Environmentally-Friendly Fun for All
The La Romana-Bayahibe area of the
island continues to be a special destination for visitors from
around the globe. With its winning combination of high-end
hotels and budget-friendly all-inclusive resorts, this
southern coast area truly has something to offer everyone.
Located between the capital city of Santo Domingo to the west
and Punta Cana far to the east, La Romana-Bayahibe is one-part
beach getaway, one-part golfer's paradise and one-part
Dominican heartbeat. Here, tourism and Dominican culture are
one and the same. La Romana, known for its sugar factories and
intense passion for baseball, is home to one of the most
extensive resorts throughout the entire Caribbean: Casa de
Campo. Nearby Bayahibe is a quiet fishing village that is
home to several top-notch all-inclusive resorts. This mix of
tourism and authentic Dominican experiences, as well as its
central location, make a vacation in La Romana-Bayahibe a
perfect choice.
Getting There
La Romana International Airport welcomes flights
daily from numerous destinations, including daily direct
flights from Miami as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Because of its location between Santo Domingo and Punta Cana,
the La Romana-Bayahibe area is easily accessible by car from
either of the airports in those locations. From Santo Domingo,
drivers can arrive in this area in about 1.5 to 2 hours. From
Punta Cana, the ride is also close to 1.5 hours.
Where to Stay
Those who stay in La Romana stay at the famed Casa
de Campo. This walled compound has been often considered
the most complete and luxurious resort and community
throughout all of the islands in the region. Known all over
the world for its three legendary Pete Dye-designed golf
courses and high-end service, Casa de Campo – ranked by Travel
+ Leisure Golf magazine as the #1 Golf Resort in the
Caribbean – has welcomed many celebrities as well as regular
vacationers for many years. In addition to great golf, the
resort features luxurious villas, a polo field, a marina and
even an all-inclusive resort inside of its gates. The
full-service marina can currently accommodate 200
yachts up to 150 feet LOA, and it is being expanded to host an
additional 150 yachts from 50 to 250 feet LOA. In addition,
the Yacht Club has added a sailing school with
instructors from the Costasmeralda Yacht Club in Italy. For
details, visit www.marinacasadecampo.com.
In Bayahibe, there are several larger all-inclusive
resorts that cater to an international clientele. This area
continues to be popular among U.S., Canadian, German, British,
French and Italian travelers, making a stay here quite a
cultural melting pot. These resorts typically offer a variety
of dining and entertainment options at a more moderate price.
What to Do
With its calmer shores and crystal blue waters, the La
Romana-Bayahibe area is ideal for relaxing beach activities
and vacations. Many visitors come to the area specifically to
play golf on the award-winning courses, but there is so much
more to do than just hitting the links. Sailing, horseback
riding, biking, playing tennis, and shopping in the local
stores and stalls are all popular ways to while away the
hours. For a true Dominican experience, visitors can check out
a baseball game at the Francisco Michel Baseball Stadium, where
several popular Major League players have launched their
careers. Vacationers staying in this area also benefit from
the central location, making day trips and excursions a breeze
because of the short travel time required to see so many other
parts of the Dominican Republic. Popular excursions include
trips to explore two remarkable caves – Cueva Fun Fun and
Cueva de las Maravillas (Cave of Wonders), where
highlights include glimpses of ancient art carved into the
cave walls.
One of the biggest attractions in the area is the Altos
de Chavón Cultural Center. Built in 1976 as a cobblestone
replica of a 16th century Tuscan village, high above the Chavón
River, this delightful and charming area is home to exquisite
dining options, fine shops, artists' studios and galleries
within its stone and coral block buildings. Other popular
features of Altos de Chavón are its 5,000-seat outdoor
amphitheater, which continually hosts international
entertainers and special events; the Altos de Chavón school
of design and artist-in-residence program; and the Regional
Museum of Archeology with more than 3,000 artifacts found
in and around the area.
Saona and Catalina Islands
No stay here is complete without a day trip to either Saona
Island or Catalina Island. These two islands,
located not far off the shore, are rustic gems that help
guests throw off their workaday worries and simply relax under
a palm tree or in the gentle waves of the Caribbean Sea. Saona
Island, farther to the east, is a true Robinson Crusoe
destination, with its 45 square miles of white coral sand and
mangrove-lined lagoons. This is part of the Parque Nacional
del Este, which is a large, historic part of the island
famous for the caves and other remains of the indigenous Taino
people. Catalina Island, also part of the national park, is
only six square miles and houses pavilions, a restaurant and
bar. Some cruise ships call here and there is an amazing coral
reef for divers right off the island.
