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La Romana Vacations

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Our Opinion of La Romana

This delightful town has been built up over the years on the strength of the local sugar production. Nowadays it is a destination of choice for rest and relaxation vacations, honeymoons, family holidays, active travelers, scuba divers and golfers.

With incredible diving sites, championship golf courses and outstanding cultural features, La Romana has become one of the most cosmopolitan municipalities in the country in spite of being one of youngest of the country.

More La Romana Vacation Information

La Romana lies southeast of the country. Today it is mostly a resort community resting on the shores of the Caribbean Ocean. A part of the coastal area is home to The Eastern National Park and the Catalina Island. The terrain consist mostly of farmland and groves.

La Romana's urban development began in the 19th centuries and became a thriving sugar port. The city quickly filled with Puerto Rican immigrants workers and they lived in the establishments near the villa of Puerto Rico Sugar Company. These workers developed their own particular culture mixing Puerto Rican and Dominican traditions.

In the first half of the 20th century, La Romana has become a prestigious center of tourism due to the development of the Casa de Campo. Artists began flocking to Altos de Chavon and soon after it became an international arts center. Accomplished professional artists from many countries and disciplines compete for residencies.

La Romana Hotels

All hotels in La Romana

Be Live Canoa

Catalonia Gran Dominicus

Dreams La Romana

Gran Bahia Principe La Romana

Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus

Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace

Wyndham Dominicus Beach

La Romana Destination Reviews

Been to this destination?

Rating:

"Write your review of this destination here, it can be as detailed or as simple as you would like. HTML is not allowed."
Reviewer: reviewer3303
Date: Aug. 04, 2009

Rating:

"This is a great city, with beautiful resorts & hotels.
Close to Santo Domingo, La casa de las luces, the acuarium and many other amenities, it beats Puerto Plata and Punta Cana, anytime!
Either for couples or for a family vacation, one of the best places in DR."
Reviewer: stonenal6191
Date: Feb. 05, 2009

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Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Aug. 16, 2008

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"We had a great family vacation and plan to return."
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Feb. 20, 2008

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"Beach was very clean. Water crystal clear. All around beautiful place to relax and enjoy the scenery."
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Jan. 02, 2008

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Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Aug. 23, 2007

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"[Santana Beach] Beautiful resort, but from the moment you arrive you will start to loose your first impression. Check in was farly effecient until you wanted a safe key, get used to the answer "come back in one hour" you will hear it all week, most staff don't speak English but know this line. Our room was clean, but no working fan in bathroom and was never fixed despite several requests. Only had one cockroach in our room, my wife referred to it as a cricket on steroids. A la cartes are nothing but a joke, not even the worst greasey spoon could compare. Food in general was terrible from breakfast with orange from a machine (not fresh squeezed) to rabbit on the buffet, this I could eat if it had not been all ribs. Beach was not too bad but water was so cloudy that you could not see you feet in six inches of water. Dive shop staff who look after the water sports were nothing but rude. I could go on and on, but to say the least I was very disappointed by this whole experience, by the way I'm not a first time traveller with higher expectaions than what one would expect from a 4 star in this third world country.Would not reccomend this resort to any one."
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Feb. 19, 2007

Rating:

"Resort [Santana Beach] was not too far from airport, about 40-45 minutes, transportation was well orginized and quick."
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Sep. 13, 2006

Things to know about La Romana Vacations

Activities & Sports

Resorts and beaches provide every water sports like kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and powerboats to name a few.

All resorts have dive centers and a few diving schools are situated in Bayahibe, the departing point for scuba and snorkeling excursions. Catalina Island is best appreciated by experienced divers with its wall and large fish such as groupers. Shallow dives let you discover purple sea fans, orange, brown and grey gardens, and a variety of multi-coloured, fluorescent fish. In Bayahibe the large schools of fish are accustomed to bread feedings from local divers this practice is being discouraged. Other popular areas for diving are Saona Island, which can only be reached by boat, and the sunken St. Georges barge near the Club Viva Dominicus.

La Romana has three 18-hole championship golf courses open to the public and they are all run by Casa de Campo. They are the Dientes de Perro, the Links and the Dye Fore, the last being designed by Pete Dye. Outside the town you will find more golf courses in Juan Dolio and on the East Coast.

The Casa de Campo's Equestrian Center offers excellent horseback riding, as does the Rancho Cumayasa and Guavaberry Equestrian Center in Juan Dolio.

Fishing excursions are offered where you can reel in your own barracuda, tuna or dorado.

Dining & Nightlife

Most hotels have themed nightly shows with usually the best ones at Casa de Campo.

Many discotheques are situated in La Romana's resorts like the La Locura and the Casa del Mar. The chic Genesis Discotheque is in Altos de Chavon.

The home of the Performing Arts Department has performances at the Altos de Chavon's amphitheatre.

This destination attracts a richer clientele therefore you will find many gastronomical restaurants. More restaurants are located in Altos de Chavon (Cafe del Sol and Giacosa), La Marina de Casa de Campo (El Pescador and Lago Grill), and the towns of Bayahibe and Dominicus.

Shopping

The Saturday morning market is a must for your shoppings. La Romana largest shop is called Jumbo.

La Marina located at Casa de Campo resort offers upscale Dominican crafts and apparel.

Altos de Chavon's artist community is strongly dedicated to the Dominican culture. Many work in their shops and galleries where you can purchase these works of art and handicraft.

Language: Spanish; English widely spoken in tourist areas, although a Spanish/English dictionary can be helpful.

Currency: Dominican peso. The Canadian dollar is easily exchanged into Pesos, so no need for US funds.

Climate: Sub-tropical with some rain in May/June and November/December.

Electricity: Same as Canada and the U.S.

Documents
Canadians entering the Dominican Republic for tourist purposes must purchase a tourist card, at a cost of $10 US, which is valid for 30 days. It is strongly recommended that all Canadians be in possession of a valid Canadian passport while abroad. However, for direct air travel to the Dominican Republic, Canadian tourists are only required to be in possession of valid official photo identification (such as a drivers licence) and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate). Canadian tourists must also be in possession of a return airline ticket.

All other nationalities please consult a vacation specialist or the Dominican consulate at 1-888-494-5050.

Note: Some hotels require credit card imprint upon check-in for any incidental charges. Hotel check-in is typically between 3pm and 4pm. If your flight arrives early, it is a good idea to pack essential items in your carry-on luggage (i.e. bathing suit, suntan lotion, medications, etc.), so you do not miss any valuable vacation time.

There is a 16% sales tax in the Dominican Republic.