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This type of trip lets you marvel at the Dominican tropical shoreline, admire the crystal-clear waters, and explore marine life. Many half-day excursions for cruise passengers include lunch, an open bar, and music. Several major attractions and amenities are close to La Romana, making arranging shore excursions or independent tours easy.
Shore Excursions
And La Romana cruise port is one of the most visited of them all, with a sizeable terminal which is the perfect place for welcoming large groups of passengers. This beach is one of the longest white sand beaches in the Dominican Republic and is located just south of Bayahibe. Popular for the shallow, turquoise water that makes swimming great, it also has a reef off of its shore for snorkeling. If you happen to take an excursion to the resort town of Bayahibe, about a half hour’s drive from the cruise port, check out the highly-rated Las Palmas.
When is the best time to visit La Romana on a cruise?
Planning your next sailing adventure and wondering what to expect at La Romana Cruise Port? Nestled in the heart of the Dominican Republic, this popular port is your gateway to a tropical paradise. La Romana is also used as a turnaround port (homeport) due to the ability to serve fly-cruises (mainly from the UK). Embarking passengers bypass Dominicana's Customs and Immigration and board their boat in just 12 min after airport arrival.
Travel advise
However, most souvenir shops, buses, and taxi drivers in La Romana also accept US dollars, so you can still use them if you prefer. The official currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso, but American dollars and credit cards are widely accepted in La Romana as well. The terminal has essentials like restrooms and information kiosks, ensuring you’re well-prepared before stepping out into the city. The port can also accommodate 2 additional ships at the anchorages at Catalina Island and in front of Casa de Campo. In 2023, Port La Romana invested US$15 million to expand its docking facilities to be enabled to accommodate even the world's largest ships - Royal Caribbean's OASIS-class.
The port’s unique position offers visitors a glimpse into diverse aspects of Dominican life – from working townships to luxury resorts. The cruise port was inaugurated in 2002 with the arrival of Costa Cruises ship Costa Marina (scrapped in 2014 under the name "Club Harmony"). Port's owner and operator (also owner of Casa De Campo International Airport) is Central Romana Corporation. The company invested USD 12 million to extend the existing seaport by over 40,000 m2 (430,000 ft2). The harbor terminal has 2 berths and capacity to handle two big-sized cruise liners simultaneously.
DEPARTURE AIRPORT VIP SERVICE LAS AMERICAS INT AIRPORT SDQ
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. Indulge in the flavors of traditional Dominican cuisine during your visit to La Romana.
La Romana cruise tourism boom: 24 ships, 40,000 visitors - Dominican Today
La Romana cruise tourism boom: 24 ships, 40,000 visitors.
Posted: Mon, 05 Dec 2016 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Samana Airport Transfers
There are always plenty more taxi drivers waiting here, and these guys are open to negotiation on price. The later in the day you leave (and the fewer potential customers are), the better price you can negotiate. If you are heading to the popular Altos de Chevon while docked in La Romana, a visit to Onno’s Bar is a must.
Best shore excursions from La Romana cruise port
Even if you are not heading to the beach, many establishments and restrooms are without air-conditioning and make the perfect spot for mosquitos to hang out waiting for you. The Dominican Republic (DR) is located in the north-central Caribbean. The Dominican Republic is the second largest island country of the Greater Antilles island chain in the Caribbean sea.
It’s conveniently close to two international airports—La Romana International Airport and Punta Cana Airport, both of which offer excellent connections worldwide. La Romana Airport is just about 5 miles (approximately 8 kilometers) northeast of the cruise terminal and provides daily direct flights to Miami among other major cities. When you arrive, you can hop on a shuttle bus that will take you straight to the terminal. The La Romana Cruise Terminal Shuttle Service is available to passengers who have booked a cruise that departs from or arrives at the La Romana cruise port.
However, it’s not as well maintained as some of the more popular “touristy” beaches. There are also several vendors selling fried flatbreads and seafood treats. Navigating the Chavón River in a kayak is one of the most relaxing ways to spend a cruise day in La Romana. Kayaking the Chavón River offers a unique opportunity to explore the island’s natural beauty from a different perspective. You paddle through the mangroves and observe native wildlife, birds, and plants along the way. Most fishing yachts have enclosed cabins with air-conditioning and private bathrooms and offer lunch onboard.
One of the most popular attractions in the city is Altos de Chavon, a replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village that is home to an amphitheater, art galleries, and shops. The village is perched on a cliff overlooking the Chavon River and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. 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. 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. There are countless things to do in La Romana that give visitors an authentic taste of the Dominican Republic.
Nature trails take you through lush forests, where you can explore hidden coves and find secluded beaches. The Cave of Wonders is one of the most popular attractions near the La Romana Cruise Port. This stunning natural cave system is a series of interconnected underground caverns that stretch over half a mile (0.8 km) long and 80 feet (24 m) deep. You can marvel at the impressive stalactites, stalagmites, Taino petroglyphs, and pictographs in the caves.
