Hotels in La Romana

La Romana, located opposite Catalina Island, is the capital city of the southeastern Dominican province that shares the same name. The busy port is one of the many major cities in the Dominican Republic, and it's the seventh-largest town by population. La Ramona is also one of the most frequently visited destinations in the Republic. It is known for amazing turquoise beaches, large caves, sugar cane plantations, fresh seafood, world-class golf courses and other tourist charms representing the country's unique culture.

Accommodation options in this lovely town include luxury oceanfront hotels, villas and resorts. You can also find a range of budget-friendly and conveniently located holiday homes, apartments and hostels offering stunning tropical landscape views.

What to see and do in La Romana

• Dye Fore: This spectacular Pete Dye golf course features breathtaking views of seven cliff-side golf holes and the Chavón River Valley, to name a few highlights.
• Atlantic Princess Shipwreck: Enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving in the shallow depths of this destination with colourful marine life.
• Fishing in La Romana: The city is an ideal location for river or deep-sea fishing trips, as well as sports anglers eager to hook a barracuda, kingfish, river snooker or hook marlin.
• Isla Catalina: Famous for watersports, such as snorkelling and scuba diving, some parts of this beach are reserved for cruise ship excursions. However, the whole strip is open for public use.
• Casa de Campo: Along the cattle ranch trails, beginner and avid riders can enjoy this equestrian centre's facilities. It is one of the Caribbean's most well-equipped.
• Playa Minitas Beach: This beach offers crystal-clear waters and is famous for its marine life and coral reefs.
• Altos de Chavon: Home to an archaeological museum with over 3,000 Columbian artefacts, it is also known as the City of Artists. It's a re-creation of a 16th-century Mediterranean village. Here, you'll find a Greek-style open-air amphitheatre and the wonderful San Estanislao Church.
• Fishing in Bayahibe: This is an angler's paradise, where sports fishing centres take visitors on tours of the abundant waters.
• Cueva De Las Maravillas (Cave of Wonders): This cave is home to a multitude of well-preserved Taino cave paintings and rock art that goes back centuries. Additionally, there are spectacular cave icicles and rock formations. There are many other caves to tour in this city, such as Cueva Del Puente, Del Peñón and Del Chico.

What to eat in La Romana

Savour some authentic local dishes by the waterfront, such as dulce de Coco. It is a creamy and sweet dessert made with young, mild-tasting coconut. When you're on the go or touring the town and don't have any time to enjoy a sit-down meal, be on the lookout for a fritura (street vendors selling fried food). They sell hot, juicy pica pollo, a local fried chicken dish. It's golden, crispy, crusted and flavoured with a blend of oregano, then served with fresh garlic and lemon.

Typical events and festivals in La Romana

• Carnaval: February is the most festive month of the year in La Ramona. Carnival festivities happen every Sunday afternoon throughout the entire month. Traditional devil costumes and carnival personalities are region-specific because the festival occurs in all major cities and towns throughout the Dominican Republic.
• Soda Stereo: This musical concert caters to fans of reggae, Latin, rock, indie and other music genres. It is held every October at Altos del Chavón.

How to move around in La Romana

Although public transport may be a little chaotic, it functions quite well. You can use the local buses, which are called gua-guas. There are older models and newer air-conditioned units available. This transport method is a cheap way to travel around the city. However, if you intend to travel at night, you'll need a car rental, as the buses do not operate after dark. You can also take a taxi or carro concho, which run along the avenues. They are cheaper than taxis but pricier than gua-guas.

The climate in La Romana

This city experiences warm weather all year round, making it an ideal travel destination any time of year. The hottest months are from June to September, with temperatures ranging from highs of 33°–34° C to lows of 21°–22° C. The 'colder' months are not much different. From December to April, you can expect an average high of 30°–31° C and lows around 18–19° C. The climate in La Ramona is generally hot, windy and partly cloudy. September experiences the highest water temperature, with a monthly average of 29.2° C. March has the lowest water temperatures, averaging around 26.3° C. This destination reaches average precipitation of 2% throughout the year.