Photographs by Maria Thomas and are exclusive © to Judy and Maria's Travel, Inc.

La Romana

In our opinion, La Romana, is a somewhat undiscovered vacation paradise for the North American travel market.  The North American's have just recently discovered Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Tourism to Punta Cana has shown a steady growth over the past ten years. It is now the time to discover La Romana!  The traveling public does not realize the beauty and sophistication La Romana offers to visitors.  We absolutely were blown away with La Romana's beauty, culture, people, history, dining and the sheer class that this sparkling  jewel emanates. The following is a brief overview of the history of La Romana, the Culture, the Geography,  the Climate, our personal photographs, impressions and write up on this magnificent vacation destination  located on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic.  We hope you enjoy our La Romana experience and La Romana resort reviews. 

Your friends in travel,
Judy and Maria

History

East of Santo Domingo, La Romana once was a thriving sugar port in the 18th and early 19th centuries.  Former sugar plantation owner, Gulf and Western entered the resort business with the creation of Casa de Campo.  The "house in the country" is a resort covering 7,000 acres, accommodating 3,000 guests, and offering nearly every type of sport.  The drive to Casa de Campo from Santo Domingo takes approximately two hours.  Some of the best golf courses in the Caribbean are at Casa de Campo.

Casa de Campo also has an authentic recreation of a 16th-century Spanish Dominican village atop a cliff at Altos de Chavón with craft boutiques, museums, restaurants, and an amphitheater.  More than a historical period place, the village is an international arts center.  Accomplished professional artists from many countries and disciplines compete for the 20 available three-month residencies each year.  An art school affiliated with New York's Parsons School is part of the center.

GEOGRAPHY

The Dominican Republic is the second largest island in the Caribbean.  It is about the same size as Scotland.  Three mountain ranges run west to east and in the middle is Pico Duarte (10,417 feet), the Caribbean's highest mountain.  The land west of the mountains is mostly desert like.  Lake Enriquillo, the lowest point in the West Indies at 150 feet below seal level, lies in the southwest of the country.

The Southeast region comprises the areas of Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, La Romana and Higuey. Boca Chica is a small fishing village with charming restaurants, bars and cafes. Its shallow waters resemble a large swimming pool. Further east is the town of Juan Dolio, famous for its clear and docile Caribbean waters, great resorts, magnificent cuisine and golf course. A few minutes away, eastbound is San Pedro de Macoris. When traveling through this town, visitors view the sugar fields and beautiful countryside scenery before arriving at La Romana, an internationally recognized area. The enchanting Chavón River is the site for Altos de Chavón, a replica of a 16th century artisan village. A short distance from La Romana harbor, is Catalina Island, a jewel by itself. Headed east, within La Romana is the town of Bayahibe, a typical fisherman's village. The exuberant natural beauty of this coastal area is home to The Eastern National Park and the spectacular Saona Island. Higuey is located at the tip of the southeast coast.

The Coral Reef

Scuba diving and snorkeling are two of the most popular activities on a trip to the Dominican Republic. One of the discoveries made by Charles Darwin during his voyages on the Beagle was that there are three kinds of reef. The first is known as the fringing reef, which is what you see if you go snorkeling just off the shore. The fringing reef is always connected to the mainland, but can extend quite far out to sea. It has a variety of coral types and species, and for the uninitiated it is a great place to see some underwater life. Beyond the fringing reef across the lagoon - an area of shallow water with a floor of coral sand and debris - you will come to the barrier reef or, as is more common in Caribbean and tropical Atlantic waters, the bank/barrier reef. The difference between the two is their size: the barrier reef, found mainly in the Pacific, is larger than the bank/barrier reef and is separated by lagoons thousands of meters wide, as opposed to the hundreds which separate the bank/barrier reef from the mainland. This type of reef is home to more species than the fringing reef, but you will need a boat to get out to it. The third type of reef is the atoll, an incomplete ring of sandy islands built up on coral reefs surrounding a submerged volcano. They are usually found far from any continent or large island and are rare in the Caribbean. The closest atoll to the Dominican Republic lies off the coast of Belize.

Marine Life

The West Indian manatee is an endangered marine mammal. They can sometimes be seen in the coastal areas of the national parks or in Samana Bay, but hunting and the increase in boat traffic has caused a decline in their numbers. Nicknamed the 'sea cow', manatees can grow to over 3.5 meters in length and they 'graze' on aquatic plants on the ocean floor.

One of the principal breeding grounds in the world for humpback whales is on the Silver and Navidad banks off the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Each winter some 3,000 whales migrate from their feeding grounds in the North Atlantic, and congregate here to reproduce in shallow waters protected by coral reefs and free of boats and other distractions. Nearer to the mainland, Samana Bay is also a popular spot for whale watching, which has become an important tourist activity during the months of January, February and March click. The humpback is one of the larger species of whale, measuring from 12-15 meters and weighing up to 60 tons. Adult humpbacks are dark gray, while their calves are a lighter color. Although their name would suggest otherwise, humpbacks do not actually have a humped back. It only looks as though they do when they jump out of the water with arched backs. Other distinguishing features are their knobby heads, long, white flippers and large tails. Moreover, unlike all other toothed whales, the humpback has two blowholes rather than one. Humpbacks do not eat during their stay in Hispaniolan waters. Instead, they live off the 15-20 centimeters of fat accumulated during the feeding season by eating about a ton of food a day. Most of this turns to fat, and is the equivalent of a human daily diet of 8,000 hamburgers. The humpback's preference, however, is small fish and crustaceans called krill (about 6 centimeters long and resembling shrimps). While adult humpbacks reproduce and diet, the newly born calves drink 50 gallons of milk a day. This milk, produced by the mother, is about 50% fat, allowing the calves to grow big enough to survive the journey back to the feeding grounds in the north.

Weather

The Dominican Republic has a semitropical climate, tempered by the prevailing easterly winds. Temperatures of more than 23° C (74° F) are registered in the lowlands throughout the year. During the summer months, temperatures range between 27° and 35° C (81° and 92° F) in these regions. The highlands are considerably cooler. Annual precipitation averages about 153 centimeters (60 inches), but considerably more moisture is received by the mountainous areas of the north. The wet season is from June to November. Tropical hurricanes occur occasionally.

SPORTS

A wide array of watersports is available in La Romana.  Windsurfing is especially good on the north and east coasts of the Dominican.  Hobie Cats, Sunfish, and pedal boats are available at many resorts.  Larger yachts can be chartered at various locations.  Undersea gardens, sunken galleons and offshore reefs in the area are highly rated by divers. 

Casa de Campo ranks first for golf with three 18-hole golf courses by Peter Dye.  Horseback riders must visit the dude ranch at Casa de Campo Resort with over 2,000 horses.

CELEBRATIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Like many other Caribbean islands, perhaps the biggest celebration in the La Romana is Carnival, held every year at the end of February.  Parades, dancing, and revelry highlight the festivities.

Because La Romana has a large Catholic population, many other events are based on church celebrations.  Each town celebrates the day of its patron saint in a traditional way.  Typically, these days begin with mass in the morning, continue with dancing and games, and end with a parade.  Holy Week is the most important holiday time for the Dominicans, and processions and celebrations are widespread.

Music and dance play an important role in the culture of La Romana.  This musical tradition is reflected in dances such as the mangulina, the salve, and the carabine.  But by far the most well-known dance is the merengue.

ARRIVAL INFORMATION

The Dominican Republic has eight international airports.  Aeropuerto Internacional de Las Americas in Santo Domingo and La Union in Puerto Plata handle the most traffic.  Others are Punta Cana, La Romana, Barahona, Santiago, Samana  and Herrera.  Direct flights from New York take three and one-quarter hours; from Miami, two hours; and from San Juan, about 40 minutes.  The Airport at Punta Cana has a runway longer than New York's LaGuardia.  Charter service to the Dominican Republic is extensive.

Our airport recommendations for travel to La Romana from the United States are La Romana Airport or the Punta Cana Airport.  Our flight arrived and departed into and from the Punta Cana airport. We hired a helicopter from Helidosa to fly from Punta Cana to La Romana.  Flight times was approximately 20 minutes and the scenery was spectacular!  Driving time is approximately one and one-half hours and the drive is through the lush green countryside and the sugar cane fields.
 

Altos de Chavón

Altos de Chavón (west of Bayahibe) is a Caribbean art center built in 1976 to resemble a Mediterranean village from the 1500s. Charles Bludhorn, president of Golf & Western Corporation built the Mediterranean village as a birthday gift for his daughter. Perched atop a bluff overlooking the Chavón  River, Altos de Chavón  features an archaeological museum that is the most important Dominican museum outside the capital. The Church of San Estanislao is in the center of the village. The village of Altos de Chavón also has numerous restaurants, art galleries, a Taino art museum, stores, disco, school of design and an amphitheatre.

The amphitheatre of Stops of Chavón has seating for 5000. It was inaugurated in 1982 and many well-known celebrities (Frank Sinatra and Carlos Santana), artists and rock groups have performed at the amphitheatre. 

FYI:    Scenes from the movie Apocalypse Now were filmed at Altos de Chavón.

Altos de Chavón - well worth the visit.   One is magically transported back in time to old Europe.  Visualize dining in an open-air restaurant situated high on a bluff overlooking the Chavón River and the lush tropical vegetation of the valley below. Dine on fresh seafood, fine wine and enjoy the warm tropical breeze - an incredible experience.  Consider a helicopter flight from Punta Cana to La Romana - a once in a lifetime happening and well worth the money spent.   You will be talking about the experience for years-to-come!

PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE AMPHITHEATER AT ALTOS DE CHAVón

		Judy & Maria's Dining Recommendation Food  at La Piazzetta is gourmet and the ambiance is wonderful! Chef Massimo originates from Northern Italy . . . . . . Chef Massimo prepares the most extraordinary homemade gnocchi in light tomato sauce.
Maria, Massimo, Judy La Piazzetta		La Piazzetta Gourmet Italian Restaurant homemade pasta and an antipasto bar that epitomizes the traditions of Italian cuisine in an authentic Mediterranean atmosphere of cobblestone and ceramic tile.  Massimo Caretta, Chef Located at Altos de Chavón, La Romana Reservations required Hours 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm Phone:  (809) 523-3333 EXT. 5339  email: mcaretta@hotmail.com

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Photographs of the Marina at Casa de Campo

Friends and Associates The following photos were taken during our visit to La Romana of friends and associates.  Enjoy! (names, left to right)

Maria, Massimo, Judy	Pepe, Judy, Daniel, Maria, Emilio	Judy, Margarit0, Maria, Charlene
Charlene, Sandra, Mr. Lopez, Judy	Sandra, Charlene, Maria, Judy	Charlene, Maria
Charlene, Judy	Maria, Massimo, Judy	Judy

La Romana Offers Guests a Large Variety of Sightseeing Options

	SO MUCH TO DO!

Santo Domingo Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the first city in the "New World" and the capital of the Dominican Republic. Visit the palace of Diego Columbus (son of Christopher Columbus) and the conquistadors headquarter for over 60 years; the Cathedral Santa Maria La Menor (first in the New World) and the Royal House Museum. These are just a few of the spectacular sites of this rich colonial and historical city. Enjoy time at leisure on El Conde Street (first commercial street in the new world) to explore on your own. All entrance fees and buffet lunch are included.
Altos de Chavón Spend a leisurely day with a visit to the towns La Romana. Experience Altos de Chavón, a recreated 16th century artisan village with restaurants, a museum, a church and shops all at the top of the mesmerizing Chavón River. Make a brief stop at a cigar factory. Lunch at a nice riverside restaurant & soft drinks are included.
Saona Island Catamaran / Speed Boat Travel by bus through the endless sugar cane fields to the fishing village of Bayahibe where you will board a catamaran and sail to the island of Saona. Glide past miles of palm-studded beaches over blue turquoise Caribbean waters. Enjoy a refreshing drink and dance on the Merengue rhythm and settle in for a "Robinson Crusoe" day of sun, volleyball, activities and much more. On the return, speedboats will take you through tropical waterfowl on your way to see a sacred Taino Indian princess' natural swimming pool. Lunch & beverages are included.
Outback Safari Be Indiana Jones or Crocodile Dundee for a day and let us show you the real Dominican Republic. We drive through some of the country’s most spectacular scenarios where you will discover exotic tropical forest, rivers, mountains, secluded beaches and villages where time has stood still for hundreds of years! See the Dominican children smiling and waving to you. Cool off and swim in an inland oasis surrounded by natural cascading waterfalls; learn to “Boogie Board” in the ocean. For the less adventurous, just relax in the sun with an ice cold drink in your hand and enjoy the enchantment of this beautiful tropical island. Tour includes: drinks all day and snack lunch.
Helicopter Tours A photographers’ dream come true!  Discover the unspoiled beauty of Punta Cana, fly over its beautiful surrounding areas of lush tropical vegetation, golf courses, endless white sand beaches and turquoise water; enjoy the amazing view of wrecked vessels while flying above thousands of coconut trees swaying effortlessly to the rhythm of the breeze. Discover paradise from a different perspective; let us share it with you and your camera. Personalized tours: chose the destination of your choice and let the rest to us.
Whale Watching The silver bank which is a 100 ft lagoon (Humpback whales Sanctuary) in the bay of Samana attract every year some 4,000 migrating humpback whales that come here between January and March to mate and birth to their offspring here. Enjoy one of the most wonderful spectacle from mother nature. Join us on this exciting expedition the bay of Samana where after a 40 minutes flight, on your transfer to the bay you will admire the romantic Victorian architecture that the wooden houses still exhibit and combine with the nature create a special scenario for photography fanatics, in a double deck boat we will depart watch the whales playing with their baby whales; lunch will be at Cayo Lavantado Island (better known as the Bacardi Island), at the island you will have some times at leisure.   Note: available only from January 15th to March 15th.

Catalina Island A full day trip to the island of Catalina. Your trip will start at La Romana harbor where you will be taken by boat to the island. The day activities include games, snorkeling, barbecue lunch, and relaxing on the beautiful sandy beach.

La Romana Summation

La Romana . . .

		. . . offers visitors the most expansive, breath taking stretches of white-sand, palm-tree lined beach with crystal clear turquoise Caribbean ocean quietly lapping onto the beach.
		. . . is located on the south side of the island and is cool with  the soft, gentle breeze from the sea -- year round.
		. . . is the premier sports destination in the Caribbean offering guests: championship golf courses including the infamous "Teeth of the Dog", the "Links"  and "Dye Four" the best tennis courts in the Caribbean championship horseback riding facilities championship polo facilities extensive private shooting facilities for trap and skeet shooting for both amateurs and professionals championship archery baseball soccer volleyball cricket river fishing deep sea fishing nearly every water sport under the sun . . .  and every sport you can imagine -- only in championship caliber
		. . . is an artistic gathering spot with its art galleries, textile school, and world-famous art and culinary schools
		. . . visitors can charter a yacht and sail the deep blue seas of the Caribbean
		. . . offers first-class shopping featuring fashions, art and merchandise from designers world-wide along with Dominican crafts.
		. . . offers visitors dining that is a true gastronomic delight.  World renowned chefs originating from their home countries preparing meals that are authentic to their region.  Culinary sophistication abounds in La Romana -- from the Marina district and at Altos de Chavón, to dining at the many world-renowned hotels in the area - guests will be amazed with the quality of the preparation and the gastronomic delights available in La Romana
		. . . offers visitors history and old world European charm. Touring the amphitheater and Altos de Chavón is just a magical experience, whether it be in the day or in the evening when the golden lights bring out the most incredible beauty of this charming mini-destination in itself.  One can view the Chavón River and the lush mountainside from high above the cliffs. Views are so beautiful  -- so chilling -- so amazing.  One just does not want to walk away from the magnificent scenery -- all we can say is that Altos de Chavón is one of the most magical places on earth!
		. . . the roads and highways are wonderful.
		. . . convenient location from the new La Romana Airport.
		. . . offers guests a variety of first-class hotels - the finest in the Caribbean.
		. . . La Romana, in our, opinion, is a very impressive and remarkable vacation destination.
		La Romana has it all!  . . .  Art  . . .  Beauty . . .  Charm  . . .  Color  . . . Epicurean delights . . .  Excitement  . . . History  . . .  hospitality  . . .  Magic . . .  mystery  . . .  Sophistication   . . . . Sports  . . . Tropical Ambiance . . .  WarmtH

 

Our July 2004 travel to La Romana was a very unique and special experience for us.   Upon our arrival to our hotel, Casa de Campo, we quickly realized that La Romana offered visitors the opportunity to experience an island paradise that one only reads about in travel magazines.  One is immediately mesmerized by the magnificence of the towering mountains overlooking miles of white sand beach with calm, clear turquoise water softly lapping upon the shoreline.   We experienced superb, gourmet dining in the restaurants at Casa de Campo Resort, Sunscape Casa del Mar Resort, Altos de Chavón and at the Marina.  We treasured the warmth of the people who display pride in their land. And lastly, we were amazed by the caliber of world-class sporting activities and entertainment offered in La Romana. La Romana is quietly waiting to be discovered, explored, experienced and savored.  La Romana has it all!     Judy and Maria  QUOTE: TRAVEL@JMTRAVEL.COM