Travel Eye on La Romana (Dominican Republic, Caribbean)

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Overview:

East of Santo Domingo is La Romana, an area that has become world famous for being the location of the massive Casa de Campo Caribbean resort, which sprawls across 2,833 hectares (7,000 acres).

The town of La Romana was a small sugar port until the 1970s when Gulf and Western developed the major resort. The area has some excellent beaches, including the tiny Minitas beach and lagoon, and the scenic palm-lined beach of Bayahibe where visitors can enjoy the Dominican people's rythm of life despite the recent tourist development.

La Romana also boasts an unusual medieval cliff-top village, reminiscent of the south of France, built overlooking the Chavon River. Quaint buildings of rusty rock line cobbled alleyways; the village also boasts an ancient-looking amphitheatre.

The village of Altos de Chavon gives the impression of age and atmosphere. The town is, however, a modern creation designed and sculpted in 1978 by Roberto Coppa, an Italian movie set designer. It does include an archaeological museum of Taino artefacts, some good restaurants and is home to a colony of artists.

Practically no one stays in the town itself. In contrast, the renowned self-contained luxury resort of Casa de Campo, just outside the town limits, attracts the rich and famous.

There are numerous budget hotels and cabanas rarely frequented by European or American tourists. 5-star luxury within the precincts of Casa de Campo.

Locality:

La Romana is in the south east corner of the country, on the Caribbean south coast (it is 16 mls NW of Bayahibe, 66 mls of Santo Domingo, 50 mls E of its international airport). It is situated among flat sugar-cane plantations and tropical farmland, astride the banks of Rio Dulce (Sweet River).

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to:

Apart from the palm-fringed, private, sandy beach at Casa de Campo, only meagre patches of rough sand and scrub, of little interest to tourists. Much better at Bayahibe, 16 mls SE.

There are many small, unsophisticated stores catering to the local population.

During the daytime there are beaches and amenities (including golf) at Casa de Campo.

The nightlife is varied and lively at Casa de Campo; a handful of discos and bars in town.

The local food is a cheap local fare, but take care that everything is thoroughly cooked. Don't drink the tap water (wash teeth with bottled water) and avoid salads or cold meats that are displayed without the benefit of chilling devices.

A popular escape from city life is provided by the small seaside town of Boca Chica, a 25-minute drive east of Santo Domingo on the Avenida de las Americas. The resort was developed by a wealthy industrialist around one of the best swimming beaches on the coast, and boasts crystal-clear calm waters, a yacht club and marina, golf course and some excellent seafood restaurants.

Inside the Colonial City stands the oldest cathedral in the western hemisphere, built in 1523 and still in use. Its mix of late Gothic and Renaissance elements provide a beautiful example of Spanish Renaissance architecture, with its golden coral facade and Gothic interior. Its walls have seen a great deal of history, including the coming of Sir Francis Drake who captured Santo Domingo in 1586 and held the town for ransom. He made the cathedral his headquarters.