for dinners are not required at Hilton La Romana, international top-shelf spirits are included at all bars.

This Bayahibe Resort is best for: families, comfort seekers 
Booking. com rating (as of March 2023): 8.8/10 (check reviews*)
Tripadvisor rating (as of March 2023): 4.5/5 (check reviews*)
Prices starting in low season from: 180 USD per person per night (check availability now*)
Prices starting in high season from: 225 USD per person per night (check availability now*)

Hilton La Romana Adults Only

What’s said for Hilton La Romana Family is also valid for Hilton La Romana Adults Only. You have access to the other side, can use the water park, don’t need reservations for dinner and can choose among 4 à-la-carte restaurants, which brings up the choice of dinner options to 10, including the two buffets at Hilton La Romana.

Together with Dreams Dominicus and Iberostar Hacienda, Hilton La Romana is one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Bayahibe – and definitely the best adults-only hotel in the area. However, it is also the most expensive one, hence it pays out to compare prices and services.

Besides the amenities already mentioned above, guests will love the fully-stocked and refilled in-suite minibar and the on-site adults-only nightclub.

This Bayahibe Resort is best for: adults, singles, groups
Booking. com rating (as of March 2023): 8.7/10 (check reviews*)
Tripadvisor rating (as of March 2023): 4.5/5 (check reviews*)
Prices starting in low season from: 175 USD per person per night (check availability now*)
Prices starting in high season from: 210 USD per person per night (check availability now*)

Other notable accommodations in Bayahibe

If you’re not looking for a resort, you also have the choice among many other hotels in Bayahibe, even though most of them are not located at the beach.

Here is a selection of hand-picked recommendations in case you’re looking for a different place to stay:

Tracadero Resort (check prices here*): the only resort in Bayahibe which is not an all-inclusive resort. This oceanfront hotel features several pools, an appealing beach club vibe and stunning ocean views. It has an elegant restaurant and various rooms and apartments, including honeymoon suites.

Guesthouse Bayahibe (check prices here*): as the name implies, it is a guesthouse in Bayahibe – and probably the best one around. Personal attention, delicious breakfast and tastefully decorated rooms are just a few amenities you can expect at this cute little home away from home.

Bayahibe Village (check prices here*): my favorite budget accommodation in Bayahibe. For usually less than 40 USD, you get clean and modern rooms, a freshly prepared breakfast, a small pool and a great location just 2 minutes away from the harbor of Bayahibe, where all the tours to Isla Saona are starting.

Are you looking for further accommodation and hotels in Bayahibe? In this case, check out the Bayahibe Travel Guide, where we’re also recommending some of the best apartments and Airbnbs in Bayahibe.

Excursions, Transfers and more in Bayahibe

When planning your vacation in Bayahibe, it is also important to know how to get to Bayahibe and what are the best Bayahibe excursions. While a separate article about these topics is planned, let me already outline here the most important information.

Getting to Bayahibe from Punta Cana’s International Airport is easier than you might think. It is just a quick 50-minute drive on a well-maintained highway, hence you can either book your private transfer* from Punta Cana to Bayahibe or a shared shuttle*.

Alternatively, you can also rent a car in Punta Cana and drive on your own to Bayahibe, especially if you’re planning to do some DIY activities and road trips during your stay anyway.

Regarding excursions, the No. 1 thing to do in Bayahibe is definitely Isla Saona. This beautiful island is home to so many gorgeous beaches and wonderful unbelievable sceneries, that it feels like paradise in the Dominican Republic – especially when you book one of the excursions which head a bit further than the regular tourist boats. That’s why I definitely would recommend you an Isla Saona excursion from Bayahibe which includes Mano Juan*, the only small village on the island.

Other favorite excursions in Bayahibe are ziplining, buggy adventures and activities through the countryside. Check the Bayahibe Travel Guide for some further ideas on what to do in Bayahibe.

Conclusion: what is the best resort in Bayahibe?

This article presented all 10 different resorts with all-inclusive in Bayahibe. If you’re asking what is the best one in terms of quality, I would vote for Catalonia Royal, Dreams Dominicus, Hilton La Romana and Iberostar Hacienda. The best adults-only resort is also Catalonia Royal La Romana or the Hilton La Romana Resort Adults Only. The best Bayahibe resort for families is without a doubt Hilton La Romana Family or Dreams Dominicus La Romana.

In case you’re traveling on a budget, I would consider Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace and Catalonia Bayahibe as the best Bayahibe beach resort option. However, check well the price of both hotels as they tend to vary widely and are – especially in high season – not always worth the price.

And if you haven’t found the perfect Bayahibe hotel yet, you still can check the all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana for more options, as you have more than 70 additional resorts in this area, compared to the 10 resorts with all-inclusive in Bayahibe. For further resort ideas in the Dominican Republic, you can check out the following posts:
– best Punta Cana Resorts with a water park
– best affordable all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana
– cheapest all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana
– best all-inclusive family resorts in Punta Cana
– best party resorts in Punta Cana
– best swim-up rooms in Punta Cana

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CHRIS

Author, Travel Coach & Punta Cana based digital nomad

Hey, I am Chris, a born and raised German, travel-addictive and Caribbean Soul. Since 2011 I have been living in the Caribbean, among them 5 years in the Dominican Republic. Punta Cana is my home-base here in the country and I’d love to tell you more about how to experience Punta Cana off-the-beaten-track and give you all the advice you want to know for your vacation in Punta Cana.