Salvaleón de Higuey is a small city located in the province of La Altagracia, possibly the most relevant in the east of the Dominican Republic. With an age of 500 years, its name comes from Taíno and means “Land of the Rising Sun”, being the first area of the island in which dawn arises due to its location at the easternmost point of the island.

It was founded around the house of Juan Ponce de León, in Yuma, and moved to its current location possibly in the year 1522. Higuey is a destination that you should visit if you are a lover of religious and cultural tourism. The city stands out for the warmth of its people, the attachment to good customs and the good treatment they have for the tourists who visit it.

Higuey has experienced strong demographic growth where a large part of this population is made up of workers from the large hotel complexes in Punta Cana.

The Basilica

Definitely one of the places that manages to attract hundreds of local and international tourists is the famous Cathedral, Basilica Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia. This temple honors the patron saint of the Dominicans, the Virgin of La Altagracia, and was built to replace an old sanctuary where the Holy Virgin was venerated. 

The Basilica began to be built in 1954, by order of the first bishop of Higuey, Monsignor Juan Félix Pepén, which took 17 years to build. It was inaugurated on January 21, 1971 and on October 12 of that same year it was declared a Dominican Monument.

The Basilica of Higuey is an important pilgrimage site in the Dominican Republic and is considered the largest Catholic cathedral in the Caribbean. Built mainly of concrete, the Basilica has a structure in the shape of a Latin cross and of monumental dimensions (4,680 square meters) with a main arch 80 meters high. 

The interior of the temple can accommodate between 3000 to 3,500 people, whose benches on January 21 (Day of Altagracia) overflow their capacity. On this day, pilgrims from all over the country and from other latitudes come to the sanctuary of Our Lady of Altagracia.

San Dionisio Church

Located in the heart of the city, this small sanctuary was built in 1569 and for many Dominicans it is considered the most important religious monument in the country.

The Church of San Dionisio was built as a parish church, however, history had another destiny in store for it. At the beginning of the 17th century it became a sanctuary; the first sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the lands that would be known as America.

Visited by tourists and locals alike, the church still continues to celebrate masses and offers a break along the way to anyone who wishes to enter to enjoy a moment of peace and reflection witnessing a national monument. It is located in the city’s Central Park, a place that also invites you to have a family break during the day.

Gastronomy

The people of Higuey definitely have a gastronomy that makes you fall in love, capable of awakening the interest of more than one. Yuca is present in its culinary art, with which empanadas, arepitas, cheesecake, casabe, buñuelos, buns and fried yuca itself are prepared. Other foods that are present are: sugar cane, coffee, tobacco, cocoa, rice, corn, also livestock (cows and pigs), fishing and its famous Chicharrón de Leche, the latter being one one of the most sought after and most tasted.

Other experiences

Another experience that this city offers is the colorful public market, full of tables of fruits, vegetables, fresh fish  among other characteristic foods of the country, showin part of the daily rhythm of the afore mentioned city. If you are going to visit Higuey this is an unmissable place to learn more about the Dominican culture.

La Tinaja Water Park is located in the province of La Altagracia, at Km 5 of the highway that goes from Higuey to San Rafael del Yuma. It is a water park with a swimming pool, slides, basketball and volleyball courts, billiards, children’s play area, bar, snack bar, pizzeria… everything you need to spend a great day with family or friends.

BOOK A TOUR WITH US

We offer 2 different ways to discover and explore the city of Higuey. If you’re looking for a shared tour together with other people just check our FULL DAY SAFARI, where you’ll have the chance to visit the Higuey Basilica, the local market and drive around the city. In case you’re looking for a more intimate and private experience and a taylor-made itinerary, then check our DOMINICAN ESCAPE EXPERIENCE.