Catalonia Resort - The Beach
Independent review of the Catalonia Gran Dominicus resort
This is an independent review of the Catalonia Gran Dominicus resort in Bayahibe, South-East Dominican Republic, following a 3 week stay in April/May 2009.
Above: Bayahibe beach
Above: Bayahibe beach
The beach at the Catalonia resort in Bayahibe [Catalonia Gran Dominicus] is quite simply probably the best stretch of beach out of all of the
beaches owned by the all-inclusive hotels along this part of the Bayahibe coastline.
The golden sand contains few rocks or pebbles and is a pleasure to walk on.
Many people seemed to spend the morning on the beach and then to disappear between about 12 noon and 3pm during the hottest part of the day.[cont left]
At the Catalonia resort there are plenty of sun beds and shade is plentiful provided by both the many palms and a good number of thatched parasols.
I can honestly say that if we needed shade it was available.
The sea
The sea at the Catalonia Gran Dominicus was very calm and safe for swimming.
When compared with the other resorts along
this stretch of coastline in Bayahibe, in my view his resort had the best of the coastline.
There were great areas in which to swim with no seaweed and very few rocks.[cont right]
This was not the case in some of the other resorts along the stretch in Bayahibe. Some of those had quite a few rocks.
Personally when on vacation I love to sun bathe on a lilo in the sea. The Catalonia resort is perfect for that with the calm sea only being disturbed by
the wake of the passing boats.
When you enter the sea there is a small ledge quite close to the shore. Weak swimmers should be careful about this.
Apart from that the water is not deep and most people will be able to stand.
Around 40 meters out there is a `man made` reef and many vacationers would snorkel off this reef.
[cont left]
Beach bars/restaurants
The main beach restaurant was open from 11am and closed at around 5pm. From this restaurant you could get snacks and drinks.
Typically there would be some hot food such as fried chicken, onion rings and french fries. If
you were feeling a bit more healthy you could grab a salad or fruit.
Drinks at the Catalonia resort tended to be from a the drinks machines and included diet coke, orange, water, Presidente beer etc.
There is an additional smaller bar set back from the beach.
As you arrive at the beach go to the right and it is about about 80 yards from the larger beach restaurant.
We found this bar very useful and used to find some shade close enough to stagger overon a regular basis.
Beach walk
If like me, you adore putting on the iPod headphones and taking a walk along a beautiful beach, you will enjoy the walk available here.
From the Catalonia Gran Dominicus you can certainly walk for a good 25-30 minutes along to the Wyndham Dominicus beach resort.
Along the way you will pass a number of other resorts.
Beach entertainment
Quite close to the beach at the Catalonia resort the entertainment team have a hut and they use this as base from which to co-ordinate merengue classes, exercise classes, games etc.
One of my complaints with this resort is that sometimes there was too much loud `Reggaethon` music at the beach.
On a Caribbean holiday I like a bit of music but I also like to hear the sound of the sea!!!
Luckily the beach at Catalonia Gran Dominicus is large enough that you can find a quiet spot if you need one.
Beach Guard
The photo`s on this page were taken in the early morning and if you go for an early morning walk
you may see a beach guard.
For those coming from a country where there are few guns this may appear a bit shocking. Indeed as you travel around the country you will see armed sitting in banks, supermarkets and even in official tourist offices!!!
Don`t be alarmed, this is really not a violent country. Indeed I have always felt safe in the Dominican Republic.
Above: A beach guard
Catalonia Resort - The Beach
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