Basílica of Higüey

The Basílica of Our Lady of Altagracia in Higüey is the country's main pilgrimage site, a modernist church built from 1954 to 1971 whose tall concrete arch rises over the entrance. It holds a 16th-century painting of the Virgin of Altagracia, revered as the protector of the Dominican people, which Pope John Paul II crowned in 1992; the basilica also appears on the 50-peso banknote. It is open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and there is no entrance fee; the Altagracia museum next door charges a small fee. Avoid Mass times if you want to look around, and dress respectfully. Every 21 January, the Altagracia feast day, huge crowds of pilgrims arrive: memorable, but very busy. From Bávaro it is about 40 to 60 minutes by road, and a visit takes 30 to 60 minutes. It can be visited year-round. No excursion we photograph goes here, so photos at the Basílica are a private shoot, arranged in advance.