La Romana Flights And Sights

114km (71 miles) E of Santo Domingo, 37km (23 miles) E of San Pedro de Macoris

On the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic, La Romana was once a sleepy sugar-cane town that specialized in cattle raising. Visitors didn't come near the place, but when Gulf + Western Inc. opened a luxurious tropical paradise resort, the Casa de Campo, about 1.5km (1 mile) east of town, La Romana soon began drawing the jet set. It's the finest resort in the Dominican Republic, and especially popular among golfers.

Just east of Casa de Campo is Altos de Chavón, a charming and whimsical copy of what might have been a fortified medieval village in Spain, southern France, or Italy. It's the country's leading sightseeing attraction.

Off the coast of La Romana lies Isla Catalina, which attracts divers and snorkelers, though there are no facilities. It is mainly uninhabited, so bring whatever you need, including fresh water. The tour desks of Casa de Campo or other hotels can arrange excursions, although nothing is organized into a central agency for bookings. Catalina lies only 3.5km (2 1/4 miles) south of La Romana but 18km (11 miles) west of Bayahibe.

Bayahibe is a relatively new tourist development that's a lot more famous and more heavily patronized with Italian, French, Spanish, and, to a lesser extent, British and Canadian groups than it has been, until now, with American clients. Launched onto the world's consciousness in the early 1990s, it didn't become "important" until around 2000. There's no village center, no monumental architecture, not even a permanent settlement here: only a sea-fronting road with some mega-hotels on the sea-fronting side, each facing a sandy beach.

The location of Bayahibe is 30km (19 miles) directly east of La Romana. Playa Bayahibe, its lovely sandy beach, is what put this emerging resort on the tourist map.

You might negotiate with a boat owner at the beach or ask at your hotel if the staff can arrange for a fisherman to the offshore island, Isla Saona, which has some good sandy beaches beset by sand flies and some fishermen's cottages.

Plan a relaxing Caribbean island getaway with American Airlines flights to La Romana in the Dominican Republic. With stretches of gorgeous beach, championship golf courses and the endlessly fascinating Altos de Chavon, there are a number of interesting things to do in La Romana.

Start with Altos de Chavon, a stunningly accurate Medieval village created out of stone blasted in the creation of a road and bridge over the Chavon River. A visit here is one of the most popular activities in La Romana because you'll find a painstakingly crafted collection of 16th-century buildings and the St. Stanislaus Church (site of many modern-day weddings). Spend time wandering the narrow cobblestone passages and you'll discover restaurants, shops with local crafts and even galleries featuring work by students of La Escuela de Diseno, a design school that's located within Altos de Chavon.

After exploring this charming stone village, you might be up for one of our favorite things to do in La Romana, which is to simply relax on a pristine golden beach. This Dominican Republic destination is not overrun with tourists, yet it still features the gorgeous water and soft sand for which the Caribbean is famous. That's why we love nothing better than to pass the time beachside -- in particular, on the stretches of Dominicus and Bayahibe. There are a number of hotels and resorts here, but there is also public access.

For golfers, there are undeniably alluring activities in La Romana. With wonderful weather year-round and picturesque views, golf is an understandably popular pursuit. There are three courses open to the public along with multiple private courses. If you prefer marine life to tee times, La Romana has plenty to offer you as well. It's an acclaimed dive site, with diving schools and numerous dive centers.

If a relaxing getaway is calling your name, fly to La Romana with American Airlines. We've made it easy to plan a carefree trip to this friendly Caribbean destination.