About Higuey:

The town’s name come from the word ‘guey’ or ‘huiou’ that means Sun in Taino aboriginal language.
The town was declared province on August 11^th of 1961 with an area of 3,010.34 square kilometers

In 1503, Juan de Esquivel conquered this bossim and founded a fortress that was later in 1506 converted to a village by the orders of Ovando and called it Salvaleon de Higuey.
Tourism is the main economic activity of this province which has generated thousands of jobs throughout the years and had been taking the place of activities like agriculture and fishing.


Weather
Higuey has a mild tropical weather and the average temperature goes from 23° C to 32° year around.

How to get there?

• By air: The closest airport is located in the province: Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). Other near by airports are: La Romana International Airport (LRM) and Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo.
• By car: Direct access from Mella Highway and about 3 hours drive from Santo Domingo City.

Attractions

Basílica Our Lady of Altagracia:

It was built by the French architects Andre Dunoyer de Segonzac and Pierre Dupre who were selected on a international contest announced in 1947 but it was in 1949 when their proposal was accepted.

The Basilica was constructed to replace an old sanctuary where the Virgin of Altagracia appeared about 1572. The construction started in 1954 ordered by the Bishop of Higuey Juan Felix Pepen. The construction took about 17 years and it was inaugurated on January 21^st of 1971.

Today is one of the most visited sanctuaries or religious temples of the country and Latin America receiving locals and international tourists.

                                                                                
San Rafael de Yuma o Boca de Yuma:

Yuma is an ideal place for fishing and boat trips. Its name is due to its location on the south bank of the river mouth Yuma and is surrounded by numerous attractions for hunting and fishing, as well as a region is largely agricultural and livestock, for what is considered a point prominent in the economy of the area.

In San Rafael de Yuma can also visit the house of Ponce de Leon there you can find furniture and objects exhibited in the early sixteenth century. The house was restored on the basis of its original features and today is enabled as a museum.

Berna o Bernard Cave:

The cave is located 2 miles from the edge of the ‘East Park” and can be accessed from the point of attention of visitors to Boca de Yuma. This Cave is the most important cave in the number and quality of the petroglyph that contains, in comparison with all known in the eastern Dominican Republic. Approximately 300 figures are carved on its floors and walls.

Engaño Cape:

Is located at the east end of the island in the Coco Coast which is named for its long beaches of white sand and reefs surrounded by water. The average temperature is 81 ° F / 27 ° C and is separated by two important tourist cities of the eastern city of Punta Cana and Bavaro; is also considered one of the global paradise for windsurf lovers. This area has about 64 km of beaches which extend in the southeastern corner of the country.

Sanate Sugar Mill Ruins:

It is located along the river Sanate, near the confluence with the Chavon river. In colonial times in this area was installed a mill to process sugar cane, currently only some ruins remain of what, in his time, was one of the leading companies in the region East of the island of Dominican Republic. On the banks of the river can still see the remains of an aqueduct, a reservoir and the ruins of the house of the sugar plantation.

Eastern National Park:

This park is a protected area administered by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources through Law 64-00 of 18 August 2002. This area is under protection since September 16, 1975

It has a surface area of 420 square kilometers. The park has two territorial units: a peninsula located on land and in a trapezoidal shape with an area of 310 square kilometers and extends from near Bayahibe to Boca de Yuma, with a width of 25 km in the north and 11 km on the south coast. Its marine and terrestrial ecosystems, beautiful beaches, climate and cultural values are a growing eco-tourism attraction in the Eastern National Park, considered one of the most important tourist attractions of the country.

Punta Cana:

Is a cape east of the Dominican Republic which has a total area of about 420,000 square meters and is located 35 minutes from the province of Higuey. The coastline of the Punta Cana area extends 50 km of coastline, the longest beach of Bavaro is considered by the government of the Dominican Republic as a national treasure for its rich flora and fauna and the natural beauty appreciated there.

The Punta Cana area has paradisiacal white sandy beaches and crystalline waters like: Arena Gorda, Bavaro Beach, Uvero Alto, Macao Beach, El Cortecito Beach, Cabeza de Toro, Cabo Engano, Punta Cana and Juanillo.

Bavaro:

Is one of the most visited tourist spots in the Dominican Republic for the beautiful white sand beaches and crystalline waters, good hotels and resorts, restaurants and facilities for water sports such as diving, kite surfing, kayaking, snorkeling.

Tips:

• It is advisable to travel in a vehicle 4 x 4 in certain areas of the province.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the beach and hot tropical and dry climate as bathing suits, hats and sunscreen.
• Camera for beautiful photos!