Location

San Rafael de Yuma is a municipality in the province of La Altagracia located in the Eastern part of the Dominican Republic just 30 minutes from La Romana and 20 minutes from Higüey.

History

San Rafael de Yuma was founded in 1889 by a group of locals including Agustin Pereyra, Eustaquio and Evangelista Rondon, Federico Aristy, and Jorge de Mota. It was named San Rafael de Yuma for of the discovery made by Mr. John Liberato Santos of a statue of the Archangel Saint Raphael, and Yuma comes from the name of the river Yuma that surrounds the pueblo. San Rafael de Yuma has been a predominantly agricultural and ranching community.

Location

The municipal district of Boca de Yuma is located at the mouth of the River Yuma (the origin of its name “Mouth of Yuma”) just 10 minutes from San Rafael de Yuma.

History

The word Yuma is an ancient Taino word used by the natives of this region meaning “son of the chief.” This fishing community was founded here during colonial times. In 1880 the first fishermen Jhon Bernardo and Wilson Charles arrived, who were natives of the island St. Thomas. They were the first outsiders to build houses and raise families in the community.

Cuisine

Along the coast near Boca de Yuma, visitors can find a wide variety of cuisine ranging from typical Dominican dishes to international favorites.

More Information

Tourists Information Center Square Monte Carlo

Dirección: Highway Dominicus Wayne Fuller Avenue corner, Dominicus-Bayahibe.Facebook: Explore Yuma Boca de Yuma Twiter: @yumabocadeyumaWeb: www.explorelaromana.com

Transportation

Public transportation services run from La Romana and Higüey. Taxi services available.

San Rafael del Yuma

Boca de Yuma

the convergence of two Cultures,Explore

Pirates and Natural wealth...

Points of Interest:

Ponce de León Museum

Home of the historical Juan Ponce de Leon family until 1508, this building has many characteristics of 16th Century Castile architecture. In the family’s two story house you can see the period furniture and personal belongings of the famous conquistador including bronze armor and weaponry.

Monday-Sunday / 9:00 a.m. a 4:00 p.m. / RD$ 50.00.

San Rafael Church and Our Lady Carmen

This church was built in honor of the patron saints of the community out of wood, thatched roof, and dirt floor in 1926. Later destroyed by a storm, it was rebuilt and reopened in 1933 and is preserved today to reflect just as it looked in 1933. The traditionally celebrated festival days of this community are held on here October 24 for Archangel Saint Rafael and July 16 for Our Lady Carmen when parishioners come in procession from various parts of the region.

Points of Interest:

Cave of the Pirates of Cofresí

The Yuma River, which forms in Higüey at the confluence of Quisibaní and Duey, travels almost 60 kilometers among cattle ranches and sugar cane fields before emptying into the Caribbean Sea at Boca de Yuma. A tour of the Yuma River allows us to see the cave, where according to tradition the Pirate Roberto Confresí took refuge in the nineteenth century. Confresí famously turned to piracy at a very young age on his boat which he named the “Anne”.

Monday-Sunday, 9:00 a.m a 4:00 p.m.Price varies depending on the number of participants.

Punta La Virgen, the Lighthouse Park

It was from this small river port where in 1508 Juan Ponce de León embarked on his journey to conquer the island of Puerto Rico. In colonial times sugar mill production moved from this port to the capital of Santo Domingo. At that time, a fort existed to protect Boca de Yuma. To this day there still exist the remains of two cannons that were used for coastal defense.

Berna Cave

Berna Cave was named after one of the founders of the community of Boca de Yuma, John Berna. This cave is located two miles from the border of the National Park of the East. This cave is without a doubt a spectacular sight due to the number and quality of petroglyphs found within. Around 300 figures can be found carved into the floors and walls of the cave.

Monday-Sunday, 09:00 a 4:00, RD$ 100.00

National Park of the East

The National Park of the East was declared a protected area on September 16, 1975. This park is located in the southeastern corner of the country in the province of La Altagracia, between the towns of Boca de Yuma and Bayahibe, including Saona Island. From the Boca de Yuma entrance, visitors can access several caves upon admission to the park. It is an ideal ecotourism location due to the availability of hiking and bird watching.

San Rafael del Yuma Boca de Yuma