The Town of Barahona: A Gateway, Not a Destination
Every story has to start somewhere. The story of Cliff & Cove starts in Barahona, Dominican Republic. Never heard of it? You aren’t the only one. That’s because Barahona is NOT a destination...yet.
What is Barahona?
Barahona is a town on the south coast of the Dominican Republic. A center for commerce, an agricultural paradise, a port city that is located between the mountains and the sea, the town of Barahona is a place that more than 85,000 people call home.
For many Dominicans, “Barahona” brings to mind a weekend beach getaway, playing in the rivers, unparalleled scenery, a coastal highway, and delicious coconut fish platters. While Barahona province contains all of those things and more, the town of Barahona is quite different. To get to the unique, eco-tourism of the south, you must pass through the gateway: the town of Barahona.
Why Do I Need to Know About Barahona?
As you journey deeper into the south coast of the Dominican Republic, you will pass many small towns and villages. Barahona is the largest town before the end of the country to the West before reaching Haiti.
Barahona is a three-hour journey from Santo Domingo, where the nearest airport, Las Americas (SDQ), is located. The majority of the must-see spots in the deep south are between Barahona and Perdanales, a border town that’s a three-hour journey west. (Don’t worry, we will be covering all of those places in future posts.) Depending on your trip, you may need a place to rest, eat, get money or restock on supplies needed for the rest of your adventure. Barahona is your best bet for those things.
How to Get to Barahona?
DRIVING
The good thing here is...it’s hard to get turned around. From Santo Domingo, use Route 6 heading west to leave the city. Navigating through Santo Domingo is not for the faint of heart, but it can be done. A phone where you have data to use Google Maps or Waze can be a lifesaver.
After leaving Santo Domingo, there is one main road that will take you through towns such as Baní and Azua, as well as many smaller villages with houses a few feet from the road. This explains the need for the speed bumps that seem to appear out of nowhere. Please be aware and slow down when you go through these villages for the safety of the ones who live there as well as the safety of your vehicle.
CAUTION: Watch out for massive speed bumps driving through the towns. We have been known to go airborne in the past, as some of them are unmarked and unpainted.
On your drive to the south, you will pass through what seems like different countries. The bustling city of Santo Domingo dissolves into the mountainous suburbs of Bani, which then transform into the arid desert of the Azua province onto the lush greenery and tropical nature of Barahona.
Note: The road connecting Santo Domingo to Barahona route number changes twice during the journey from Route 6 > Route 2 > Route 44. While driving through the towns of Bani and Azua, there may be some turns within the city. Just follow the signs for your destination, Barahona or Santo Domingo, to keep on the right path.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
No car? No worries. There is a very reputable bus system that travels to most cities in the Dominican Republic, Caribe Tours. The main terminal is in Santo Domingo, from there you can travel to practically every corner of the Dominican Republic (except Punta Cana, there is another bus company for that.)
> CARIBE TOURS
Price: 450 DOP (Dominican Pesos)
Note: You can reserve online if you have an account, and then pay at the station. Make sure to arrive at the bus station at least 30 minutes before the bus departure time to pick up your reserved tickets.
If the times for Caribe Tours buses will not work for your schedule, there is another option. Sinchombia bus service provides service every hour from Barahona to Santo Domingo and back. Caribe Tours is better organized and more equipped for travelers, but in a pinch, Sinchombia will get you where you need to go, with a little more adventure.
> SINCHOMIBA
Price: $400 DOP (Domincan Pesos)
Note: There are buses that leave on the hour (express) and other buses that leave on the half-hour (local). It is worth it to wait for the express bus as the local bus makes many stops along the way. The workers may encourage you to get on whichever bus is currently there. Be sure to ask before you get on.
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Check out our handy bus schedule infographic. Don’t forget to save it for reference before you travel!
Where to Stay in Barahona?
As mentioned before, Barahona is not a destination...yet. The big business of tourism is quickly catching up to this unassum- ing town. But the hotels to accommodate the tourists just aren’t there. There are several options in town, but you must have realistic expectations.
If it is possible, we suggest staying outside of Barahona, towards the west. Within a 20 minutes drive, there are several eco- lodge style hotels with the amenities to match the epic views.
We have an upcoming post with a comprehensive review of the area’s accommodations, in the town of Barahona and nearby on the coast. If you have subscribed to our site, you will be the first to know when this post is available to read.
What to Eat in Barahona?
If you know anything about Dominican cuisine, then you...know. The flavors coupled with slow-style cooking made with love creates dishes that you can eat again and again!
TYPICAL FOOD
The south of the Dominican Republic offers the national dishes that you may already know...or soon will. Pollo guisado (stewed chicken), sancocho (meat and root stew), tostones/fritos (fried smashed plantains) are readily available as are more local cuisines such as coconut stewed fish, chacà (cracked corn pudding) and chenchén con chivo (cracked corn pilaf with goat).
To get the morning off right, a deep fried empanada and a cup of natural juice makes a yummy breakfast that can be conveniently found at food carts all over Barahona. Lunch is where Dominican food shines! Go to a local comedor, a cafeteria style eatery, and order a “plato del dia” (plate of the day) which usually consists of a choice of rice, beans, meat, and a salad. This is the best option for your mouth and your wallet, and it will keep you full for the rest of the day! If you are looking for a memorable dinner or want to dine with a view of the sea, that can be arranged. Barahona has several options that serve dinner including a food truck park, Foodtopia.
Check out our post about where to dine in Barahona. A scrumptious budget meal, or an upscale dining experience by the sea, the Barahona area has it all! You know what you have to do to be notified of future informative and mouth-wa- tering posts, right? Yep, you guessed it...subscribe to our blog.
Where is Barahona a Gateway To?