Destination Guide
La Romana
Home to one of the Caribbean's most celebrated private resorts and an improbable cliff-top Italian village. La Romana rewards both luxury-seeking resort guests and travellers willing to venture beyond the gates to Bayahibe's beaches and dive sites.
Why visit
Casa de Campo is in a category of its own in the Caribbean — the golf alone draws visitors from around the world. But La Romana's real surprise is outside the resort: Altos de Chavón is genuinely remarkable, and Bayahibe is one of the most underrated beach towns in the DR. The combination makes this region worth a multi-day stay even for non-resort travellers.
Best for
- ✓Luxury travellers and Casa de Campo guests
- ✓Golfers — three championship courses on site
- ✓Destination weddings and honeymoons
- ✓Divers and snorkellers (Bayahibe)
- ✓Off-resort exploration beyond the main complex
What to do
Altos de Chavón
A replica 16th-century Mediterranean village built on a cliff above the Chavón River — and improbably beautiful. Cobblestone streets, an amphitheatre that has hosted concerts by Frank Sinatra and Julio Iglesias, an archaeology museum, and art galleries. Open to non-resort guests and worth every minute.
Casa de Campo golf
Three world-class courses designed by Pete Dye, including Teeth of the Dog — consistently ranked among the best golf courses in the world. The Dye Fore and Links courses are excellent alternatives. Book well in advance.
Bayahibe diving and snorkelling
The small fishing village of Bayahibe is the DR's top diving destination. The waters around Isla Saona and the sunken ship El Limón offer visibility, coral, and marine life that rival anywhere in the Caribbean. Multiple dive operators in the village.
Isla Catalina
A small uninhabited island 15 minutes by boat from Bayahibe. Excellent snorkelling right off the beach. Day tours from Bayahibe or La Romana marina include snorkel gear and lunch. Calmer and less crowded than Saona Island.
Getting there
La Romana is approximately 90 minutes west of Punta Cana (PUJ) by road — a common routing for visitors combining both destinations. La Romana also has its own smaller airport (LRM) serving select charter and private flights.
LRM airport guide →Where to stay
Casa de Campo resort
An expansive private resort (7,000 acres) with its own marina, airport airstrip, and village. If you're staying here, you may not need to leave — but you should anyway, for Bayahibe at minimum.
Bayahibe
A former fishing village that has become the DR's dive hub without losing its character entirely. Budget-to-mid-range guesthouses and small hotels. The beach is narrow but the access to the sea is exceptional.
La Romana town
The actual city, a 10-minute drive from Casa de Campo. Less visited by tourists but has local restaurants, markets, and a functioning downtown if you want to see a real Dominican city.
Food highlights
Italian at Altos de Chavón
The village has several restaurants, the best of which lean Italian — appropriate given the Mediterranean architectural theme. Casa del Río on the cliff edge is the most atmospheric.
Fresh fish in Bayahibe
Bayahibe's beachfront restaurants serve excellent grilled fish, lobster, and conch at prices far below what you'd pay at the resort. Walking the waterfront and picking a spot is the right approach.
Travel tips
- ✓Most visitors stay entirely at Casa de Campo — and leave having seen almost nothing of the real DR. Bayahibe is a 20-minute drive and a completely different experience.
- ✓La Romana airport (LRM) handles some charter and private flights directly to the resort. If flying commercial, PUJ (Punta Cana) is 90 minutes away by road.
- ✓Altos de Chavón is open to day visitors and hotel guests alike. Entrance is free — restaurants and shops are the cost.
- ✓Diving in Bayahibe is best between January and August when visibility peaks. Currents are manageable year-round for certified divers.
- ✓The Chavón River below Altos de Chavón is stunning from the cliff. Some operators offer river kayak tours.
- ✓Casa de Campo has strict gate access. If you're visiting without staying, plan ahead — day passes are available for specific facilities.
Map
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