Things to Do in La Romana

Saona Island (Isla Saona) is the Dominican Republic's largest coastal island, clocking in at 15 miles (25 kilometers) long and three miles (5 kilometers) wide, with a population of little more than 300. Part of the National Park of the East, the island features plenty of photo-worthy white sands, swaying palm trees, and turquoise waters.

Set sail across the Caribbean Sea on a speedboat or catamaran cruise to Saona Island to spend a day swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing at the island's beaches and lagoons. Full-day Saona Island tours run from Punta Cana, La Romana, Bayahibe Beach, and Santo Domingo, and often include visits to mainland sights such as Altos de Chavon. Alternatively, arrive in style on a private helicopter to enjoy spectacular views along the island's southern coast. 

Saona Island is located at the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic, and is only reachable by boat. The closest mainland town is Bayahibe. From there, Saona Island is 40 minutes away by speedboat, or two hours away on a leisurely catamaran cruise.

The most popular time to visit Saona Island is during the dry summer months from December through February, and resorts can fill up quickly during the this time. Thanks to the mild Caribbean climate, it's possible to visit year-round, but while off-season visitors can benefit from reduced prices, boat tours can be canceled due to rough weather during hurricane season from August through November.

After visiting the village of Mano Juan, exploring Cotubanamá Cave, and strolling the pristine Canto de la Playa beach, take a dip at a natural pool filled with giant starfish or swim and snorkel at Palmilla Beach. The island has plenty of offshore wonders too—look out for bottlenose dolphins, turtles, manatees, and whales as you cruise around the coast.

A small, rocky beach frequented by locals, Playa Caleta gives visitors a more cultural taste of beach life in the Dominican Republic than other beaches in La Romana. You'll enjoy stunning scenery and local cuisine while at Playa Caleta. 

This remote beach area comes equipped with stunning scenery, local cuisine and a small bay ideal for swimming. Snorkel equipment may come in handy here, as there are fish and sometimes other sea creatures to see off its shores. There are also many vendors at Playa Caleta who serve fresh fish and other local delicacies like yaniqueques. Bring pesos or be prepared to bargain, as vendors don't always have change for American dollars. Finish off your meal with a refreshingly cold Presidente beer, a favorite brew in the Dominican Republic.

Just 10 miles to the east of La Romana lies the relaxing beach town of Bayahibe. Originally a sleepy fishing village, Bayahibe has retained its laidback atmosphere and has a small, easily walkable downtown area. Visitors to the town will enjoy the colorful buildings, the excellent seafood and the shops sellings artisan crafts.

While the town of Bayahibe is fun to explore and walk around, the real draw is its gorgeous coastline. The beach has soft, nearly white sand that borders clear turquoise water. The clarity of the water makes this an excellent spot for snorkeling and diving, and there is a conveniently located local dive shop where you can rent equipment. Others may choose just to relax on the sand underneath the many palm trees growing around the beach. 

Bayahibe is also a gateway to the nearby island of Saona, located 45 minutes away.

Follow the same winding waterway as popular films like Jurassic Park, Rambo and Apocalypse Now along the Chavón River, arguably the most picturesque river in the country. The best way to see the river is aboard one of the river cruises that pass through steeps gorges, up to 250 feet tall in places, and offer glimpses of the unique wildlife that lives along the riverbank, including freshwater turtles and hawks. The Chavón River also passes by the interesting and beautiful Altos de Chavón, an artist’s colony perched high on a hill above the river that was designed to look like an ancient Mediterranean village, complete with cobblestone streets and an Greek-style amphitheater.

Tiny Catalina Island (Isla Catalina), just 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) off the Dominican Republic’s mainland, is an idyllic sandy speck in the turquoise Caribbean waters. Known for its well-populated coral reefs, Catalina is a peaceful respite for those looking to escape bustling Punta Cana and La Romana.

 

Catalina Island is home to a diverse ecosystem of sand dunes, mangroves, and reefs populated by many species of sea birds and tropical fish. The island’s main draws are its white sandy beaches and its beautiful underwater ecosystem. Snorkeling and scuba diving are particularly good here, and the Wall and the Aquarium are two of the top dive sites. 

 

Tours from the Dominican Republic’s mainland (originating in Bayahibe, Punta Cana, La Romana, or even as far-flung as Santo Domingo) are plentiful and usually last all day. Some tours combine a trip to Catalina Island with visits to other area highlights such as Altos de Chavon, the more populated Saona Island, or Casa de Campo. Snorkeling tours and scuba diving tours usually include use of equipment. 

 

 

Catalina Island, located just a few miles off the coast of La Romana, can be reached only by boat from the Dominican Republic mainland.

 

Catalina is a popular destination for group tours, so if you’re in search of peace and quiet, arrive early. To scuba dive or snorkel, you’ll find the best visibility on calm, hot days between December and May, when the diving on the south coast is the best.

 

Captain William Kidd’s ship Quedagh Merchant is wrecked about 70 feet (21 meters) off the coast of Catalina Island. The pirate’s ship sank in the 17th century but was discovered only in 2007. Now preserved as a Living Museum of the Sea, the shipwreck offers a unique scuba diving opportunity.

In the Dominican Republic's eastern-most province of La Altagracia Province lies the city of Higuey. A busy, bustling area that has been rapidly growing over the past decade, Higuey is also home to some must-see historical and religious sites.

The Basilica of Altagracia, a Roman Catholic cathedral that was built in 1972, serves as the city's biggest attraction. Despite its fairly recent development, the church holds a strong religious presence and is the place of pilgrimages each year. It is well-known due to its location, where a sighting of the Virgin Mary is said to have occurred. This elevated the church to high esteem, and Pope John Paul II visited the site in 1992. 

The Church of San Dionisio is also a site to see, though this one holds significance due to its history. The small church dates back to 1572, making it one of the oldest churches in the Americas, and features Spanish colonialism architecture and a stately bell tower.

Higuey is also home to charming streets, restaurants and markets, all ready to be explored. Though the city may be lacking in some grandeur and sophistication, visitors can experience the city side of the Dominican Republic.

You’ve heard of Cuban cigars, but have you heard of Dominican Republic cigars? Located a short drive from La Romana, the La Flor Dominicana Cigar Factory is home to the most well-known cigars on the island. The factory focuses on creative blends and handcrafted, boutique-style products.

Visitors can take a tour to learn about the factory's own tobacco farm on the island, which allows for better control of product quality. They'll also learn about the process of how plants are turned into premium cigars, which includes leaf stripping and sorting, the rolling, aging and fermenting process, as well as packing. Masters tastings are also offered, where travelers can interact with the producers behind the very cigars they get to smoke.

Even those who aren't cigar smokers will find interesting information about this prominent industry on the island.

If you’re wondering what it was like several centuries ago on the island of the Dominican Republic, then you should head to Altos de Chavón, a recreated 16th-century village built in La Romana near the Chavón River. Sculpted in stone, the site is an impressive example of what a Mediterranean-inspired village would have looked like on the island long ago.

Construction began in 1976 with the goal of having Altos de Chavón serve as a center for Dominican Republic culture. The site was created using the local handiwork of the people of the island; much of the stonework and metal carvings seen here were handcrafted by local artisans, which continues to draw attention to the craftwork that was once so prominent in island life. Much of Altos de Chavón is made of stone, and its coastal location provides a dramatic and inspiring backdrop. Visitors to Altos de Chavón will find restaurants, shops and even a 5,000-seat amphitheater where concerts and other performances are held. 

Altos de Chavón still focuses on the cultural and artistic elements of the island, making it a great spot for visitors to explore.