Interesting Things to do in La Romana Dominican Republic

There are many beautiful places to see in La Romana Dominican Republic, such as Bayahibe Beach, Saona Island, Altos de Chavón and Casa de Campo, and Cave of Wonders. Not only are there beautiful locations to visit, the film makers have seen the beauty too. Saona Island was the backdrop in movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Blue Lagoon while the Chavón River was the filming location of Rambo 2 and Crocodile Dundee. Let’s start at the cruise terminal.

What is at La Romana Cruise Terminal

The cruise terminal in La Romana is also known as Sugar Breeze Cruise Terminal. The open-air terminal has a few buildings with services and amenities just yards away from your cruise ship gangway.

Sugar Breeze Cruise Terminal, is a bustling and convenient port of call for your Caribbean cruise. Located very close to the gangway; this open air terminal offers everything needed to start or end your trip right. As you walk up, you hear authentic Dominican music.

Taxis are waiting at the station nearby while independent shore excursion offices will help organize any excursions; feel free to wander around in search of souvenirs from local craftsmen/women. If looking for something more relaxing why not kick back in the bar/coffee shop? With restrooms, the Chu-Chu train taking you straight into downtown La Romana or the shuttle bus to Altos de Chavón. Sugar Breeze Cruise Terminal is a great place to start your explorations!

The exit of the cruise terminal is on the eastern end. By the exit gates, there is an Information Desk. If you would like to explore La Romana on your own, check this desk for updated information such as taxi fares and to pick up a map of the area. Remember you will have to show your shipboard card when re-entering the cruise terminal.

Things to do beyond the cruise terminal

Saona Island

Saona Island is the Dominican Republic’s largest coastal island, measuring 15 miles (25 kilometers) long and 3 miles (5 kilometers) wide, with a population of little more than 300. Part of the National Park of the East, the island features plenty of photo-worthy white sands, swaying palm trees, and turquoise waters. When we cruised to La Romana in 2018, we visited Saona Island; we arrived via catamaran and snorkeled some along the way. We saw beautiful star fish on the way to Saona Island; they were captivating to see them in their natural habitat. We thoroughly enjoyed the beach and the authentic Dominican Lunch on the beach

Bayahibe Beach

Bayahibe is located about 10 miles east of La Romana. Walking to reach the public beach of Bayahibe, you will see practically the entire town, including the many and varied restaurants where you can find local and international food, shops and excursion companies. On this beach you will find sun loungers, hammocks and umbrellas available for rent, as well as several restaurants serving typical Dominican food, very convenient to have drinks and food during the day on the beach.  Most excursions to Saona Island leave from Bayahibe.

Altos de Chavón

Altos de Chavón, is the replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village, built by Charles Bluhdorn as a gift to his daughter. The village is a place of inspiration, learning and artistic expression. Its diverse educational and artistic activities, in a breathtaking natural and architectural setting give Altos de Chavon its unique ability to stimulate creativity and cultural interchange in its school of design.
It is located on the breathtaking Chavón River.

A walk down the cobblestone paths of Altos de Chavón reveals architectural remains of another era at every turn. The village has an amphitheater for open-air concerts and a small church, St. Stanislaus, which was consecrated by Pope John Paul II and contains the ashes of Poland’s patron saint. Artists such as Frank Sinatra, Shakira, Sting and Elton John have performed in the renowned amphitheater and Michael Jackson was married in the church there.

There are also several shops, an art gallery, handicraft stores, and exclusive restaurants. Some of the sites are linked to the famous resort, Casa de Campo. Casa de Campo is on my dream list to vacation to!

Cuevas de las Maravillas (Cave of Wonders)

Cuevas de las Maravillas (Caves of Wonders). The cave’s 240-meter footpath took us on a majestic journey 25 feet underground, where stalagmites and stalactites appear like the notes of an orchestra. This cave boasts a collection of approximately 500 paintings by the inhabitants that lived on the island at the time of the arrival of Columbus. You also get to see the island’s rock iguanas in their iguana sanctuary and horses throughout the property there.

Fun Fact:

Black mangroves grow in fresh water and red mangroves grow in salt water around Dominican Republic; the roots of the mangroves were used to create red and black “paint” that was used by the Tainos to create the pictographs inside the cave.

The excursion we took this trip was to Altos de Chavón and Cave of Wonders then we were transferred back to the port with a short stop at a souvenir shop.  Both locations were beautiful, but I wish I had more time and freedom to explore on my own at Altos de Chavón; our guide led us around and did not give us free time to wander and photograph at our own pace. I also would have liked to try some of the restaurants there. If I had to do it again, I would take the $11 round trip per person shuttle there from the cruise terminal and be able to have plenty of time to explore on my own.

Check out the rest of our cruise here!

-S&E