Bayahibe

A small fishing village, Bayahibe is gaining recognition as a growing tourism destination and as an environmental benchmark for the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean.

There are several all-inclusive hotels in Bayahibe including Viva Resort by Wyndham and Coral by Hilton. The village is comprised of restaurants serving fresh seafood, dive shops, pastel-colored huts, and a few smaller hotels.

Visitors can truly mingle with the locals as several rent out their homes as guest houses for under $25 a night. This is especially attractive to backpackers who use the village as a base camp for exploring Parque Nacional del Este, a 172-square mile national park known for its 200 caves dating from pre-Columbian time.

The hotels of Bayahibe have made a conscious decision to preserve their environment as it welcomes more tourists. They've banded together to create an area worthy of the Green Globe Award, part of an international program which recognizes organizations that make a significant contribution to sustainable development.

The award is monitored by the Caribbean Action for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) and supported by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA). Hoteliers receive the Green Globe when they have met international standards for waste prevention, reuse and recycling practices and preservation of the surroundings.

Current environmental projects include: protecting the ocean floor, creating educational programs for hotel personnel and residents of Bayahibe, protection of endangered turtles and iguanas, and fostering children's awareness through the group of Bayahibe Wardens.

The area holds a second environmental preservation award which stands proudly on the beach, the Blue Flag. Governed by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the DR is one of 33 countries whose beaches have been recognized for maintaining high water quality, developing environmental education programs, environmental management, safety and other ecologically sound services.

For visitors looking for a little metropolitan flare, day trips to Santo Domingo and the Mediterranean village of Altos de Chavon can be arranged through the hotel or one of the several tour operators.