Text: GoDominicanRepublic.com
Photography: Ivan Andrejic WWW.SECRETSEDITION.COM
Welcome to La Romana Overflowing in natural riches—from a poster-worthy Caribbean coastline to world-class golf courses—La Romana is one of the country’s top destination picks. Fields of sugar cane lead to continuous white sand beaches from Dominicus to Bayahíbe. Cave-riddled forests inside Cotubanamá National Park are home to fresh water springs and Taino rock art. Offshore, the islands of Saona, Catalina, and Catalinita are lined with turtle nesting stretches facing pristine coral reefs, while shipwrecks teeming with marine life rest at shallow and extreme depths. The largest sugar cane mill in the Americas was once headquartered in La Romana, until its owners diversified and ventured into tourism by opening the luxurious Casa de Campo Resort in 1974, a celebrity favorite and renowned destination for its award-winning Pete Dye golf courses. The adjacent 16th century Altos de Chavón followed—a stunning replica of a Mediterranean village towering over the Chavón River, and bustling with entertainment—including an outdoor Grecian amphitheater where Grammy-winning artists perform every year.
While visitors flock to La Romana for a luxurious seaside lifestyle of chasing tail, scuba diving, fine dining, and shopping, its fishing village charms along Bayahíbe and Dominicus win many more over. La Romana is the gateway to Saona and Catalina Islands, which are part of the Cotubanamá National Park, and the most visited natural attractions in the country. One wouldn’t expect any less from the only location in the DR and the world where the rare Bayahíbe Rose originates—a soft pink-colored cactus-shrub named National Flower of the DR in 2011 and featured on the Dominican currency. The main ports of entry to La Romana and Bayahíbe are La Romana International Airport (LRM) and Casa de Campo Tourist Port.
Bayahíbe The scenic fishing town of Bayahíbe is an attraction in and of itself, lucky to boast multiple beaches on its coastline, including Dominicus Beach—Blue Flag certified—and several more pristine, diamond-white stretches offshore on Catalina and Saona islands. Bayahíbe retains its Dominican pulse, from its local restaurants and bars to its street side arts and crafts stalls, and fishermen who bring catch daily. Aside from its waterfront life, Bayahíbe’s streets hold plenty of history and architecture, with pastel-colored wooden homes, iconic churches, and nearby Taino caves filled with mystery, and fresh water springs inside Cotubanamá National Park.
Bayahibe packs its own punch in white sand beaches. The village itself counts a small, brilliant stretch facing the main road, uncrowded during the day as most visitors head to the nearby offshore islands. As five o’clock strikes, the beach comes alive with the bars, cafes, and restaurants that line it, offering happy hour specials as locals and visitors stop for a sundowner, while waiting on one of the most beautiful sunsets in the country.
Playa Dominicus One of the DR’s longest white sand beaches lines a series of large resorts in the Bayahíbe Dominicus area, but remains open to all visitors. The most popular, frequented section faces the Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus by the landmark black-and-white painted lighthouse-shaped bar. The first beach in the Caribbean to receive Blue Flag certification, Dominicus is popular for swimming in its shallow, turquoise waters, but also for diving, with an abundant reef right off its shore, and no undertow. Nearby restaurants and a series of arts and crafts shacks on the eastern, public edge of the beach complete the picture.
Cotubanama National Park Also known as Parque Nacional del Este, this is one of the most cave riddled and adventure-packed national parks in the DR—understandably one of its most visited—counting more than 500 flora species, 300 types of birds, and including long stretches of diamond white beaches on Saona and Catalina islands, along with their underwater marine life. Visitors can hike the land portion, accessible from Bayahíbe village, to explore a handful of the park’s cave and freshwater springs along marked trails of varying difficulty, or go birdwatching. On the coastline, snorkeling and diving sites are numerous along colorful coral reefs, and steep walls teeming with sea life. On shore, the park’s sparkling beaches, particularly on Saona Island, is the most important turtle-nesting site in the Dominican Republic.
Isla Saona Located 19 kilometers (12 miles) south of the mainland, Saona Island’s picture-perfect beaches attract more visitors than all of the country’s national parks combined. A protected site spanning 110km2 and part of Cotubanamá National Park, Saona is a dream tropical escape, where long stretches of brilliant white sand and their giant coconut trees seem to melt into iridescent turquoise waters. Visitors can take day trips to enjoy the beaches, through a myriad of options ranging from speedboat to catamaran. Riding along Saona’s stunning coastline scenery alone is worthwhile. Most trips leave out of Bayahíbe village, from its small waterfront area. Stops in Saona include a swim at Palmilla, a white stretch with a wide natural pool, and at Mano Juan, the only inhabited portion of the island. Saona Island is also the DR’s most important turtle-nesting site.
Isla Catalina Closest to La Romana’s shores, Catalina is popular for its water sports, particularly diving and snorkeling. Portions of the beach are used for cruise ship excursions, but the entire stretch is open for the public to enjoy. It’s a stunner with its powder-fine white sand, calm waters, and lack of development. Catalina’s waters are abundant in coral reefs, including a “Living Museum of the Sea” following the discovery—after three centuries—of Captain Kidd’s shipwreck at 70 feet (21 meters), right off the island. Popular dive sites include the over 100 ft. Catalina Wall, and the Aquarium.
Palmila A secluded, undeveloped white sand beach punctuated with rows of palm trees, and facing a wide, shallow turquoise natural pool, Palmilla is the ultimate Caribbean paradise. Part of the Cotubanamá National Park, a stop here is featured on every tour of Saona island. Snorkel, swim, and admire the starfish resting on the sea floor. To reach here, boats can be rented from nearby Bayahíbe or La Romana, or you can hop on a catamaran or speedboat excursion.
Padre Nuestro Located inside Cotubanamá National Park, this two-kilometer long trail leads through a lush rainforest, in an area once inhabited by Taino Indians. You’ll discover a plethora of Dominican flora and fauna along this route, including a couple of underground caves filled with striking blue fresh water springs.
Cueva del Chicho Cueva del Chicho is one of the most outstanding underground caves, tucked inside Cotubanamá National Park. Its aquamarine, sparkling fresh waters draw many hikers, but it also holds numerous petroglyphs—proof of the Taino’s presence in these parts. You can dip in its fresh water, azure blue waters that resemble a lake, or if you’re a certified cave diver, venture deeper on a one-tank dive with a licensed operator from Bayahíbe or La Romana.
Casa de Campo and Altos de Chavón Sculpted entirely of stone, Altos de Chavón —a model 16th century Mediterranean village—sits 300 feet above the Chavón River. Built over a period of six years, the village opened in 1982 with Frank Sinatra performing live at the 5,000-seat Grecian style outdoor amphitheater, where numerous world artists have since performed. Today, the village is a delightful place to tour for its charming medieval feel, its architecture, a plethora of cigar, clothing, and jewelry shops, fine dining, bars, and arts and crafts. Its centerpiece, the St. Stanislaus Church, is a popular wedding site in the DR, with its unmatched views over the river. To boot, the Altos de Chavón Archaeological Museum houses one of the most comprehensive collections on indigenous culture in the DR. The panoramic views over the Chavón River, and over the Dye Fore golf course which it borders on the east side, make Altos de Chavón a perfect photo stop on a journey through La Romana. There’s an entrance fee for non-guests of Casa de Campo, or you can book a tour of the village. At night, the setting becomes even more magical with romantic lighting on the stone plazas and dining verandas overlooking the river.
Designed like a Grecian amphitheater, this breathtaking 5,000-seat open-air facility hosts concerts and performances from major Dominican and international artists year-round. Aside from its 1982 inaugural event with Frank Sinatra live, past performances have included names ranging from Juan Luis Guerra and Shakira, to Sting and Elton John. Seeing a concert under the stars at Altos de Chavón is a bucket list item, whether visitor or resident.
The Altos de Chavón Archaeological Museum, tucked inside the Altos de Chavón complex, houses one of the most comprehensive displays on pre-Columbian and Taino indigenous culture in the DR. The well lit and labeled extensive exhibit dates from 4000 B.C. to 1492, and counts over 3,000 pieces. The museum also covers the history of Altos de Chavón, and of the DR, for added background.
Straight out of a medieval postcard, St. Stanislaus Church—sitting in the heart of Altos de Chavón —was consecrated in 1979, and is one of the most beautiful churches in the DR. The romantic stone structure hosts numerous weddings, not least for its setting overlooking the Rio Chavón. But it’s also special because Pope John Paul II—who visited the DR in 1979—left behind the ashes of St. Stanislaus, Poland’s patron saint, in order to commemorate the inauguration. Masses continue to be held here on the weekends; schedules can be consulted online.
Rio Chavón Glimpse the Rio Chavón’s dramatic gorge, flanked by cliffs and verdant vegetation, and you’ll quickly understand why this natural site has been featured in motion picture movies like Apocalypse Now, Jurrasic Park, and Rambo. This winding body of water meets the sea on the Altos de Chavón village side all the way to the Casa de Campo Marina, giving it an even more beautiful setting. Speedboat, kayak and canoe excursions are available year round to see and feel the river’s spectacular jungle scenery up close. If you’re lucky, you will spot fresh water turtles.