Punta Cana or La Romana which is better? Dominican Republic resorts on the Caribbean Sea: La Romana, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Juan Dolio and others. Favorite resort of Dominicans
La Romana, once known for its sugar plantations and cattle ranching, is today one of the Dominican Republic's main resort areas, famous for its white sandy beaches and quality resort hotels.
If you want to visit the Dominican Republic and enjoy a relaxing holiday in this country, you should pay attention to La Romana, as it is one of the best places for a family holiday and a romantic honeymoon. This resort area is famous not only for its beaches, but also for its good diving conditions. Nightlife and sightseeing enthusiasts should also not overlook La Romana when planning a Dominican Republic vacation.
Located on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, the resort area of La Romana is 120 km east of Santo Domingo and approximately 70 km southwest of Punta Cana Airport. La Romana is an excellent base for excursions to the islands of Saona and Catalina, the artist town of Altos de Chavon and the Fun Fun Cave. The resort area of La Romana includes the city of the same name and the beaches of Bayahibe and Dominicus.
La Romana is the main city of the eastern region of the Dominican Republic and has a population of over 100,000 inhabitants. It was founded by the Spanish to serve as a commercial port for the export of local products. The American company Gulf & Western was largely responsible for business in the area in the 1920s and greatly contributed to the development of the sugar industry in the region, which now makes La Romana the country's largest sugar processor. In the 70s, this American company built the Casa de Campo holiday complex a few kilometers from La Romana, which became a symbol of tourism in the region and one of the luxurious and unique resort complexes in the Caribbean. Although La Romana's economy is dependent on tourism, sugar production has always been important, as has agriculture.
Sights of La Romana
There are quite a few interesting places in La Romana and near this resort area. The main attraction of this area is the town Altos de Chavon, created jointly by a Dominican architect and an Italian designer and filmmaker in the style of a 16th-century Mediterranean village. This town is located in the resort of Casa de Campo. Here you will find cobblestone paths, art galleries, shops, restaurants, pottery studios and more. The main attraction of the city of artists is the Roman-style amphitheater.
It passes by La Romana and is home to many representatives of the Dominican fauna. Without a doubt, the Chavon River is a great place for a boat or kayak excursion. Rambo and the American soldiers who pursued the rebel Kurtz in the movie Apocalypse Now floated along this river.
Casa de Campo is the most famous resort complex on the Caribbean coast of the Dominican Republic, which offers its guests everything so that they do not have the desire to leave its territory. There are 3 golf courses, a private harbor, a helipad, a luxurious spa center and other facilities.
Marina Casa de Campo was built at the point where the Chavon River and the Caribbean Sea meet. It is located within the Casa de Campo complex and was designed by Italian architect Gianfranco Fini, inspired by European fishing towns on the Mediterranean coast. The Marina area covers an area of more than 90,000 square meters and includes villas, residential apartments, cafes and restaurants, as well as recreation areas.
Eastern National Park is a huge nature reserve that is home to rare plants, birds and marine animals. Its area is more than 310 square kilometers. The famous Saona Island is considered part of this national park.
Catalina Island is another famous attraction near La Romana. This island, less than 10 square kilometers in area, attracts mainly divers and snorkelers to explore the ecosystem of sand dunes, mangroves and reefs.
The Tabacalera de Garcia tobacco factory is where you can see the aging, grouping, rolling and labeling process of cigars.
The design of La Romana Airport has the style of an old sugar factory. The new airport was built by the Central Romana corporation at a cost of $100 million. Today, the airport receives direct flights from New York, Miami and other major cities in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe and South America. It is worth noting that La Romana Airport receives a large number of private jets, as many wealthy people travel to the famous Casa de Campo complex on private jets.
There are no direct flights from Russia to La Romana airport, but all tour operators offer transfers to hotels in this resort area for their tourists arriving at Punta Cana airport.
Without a doubt, La Romana is an interesting place with many attractions and good hotels, but most tourists go to the Dominican Republic mainly to enjoy a beach holiday. Can La Romana's beaches offer what tourists expect from Dominican beaches? That is, light sand, clear turquoise water and tall coconut trees? Yes, it's all here!
Bayahibe is a wonderful place to relax. The small cape of La Punta divides Bayahibe beach into two parts. The northern part is longer and is used mainly for fishing and tourist boats. At the very end, near the Dreams La Romana hotel, there is a good place for swimming or sunbathing, where there are no boats. The southern part of Bayahibe beach is better suited for a relaxing holiday and is bordered by a small garden.
Dominicus Beach, which has beautiful white sand, has a blue flag. Near this beach there are almost all the famous hotels in the La Romana resort area, so Dominicus Beach is mainly visited by resort hotel guests, but there is a small area where a large number of locals gather on weekends.
Minitas Beach is located in the Casa de Campo area, next to the Le Cirque restaurant. Minitas is essentially a beach club with fun games, activities and water sports.
La Romana or Punta Cana
The main difference between Punta Cana and La Romana is that the former resort is located on the Atlantic Ocean, while the latter is on the Caribbean Sea. In general, these resorts have a lot in common, but still Punta Cana is a more popular tourist area with all the ensuing consequences in the form of a huge number of tourists, a large selection of entertainment and services. Apart from the Casa de Campo resort, there are no truly luxury hotels for families in La Romana. Mostly relatively inexpensive 4- and 5-star hotels are located here.
In general, there is no significant difference between the resorts of Punta Cana and La Romana, but if you want to spend an eventful vacation, go on excursions, visit nightclubs and shows, then it would be logical to choose Punta Cana.
La Romana - selection of photos
First, let's take another look at the map and remember the location of the main resorts of the Dominican Republic. The resorts we are considering are located on the southern and southeastern coast of the island.
Boca Chica.
Pros .
- Very comfortable temperature - from 26 to 32 degrees throughout the year.
- Just 10 minutes (and $20 by taxi) from Santo Domingo airport.
- The shallow sea with a gradual slope and calm water create all the conditions for safe swimming (ideal for children).
- The nearby small islands of La Matica and Los Pinos offer excellent diving.
Minuses .
- The city enjoys a reputation as the capital of sex tourism in the country (although, perhaps, for some this will not be a minus).
- For non-Spanish speakers, communication can be quite difficult.
- As in the rest of the Dominican Republic, tap water is undrinkable.
- Local residents are constantly and obsessively trying to sell tourists souvenirs, excursions around the island, and, of course, sex.
- Visible signs of poverty such as dilapidated buildings and beggars.
- The beach is actually in a bay, so you don't get the full experience of the real Caribbean.
- There is a processing plant near the town (visible from the beach).
What can we recommend?.
The resort as a whole does not leave an impression of beauty and sophistication - narrow dusty roads, a large number of girls offering their services, snack bars and cafes offering mainly local and American dishes. Read also our comparison of the pros and cons of Boca Chica with the very nearby Juan Dolio.
In general, Punta Cana and La Romana will be much nicer and safer. There is, however, one very beautiful hotel here, Oasis Hamaca, which boasts recently renovated rooms, a pretty good kitchen (for an all-inclusive), a brand new spa, as well as cozy furnished gazebos that are located right on the beach. In this case, just try to ignore the container port, which really spoils the view of the sea and is visible from the beach.
There are not too many parties and entertainment in Boca Chica, especially in comparison with Punta Cana.
The question of the cost of vacation and the price-quality ratio is also important. As for accommodation, the hotels in Boca Chica are more modest than in Punta Cana. Many hotels in Boca Chica are located right within the city, so you will be surrounded by bustle, city noise, and sometimes beggars and beggars. As in any other country, not everyone and not always like tourists, and you also have a chance to experience this. Of course, the location of the hotel within the city cannot be called absolutely safe for vacationers. But you will feel the local flavor to the fullest.
However, the cost of staying in a three-star hotel here is the same or even slightly higher, but a stay in a five-star hotel in Boca Chica will cost less than in Punta Cana. But, according to reviews from tourists, Punta Cana will be unrivaled in the quality of service. So everyone must decide for themselves the issue of saving money. Perhaps for this you will find our tips on how to have a cheaper holiday in the Dominican Republic useful.
Samana
Pros.
- The average temperature is 26 degrees.
- Some of the most beautiful scenery in the Dominican Republic.
- Amazing, and, as many consider, “the best in the world” beaches, for example Playa Rincon.
- Las Terrenas is known for its excellent restaurants.
- Fantastically spectacular whale watching excursion from January to March.
- Excursion to the waterfalls in El Limon.
Minuses .
- The roads are rough, so travel can be rough and slow.
- Cruise ships often stop here, flooding Samana with tourists.
- Far from Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata.
What does it look like?
A narrow peninsula at the northeastern tip of the island, Samana is the least developed and most untouched corner of the country. Local beaches, many of them remote and secluded, are rightfully considered among the best not only in the country, but also in the world. We have previously talked about holidays at the Samana resort in more detail.
Lush tropical forests, green mountains with stunning sea views, waterfalls, and several luxury hotels allow you to fully admire these natural wonders.
The only thing that detracts from the positive impression is the periodic arrival of cruise ships, which fill the entire city with day trippers.
Where can I stay?
To truly enjoy a secluded holiday, we recommend the Gran Bahia Cayo Levantado Hotel, which is located on a small island 15 minutes by boat from Samana. The service got a little worse in the summer, but the rooms are huge and the atmosphere is truly heavenly.
As for hotels on the peninsula itself, Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa offers very good food and a magnificent pool located on the top of a cliff overlooking the bay. Gran Bahia Principe El Portillo, a quiet, comfortable hotel with a beautiful beach, near the town of Las Terrenas, has very beautiful views.
Punta Cana.
Pros.
- Average temperatures range from 22 to 31 degrees Celsius all year round.
- The least amount of precipitation in the entire Dominican Republic.
- The smooth, white sandy beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean.
- Very calm and shallow beaches on the south coast.
- A variety of entertainment and good food on an all-inclusive basis.
- High level of security in most hotels.
- Modern international airport, 10 minutes to an hour's drive from most hotels.
- According to the country's legislation, there are no buildings taller than palm trees.
- Friendly staff.
- An ecological park where you can look at untouched nature.
- Dominican and Cuban cigars and rum are sold in most hotels.
- World class golf course.
Minuses.
- You can't drink tap water, like everywhere else in the Dominican Republic.
- There are no restaurants, entertainment or nightlife within walking distance of the hotels. It will be a long way to get there.
- Very bad roads and dangerous driving conditions.
- Theft from hotel rooms sometimes occurs.
- Buffet - The food is rarely very fresh and is usually bland.
- The nearest town is at least an hour away.
- Mosquitoes and sand flies are found everywhere along the coast.
- Prostitution is legal in the Dominican Republic.
- For non-Spanish speakers, communicating with taxi drivers and staff can be difficult.
- Not ideal for water sports such as surfing, snorkeling or diving.
What does it look like?
It's fair to say that Punta Cana has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Situated on the eastern tip of the island, the area also enjoys near-perfect weather. There are a large number of all-inclusive hotels here, ranging from cheap to the most luxurious.
Where to stay.
Occupying approximately 50 kilometers of coastline, Punta Cana has the highest concentration of hotels in the Dominican Republic. There are hotels that cater to family vacations, including those with children, for example Dreams Punta Cana and Majestic Elegance Punta Cana. Some hotels offer holidays for adults only, for example Excellence Punta Cana and Catalonia Royal Bavaro. The tourist infrastructure is very well developed.
Since beaches are generally excellent everywhere, one of the key differences among hotels is their distance from Punta Cana International Airport. Some, like Tortuga Bay, are just 20 minutes from the airport, while others, like Sivory Punta Cana, are a 90-minute taxi ride due to very poor gravel roads.
La Romana.
Pros .
- The almost complete absence of waves is very favorable for families with children.
- There are a small number of hotels and therefore not crowded.
- Many beaches are private, so there are few annoying sellers on the beach.
- World class golf at Casa de Campo.
- Some of the best diving and snorkeling in the region is found on Catalina Island.
- The magnificent amphitheater in Altos de Chavon attracts international performers.
- Fishing on the Chavon River.
- Completely untouched by civilization, Playa Minitas beach in Casa de Campo.
Minuses.
- There are very few cultural events.
- The beaches are generally rocky (although many hotels have cleared them of rocks).
- 2 hours, $100 to $130 taxi from Santo Domingo and Punta Cana airport
- 25 minutes, $35 to $45 by taxi from La Romana to resorts around Bayahibe
Let's briefly describe the resort.
The resort of La Romana is located on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic and approximately the same distance between Santo Domingo and Punta Cana. La Romana's proximity to some of the country's most extraordinary natural attractions, such as Rio Chavon, Isla Catalina, and Parque Nacional del Este Isla Saona, as well as its own clean, tranquil beaches, make it one of the best destinations in the Dominican Republic for families , married couples and golf fans.
Where to stay.
More than 35 years after it opened, Casa de Campo remains one of the best hotels in the Dominican Republic. It has a pristine beach, offers quite a range of activities for children, and three golf courses from the legendary designer Pit Dye. Another very noteworthy hotel is the Catalonia Gran Dominicus, which has an immaculate beach and good cuisine; the family-friendly Viva Wyndham hotel, which also has an excellent beach; and the recently renovated Dreams La Romana, whose beach is small and partially man-made, but has a huge swimming pool and luxury rooms (this is exactly what is shown in the photo above).
Well, now the choice is yours.
La Romana is the second most popular resort among Russian tourists in the Dominican Republic after Punta Cana. Just a few years ago, Russian tour operators did not offer tours to this resort area, but now you can buy a ticket to any famous hotel in La Romana from almost any tour operator.
Which is better: Punta Cana or La Romana? Let's try to compare these resorts.
Tour prices
When tourists wonder which is better: Punta Cana or La Romana, many, of course, pay attention to the prices, which sometimes make them turn a blind eye to some of the shortcomings of a particular resort. In our comparison, Punta Cana offers lower prices for hotels and, accordingly, tours there. But this same resort also offers the highest prices for tours. Like this? The fact is that in La Romana there are no very expensive hotels, like in Punta Cana.
You'll find decent hotels in La Romana - even the 4-star hotels in this resort area can be better than some of the 5-star hotels in Punta Cana.
In general, if you are interested in a “cheap and cheerful” holiday, then La Romana will be a pretty good option for you.
Coasts
When comparing Punta Cana and La Romana, the location of the resorts comes first. Or rather, they belong to different coasts. Punta Cana is on the Atlantic coast, and La Romana is on the Caribbean coast. That is why there is a big difference between these resorts. Punta Cana has cooler water (1-2 degrees colder than La Romana), higher waves and algae on the beach. In turn, La Romana offers calmer and warmer waters without algae. But still, even in Punta Cana you can find hotels whose beaches do not have a lot of algae, and the water in the ocean near these beaches is quite warm and calm (for example, the hotels of the Barcelo Bavaro Resorts complex).
Hotels
In terms of hotel diversity, Punta Cana is noticeably ahead of La Romana. Punta Cana has hotels to suit every taste (there are even hotels with water parks) and budgets, while La Romana has no more than 10 hotels to choose from.
Excursions
In principle, the range of excursions for both resorts is almost the same, but La Romana is located much closer to the islands of Saona and Catalina, as well as to the city of Santo Domingo. If you plan to visit all these places and do not want to waste extra time traveling, then La Romana may be a more attractive option for you.
Bottom line
La Romana is a serious rival for Punta Cana. However, there are not as many hotels here as in Punta Cana, so most tourists will still head to Punta Cana. But you must take into account the pros and cons of all the resorts and come to a conclusion about which resort is best for you.
If you want to spend a vacation in paradise, then you should go to the resorts of the Dominican Republic on the Caribbean Sea. No matter where you choose - La Romana, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana or any other - you will be greeted by palm-lined beaches, gorgeous underwater tropical gardens, smiling dark-skinned locals and gentle breezes. The main wealth of Dominican resorts is the warm sea and sandy beaches. The best hotels in the world operating on the All Inclusive principle are located here. The average annual air temperature varies between +28 and +31 degrees. Travelers will forever remember the enchanting tropical forests, coral reefs and stunning waterfalls.
General characteristics of the resorts
The resorts of the Dominican Republic are in extraordinary demand among tourists today, as they offer complete relaxation with the highest level of comfort organized and constant sunny weather. The most popular type of recreation is luxury. Incredibly beautiful, one might even say fabulous, play an important role in it. Tourist vacations here are combined with national Caribbean events, fiery carnivals and expressive dances.
If you briefly describe the resorts of the Dominican Republic on the Caribbean Sea, you will get the impression that they are a real paradise, located in a stunning tropical forest. Holidays at any of the resorts will take place in the shade of coconut trees. The beach recreation areas filled with golden and crystal white sand impress with their well-groomed appearance and inviting warmth; they will give you a complete feeling of relaxation and absolute safety.
One of the most popular resorts
One of the most popular Dominican resorts is Punta Cana. It is located on the Caribbean Sea, or more precisely, on one of its shores, and its snow-white beaches stretch for 30 kilometers. It arose in the early 80s of the last century on a deserted sea coast. The resort includes several large tourist complexes. They are intended for family vacations or couples' vacations. Only in the spring can you meet only students here who come to have fun among the youth crowd.
The Punta Cana resort is known all over the world. And this is not surprising, because the best hotels on the coast are located here, historical and cultural attractions are concentrated, and only here there is a lot of interesting and educational things. At this resort, even those travelers who place the highest demands on their holiday will satisfy their needs. In Punta Cana, guests are surrounded by peacocks, rare species of flowers, mangroves and flamingos. Things that are unusual for Europeans will seem quite natural here.
Quiet and relaxing resort
La Romana (Dominican Republic) is a wonderful resort, which is the capital of the province of the same name. It was founded at the very beginning of the 16th century. On the coast of the modern resort there is a huge hotel complex, included in the list of the most respectable places in the world. This chic tourist center is the main attraction of La Romana.
The resort of La Romana (Dominican Republic) has dozens of luxury cottages and hundreds of luxurious villas. This place is recommended for visiting by young married couples who prefer a calm, quiet vacation on the seashore. Athletes, both professional and beginners, can have a wonderful time here. There are several sports complexes for them. In La Romana you can go underwater fishing and the most popular sports are horse riding and tennis, and you can do them right in the La Romana resort.
Resort on the island of Haiti
The wonderful resort of Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic) is located on the island. It has more than ten hotels, including two-star and five-star establishments. The hotels offer guests a variety of entertainment for every taste: there is a club right on the beach, everyone will be taught diving and snorkeling, and you can also take part in sports games and competitions. In you have the opportunity to enjoy endless white beaches and the warm Dominican sun.
There are not as many people in the resort of Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic) as in other resorts in the republic. Here you can always find an incredibly beautiful but secluded place for a relaxing holiday. The small Puerto Plata warmly welcomes all its guests - it is designed in such a way that everyone who arrives here can feel calm and comfortable. There is lush greenery and an unrivaled beach, and magnificent nature surrounds both on land and in the underwater world.
Favorite resort of Dominicans
Juan Dolio is a Dominican Republic resort located in the southeastern part of the island. It is loved by many travelers, but it has earned special recognition among local residents. Those who like the delights of the underwater world come here: near the shores of this particular resort there is a magical coral reef, which you can explore for days on end. Juan Dolio has more than ten upscale hotels, chic restaurants, clubs, discos and casinos.
It is almost impossible to imagine the Dominican Republic without the Juan Dolio resort. The beautiful town, which is located near the capital, is filled with interesting places, it is characterized by luxurious nature and an interesting history. There are many museums, small churches and chapels that you can visit at any time. Resort life here proceeds slowly, but this only benefits everyone here.
The most vibrant resort in the Dominican Republic
Many Dominican Republic resorts on the Caribbean Sea resemble a real fairy tale. One of these places was the Boca Chica resort, located in a lagoon protected by reefs. The resort is located in the suburbs of the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo. Boca Chica was founded by wealthy industrialist Juan Visini in the first half of the last century. And the resort development of this place dates back to the 50s of the twentieth century. This happened after dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo ordered the construction of the modern Hamaca Hotel, which today is called Hamaca Coral By Hilton.
Modern Boca Chica is the busiest resort on the southeast coast. Life here flows to the rhythm of the merengue, the sounds of which spread from the numerous restaurants located on the beach. Here you can try tropical drinks and dishes from different cuisines of the world. The most popular in Boca Chica are fish delicacies, especially those that are grilled. The main advantage of the resort is the natural five-hundred-meter coral barrier.
Resort capital of the Dominican Republic
The best resorts were founded during the Middle Ages. For example, the now popular Santo Domingo was founded back in 1496 by Bartolomeo Columbus, the brother of that same Christopher Columbus. He named the city New Isabella, but then the resort was renamed Santo Domingo, which translates from Spanish as Holy Sunday.
The Osama River flows into Santo Domingo, dividing it into two parts. The western region is the cultural and business center of the city, and the eastern region is the historical one. The most interesting regions for travelers will be the colonial zone and Gazcue. In the center of the western part of Santo Domingo is the “commercial” heart of the capital. The best shops and restaurants in the city are concentrated here.
Port city of Barahona
We described all the popular resorts of the Dominican Republic above. But there is one more, on the Caribbean Sea, which is not very popular with tourists, but is no less wonderful - this is the port city of Barahona. It is hidden in a bay surrounded by mountain ranges. The pride of Barahona is the picturesque lakes scattered throughout the village. The resort offers tourists a wide variety of excursions.
Travelers can visit Las Caritasma, an archaeological site located in the northern part of Lake Enriquillo. This pond is home to pink flamingos, iguanas and crocodiles. Magnetic Hills is the most remarkable place in the Barahona resort. And if you have a passion for reptiles, you can visit Cabritos Island.
Holidays on the peninsula
The amazing country of the Dominican Republic. Which resort to choose for your vacation is a question that sometimes confuses many travelers. There is another place in the Dominican Republic on the Caribbean Sea that fascinates with its beauty. This is the Samana Peninsula.
In the 18th century, King Ferdinand VI of Spain ordered the founding of the city of Santa Barbara de Samana. Every year in February, a carnival is held here, which opens with the “ambula” dance. It is attended exclusively by male representatives, dressed in multi-colored masks.
The Cordillera mountain range crosses the peninsula from east to west. The ridge has become a natural feature between the island and the Samana conservation area. Samana Bay is a true tropical paradise. It has small islands. The bay is 11 kilometers wide, and its length reaches as much as 54 kilometers.
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Boca Chica is a very famous resort in Western countries, especially among US citizens. Moreover, he has a “bad” reputation. But it's not so bad, this is not Walking Street in Pattaya, most of the obscene entertainment is not on display here.
The resort is located west along the coast of the island from the resort of Juan Dolio, and is only 30 kilometers from the capital of the country, Santo Domingo.
Boca Chica is very famous as a yacht port. Many yachtsmen prefer to stay in the Caribbean in Boca Chica. There are many motels and a developed yacht servicing infrastructure. The port is crowded with yachts, and you can always go there. If you are interested in yachts, then the port of Boca Chica will be akin to a museum for you.
Samana Resort
Samana is located on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. This is a peninsula that is considered one of the most beautiful places in the Dominican Republic.
The Samana region has its own international airport, but charter flights from Russia do not land there. It is almost impossible to buy a tour to Samana in Russia, and those who managed to do it will have to travel 180 kilometers by bus. The journey will take about three hours, the roads in the Dominican Republic are winding, often pass through mountainous areas, so you can’t expect high speed from buses.
The resort of Samana has only mountains and beaches, but this place is famous not for mountains or beaches, but for humpback whales. From January to March, whales come here for the mating season.
In many ways, people come to this resort precisely to watch whales. The chance of meeting whales while walking on the sea here is almost 100%; in many other places in Taiwan, Alaska or Hawaii such chances are much less, you can make a dozen trips by sea and still not see whales.
Resort Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata is another resort on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. Buying a tour here from Russia is even more difficult than to the resorts described above. There is also an airport here, and charter flights from Russia do not fly here either. The drive from Punta Cana airport is about four to five hours.
This resort is dominated by nature, clear sea and pleasant sand.
Read other interesting facts about the Dominican Republic in our articles ( links below).