Things to do in  La Romana

Saona Island (Isla Saona) is the Dominican Republic's island gem, a tropical paradise that film buffs may recognize from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl or The Blue Lagoon. Part of the Cotubanamá National Park, this nature reserve is small but mighty, featuring plenty of photo-worthy white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees, and turquoise waters for an unplugged vacation.

In the Dominican Republic's easternmost province of La Altagracia lies the city of Higuey. A busy, bustling area that has rapidly grown over recent years, Higuey is also home to some must-see historical and religious sites like the Basilica of Altagracia. Though the city may not have the footprint of neighboring Punta Cana, visitors can explore its charming streets, restaurants, and markets.

Once a sleepy fishing village, now a beach town, Bayahibe has maintained its laid-back vibe and distinctive Dominican flavor despite rapid development on other parts of the island. The walkable downtown area features a colorful collection of seafood restaurants and craft shops, while the beach is known for white sand and clear water.

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, not to be confused with the Catalina off the coast of Dana Point in southern California, is a peaceful respite for those looking to escape bustling Punta Cana and La Romana.

Sculpted in stone, the Mediterranean-inspired village of Altos de Chavón showcases how the Dominican Republic might have looked in the 16th century. Built in 1976 by a team of local artisans, the La Romana village houses restaurants, shops, an archaeology museum, and a 5,000-seat amphitheater.

One of the largest rivers in the Dominican Republic, the Chavón River (Rio Chavón) runs from the interior of the country to the Caribbean Sea near La Romana. The filming site of several famous movies—including Apocalypse Now, Rambo, and Jurassic Park—it’s a popular stop on tours or river cruises.

Cueva de las Maravillas is a natural attraction near La Romana that takes visitors underground into a deep cavern. This cave is estimated to be more than 100,000 years old but wasn't discovered until 1926. Inside its walls, you'll find fascinating rock formations, elongated stalactites, and stalagmites resembling icicles. These were formed due to mineral buildup caused by the cave's constant moisture.

The National Park of the East (Parque Nacional del Este) is one of Dominican Republic’s most biologically diverse land reserves. From the sandy beaches of Saona Island to the tropical forest and limestone landscape of the mainland, the park is home to more than 500 species of plant and hundreds of species of bird, insect, and fish.

Located in Altos de Chavón (a re-creation of a 16th-century Mediterranean–style village) in La Romana, this archaeology museum showcases artifacts and artwork from the days when the Dominican Republic and Haiti were known as Hispaniola. It houses thousands of pieces from this pre-Columbian era, many of which were excavated from the nearby region that borders the Chavón River.

A small, rocky beach frequented by locals, Caleta Beach (Playa Caleta) gives visitors an authentic view of beach life in the Dominican Republic compared to other touristy beaches in La Romana. Convenient for cruise passengers, this remote beach area features stunning scenery with an excellent view of Catalina Island, local cuisine, and a small bay ideal for swimming.

Boca de Yuma is a small fishing village on the northeastern tip of the Dominican Republic’s National Park of the East (Parque Nacional del Este). The village is off the beaten path for tourists, meaning you’ll find a peaceful place to hang among the locals here. The harbor boasts many small restaurants and bars, similar to an Italian seaside town.

La Flor Dominicana produces some of the Dominican Republic’s most well-known cigars at their factory in La Romana. Visitors get a behind-the-scenes look at how tobacco plants are transformed into cigars, from leaf sorting and stripping to hand-rolling, aging, fermenting, and packing.

When Fidel Castro marched into Havana and seized the Cuban government, he took the island’s tobacco industry and hand-rolled cigars along with it. Cuban cigar makers then fled the country in search of factories elsewhere. One of those places was La Romana in the neighboring Dominican Republic. Established in 1971, Tabacalera de Garcia has grown into the largest hand-rolled cigar factory in the world.

Part of the Casa de Campo Resort, Minitas Beach (Playa Minitas) is a private beach in La Romana on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic. With pretty white sand, turquoise waters, and swaying palm trees, it’s an idyllic spot for sunbathing, swimming, and watersports.