La Romana
Introduction
La Romana is a municipality and the capital of the southeastern La Romana Province in the Dominican Republic, sitting opposite Catalina Island. The city takes its name from "Bomana", a word given by the Indians to what is known today as the Romana River.
Before you go
Before you set out for La Romana, plan your journey carefully, especially if you are arriving from Punta Cana. The trip can be long, and if you go by bus you may travel over dirt roads. If you drive, be aware that bad weather can make the route far more difficult and dangerous. The roads along the way are known for giant potholes that could easily sink your vehicle. When it rains, the roads are often washed away, forcing drivers to turn back or leaving them caught in the middle of it. Whichever way you choose to travel, be careful and be prepared.Getting there
La Romana Airport (LRM) receives scheduled and charter flights daily, making it the most direct point of arrival for the city. If your plans don't line up with its schedule, two other airports serve as alternatives: Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) and Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo.
Getting around
La Romana is a compact city with no metro, tram, or passenger rail service, so getting around means road transport. Buses, known locally as gua guas, are the cheapest way to travel and the workhorse of local transport. Motorcycle taxis, called moto conchos, are the other main option and are easy to find because riders are out on the streets much like taxis, ready to take passengers. Walking works for short trips and moving between spots in the same area, but for longer hops across town most visitors rely on gua guas or moto conchos.
- Expect to bargain with moto concho riders: they often quote a high price first, and different riders ask different prices for the same trip. Don't accept the first price — negotiate and try to bring it down. Riders generally don't want to lose you to someone else, so patience usually gets you a fairer price for the distance you're going.
- Assess the rider before you get on. Some are not experienced enough to drive safely, especially when carrying several passengers at once.
- Understand the risk: there is no accident insurance on these rides. If you're involved in an accident, the hospital bills and other costs are on you — it is essentially riding at your own risk.
- Keep perspective: these riders are locals trying to earn extra cash by giving people rides, and moto conchos are less safe than other options, so weigh your comfort and needs before choosing one.
- No formal taxi or ride-hailing service is documented in the city. If you prefer a car with a driver, arrange it through your hotel or accommodation.
La Romana International Airport (LRM) is the most direct arrival point, with scheduled and charter flights daily. Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) and Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo are viable alternatives if your flight doesn't serve La Romana. From any of these airports, your onward transport into the city will be by road, so arrange a transfer or private car in advance where possible, or use the local bus and motorcycle-taxi options once you're in town.
Where to stay
La Romana's sleeping options lean heavily toward large all-inclusive resorts, most of them set along the coast and built around their own beaches and grounds. Sunscape Dominicus La Romana is aimed at families, singles and couples alike, with a beach, pools, manicured gardens, à la carte restaurants and tropical drinks all part of the package. Canoa Coral by Hilton sits beside the Eastern National Park, with a long Caribbean sandy beach and views over the ocean or tropical gardens from its rooms and suites; it also keeps a small number of villas with private Jacuzzis on the terrace, and is a short drive from both the international airport and the artists' village of Altos de Chavón.
For something on a different scale, Casa de Campo Resort and Villas spreads across a vast tract of the southeastern coast as a hotel, resort and residential community combined. Wherever you stay, expect the resort to be the centre of your days rather than a base you leave each morning.
Food & drink
Eating in La Romana is easy and plentiful, with options ranging from resort food to local restaurants and bars, markets, and vendors walking around. Resort meals are typical fare with a Dominican twist in some dishes. If you want to be adventurous, buy food from the street markets, where the cooking is homemade. Note that many restaurants leave out main ingredients from some dishes to keep regulations intact, which can mean you don't get the full experience of real Dominican flavours — though this doesn't apply everywhere. Calamaris Fritos (fried calamari) is a popular dish with visitors. The food scene ranges widely, so do a bit of research to find the hotspots for the types of food you're after, and always know what you're eating in case of allergies.
For drinks you'll find water, juice, soda, and beer, and there are many bars around the area serving both beer and liquor if you want to drink with family and friends. Drinking from the streets is also popular: vendors set up stands with juices they've made from papaya and a range of other fruits, and on the beach vendors walk by selling drinks. Don't accept their prices right away — bargain with them to lower the cost, since the vendors want money and will take just about anything that isn't too low.
What to see and do
In La Romana, the standout sight is Altos de Chavón, a recreated village built in 15th-century colonial architectural style. It holds restaurants, a museum with Taíno artifacts, and sweeping views over the Chavón River; its large amphitheatre has hosted performers from Sinatra to Cocoband. The local cigar factory is also worth a visit. For activities, the beaches host parties, games and events on certain nights, with resorts and locals alike welcoming everyone. When the beach winds down, head into town for festivities that shift with the time of year. In the Bayahibe area, Big Sur is a popular club for merengue dancing and food. By day you can snorkel, dive, golf, swim or visit a spa.Three days in La Romana
Day one: Base yourself in La Romana and get your bearings on foot, since walking is one of the ways to move around town. The Romana River runs through the city, and the centre gives you a feel for everyday life in La Romana Province before you branch out. If you have arrived at La Romana International Airport (LRM), you are already close to the city; travellers coming via Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo, or by bus from Punta Cana or Santo Domingo should factor in the transfer. Expect motorcycle riders on the roads, so assess the traffic before you cross and keep your distance.
- Walk the city centre and follow the Romana River
- Note your transfer options: LRM, PUJ, SDQ, or buses
- Watch for motorcycle riders and assess traffic before crossing
Day two: Head out to Catalina Island, the offshore counterpart to La Romana and one of the draws of the eastern Caribbean coast. Whichever way you arrange the crossing, plan around the water and the sun rather than a fixed schedule. Back on the mainland, the eastern national park and the coral of the Canoa Coral area reward those who understand that some of the best scenery here sits at the edge of the land.
- Catalina Island
- Eastern National Park
- Canoa Coral
Day three: Slow down at one of the resort-style stays around La Romana, such as Sunscape Dominicus La Romana or the Hilton, where jacuzzis and the Altos setting let you unwind before departure. If your flight leaves from LRM, the airport is close at hand; from PUJ or SDQ you will need a longer run, so build in the time. Whichever option you choose, keep the return leg simple and leave room for the unexpected.
- Sunscape Dominicus La Romana
- Hilton
- Jacuzzis and the Altos area
- Departure via LRM, PUJ, or SDQ