Located on the southwestern coast of the Dominican Republic, La Romana serves as a gateway to a picture-perfect Caribbean vacation. The city lies about one hour west of Punta Cana and 90 minutes east of Santo Domingo. But La Romana Dominican Republic has even more to offer than the city itself.
Luxury resorts with chic accommodations cater to every traveler from families with children to honeymooners, golfers divers, and those who enjoy idyllic beaches. Catalina Island, a stunning paradise, is a short boat ride away. This guide outlines the best of La Romana Dominican Republic: main attractions, the best tours, and accommodations to fit different budgets. It also features information on how to get to this fabulous vacation destination.
Main Attractions in La Romana Dominican Republic
1. Altos de Chavon
A true architectural wonder, Altos de Chaon was created by the Italian master designer Roberto Coppa along with Jose Antonio Caro, a local Dominican architect. The 16th-century replica of a Mediterranean village was built to be a cultural center for the Dominican people.
- The village features handcrafted stone pathways, fascinating buildings, and decorative ironwork paying tribute to the old crafts of metalwork and stone carving.
- Door frames of the buildings are handcrafted and wrought-iron details are hand-forged. Construction began in 1976 and lasted until 1982.
- The village sits above the Chavón River.
2. Catalina Island
Take a tour to get the most out of the coastal beauty of the Dominican Republic. Full day trips to and from the tropical paradise of Catalina Island give visitors ample time to explore the lush tropical woods of La Minitas Beach and go snorkeling at The Wall, La Romana’s famous local snorkeling destination.
This great tour operates out of Punta Cana and offers the lucky ones on board some great amenities.
- Enjoy free-flowing cocktails while gliding through the azure Caribbean.
- Guides point out luxury villas, tropical jungles, colorful birds, and wildlife along the way.
- After a barbecue buffet, the cruise ends with completing a round-trip hotel pickup.
3. La Romana Beaches
Of course, the beaches of La Romana Dominican Republic are the main attraction. Along with Catalina Island, other world-class beaches include the following:
- Playa El Caleton is a good family beach. Umbrellas and lounge chairs are inexpensive to rent and food and beverages are available from vendors.
- Playa Caleta is off the beaten path and is a hotspot for locals. Lose the touristy feel and watch the fishing boats on the horizon.
- Playa La Minitas is La Romana Dominican Republic’s most popular beach. Gain access to this private paradise by staying at the beachside resort or making a purchase in one of the shops.
- Bayahibe is popular with cruisers. This is because it has food, cocktails, a pool, and swim-up bar.
Other Things to Do in La Romana Dominican Republic
1. Visit La Cueva de las Maravillas
Get immersed in nature and history by visiting La Cueva de las Maravillas, the Cave of Miracles. There, ancient Dominican history reveals itself in gigantic caves at this historic site in the form of Taino Indian cave paintings. Of the many caves in the Dominican Republic, the ones here, from the La Romana Highway are the most popular.
Open since 2003, this tourist attraction takes approximately an hour to complete. Clusters of rock in dim lighting take on a magical glow in these spectacular cave calcium formations dotted with stalactites and stalagmites. Moreover, you can take cave tours alone or as a part of other tours.
2. Check Out Altos de Chavón Regional Archaeological Museum
The museum opened in 1981 thanks to the Altos de Chavón Cultural Center Foundation. For decades, this non-profit cultural and educational organization has contributed to the area’s artistic and cultural awareness. Each year, thousands of visitors look at Samuel Pión’s indigenous collection of over 3,000 pieces from the region over the course of more than 40 years.
The evolution of the indigenous society’s culture is portrayed through ritual and utilitarian objects. Societies from the pre-agricultural era to the Tainos are also here. Panels and illustrations are there to help you make the tour an independent one.
3. Tanama Jungle Ranch
The Tanama Jungle Ranch is a tropical paradise on the banks of the Rio Chavón. It has given the setting for several Blockbuster movies. The jungle ranch is a popular shore excursion for cruisers and is only 35 minutes from the Punta Cana airport. Visitors get to experience the area’s flora and fauna up close.
- Come face-to-face with hummingbirds, beautiful butterflies, boa constrictors, iguanas, tarantulas, and other exotic creatures.
- Lush tropical plants like bromeliads, orchids, passion fruit, coffee, bananas, and cacao are abundant.
- Take the trip with a 40-minute boat ride that embarks in Limon near La Romana Dominican Republic.
- Transfers are available.
Where to Stay in La Romana
1. Casa de Campo Resort & Villas
The Casa de Campo Resort & Villas with private beach has 165 rooms of varying accommodations. You can find it eight miles from the beach at Bayahibe. Moreover, the resort offers world-class service to guests with the following amenities:
- On-site restaurant and bar;
- Free WiFi throughout the property;
- Flat-screen TV with satellite channels and Blu-ray player;
- iPod docking station;
- On-site hairdresser;
- Gift shop;
- Swimming pool;
- Cleaning services.
Accommodation types at Casa de Campo range from two full beds, one twin bed, and one sofa bed to classic three, four, and five bedroom villas. Rooms with garden or pool views are also available. All rooms include a private bath with a tub and bidet. Furthermore, rooms are available with a spa tub or hot tub. The resort is a popular choice for both families and couples. It is located at La Romana, 22000 La Romana Dominican Republic. This means it’s three miles from La Romana Dominican Republic airport.
Book at all-inclusive weekly rates ranging from $1,494 to $10,320.
2. Hostal Silvestre
Located 11 miles from Bayahide at Calle 2da, Reparto Torres No. 2, La Romana, the Hostal Silvestre in La Romana has a year-round outdoor pool where guests can enjoy drinks at a bar. This hostel is popular with singles or visitors traveling in pairs and is budget-friendly. Choose from the following accommodations:
- Superior double or twin with garden view;
- Queen with pool or garden view;
- Deluxe double or twin with pool view.
All rooms include a private bath and flat-screen TV. It is six miles away from the airport. Book rooms well in advance for specific selection.
Stay seven nights for $602 and ten nights for $820.
How to Get to La Romana
La Romana International Airport (LRM) is six miles east of town.
- Cheap flights are available from major US cities such as NYC, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, Charlotte, Los Angeles, and Nashville.
- Flights from Canada include Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Ottawa.
- Travelers from Fredericton will need to connect to La Romana from Santiago. Typically, shuttles, rental cars, and taxis are available at the airport.
- Once in La Romana, public buses called guaguas make travel throughout town easy. Motorbikes for hire are popular for getting around town.
Packing Up
La Romana Dominican Republic has many more fascinating places to explore than listed above. So, accommodations are plentiful. Moreover, they range from luxury resorts to affordable hotels and hostels. Also, many resorts include great golfing, horseback riding, and other activities.
So, begin here to plan a dream vacation to La Romana, the Carribean’s most charming city.
Images: depositphotos.com.
