Travelers leave the tourist bubble of Punta Cana by taking a guided half- or full-day tour of Higuey. Stops typically include the Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, a Roman Catholic cathedral built in 1972; it serves as the city’s biggest attraction. Despite its recent development, the church holds a strong religious presence and is the place of pilgrimages each year. It is well known due to its location, where a sighting of the Virgin Mary is said to have occurred. This elevated the church to high esteem, and Pope John Paul II visited the site in 1992.
The Church of San Dionisio is also a site to see, though this one holds significance due to its history. The small church dates back to 1572, making it one of the oldest churches in the Americas, and features Spanish colonial architecture and a stately bell tower.