Although the resorts of the Dominican Republic do not require additional recommendations, you may be interested in learning more about one of the best places to stay in this republic. This is the resort of La Romana. La Romana (Dominicana) is perfect for relaxing family and romantic holidays, it is also known for good conditions for diving, lovers of nightlife are waiting for a luxury club, and for curious tourists in the immediate vicinity there are interesting sights.
General information about La Romana
The city of La Romana is located in the Dominican Republic, in the south-eastern part of it, on the very shore of the Caribbean Sea. It is 110 km from the capital of the republic, Santo Domingo, and only 70 km from Punta Cana Airport.
La Romana covers an area of more than 185 km2 and has a population approaching 128,000.
La Romana is the administrative center of the province of the same name, the third largest city in the Dominican Republic and a center of international tourism. In 2000, an international private airport even started operating here, but there are no direct flights from the CIS countries-you need to fly to Punta Cana and then get to your destination from there.
In the 1970s, the huge Casa de Campo hotel complex was built on the eastern side of the La Romana resort in the Dominican Republic. This complex still remains one of the best tourist centers not only in the republic, but also around the world. Casa de Campo covers an area of more than 28 km2 and has its own private beach, yacht club, 3 golf courses, helipad, horse ranch, spa center, restaurants, bars, a variety of entertainment for children.
Beaches of La Romana
It’s no secret that most tourists go to the Dominican Republic mainly for a beach holiday. What can La Romana offer travelers in this regard? La Romana is a resort where tourists will find several popular beaches of the Dominican Republic: Bayahibe, Dominicus, Minitas, Caleta.
Playa Dominicos
Dominicus is a white sand beach with good clear water. The entrance to the sea is sandy, comfortable and gentle. The depth here is quite small, next to the buoys an adult is up to his neck – some vacationers consider this a disadvantage, but for children the place is ideal. There are often light waves on which you can lie down comfortably.
Most of the famous hotels in the Dominican Republic’s La Romana resort are located next to Playa Dominicos, which owns the main part of the local coast. But between the Wyndham Dominicus Palace and Iberostar Hacienda hotels is the city’s public beach, where there is a restaurant and several stalls selling national souvenirs.
The majority of vacationers are guests of nearby hotels. But Playa Dominicos is also popular with residents of the Dominican Republic, especially a lot of them come here on weekends, which can make it difficult to find a free place.
Playa Caleta
Kaleta is a public beach, far from the best and cleanest in this republic. You need to walk carefully on the sand, as broken glass often comes across. The water is clear, but it also contains bottles and other debris, a lot of stones.
Tourists who have visited Playa Caleta in La Romana in the Dominican Republic, in their reviews, note the advantages of this place. Here you can spend a pleasant time in one of the restaurants, where there are good fried fish and various delicious dishes of Dominican cuisine at very reasonable prices. There are also many grocery stores on Playa Caleta where you can buy cheap fresh fish and seafood.
Kalet’s problem is constantly pestering merchants. They do their best to sell their goods and often get bored with tourists enjoying food at cafe tables. Residents of the Dominican Republic spend their holidays on Caleta, which makes it difficult to find a free place on weekends.
Playa Bayahíbe
Bayahibe is divided by the small cape of La Punta into 2 parts. The northern section is longer and is used as a parking lot for fishing and tourist boats. In the sea, there is a constant movement of boats, so it is very dangerous to swim. The only quiet spot on the north side where you can swim and sunbathe is right next to the Dreams La Romana Hotel.
The southern part of Bayahibe is much more suitable for relaxing by the sea, there is a public beach and several small hotels are equipped. It is the public part of Bayahíbe in La Romana, Dominican Republic, that is described below.
The coastal strip is sandy, but too full of rocks. The bottom near the shore is also covered with rocks, but the water is so clear that they are very clearly visible. The entrance to the water is quite gentle, and to a normal depth you need to go from the shore 140 meters. The waves are sometimes strong, although the coast remains clear, since there is no seaweed here.
The Bayahiba is surrounded by a garden where you can hide from the sun in the shade of the trees. There is an opportunity to rent umbrellas and homemade sun beds-local residents rent them out at a rather high price, for $10. There are no toilets or changing rooms. There are no decent restaurants either, but there are plenty of small cafes and stalls with beach accessories.
Bayahíbe is always filled with people. On weekdays, it is visited mainly by tourists, on weekends it is occupied by Dominicans.
Travelers who come to the Dominican Republic in search of suitable diving conditions will enjoy the picturesque coral reef off the coast of Bayahíbe.
Playa La Minitas
Minitas is a real “gem” of this tropical republic. Small, but like a bright advertising picture: clean white sands, crystal clear water, coconut trees giving cool shade. Another great advantage of La Minitas is that it is very well equipped.
This beach is located 10 minutes by bus from the center of La Romana, on the territory of Casa de Campo, just outside the Le Cirque restaurant. In fact, La Minitas is a beach club, and to be here, it is advisable to order lunch or at least something to drink in the Le Cirque restaurant.
There are several locations on Minitas that offer water sports equipment rentals. Here you can dive into the sea with scuba diving, ride a quad bike.
Living conditions in La Romana
Modern hotels, mostly 3* and 5*, stand along the entire resort sea coast. Tourists will find excellent living conditions and comfortable service there. Prices in high season for double rooms per night are as follows::
- 3* hotels: from $ 52, average price$62;
- 5* hotels: from$ 133, average price$191.
One of the best hotel complexes, not only in La Romana, but also in the entire Dominican Republic, is the luxurious Casa de Campo Resort & Villas of the all-inclusive class. A night’s stay in high season will cost from$ 175 for two people.
Some useful tips
- Next to La Romana, the Chavon River flows – take an exciting boat or kayak ride along it. “Rambo” and “Apocalypse Now”films were shot on the Chavon River: Rambo was swimming there, and American soldiers were chasing the rebel Kurtz.
- At the river Chavon, above the gorges, there is an interesting attraction: the city of artists Altos de Chavon. Be sure to visit this town, built not so long ago in the style of a small medieval Italian settlement. The main attraction of the city of artists Altos de Chavon is considered an amphitheater with a capacity of 5,000 people. This amphitheater hosts concerts of world stars and other large-scale events.
- Casa de Campo organizes a variety of exciting excursions-take advantage of this opportunity to visit the Samana Peninsula and the uninhabited Catalina Island. Samana impresses with its beauty, even Christopher Columbus wrote that this is the most beautiful place on our planet. Catalina is known for its pristine white sands, as well as amazing coral reefs that attract diving enthusiasts.
- During your vacation in this tropical republic, do not leave your belongings unattended. The fact is that petty theft in La Romana (Dominicana) is quite common. Do not carry anything of value to the sea, and keep your money and phones in a waterproof bag. Or take turns swimming.
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