Things To Do
in Guaymate
Guaymate is a small town in La Romana province in the southeastern Dominican Republic, historically tied to the sugarcane industry and local agricultural life. It serves as a working-class community with lively street life, colorful small businesses, and close ties to nearby La Romana city and coastal resorts. Visitors encounter a down-to-earth Dominican experience—local markets, colmados (corner stores), family-run comedores and community events—rather than resort-style tourism.
Guaymate is a practical base for exploring nearby beaches, Altos de Chavón and Cotubanamá National Park while offering authentic local culture and friendly residents.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Arrive at Las Américas International Airport and travel to Guaymate, soaking in the stunning Dominican Republic scenery during the drive. Once you settle into your accommodations, enjoy a traditional Dominican breakfast at a local café. Take some time to freshen up and relax after your journey.
Explore the picturesque village of Guaymate, visiting local markets to experience the vibrant culture and flavors of the area. Engage with the friendly locals and learn about their way of life. Don’t miss sampling some delicious street food, which will give you a true taste of Dominican cuisine.
As the sun sets, dine at a local restaurant that offers authentic Dominican dishes. Enjoy the warm ambiance and perhaps try a cold Presidente beer alongside your meal. After dinner, take a leisurely stroll around the village to soak up the evening atmosphere.
Start your day with a refreshing morning walk to witness the sunrise over the rolling hills of Guaymate. Visit a local church to gain insight into the deep-rooted traditions and religious practices of the community. Afterwards, enjoy breakfast at a quaint café that specializes in local pastries.
Join a guided tour to the nearby historic town of San Pedro de Macorís, where you can visit museums and learn about the local baseball history that shaped many Dominican players. Explore the charming streets and visit the beautiful parks filled with tropical flora. Capture memorable photographs during your exploration.
Head back to Guaymate for a lovely dinner at a family-run restaurant. Enjoy delicious home-cooked meals that have been passed down through generations. Engage in conversations with locals who share stories about their heritage and customs.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $5-8 |
| ☕Coffee (local café) | $1.50-3 |
| 🚕Short taxi ride (local) | $2-6 |
| 🛏️Budget guesthouse / small hotel (per night) | $20-45 |
| 🍺Local beer (bar) | $1.50-3 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Authentic, down-to-earth Dominican cultural experience away from big resorts
- Close to popular beaches, Altos de Chavón and Cotubanamá National Park
- Affordable food and lodging options
- Friendly local community with vibrant street life and markets
- Limited tourist infrastructure in town (fewer hotels, limited English services)
- Fewer dining and nightlife options compared with nearby resort areas
- Higher humidity and risk of storms in the wet season
- Public transport and road signage can be inconsistent—some reliance on private transport needed
- "Buenos días / Buenas tardes" - Good morning / Good afternoon
- "¿Cuánto cuesta?" - How much does it cost?
- "Gracias" - Thank you
- "¿Dónde está el baño?" - Where is the bathroom?
- "¿Me puede ayudar?" - Can you help me?
- "Estoy perdido/a" - I am lost
Places to Visit in Guaymate
Visit one of these nice places.
Expansive fields provide dramatic patterns, rustic farm equipment and golden light at sunrise and sunset—ideal for landscape and rural life photography.
A reconstructed Mediterranean-style village with cobbled streets, cliffside views over the Río Chavón and photogenic architecture—great for wide-angle and cultural shots.
River canyon views near La Romana offer sweeping vistas, especially from viewpoints near Altos de Chavón; excellent for late afternoon light.
Colorful market stalls, fruit sellers and daily bustle make for vivid street photography capturing authentic local life.
White-sand beaches, turquoise water and nearby reefs provide classic Caribbean seascapes and underwater photography opportunities.
Food in Guaymate
Guaymate Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
The Dominican everyday meal of rice, red beans and stewed meat (chicken, beef or pork); you’ll find great homemade versions in local comedores and roadside diners.
Must-Try!
Mashed boiled plantains, usually served at breakfast with eggs, fried cheese and salami; popular in small breakfast spots and colmados.
Twice-fried plantain discs (tostones) or mashed fried plantain with garlic (mofongo); often accompany fish and stews and are ubiquitous at coastal eateries.
Coastal restaurants serve freshly caught fish grilled or fried; sancocho (stew) is a hearty one-pot meal often made for special gatherings and can include fish or mixed meats.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Small daily market stalls selling produce, eggs, yucca, plantains and spices—great for photographing local life and buying fresh ingredients or snacks.
Corner stores and roadside vendors sell empanadas, pastelitos, empanadas de carne and yucca frita—perfect for inexpensive, on-the-go bites.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Warm, polite greetings are important—use Buenos días/Buenas tardes and handshakes for introductions. A friendly '¿Cómo está?' goes a long way.
Show respect to elders and persistent politeness in shops and homes; avoid loud confrontations in public. Asking permission before photographing people is good practice.
Dress modestly in town and when visiting religious sites; beachwear is fine at the shore but not appropriate for town errands. Be mindful of local customs at community events.
Small gifts or tokens of appreciation to hosts or guides are welcomed; tipping service staff follows local norms described above.
Safety
Tipping in Guaymate
Ensure a smooth experience
A 10% tip is customary in restaurants if service charge is not included; round up taxi fares and give small amounts (US$1–2) to hotel porters and housekeeping. For guides and drivers, tipping for good service is appreciated—amounts vary by activity and group size.
Dominican peso (DOP) is the local currency—cash is king in Guaymate and small towns. US dollars are often accepted in tourist areas but may give less favorable exchange. ATMs and banks are available in La Romana; credit cards are commonly accepted at hotels and larger restaurants but not in small shops or markets—carry enough cash for local purchases.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Dry season and the most popular time to visit—less rain, lower humidity, and comfortable temperatures around 24–30°C (75–86°F). Great for beach time and outdoor excursions; book in advance during holidays.
Temperatures rise and brief showers become more common; shoulder-season benefits include fewer crowds and often better service prices.
Hot and humid with increased afternoon thunderstorms; coastal breezes help but expect higher temperatures and busy domestic holiday travel.
Most rain and the peak of Atlantic hurricane season—storms can disrupt travel and boat excursions. Monitor forecasts and consider travel insurance during these months.
Guaymate at Night
Hiking in Guaymate
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Coastal trails, mangrove walks and low-elevation hikes near Bayahibe offering wildlife viewing, coastal scenery and access to boat trips to islands and reefs.
Gentle trails and pathways around the Río Chavón canyon near Altos de Chavón—good for scenic walks, photography and exploring riverside viewpoints.
Short coastal hikes and beach walks connecting small coves and fishing villages—excellent for birdwatching, tidepool exploration and sunrise/sunset photography.
Airports
How to reach Guaymate by plane.
The closest airport serving regional and some international flights—convenient for reaching La Romana, Bayahibe and nearby resorts; transfers to Guaymate take a relatively short drive.
Major international gateway for the eastern DR with many flights—about a one- to two-hour drive depending on traffic; good option for international arrivals and car rental services.
The main airport serving the capital region with many international connections—around 1.5–2 hours by car from Guaymate depending on traffic; useful for onward domestic travel arrangements.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Predominantly working-class Dominican families with long ties to the sugarcane and agricultural economy; many households run small businesses and family comedores.
Seasonal and permanent migrant workers, often from other parts of the Dominican Republic or neighboring countries, who contribute to agriculture and field labor; they form an important part of the local labor force.
People involved in nearby tourism centers (La Romana, Bayahibe, Casa de Campo) who commute for work—these residents interact frequently with visiting tourists and resort operations.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The Dominican Republic’s most popular sport—local kids and adults play frequently and many major-league prospects come from the region; visiting a game or youth practice offers cultural insight.
Widely played and followed across age groups; neighborhood pickup games are common in fields and open spaces.
In nearby coastal areas, sportfishing, snorkeling, diving and recreational boating are popular activities and a key part of local tourism.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Guaymate.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are limited in small-town comedores but possible—starchy sides (rice, beans, plantains, avocado) and salads work well. Communicate clearly (in Spanish if possible) that you don’t want meat or broth; larger restaurants in La Romana and resorts have better vegetarian choices.
Vegan and strict gluten-free diets are harder to accommodate in local eateries; bring snacks and be explicit about ingredients. Resorts and tourist restaurants are more likely to help with substitutions.
Carry an allergy card in Spanish explaining your allergy and avoid unclear street-prepared foods when in doubt. Peanuts and seafood are common; ask about ingredients before ordering.