Basilica Nuestra Señora De La Altagracia — Attraction in Higüey

Spectacular Breathtaking Cathedral My wife and I joined a tour during our vacations to Punta Cana back in Jan 2023. One of the main excursions was visiting this breathtaking cathedral (with relics of almost half a millennium). The cathedral reminded me of other ones I've seen back in my country of birth (Mex). However what is different is the distinct architectural design. The inside is equally impressive. Somehow the attendants allowed our tour group to actually climb at the altar to view some very unique religious relics. Though it was nice that they allowed that I felt bit uncomfortable (myself being Christian) due to religious intrusion. I highly recommend coming to visit so long one respects the local traditions and also dressing up conservatively (some folks didn't seem to care which is quite...

We stopped here at part of an excursion. The church looked big from the outside they were having service when we arrived, and we did not go inside. The guide explained the history of the church. My daughter and I had to leave to go to the restroom. This was a totally different experience. Upon going into the restroom, we noticed no tissue. A kind lady on our tour got us a piece of tissue each. A lady is at a table when you enter with tissue cut up in small pieces on a table. Being from America wasn't used to this concept. Maybe this was a money grab as well. The things we take for granted are valued deeply here. A lot of history surrounding the church, but we did not enter, so we really never saw inside. As with many areas in Punta Cana, you have to be careful of the pan handlers. They have a big lot...

This is a really big cathedral style church in the Dominican republic, it may be the largest church here. Outside it's not that nice to look at inside it's high ceilings and stained glass or interesting, but the composition is mostly poured concrete. The church also houses a painting that arrived in the Dominican republic in 1582 the Virgin Mary. This painting is a centerpiece of the altar, and they allow visitors to walk right up to it. There are several feral dogs who hang out in the parking lot and are very friendly to visitors. This is an interesting thing to see, but not really and out of the way trip to do. If you've seen Gothic cathedrals in Europe this is...