La Altagracia: Punta Cana tours and the province
La Altagracia lies within the Caribbean coastal plains. Punta Cana is a resort town in the east of the Dominican Republic. The province recorded 446,060 residents in the census of 2022.
Punta Cana tours
White sand and turquoise blue water characterise the beaches around Punta Cana. Tourism plays a major role in the economy of La Altagracia. Many people living in Higüey work at hotel complexes in Punta Cana.
The Punta Cana getaway lasting 8 days includes 7 nights of accommodation with all meals and beverages at the resort, a guided shopping excursion in Punta Cana, a city tour with a Rum and Tobacco Museum visit, and a Dominican food and drink tasting. It also includes an excursion to La Romana and Altos de Chavón, a Larimar and Amber Museum visit, and visits to Santa Rosa Cathedral and San Estanislao Church.
La Altagracia and Higüey
The capital of La Altagracia is Higüey. The city is home to the Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of Altagracia. The basilica honours Our Lady of Altagracia, the nation’s patroness. The Virgin of La Altagracia is also the patroness of Higüey.
On 17 December 1970, Pope Paul VI granted the cathedral the status of a minor basilica. Work on its interior finished in 1971. Pope John Paul II came to the basilica during his visit to the country in 1992. A national holiday on 21 January marks the Feast of Our Lady of Altagracia.
Beaches in the Dominican Republic’s east
Bávaro belongs to the Punta Cana area within La Altagracia province. It was originally planned as a town to house workers at the Punta Cana tourist complex. Before Punta Cana took its present name, the place was called Yauya or Punta Borrachon.
Macao, Bávaro and Juanillo are provincial beaches associated with white sand and clear water. Bávaro Beach is part of the Coconut Coast, a stretch of about 48 kilometres between Uvero Alto and Cap Cana. Uvero Alto, Roco Ki and La Vacama are among the beaches to the north of Bávaro. The province’s coast extends for roughly 100 kilometres and generally has mild winds.
Cotubanamá and Saona Island
Cotubanamá National Park covers about 808 square kilometres of land and sea (Law 519-14) and includes Saona Island. Decree No. 1311 established its status as a National Park and Reserve in 1975. More than 100 bird species have been recorded in the park.
Saona is a tropical island covering 110 square kilometres. The island lies 2.4 kilometres off the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic. It has government protection as a nature reserve within Cotubanamá National Park. The indigenous Taino called the island Adamanay. Columbus's fleet reached the island in September 1494; it was named Bella Savonese, later Saona, after the home town of Michele da Cuneo.
The Dominican Republic tour with sun, sea and adventure lasts 12 days and includes a professional guide throughout, transport between itinerary destinations, a guided Saona Island excursion, a guided hike to El Limón Waterfall, a cable car ride at Mount Isabel de Torres in Puerto Plata, a boat trip across Samaná Bay and meals specified in the daily itinerary.
Airport and climate
Punta Cana International Airport provides air access to the province. Punta Cana’s climate is classified as tropical wet and dry in the Köppen system. The average temperature in Punta Cana is 26 °C. Higüey has a tropical rainforest climate influenced by trade winds. Its annual rainfall is roughly 1,350 to 1,400 millimetres.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport serves La Altagracia?
Punta Cana International Airport provides air access to the province.
What is the capital of La Altagracia?
The capital of La Altagracia is Higüey.
Which beaches lie north of Bávaro?
Uvero Alto, Roco Ki and La Vacama are among the beaches to the north of Bávaro.
Is Saona Island part of Cotubanamá National Park?
It has government protection as a nature reserve within Cotubanamá National Park.
What is the average temperature in Punta Cana?
The average temperature in Punta Cana is 26 °C.
