Boca De Yuma, A Hidden Paradise in the Dominican Republic
Boca de Yuma is the municipal district of the municipality of San Rafael del Yuma. It is located south of the La Altagracia province of the Dominican Republic on the shores of Yuma Bay and west of the mouth of the Yuma River, very close to Punta Cana.
Boca de Yuma is known as a fishing village, however, this municipal district has benefited from ecotourism due to the many natural wonders found here.
The origins of this town date back to the beginning of the XVI century. One of the first settlers in this area was Pedro Sifuentes who was known as the “Dominican Robinson Crusoe” because he lived alone for many years after the sinking of his ship in Yuma Bay.
A few kilometers west of the town is the Parque Nacional del Este, one of the largest national parks in the country (310 square kilometers) and home to different species of animals in the region. There are excursions where you can appreciate its beautiful landscapes and caves.
Hoyo Zumbador, the Dominican Republic’s only inland beach
Nestled in the eastern plain of Hispaniola Island, adjacent to the East Park, facing the Caribbean Sea, without coconut trees, in the municipality of San Rafael del Yuma, is located the unique “Hoyo Zumbador”, the only beach in the country surrounded by alkaline rocks and whitish sand.
It is one of the main tourist attractions of the coastal town of Boca de Yuma, in San Rafael de Yuma, La Altagracia province.
Its crystalline blue waters, which move in a lining similar to a stone pool, patiently forged by nature thousands of years ago, is a destination to be explored by those who enjoy the sun and beach tourism.
Hoyo zumbador is the only “inland beach” in the Dominican Republic, located 20 meters away from the coast and which is descended by a small path that starts on the sidewalk of the street leading to the site.
The small area of Hoyo Zumbador, with its turquoise blue water and rocks, brings great value to Boca de Yuma.
From the heights of the rocks that protect the resort, bathers dive into the water, which in some places is up to four meters deep.
The water is spurted by the pressure of the sea tide, which fills the cavity when the tide is high.
Although the vegetation is absent, its beauty from the heights is spectacular, where you can differentiate the dark blue of the sea with the tone of Zumbador beach.
The municipal authorities have enabled the environment with trails to facilitate access.
It is an authentic paradise, unknown to the generality of the “esteños”, as they now call those who live in the eastern part of the island of Hispaniola and tourists who visit the country.
Although the community has many things to show off, such as monuments, beaches, the Parque del Este, the Ponce de León museum, Zumbador is something unique, which makes this place a destination with a promising future.
Hoyo Zumbador, which owes its name to the sound of the water hitting the reefs, is close to the mouth of the Yuma River, whose waters, which carry sediments, do not dirty the attraction.
It is a place where you can appreciate the flight of pelicans, white herons, and other birds, flying to the beat of the ships that carry the fishermen to look for the delicacy to the sea.
Here, next to Zumbador beach, restaurants abound, where the main dish is fish, which is cooked fresh.
Only the occasional seaweed occasionally spoils this beauty of nature, but when it happens the locals manage to remove it.
Other tourist attractions in Boca de Yuma
The Bernard Cave is another attraction of the place, since its interior preserves impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
There are several caverns such as Roberto Cofresí, which can be reached by boat or diving because they are filled with water due to their proximity to the sea.
A few kilometers from here is the Hoyo Azul cenote, a freshwater lake surrounded by several tourist-oriented caverns.
In the town, there are vestiges of the colonial era, such as the cannons and the fort that were used for defense, which is historical.
Legends have it that the fort’s cannon was used by Archbishop Fernando de Navarrete to protect the sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia.
From here you can see the bay of Cape San Rafael and the adjacent beaches.
Boca de Yuma is at the end of the road that connects with the Coral Highway, several kilometers away.