Higuey is an inland city located in the southeast portion of the Dominican Republic. Higuey is most known as a pilgrimage center with visitors going to the “Shrine of the Virgin” also called “Basilica de Nuestra Senora”. The impact this shrine has had on Dominican culture can be seen by the fact that a picture of it is prominently display on the back of the 50-peso bill.

While there are several nice Hotels in Higuey many of which are reasonably priced. It is not as likely to be a place where you will spend an extended vacation, although it might be a good stopover for those interested in viewing religious architecture or as a religious destination if you are on a pilgrimage. La Basilica is a fairly new monument only built in 1971. It is of French design and was built to replace a sanctuary built in 1572 at the same location. (more…)