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Viva Dominicus Palace by Wyndham, A Trademark All Inclusive

Bayahibe, Dominican Republic
4.2(5,910 reviews)
FamilyBrand: Wyndham Hotels

Viva Dominicus Palace's best asset is its location. The Bayahibe/La Romana area is the Dominican Republic most tourists never see: a quieter corner with some of the best snorkeling in the country, coral and fish reachable straight from the resort's kilometer-plus of beach, and Isla Saona a short boat ride away. It is also easier to reach than many assume, about 15 minutes from La Romana airport and 45 from Punta Cana. On June 19, 2026 a fire badly damaged sister property Viva Dominicus Beach next door; one guest died and nearly 1,700 were evacuated. The Palace was undamaged and has stayed open.

Traveler Insights

Pros

  • +The Bayahibe/La Romana area is one of the most underrated parts of the Dominican Republic: quieter, less crowded, and the jumping-off point for Isla Saona
  • +Over 1 km of calm, clear beachfront, with coral and fish visible from shore without a boat
  • +Short transfers by Dominican standards: the resort puts La Romana airport 15 minutes away and Punta Cana airport about 45 minutes
  • +More included activity than the price suggests: trapeze with instructors, introductory dives with the resort's PADI team, catamaran and windsurfing lessons, paddleboarding, archery, water polo and beach volleyball

Cons

  • −A value-tier property that delivers the basics; travelers rate it as functional rather than impressive
  • −Food quality is consistently described as below average for the all-inclusive category, despite the long restaurant list
  • −Rooms are dated and maintenance is inconsistent, with periodic negative reports
  • −The sunbed race is real: most loungers are claimed by 7:30am, so sleeping in costs you a prime spot

The resort itself is a straightforward value all-inclusive. The dining list is longer than the reviews suggest, with the La Yuca buffet plus Mexican, Asian, Italian, Dominican, fusion, seafood and pizza venues, but food is still the most common complaint, and rooms are dated. Days are busy if you want them to be: trapeze, intro dives with the PADI team, catamaran and windsurfing lessons and paddleboarding are all included, and nights bring themed shows and a DJ party at La Placita. The sunbed race means most loungers are taken by 7:30am. Since the fire, the usual exchange with Dominicus Beach has been suspended. The Beach's operator said in June 2026 that it would stay closed through October 31, 2026, though the tourism ministry announced in early July that 200 rooms had reopened, so check its status before counting on its facilities.

Viva Dominicus Palace suits snorkelers and nature-focused travelers who want Bayahibe and Isla Saona, families and groups who like a full activity schedule, and budget travelers willing to accept dated rooms for a great natural setting. Comparable Punta Cana resorts at similar prices tend to deliver better food and rooms, but you trade that for Bavaro's crowds. Nearby, Altos de Chavon makes a good half day out, and golfers have Casa de Campo in La Romana.

Common Questions

Was the Palace affected by the June 2026 fire at Viva Dominicus Beach?
No. The June 19, 2026 fire was at the neighboring sister property, Viva Dominicus Beach, and the Palace was undamaged and stayed open. The knock-on effects were a housekeeping crunch in late June while the Palace absorbed displaced guests, and the suspension of the usual access between the two properties.
Is Viva Dominicus Beach open again, and can Palace guests use it?
Reports conflict. The operator said in late June 2026 that the Beach would stay closed through October 31, 2026, while the Dominican tourism ministry announced in early July that 200 rooms had reopened. Palace guests normally have access to both resorts, but that was suspended after the fire, so confirm with the resort before you travel.
How close is the resort to Isla Saona, and is it worth visiting?
Isla Saona is about 45 to 60 minutes by catamaran from Bayahibe, which makes it far easier from here than from Punta Cana. It has shallow turquoise lagoons, starfish sandbars and white sand beaches, and most travelers call it the best day trip in the Dominican Republic.
Is the snorkeling directly from Bayahibe beach good?
Yes. Bayahibe has coral reachable from shore that most Punta Cana beaches cannot match, with fish and clear water visible without a boat. The resort's PADI team also runs introductory dives if you want to go deeper.
How long is the transfer from the airport?
The resort puts La Romana airport (LRM) about 15 minutes away, Punta Cana (PUJ) about 45 minutes and Santo Domingo's Las Americas airport (SDQ) about 1 hour 25 minutes. Punta Cana has the most flights, and the drive is shorter than many people expect.
Are there good day trips beyond Isla Saona?
Altos de Chavon, near La Romana, is a re-created 16th-century Mediterranean-style village above the Chavon River with galleries and a 5,000-seat amphitheater. Casa de Campo's golf courses are nearby for golfers, and Bayahibe village itself is worth a wander for seafood and local color.

Restaurants (10)

TypeRestaurants
BuffetBuffet La Yuca
MexicanViva Mexico
ItalianLa Trattoria, Il Palco
AsianBambu
SeafoodAtlantis
Caribbean & localViva Mi Bodegon, Palito de Coco
International & fusionViva Cafe, 25

From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.

What's nearby

More things to do (13)
  • Dominicus Beach · beach5 min drive · 1.6 mi
  • Teeth of the Dog · golf30 min drive · 16 mi
  • Dye Fore · golf25 min drive · 14 mi
  • Cueva Padre Nuestro · nature12 min drive · 3.5 mi
  • Playa Caletón · beach30 min drive · 16 mi
  • Casa de Campo Marina · marina30 min drive · 16 mi
  • Deep-sea fishing charter · excursion30 min drive · 16 mi
  • Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia, Higüey · historic site45 min drive · 27 mi
  • Juan Ponce de León Fort Museum · museum45 min drive · 22 mi
  • Cueva de las Maravillas · nature45 min drive · 29 mi
  • Boca de Yuma · town50 min drive · 28 mi
  • Cueva de Berna · nature55 min drive · 29 mi
  • San Pedro de Macorís Cathedral · historic site60 min drive · 42 mi

Amenities

Archery
Windsurfing
Fishing
Diving
Snorkeling
Water Sports Rentals
Free Wi-Fi
Nightly Entertainment
Show 4 more amenities
Buffet Dining
Spa
Gym
Beach

Google Reviews★ 4.2 · 5,910 reviews

Anna B.
3 weeks ago

“Viva Dominicus Palace by Wyndham, Bayahibe 🇩🇴 Beautiful beach and lovely staff. Don't believe the negative reviews, the hotel is good enough for the stars rating and the location is simply perfect. We loved it 😁😍🫶🏼🏝️🇩🇴”

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