Frequently Asked Questions about our excursions

1. How to select the right excursion?

Saona Crusoe VIP - Discover Saona away from the crowds

The Saona Crusoe VIP Tour offers the most variety. You'll visit the picturesque village of Mano Juan, immerse yourself in the traditional island culture, and learn about sea turtle conservation at the Sea Turtle Project. At the stunning beach of Canto de la Playa, you'll enjoy crystal-clear water and one of Saona's most beautiful reefs, perfect for snorkeling (even beginners can explore the underwater world here). However, don't expect to encounter large fish due to the protective reef barrier around the bay. Here, you can relax and take in the tranquility and beauty of this unique spot. A delicious lunch and the natural pools with cushion sea stars complete the day. The Saona Crusoe VIP is an excellent excursion for the whole family.

Jungle Eco Tour - Adventure in the heart of the Dominican Republic

The Jungle Eco Tour takes you into the fascinating world of the Dominican jungle and the national park in the island's east. On a nature trail, you'll discover the rich biodiversity and indigenous Taino culture. A refreshing swim in the Padre Nuestro freshwater cave provides a cool break. A boat ride on the scenic Chavon River leads you to our farm, where you'll enjoy a traditional Dominican lunch. After a walk along the fruit trail, you can explore the surroundings on a canoe tour. A visit to the local colmado with a refreshing drink wraps up the day, giving you an authentic glimpse into Dominican culture. Suitable for those who are fit and able to walk for about 1-2 hours on uneven terrain. Children should be older than 4 years. Not recommended for guests with mobility restrictions.

Saona Special - Half-day excursion for cruise ship guests with limited time and private groups

The Saona Special Tour is a relaxed half-day excursion designed specifically for guests with limited time. You'll explore the Penon cliffs and mangroves, snorkel at the pier, and enjoy the idyllic atmosphere at Catuano Beach. A BBQ lunch on the beach and a visit to the famous Piscina Natural, the starfish sandbank, make this excursion a short yet unforgettable experience. The tour lasts about five to six hours, allowing you to enjoy the region's highlights at a leisurely pace.

3. Can I book the excursion after arrival in the DR?

Yes, you can book the excursion after your arrival in the Dominican Republic. However, we recommend booking in advance, as our spots are limited, and popular tours like the Saona Crusoe VIP often sell out quickly. By booking ahead, you take no risk, as our cancellation policy allows for cancellations up to 24 hours before the excursion begins. Booking later does not offer any advantages, as you won't benefit from better prices or conditions.

4. How do I cancel an excursion?

Sometimes plans change, and you may need to cancel a trip. With us, cancellations are hassle-free and free of charge if made up to 24 hours before the excursion begins. A full refund of your deposit will be provided for cancellations made within this time frame. However, we kindly ask that you inform us as early as possible. Since our tours are often fully booked, it's challenging to find new guests at the last minute. A 'no-show' is particularly problematic for us, as we cannot reassign the spots and have already prepared transport and catering. In short: Please notify us as early as possible if you need to cancel your excursion.

5. What in case of bad weather?

The Dominican Republic is known for its almost always sunny weather, but in September and October, short but heavy rain showers can occur. Weather in the Caribbean changes quickly and can vary significantly by region, making accurate predictions difficult. Therefore, we make the decision about whether a tour can go ahead on the morning of the excursion, at 6 a.m., based on the most reliable weather forecast. If the weather conditions make it impossible to proceed, we will notify you immediately via email, WhatsApp, or phone. In this case, we will reschedule the tour for the next day and reserve your spots until we confirm that the new date works for you.

Despite these precautions, we have had to cancel very few tours in the last two years - about 4 to 5 cases in total. If a cancellation is necessary, we will do our best to inform you as early as possible. The best way to stay updated is by checking your email and WhatsApp messages the day before and the morning of your excursion. In most cases, we can reschedule the tour for the next day, but if the new date doesn't work for you, the tour will be canceled, and your deposit will be fully refunded as quickly as possible.

6. How is the transport organized?

Transport for guests from Dominicus:

Guests from Dominicus will be picked up by an air-conditioned minibus. The pick-up location for all guests from Dominicus resorts is at the entrance gate of the respective hotel.

Transport for guests from Bayahibe:

Guests from Bayahibe will meet us at our beach office, the exact location of which is provided in the voucher with a Google Maps link.

Transport for guests from Hilton La Romana (formerly Dreams La Romana):

The Hilton La Romana is also located in Bayahibe, not as the name suggests, in La Romana. We will meet guests from the Hilton La Romana at our beach office, as specified for Bayahibe guests. Our beach office is just a short walk along the beach from the hotel. Upon request, we are happy to send you a small map showing the route.

Transport for guests from Grand Bahia Principe La Romana and Bahia Principe Luxury Bouganville:

Pick-up for guests from Grand Bahia Principe La Romana and Bahia Principe Luxury Bouganville La Romana will be at the Grand Bahia Principe reception at around 7:30 a.m. The exact pick-up time will be specified in the voucher.

Transport for guests from Punta Cana:

For guests from Punta Cana, we will pick you up with our air-conditioned minivans between 7:00 and 7:20 a.m. at the designated meeting point at your hotel, as specified in the voucher. Please be on time at the pick-up location stated in the voucher. Many hotels do not allow independent excursion companies like ours to enter the hotel premises, so a pick-up at the reception may not always be possible. At the time of booking, we do not yet have a fixed pick-up schedule, so we give everyone a pick-up time of 7:00 a.m. If there are any changes, we will contact you in advance. If you do not hear from us, please expect the bus to arrive on time, but stay calm if there is a short delay of up to 30 minutes. The drive to Bayahibe takes at least 55 minutes, and depending on the hotel's location, it can take up to 85 minutes. On the way to Bayahibe, we will pass through the countryside and small villages, with stops only for urgent bathroom breaks. The return trip to your hotel will be around 6:30 p.m. Our buses are safe, licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, and fully insured. Our drivers are experienced and reliable.

For guests with their own transportation:

Follow the road to Bayahibe until you reach the large bus parking lot. You can park your car there. On the right side, you will see the building with the toilets/bathrooms. Directly to the left of the building (when facing it), there is a path leading to the beach. Follow this path for about 200 meters, and our visitor center is located on the right, next to the restaurant "Estro" and just past the dive school "Go Dive."

7. Payments - when and where?

We require a 20% deposit that is paid by card. The remaining balance is paid upon arrival in Bayahibe, either in cash or by credit card. We accept payments in USD, Euros, or Pesos. Our base currency is USD, so if you pay in Euros or Pesos, we will calculate the amount based on the current exchange rate on the day of the excursion. Please be cautious when exchanging money at the resorts, as exchange rates there are often unfavorable. It's better to visit a Casa de Cambio outside the resort. You can also withdraw cash from ATMs, usually you are only able to withdra Dominican Pesos. However, please note that sometimes the ATMs may not be functioning.

8. What about the group discount?

If you book a group of 8 to 15 adults, you will receive a 10% discount. For groups of 16 to 24 adults, we offer a 15% discount. Groups are generally required to make a deposit of at least 20%. Please collect the money from all group members before arriving in Bayahibe and pay us in one single amount.

9. What to bring?

Saona Crusoe VIP:

Just bring everything you need for a day at the beach. To protect your camera or phone from moisture, we recommend packing them in a Zip-lock bag. An extra T-shirt can come in handy in case we get caught in a rain shower on the way back. Also, don't forget a hat, plenty of sunscreen, and insect repellent with DEET. Small change for souvenirs or photos. If you have your own snorkel set, feel free to bring it along - this way you'll be sure it fits perfectly. Please avoid large bags and strollers, as space for luggage is limited.

Jungle Eco Tour:

Even in the jungle, make sure to bring sunscreen, a hat or cap, swimwear (preferably already worn, as there are limited changing facilities in the National Park), a towel, and sturdy shoes like sandals or sneakers. Additionally, we recommend insect repellent with DEET and small change for souvenirs or photos. Don't forget your camera to capture the beautiful memories. Please avoid large bags, as space for luggage is limited.

10. Can I bring things for the local children and people?

We collect all donations at our office, and every three months, we visit a remote village to donate the items to the children there. The people on Saona Island and in Bayahibe receive many gifts from tourists, but the need is greater in the poorer, more remote communities. Please do not bring sweets, as most children do not visit the dentist. You can bring medication, but please check the airline's regulations on what you are allowed to bring.

During the Saona Crusoe VIP, we visit the Sea Turtle Conservation Project, which relies on monetary donations to keep the project running. School supplies are welcome, as well as clothing, etc. We typically collect the donations at our office and select a community that is not as frequently visited by tourists to distribute the items. Keep in mind: If you bring 5 items and 20 children are hoping to receive something, many will go home empty-handed. Therefore, we collect the donations and distribute them when there are multiple items available.

11. I'm pregnant, is it safe for us?

We do not recommend our excursions for pregnant women. We only allow pregnant women to join our excursions if the pregnancy has passed the 13th week (1), after consultation with your doctor (2), and under calm sea conditions (3). The latter can only be determined the evening before the trip, so please call us to confirm. Please note that at some stops on our excursions, medical assistance is far away, and the nearest hospital is at least two hours (travel time) from these locations. You participate in our excursion at your own risk.

12. I've got physical/mental limitations, can I join?

Guests with minor physical limitations can participate in the Saona Crusoe VIP and Saona Special tours, as long as they can sit and manage at least 4 small steps with assistance. Please note that wheelchair users cannot be accommodated due to space limitations and the difficulty of boarding and disembarking from the speedboat. Our crew will gladly assist you with boarding and disembarking, and upon request, longer stretches, like the village visit, can be skipped.

However, the Jungle Eco Tour requires a certain level of mobility. Therefore, this tour is not suitable for guests with walking disabilities or mobility restrictions.

Guests with intellectual disabilities are warmly welcomed on our tours, provided that a responsible companion from the group is available to assist with care. Our crew is always ready to help and offer support wherever needed.

13. I'm vegetarian, I need a special diet....?

TThe lunch on our tours includes a selection of meat (pork and chicken), salads, pasta, and fruit. Vegetarians will not go hungry. If you require a special diet (kosher, gluten-free, etc.), please bring some snacks to supplement our offered lunch. Please note that we do not have an a-la-carte restaurant, but we do try to offer something for all diets.

14. We come with a group and we want our own tour??

No problem! We offer all our tours for private groups as well. Please send us an email with the following information: desired tour, number of adults and children, and the name of your hotel. With this information, we can create a tailored offer for you. Just write us an email at reservations@seavisbayahibe.com, and we'll take care of the rest!

15. Cash donations and tipping during the tours?

There is often some confusion regarding donations and tips during our tours. The only place where our guide will officially ask for donations is at the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Mano Juan. This licensed project is run by the University of Santo Domingo and supports the protection of sea turtles.

Other locals, such as the nurse at the hospital or children singing a song, appreciate small gifts or donations, but these are private initiatives by these individuals. It is entirely up to you whether you choose to give something or not.

Our staff receives above-average wages, but in the Dominican Republic, similar to the US, it is common for part of their income to come from tips for good service. If you are satisfied with the service, you are welcome to give a tip to the guide. This tip is collected by the guide and distributed equally among all staff members.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the things that you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover...... Mark Twain

Have a great vacation in the Caribbean.