La Romana Vacation Information
Dominican Republic
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Judy and Maria's July 2004  La Romana Destination Review!

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Vacation in Paradise --  La Romana

La Romana is one of the Caribbean's premier vacation resort areas.  Located on the southeastern coast, La Romana is a favorite among discriminating travelers. It is a city that was built and maintained by sugar mills. The area's most famous attractions are located within Casa de Campo, the spectacular 7000 acre resort.  The golf courses here are widely acclaimed to be the best in the Caribbean. 

For a more laid-back vacation, stay in nearby Bayahibe (Beach of your Dreams) to discover some of the country's most pristine beaches and spectacular vistas.  The fishing village of Bayahibe is on a small bay toward the eastern tip of the island of Hispaniola. Its beaches offer a quiet respite from the Dominican Republic’s bigger tourist areas. Dive enthusiasts will enjoy the coral reef found in the waters off of Bayahibe’s coast.

There are numerous dive sites surrounding the Dominican Republic including the famous Captain Alsina and Hickory wrecks and La Caleta National Underwater Park.

Fishing and boating excursions are a popular activity with visitors to the area.

Adventure travelers will want to visit Catalina and Saona, offshore wildlife preserves that are part of the National Park of the East. The park attracts international archaeological interest as scientists and anthropologists continue to unearth traces of the ancient Taino civilization.

With more than 20 challenging courses, golf is one of the Dominican Republic’s top attractions. If gaming is your passion, the Dominican Republic offers Las Vegas-style action that is sure to thrill everyone.

The unspoiled mountains of the Dominican Republic provide quite an adventure for mountain bike enthusiasts. The many scenic expeditions wind through the mountains and finish at sea level.

Playground of the Rich and Famous

Southwest of Punta Cana lies La Romana, the playground of the rich and famous. A sports enthusiast's dream, this 7000 acre resort community is home to international polo matches, top-ranked championship 18-hole golf courses and other outdoor sporting activities.

Location

La Romana is located on the Southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, next to Rio Dulce (La Romana River) and adjacent to Catalina Island. In the Greater Antilles between Cuba and Puerto Rico, Hispaniola is the second-largest Caribbean island.

Weather

The average temperature is 77°F, with August being the warmest month and January the coolest. Summer temperatures range from 89-95°F, winter from 75-90°F. The main rainy season is between June and October, when it is hottest.

Traveling with Minors

Minors traveling with only one parent or adults other than their parents must have a notarized letter from the absent parent(s) authorizing them to be taken out of the country. If the parent is deceased, a copy of the death certificate will be required for check-in at the airport.

Drinking Water

Drink bottled water only, ice cubes are made of purified water, and Pasteurized milk is available in UHT packaging in food stores.

Climate

Some of the country's most spectacular beaches are found along La Romana's eastern shores, and close to Casa de Campo is Bayahibe, the beach of your dreams. The greater region of the Dominican Republic is a land of contrasts, with towering mountains and rocky cliffs, rain forests, fertile valleys, cacti-studded desert regions, 1,600 kilometers of coastline and around 300 kilometers of prime soft sand beaches. The country is crossed by four rugged mountain ranges bisecting northwest to southeast. The largest is the Cordillera Central with Pico Duarte, the tallest point in the Caribbean, rising over 3,175 meters high. Three large fertile valleys rest between the ranges, one of which holds Lake Enriquillo in the southwest, the lowest point in the Caribbean falling 40 meters below sea level and the only salt water lake in the world inhabited by crocodiles. The Dominican Republic enjoys a year round tropical climate averaging 80°F and ranging from 64°F in winter to 93°F in summer. The hottest month is August, the coolest is January. Trade winds help keep the air cool and fresh.

Taxes

$15 LRM; $10 SDQ; $10 Tourist Card

Casinos

There is gambling available in Juan Dolio.

Inoculations

No vaccinations are required to visit the Dominican Republic.

Wedding Requirements

A couple needs to inform the resort at least one month in advance, with a minimum of 15 days notice, in order to reserve the judge. The resort will inform guests of all the required documents they need to present in order to legally wed in the Dominican Republic.

Distances Between Cities

Golf

Golf is one of the Dominican Republic's top attractions, bringing thousands of tourists in droves to this destination. What makes golf so popular is the combination of outstanding year round summer weather and the varied terrain. Caribbean weather allows for play even during rainy days, when brief showers quickly give way to clear skies. Course architects have incorporated hills and coastline into the design to doubly challenge the golfers.

The Teeth of the Dog
Casa de Campo,  La Romana
Phone: (809) 523-8115
Year opened: 1971
Number of holes: 18 holes par 72
Course Description: World renown championship course fronting the Caribbean on seven holes

The Links
Casa de Campo, La Romana
Phone: (809) 523-8115
Year opened: 1975
Number of holes: 18 holes par 72
Course Description: Championship course within the resort/residential community of Casa de Campo

Geography

The geography of the country is greatly diverse, ranging from arid semi-desert plains to luxuriant valleys of tropical rain forests, which results in a wide variety of vegetation. Most of the tourists who come to visit are initially attracted to its magnificent golden sandy beaches that extend over one-third of its 870-mile coastal regions that define three-quarters of its borders. This is particularly true of the northern Atlantic side of the country. It is thus in this region that the majority of tourist attractions, hotels and resorts are concentrated, particularly in the 40-mile zone between Puerto Plata and Cabarete.

The Dominican Republic, with an area of 48,482 square kilometers, occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with its neighbor, Haiti, to the west. Cuba is the only larger country within the Caribbean and the greater Antilles region. Hispaniola is strategically located directly in the heart of the region. The Windward Passage separates western Hispaniola from Cuba. To the east of the Dominican Republic, across the Mona Passage, lies Puerto Rico only 54 miles away.

Population

The Dominican Republic, with a total population of almost 8 million, is the most populous country in the Caribbean. The great majority (75%) of its citizens are mulattoes, a mixture of Europeans, Africans and Amer-Indians. as for the remaining, 15% are whites who are mainly descended from the original Spanish settlers. African descendents make up virtually all of the balance (10%). There have not been any pure Amer-Indians remaining on the island for the past three centuries. There are also a fairly large number of Haitians living and working in the country, doing mainly heavy manual labor and less remunerative work. The country has a very high birth rate, with about half of the population is under 15 years old, while only 3% are over the age of 65. The main religion for more than 95% of its citizens is Roman Catholic.

Shopping

A very favorable exchange rate makes shopping for colorful handicrafts and other locally produced products a great bargain. Most popular are the amber (brought to world acclaim in the hit film Jurassic Park) and larimar semi-precious stones. Other favorite items are wicker, rattan, and wood furniture, hand-painted masks, macramé, ceramics, straw and woven goods, rocking chairs, carved mahogany structures, Dominican fine art and paintings, fashions from local-born designers such as Oscar de la Renta and local coffee, rum, and cigars.

Santo Domingo has large commercial malls and smaller shopping centers. Store hours are generally 9 am to noon and 2 pm to 7 pm, but major shopping centers, supermarkets and stores with a large tourist clientele remain open for lunch time. While most stores are open Monday through Saturday at noon, several large shopping centers and most supermarkets are now open on Sunday mornings. Duty free shopping is available at Las Americas and Puerto Plata international airports, as well as at select locations in the capital, but duty-free goods are claimed at the airport prior to departure and purchases must be made in U.S. dollars.

Weather

The weather in the Dominican Republic remains tropical year round, with slight variations dividing it into basically two seasons, summer and winter. The average annual temperature is around 25° (77°F).

The so-called "cool" season is from November to April, with what is considered pleasantly warm weather, relatively low humidity and low precipitation. On the coast, i.e. near the beaches, the temperature hovers fairly constantly around 29°C (84°F) during the day and drops to around a comfortable 20°C (68°F) at night. However, in the mountainous regions of the interior the weather is always considerably cooler, and on the highest peaks the thermometer sometimes drops below the freezing point and on rare occasions snow can be seen.

The more "hot" season is roughly from May to October. Then, the average temperature rises to 31°C (87°F) during the daytime and drops to about 22°C (72°F) at night. However, with the accompanying high humidity that is more common during this season, it usually feels much hotter. It does rain a bit more often during this season, especially from May to August, but usually this turns out to be no more than a 30 minute tropical (sometimes heavy) shower. There are usually also some brief rainy periods during the months of November and December.

When to go?

The wettest times of the year are May-June and October-November. If you're worried about storms, the Caribbean's hurricane season lasts from June to November. The peak tourist season is between mid-December and mid-April, but this has more to do with the weather in Europe than local conditions in the Dominican Republic. Prices and visitor numbers decline significantly outside these months. Easter and Christmas are the peak local travel periods.

Holidays

In addition to the usual international holidays (i.e. the year-end Christmas & New Year's, etc) the National Independence Day is celebrated on February 27. Note that by law holidays can be moved from the middle of the week to the beginning or the end of the work week to make long weekends.

CARNIVAL

There are two Carnivals in Santo Domingo:

The pre-Lent celebration, which is echoed throughout the country, always begins two or three days before February 27 (Independence Day) and ends a few days later. It's a monster party combining Catholic decompression with African spirituality, great costumes, spectacular floats and all the rum you can drink.

The second Carnival begins August 15, to coincide with Restoration Day (when the DR declared war on Spain); August festivities may be marginally more sedate, but they're still the perfect place to wear that sequined-and-feathered number.

Medical

Information on health precautions for travelers can be obtained from local health departments, private doctors, or travel clinics. You may also call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 24-hour hotline on (404) 332-4559 for information on immunizations and health risks worldwide.

Review your health insurance policy. U.S. medical insurance is often not valid outside the United States. Medicare/Medicaid does not provide payment for medical services obtained outside the U.S. In addition to medical insurance, consider obtaining insurance to cover evacuation in the event of an accident or serious illness. Considering air evacuation to the United States can easily cost $15,000 if you are not insured, insurance to cover a medical evacuation is relatively inexpensive. There are short-term health and emergency assistance policies designed for travelers.

If you need medical attention during your trip, your hotel may be able to recommend the nearest clinic, hospital or doctor, or you can obtain a list of local medical services from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. In a medical emergency, a U.S. consul can help you locate medical treatment.

The most prevalent health hazard in the Caribbean is one you can avoid -- overexposure to the sun. Use sunscreen and bring a shirt to wear over your bathing suit, especially if you plan to snorkel.

Where the quality of drinking water is questionable, bottled water is recommended. Travelers to remote areas should boil or chemically treat drinking water.

Visas

Passport and tourist card required. Tourist card for stay up to 2 months, available from Consulate or from airline serving the Dominican Republic, $10 fee (extendible $25 fee). All persons must pay a airport departure fee. AIDS test required for residence permit. U.S. test not accepted.

For business travel and other information call the Embassy of the Dominican Republic, 1715 22nd St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008 (202-332-6280) or nearest Consulate General:

Eco-Tours

Explore the first city in the New World. Time to explore on your own. Entrance fees, buffet lunch and drink included.

Just west of Bayahibe is Altos de Chavon, a Caribbean art center built in 1976 to resemble a Mediterranean village from the 1500s. Perched atop a bluff overlooking the Chavon River, Altos de Chavon includes an archaeological museum that is the most important Dominican museum outside the capital. It contains fascinating exhibits about the Amerindians of Hispaniola. Altos de Chavon also has a 5,000 seat Grecian-style amphitheater, used for concerts by internationally known musicians. Along the village's cobblestone paths you'll also find artists' galleries and shops as well as several good restaurants. For artists seeking their creative muse in the Caribbean, Altos de Chavon has an art school and an Artist-in-Residence Program that offers workshops and three-month residencies (in English) in photography, painting, sculpture, music, writing and architecture. There's also a school of design.

Spend a leisurely day with a visit to the towns of Higuey and La Romana.  Experience Altos de Chavon, a recreated 16th century artisan village with restaurants, museum, church and shops all at the top of the mesmerizing Chavon River.  Make a brief stop at a Cigar Factory.  Check our Judy and Maria's Photos of Altos de Chavon.

The heaven on earth. The "natural pool" of Saona Island is a must see. This is an area of the sea that is very shallow and warm (waist deep). You are allowed you to swim and take pictures of the star fishes (lots of them around).

A Robinson Crusoe day of sun, volleyball and Merengue. On the return speed boats will take you through mangrove inlets. Lunch and beverages are included.

In each city or village, you will not be able to escape this fast air of Merengue, diffused, either by loudspeaker, or by radio. It is about the "Baile nacional", the national dance of the Dominican ones. It is an authentic music of the Caribbean, a mixture of rates/rhythms and African dances, which was established progressively in the Antilles, with a mixture of European and American musical influences. From the very start of the century spent, Merengue left to the conquest the Dominican Republic, after Cuba and Puerto Rico. This music was first of all put at the variation by the privileged classes, then ends up meeting a sharp success for finally spreading itself with the whole of the île.

In the sea, you will find especially sea-breams, bonitos and sharks, but also blue marlins, and espadons. There are fish places everywhere there, but we can quote Cumayasa, Romana, Boca de Yuma, in the eastern region, Plamar de Ocoa and Barahona in the south-western region, Monte Cristi in the northern region, and finally Samaná in the eastern region. Very popular tournaments of fishing take place at la Cabeza de Toro (Punta Cana) and Boca de Yuma.

The world of the corals and of the Caribbean Sea is attractive and attracts diving amateurs from all over the world. The most appreciated places of diving are on the Southern region: Caleta, Bayahibe/Isla Catalina, Boca Chica, Playa Palenque and Playa de Baní. You'll find schools of diving in almost all touristic villages.  Underwater parks have been build in the sea, especially where one or more wrecks lie at the sea-bed. Submarino of Caleta is a famous site (at approximately 20 kms from Santo Domingo). At 100 kms in the north of the peninsula of Samaná, you'll find the legendary Silver Banks, the place where sunk, 400 years ago, a whole fleet of Spanish galions with fantastic treasures. The Dominican Republic has always the reputation to be an "Eldorado" for the hunters of treasures.

A note from Judy and Maria: Our agency's foremost priority is to meet with the sales and management teams at select resorts to discuss our clients who will vacation at their property. A well-polished, beautiful hotel is not our deciding factor to promote and sell a resort. Customer Satisfaction is Foremost.  Our agency's objective is to ensure that our client(s) will be taken care of from the beginning to the end of their vacation.  A good resort has a strong agency/client-oriented management team in place at the property.   We select and review the best-of-the-best resorts and review these resorts on a continuous basis -- at our own expense.  Resort management, owners and staff change on a regular basis -- as does customer satisfaction ratings.  Our agency's main focus is that resort management and resort staff members prioritize clients booked through Judy and Maria's Travel, Inc.  The bottom line is that we expect our client's purchases to be honored.  We will not promise what we cannot deliver -- extras are a plus.  Our goal is to meet or exceed your expectations.  We are pleased to present our selection of the finest resorts in Punta Cana and Mexico.    Thank you.  Your personal shoppers and  friends in travel --  Judy and Maria

LA ROMANA DESTINATION AND RESORT REVIEWS