Last updated: October 2026 · By Livia GarcÃa, La Romana Photographer
If you are staying at a resort in Bayahibe or Dominicus, you do not need to pay a resort fee to have a professional photoshoot. Most resorts in the area charge between $70 and $200 to let an outside photographer into the property, and some do not allow photo sessions inside at all. We can meet you on an accessible public beach next to your resort, or take you to a nearby beach, so you avoid a resort entry fee. We confirm the meeting point when you book. The best times for photos are 8:30–9:00 a.m. or the last hour before sunset.
We have worked as a photographer in Bayahibe and Dominicus for years, and these are the questions our clients ask most. Below you will find, resort by resort, what each one charges, where we photograph you instead, and how to choose the best time of day for your session.
Quick Answer: Resort Photo Fees in Bayahibe and Dominicus
Choose your resort below to see the photographer access fee and where we can meet you for a beach session without that resort fee.
Dreams La Romana & Secrets La Romana
Beach alternativePublic beach a few steps away; we arrange pickup and return.
Viva Wyndham Dominicus
Beach alternativePublic beach a few steps from the resort.
HM Alma de Bayahibe
Beach alternativeWe take you to a nearby beach and back.
Iberostar Selection Hacienda Dominicus
Beach alternativeBeach by the Dominicus lighthouse.
Catalonia La Romana
Beach alternativeMeet us directly on the beach.
Dreams Dominicus La Romana
Beach alternativeQuiet stretch on the left side of its beach.
Sunscape Dominicus La Romana
Beach alternativeBeach on the right side, especially beautiful at sunset.
Aqua Esmeralda Residences
Beach alternativeThe beach in front of the residences.
Cadaqués Caribe Resort & Villas
Beach alternativeBeach on the right side of the resort.
Fees noted in October 2026. Resorts can change them; we confirm the current conditions when you book.
Can I Bring an Outside Photographer to My Resort in Bayahibe?
Yes, but almost every resort in Bayahibe and Dominicus charges for it. The fee usually works as a day pass for the photographer and ranges from $70 to $200, depending on the property. A few resorts, such as Dreams Dominicus and Dreams and Secrets La Romana, apply the same permit they charge for weddings, which makes a simple photoshoot inside the property very expensive.
That is why, for most of our clients, the photoshoot happens on the beach. You get the same turquoise water and white sand, more freedom to move, fewer guests in the background, and no extra cost. If you still prefer photos by the pool or in the resort gardens, we are happy to do it: we simply let you know the fee in advance so there are no surprises.
Why We Photograph on Public Beaches in the Dominican Republic
Beaches in the Dominican Republic are public. Article 15 of the Dominican Constitution places beaches and coasts in the public domain and provides for free access while respecting private property rights. Law 64-00 defines a 60-meter coastal strip as public maritime-terrestrial domain. We choose accessible beach meeting points and confirm any local conditions before your session.
What resorts can charge for is the use of their own facilities: pools, gardens, terraces and restaurants. We respect that, and we never enter a property without the corresponding pass. We simply photograph you on the public sand, which is often the most beautiful spot anyway.
Resort-by-Resort Photoshoot Guide
Dreams La Romana and Secrets La Romana
Photoshoots are not offered inside Dreams La Romana or Secrets La Romana: the resort applies the same permit it charges for weddings, which is far too expensive for a photo session. The good news is that a beautiful public beach is only a few steps away, and there are other nearby beaches we can use with no fee.
- Families and groups: we arrange a taxi that picks you up at the resort, takes you to the session and brings you back.
- Couples: we pick you up ourselves and bring you back after the session.
- Early-morning sessions: the distance is so short that you can easily walk.
Viva Wyndham Dominicus
We have photographed many sessions here, and you have two options. You can pay the resort's $75 fee so the photographer can enter, or walk just a few steps to the public beach, where we photograph you with no additional fee.
HM Alma de Bayahibe
Alma de Bayahibe is a beautiful hotel, and if you want your photos on the property, keep in mind that the photographer needs a $70 day pass. Since the hotel does not have its own beach, we recommend a beach session: if you are a couple, we pick you up at the hotel, photograph you on the beach and bring you back.
Iberostar Selection Hacienda Dominicus
Photos inside Iberostar require a $75 day pass for the photographer. Our recommendation: simply walk to the beach near the Dominicus lighthouse. It is one of the most iconic spots in the area, and the photos are spectacular, with no fee.
Catalonia La Romana
The conditions are the same as at Iberostar: a $75 day pass if you want photos inside. Honestly, it is not worth it. Meet us directly on the beach and save the fee for a nice dinner.
Dreams Dominicus La Romana
Like Dreams and Secrets La Romana, Dreams Dominicus applies a wedding-level permit, so photos inside the resort are not practical for a photoshoot. Fortunately, on the left side of its beach there is a section that is almost empty, with very few swimmers, which is perfect for photos. We meet you at the resort's pier and walk together to the beach. No fee required.
Sunscape Dominicus La Romana
You can pay a $75 day pass for the photographer, or take your photos directly on the beach. On the right side of Sunscape's beach, just a few steps away, there is a comfortable stretch of sand where the photos look amazing and the sunset is especially beautiful.
Aqua Esmeralda Residences
If you are renting an apartment at Aqua Esmeralda, photos inside the complex carry a $200 fee. A session on the beach in front has no additional cost, and we highly recommend it: it is a beautiful, quiet beach, rarely crowded, and wonderful for photos.
Cadaqués Caribe Resort & Villas
Cadaqués Caribe works the same way: a photographer inside the resort requires a $200 permit. If we meet directly on the beach, right on the right side of the hotel, there is a pleasant beach where we can photograph you with no fee.
Want Something Different? Playa Magallanes and Bayahibe Village
Since we can photograph along the whole coast, your session does not have to happen next to your resort. Two options our clients love:
- Playa Magallanes: a different beach with a different kind of vegetation, ideal if you want photos that do not look like every other resort picture.
- The heart of Bayahibe: the fishing village itself, with its colorful houses and local life. A great choice if you want to discover the real Bayahibe during your session.
Tell us what you are dreaming of when you book, and we will suggest the best location for your style. You can see more of our work on our Bayahibe photographer page.
Best Time for a Photoshoot in Bayahibe
We usually recommend the afternoon for its soft, warm light. If you prefer vibrant Caribbean blues, we can photograph you early in the morning. We confirm your exact start time before the session.
Why these hours? Because it is cooler, the light is softer and more flattering, sessions are much easier with small children or if you are sensitive to heat, and you can keep your eyes open instead of squinting at the sun.
As a rule, we start afternoon sessions about one hour before sunset, so in winter you will usually meet us around 5:00 p.m. and in summer around 6:00 p.m. We always confirm the exact time with you before the session.
Do You Do Photoshoots on Saona Island?
Not as a standard session, and here is why. Most Saona excursions already include their own photographers, and a trip to Saona is not just the time of the photoshoot: it usually takes a full day and can be very tiring. The beaches right next to your resort give you the same Caribbean colors without spending the whole day on a boat.
If you are planning a private excursion to Saona and would love professional photos there, write to us: we can create a personalized package.
From Our Experience
After many sessions in Bayahibe and Dominicus, our honest advice is simple: in most cases, paying the resort fee is not worth it. The public beaches next to the resorts are just as beautiful, less crowded, and give us more freedom to create natural photos. Save the fee, choose the right hour, and let us take care of the rest, whether it is a surprise proposal, a family session or an engagement photoshoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring an outside photographer to my resort in Bayahibe?
Yes, but most resorts charge between $70 and $200 for a photographer's day pass or permit, and some, like Dreams Dominicus and Dreams and Secrets La Romana, apply a wedding-level permit. A session on the public beach next to your resort has no fee.
Are beaches in the Dominican Republic public?
Yes. Article 15 of the Dominican Constitution places beaches and coasts in the public domain and provides free access while respecting private property rights. Law 64-00 defines a 60-meter coastal strip as public maritime-terrestrial domain. We confirm the meeting point and any local conditions before your session.
How much does Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus charge for an outside photographer?
A $75 day pass for the photographer. We recommend the beach by the Dominicus lighthouse instead, which has no fee.
Can I have a photoshoot inside Dreams Dominicus?
Dreams Dominicus applies the same permit it charges for weddings, which is too expensive for a photoshoot. We meet you at the pier and photograph you on the quiet left side of the beach, with no fee.
How much do Sunscape and Viva Dominicus charge?
Both charge $75 for the photographer to enter. At both resorts, the public beach is a few steps away and has no fee.
Do you pick us up at our hotel?
For Dreams and Secrets La Romana, yes: couples ride with us and families travel by taxi, to the beach and back. For couples staying at Alma de Bayahibe, we also pick you up and bring you back. At the other resorts we usually meet you directly on the beach.
What is the best time for photos in Bayahibe?
Early morning (8:30–9:00 a.m.) or about one hour before sunset, which is between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. depending on the month. We usually recommend the afternoon.
Do you photograph on Saona Island?
Not as a standard session, because Saona trips take a full day and most excursions include their own photographers. For private excursions, we create personalized packages on request.
Can we do the session somewhere other than the beach next to our resort?
Yes. Playa Magallanes offers a different landscape and vegetation, and the colorful village of Bayahibe is perfect if you want a more local, authentic look.
Are the resort fees up to date?
They were verified in October 2026. Resorts can change their fees at any time, so we always confirm the current amount when you book.
Book Your Photographer in Bayahibe
Send us your resort, your dates and the number of people, and we will tell you the best beach, the best hour and how we will meet you. Planning a wedding instead? See our Bayahibe wedding photographer page.
