About La Romana

The Dominican Republic is one of the most inviting and friendly islands in the Caribbean. Called "the most beautiful land on earth" by Christopher Columbus, the Dominican Republic offers an abundance of natural beauty, ecological attractions and magnificent scenery, making it ideal for a perfect vacation.

The region of La Romana-Bayahibe is located to the east of Santo Domingo. Home to numerous catamarans and brightly colored wooden fishing boats, Bayahibe is a tiny fishing village with the pristine beaches, a picturesque harbor and a strong Dominican feel.

The village consists of one main street, with small streets branching off from it, along which you'll find a handful of small restaurants and bars serving a variety of local Dominican dishes. Only a short trip from Bayahibe is Isla Catalina. The uninhabited island is the ideal place to relax and enjoy untouched Caribbean nature or some of the finest snorkeling and scuba diving in the region.

La Romana is a city built and maintained by the sugar mills that proliferated in this region. Nearby attractions include the artists village of Altos de Chavon, a re-creation of a 16th century Italian village with artisan workshops, an archeological museum, cobblestone streets and quaint architecture.

A little over an hour to the west, lies Santo Domingo, the first city founded in America and the capital of Dominican Republic. Points of interest include the Cathedral of Santa Mariá la Menor (built 1514-20), believed to contain the remains of Christopher Columbus; the palace (built 1510; a museum since 1957) of Diego Columbus (in Spanish Diego Colón; c. 1480-1526), son of Christopher Columbus and a viceroy of the island (1511-26); 16th-century churches, such as San Nicolás and San Francisco; and the fortified walls of the original Spanish town.

Cultural institutions include the National Gallery of Art (1943); the Museum of Dominican Man (formerly the National Museum, 1973), known for its pre-Columbian collection; the Museum of Modern Art (1976); the National Library (1971).

No other city in the Caribbean has a greater variety of restaurants and nightlife. Santo Domingo has also great shopping. You will enjoy an extraordinary market, Mercado Modelo. Santo Domingo is the most bustling and diverse city in the Caribbean. It has a population of over three million inhabitants and spreads out over 250 square kilometers.