La Romana Holidays

The locals in La Romana say their beaches are the prettiest in the Dominican Republic. And that’s quite a claim in a country famed for its tropical tableau of sand and sea. But they’ve got a point. Take one glance at the south-east coast, around the town of Bayahibe, and you’ll see exactly where they’re coming from. Expect long sweeps of sand, glossy palm trees and bath-warm waters.

The 40-year-old replica village of Altos de Chavon is designed to look like a Mediterranean settlement from the 16th century. Think beige stone walls, terracotta-tiled roofs and cobbled roads. It’s the biggest attraction for sightseers in La Romana. You can take a dive into the area’s history and learn about the local Taino Tribe during a walk around the archaeological museum here. And don’t forget to stop by the village amphitheatre – Frank Sinatra performed here in 1982.

A holiday to La Romana also puts a pair of the Dominican Republic’s smaller islands at your fingertips – Isla Saona and Catalina Island. Isla Saona is the larger of the two. It’s part of the East National Park, so expect thick mangrove forests, white-sand beaches and turtle sanctuaries. The latter’s a smaller affair, and shines a spotlight on the country’s scuba diving scene. The water here’s crystal clear, and its Finding-Nemo-looking coral reefs are home to angelfish and pufferfish.