Bayahibe is a town in the Dominican Republic located on the shore of the crystal Caribbean Sea. Bayahibe has a mostly tropical climate with an annual average temperature of 25º C. Near sea level, the average temperature is 28º C while the temperature at higher elevations is 18º C. In the valleys, temperatures reach a high of 40º C yet drop to 0º C in the mountains. The coolest months are January and February with the hottest weather in August. The wet season happens from May through November. Hurricanes are likely between July and October, much like Caribbean areas such as Haiti, Cuba and the Bahamas. The average annual rainfall is 1,500 millimetres.
Bayahibe was originally founded as a fishing village in 1874 by Juan Brito and is now a mecca for tourists. Visitors enjoy lush scenery, boat tours to scenic Saona Island and world class scuba diving.
The Dominican Republic is on the island Hispaniola which is also occupied by the resort areas in Haiti. Bayahibe is just 10 miles east of La Romana.
Summer seems to be almost all year round in Bayahibe. Often the climate in the Dominican Republic is referred to as an endless summer. The summers in Bayahibe are wet, warm and humid with temperatures exceeding 30° C. From June to October, the climate is hot and rainy. During the period from July to October, there is the highest likelihood of hurricanes. This is also a time of year when tropical cyclones might hit the area.
Autumn is cooler in Bayahibe, with low humidity. The evenings tend to be cooler than they are during the steamy summer months. During the day, the temperatures reach highs of 28° C and can dip to about 20° C at night. The autumn season extends from November through January.
Winter in Bayahibe happens in January and February- the coolest months during the year. Similar to the Bahamas, certain areas of the Dominican Republic can experience snow during the coldest months. Temperatures may dip to 18° C but often remain pleasant and temperate in the low 20s. The occurrence of snow is rare and usually only happens in mountainous areas rather than near Bayahibe.
Spring extends from March through May in Bayahibe. The best time to travel to the Dominican Republic is typically from December through May. There is little rainfall during these months and the temperatures during the day are moderately hot going up to about 28° C. It is an ideal time for scuba diving, snorkelling and other water sports.
Weather Hazards
Weather hazards in Bayahibe are similar to other tropical Caribbean climates such as Haiti and Cuba. Hurricanes are often a major concern in all tropical areas during the months from July to October. In 1979, Hurricane David struck the Dominican Republic. It was the last time a category 5 hurricane hit the area. Every couple of years the area is also hit with tropical cyclones with powerful winds, torrential rains and high waves.