La Romana, Dominican Republic: travel guide
Casa de Campo, Altos de Chavon and boat trips to Saona
Southeastern resort city anchored by the Casa de Campo estate and its cliff-top Mediterranean village Altos de Chavon, and the fishing village of Bayahibe — the launch point for boat trips to Isla Saona and Isla Catalina.
About La Romana
La Romana is a city and resort area in the southeast of the Dominican Republic, best known as the home of the Casa de Campo estate and its golf courses and marina. The area is a base for beach holidays and a place to combine the coast with light sightseeing.
Altos de Chavon is a hilltop village built in Mediterranean style above the Chavon River, with galleries, workshops and an amphitheatre. The fishing village of Bayahibe, along the coast, is the launch point for boat trips to Isla Saona and Isla Catalina, and nearby Playa Dominicus and the Parque Nacional Cotubanama offer beaches and coastal walks. The Cueva de las Maravillas has cave formations and rock art.
La Romana suits beach holidays, golfers and families. The drier months from December to April are the most settled.
- Country
- Dominican Republic
- Currency
- DOP
- Time zone
- America/Santo_Domingo
- Nearest airport
- LRM
Last updated
Top places to visit in La Romana
Altos de Chavon
artists village · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A recreated 16th-century Mediterranean village of coral-stone buildings on a cliff above the Chavon River, with a Roman-style amphitheatre, church, art galleries and an archaeological museum.
Isla Saona
island beach · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A protected palm-fringed island in Cotubanama National Park with shallow turquoise flats and starfish sandbars — the country's most popular day-trip.
Isla Catalina
island beach · about 7 h · check the fee at the gate
An uninhabited island off La Romana ringed by a protected reef and a famous wall dive, a favourite for snorkelling and diving day trips.
Playa Bayahibe
beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The crescent beach of the Bayahibe fishing village, launch point for Saona and Catalina boats, with calm water and a relaxed local vibe.
Playa Dominicus
beach · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A Blue Flag resort beach of fine white sand and shallow turquoise water near Bayahibe, backed by all-inclusive hotels.
Cueva de las Maravillas
cave · about 1.5 h · entry $300 (≈ ₹470)
A show cave between La Romana and San Pedro with lit walkways past stalactites and more than 500 Taino pictographs and petroglyphs.
Parque Nacional Cotubanama
national park · about 4 h · entry $100 (≈ ₹160)
The Del Este national park protecting dry forest, mangroves, Taino caves and the reefs around Saona and Catalina islands.
Rio Chavon
river · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A jungle-lined river below Altos de Chavon used as a location in Apocalypse Now and Rambo, cruised by boat past dense tropical banks.
Things to do
- Isla Saona Catamaran & Beach Day Boat · 8 h · from USD 90 per person
- Isla Catalina Snorkel & Dive Cruise Water · 6 h · from USD 80 per person
- Altos de Chavon & Rio Chavon Sightseeing Tour Tour · 4 h · from USD 50 per person
- Cueva de las Maravillas Guided Tour Cultural · 2 h · from USD 35 per person
- Bayahibe Two-Tank Scuba Dive Water · 5 h · from USD 110 per person
- Higuey Basilica & Countryside Cultural Tour Cultural · 5 h · from USD 55 per person
Day trips and tours
- Isla Saona from Bayahibe 9 h · from USD 90
- Altos de Chavon & Cave of Wonders 5 h · from USD 60
Where to stay in La Romana
- Bayahibe about DOP 130 per night
A laid-back fishing village and dive hub, the launch point for Saona and Catalina boat trips.
- Playa Dominicus about DOP 220 per night
A resort beach zone of all-inclusives on a Blue Flag beach next to Bayahibe.
- Casa de Campo about DOP 450 per night
An exclusive luxury estate with villas, golf, a marina and Altos de Chavon.
Hotels
- Hotel Bayahibe 3-star · USD 65 to USD 130 per night
- Casa de Campo Resort & Villas 5-star · USD 400 to USD 1,100 per night
- Dreams Dominicus La Romana 5-star · USD 260 to USD 600 per night
- Iberostar Selection Hacienda Dominicus 5-star · USD 220 to USD 520 per night
- Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach 4-star · USD 150 to USD 340 per night
Where to eat
- La Casita de Bayahibe Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean · about USD 40 per person
- Mama Mia Bayahibe Italian, Dominican, Pizza · about USD 25 per person
- Tracadero Beach Restaurant Seafood, International, Mediterranean · about USD 55 per person
- La Piazzetta Italian, Mediterranean · about USD 60 per person
- Onno's Bar Altos de Chavon International, Bar, Pizza · about USD 30 per person
- Saona Cafe Cafe, Dominican, International · about USD 14 per person
Getting to La Romana
Airport: La Romana (LRM)
Getting around
- Car Rental Self
- Shuttle
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Dominican Republic
Frequently asked questions about La Romana
- What are the main places to visit in La Romana?
- Places covered in our La Romana guide include Altos de Chavon, Isla Saona, Isla Catalina, Playa Bayahibe, Playa Dominicus.
- Where should I stay in La Romana?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in La Romana: Bayahibe, Playa Dominicus, Casa de Campo.
- How do I get around La Romana?
- Ways to get around La Romana covered in our guide: Self-drive car, Shuttle, Taxi, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to La Romana?
- The nearest airport to La Romana has the code LRM.