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Before you go
Your trip to Higüey.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Higüey – La Altagracia Destination Punta Cana and Bávaro Capital
How to get there
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Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana (PUJ) Punta Cana · 45 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
It is about 45 km from Punta Cana airport and Bávaro, roughly a 45-minute drive. There are local buses and vans from Bávaro, and Punta Cana tours usually include the basilica. From Santo Domingo it’s about two hours via the highway.
How many days
Half a day is enough for the basilica and a walk around the center, on a tour or en route to Bayahibe, La Romana or Miches.
When to go
The basilica can be visited year-round. On January 21, the day of the Virgin of Altagracia, the city receives a crowd of pilgrims; it is the most significant day but also the busiest. From December to April there is less rain.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
If you go on your own, a car helps; there are also buses and vans from Bávaro and tours. In the center, the basilica and the square are explored on foot.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Higüey
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Morning
Basílica da Altagracia
Visit the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia early, when there is mass and pilgrim activity.
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Afternoon
Higüey center
Walk through the center and the market to see the city beyond the frame of beach tourism.
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Late afternoon
Iglesia de San Dionisio
At sunset, seek the small Iglesia de San Dionisio, from the 16th century, where the image of the Virgin was kept before the basilica.
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Evening
Return to the beach
Head back to Bávaro, Punta Cana or to the south coast.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Basilica of Higüey so important?
Because it houses the image of Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, the country's patron saint, and receives pilgrims from all over the Dominican Republic.
Can you visit Higüey from Punta Cana?
Yes, it’s about a 45-minute drive. Many tours from Punta Cana and Bayahibe include the basilica.
What happens in Higüey on January 21?
It is the day of the Virgin of Altagracia, a national holiday; the city fills with pilgrims for masses and processions.
Is Higüey worth staying in?
Rarely for leisure travelers: the city is commercial, and most visitors sleep on the beaches and come only for the basilica.