When planning your next beach getaway, you’re likely considering destinations in Mexico or the Caribbean. One Caribbean country that’s become increasingly popular is the Dominican Republic. Even its cultural cities, like Santiago de los Caballeros and the capital, Santo Domingo, are drawing more visitors. Near these cities, you’ll find some of the most beautiful beach resort towns in the Caribbean.
One such town is La Romana, which is easily accessible and continues to grow in popularity. It boasts luxurious resorts and stunning beaches, making it a top choice for travelers.
### La Romana vs. Punta Cana
Having spent five days at a luxury resort in Punta Cana and also visiting La Romana, I can make a direct comparison. If you’ve planned a vacation along the East Coast or in the Caribbean, you might know about sargassum season. Sargassum is a type of brown algae that can cover coastlines, ruining the picturesque views and making swimming unpleasant.
During my stay, Punta Cana, including the famous Bavaro Beach, was plagued with sargassum. The algae created an eyesore, emitted an unpleasant odor, and made swimming difficult. However, a day trip to La Romana was a game-changer. The beaches there were free of sargassum, offering the idyllic paradise you dream of when booking a Caribbean vacation.
### Ideal Beach Conditions
In La Romana, I didn’t encounter any sargassum while swimming in various spots. A catamaran trip from Bayahibe included stops for swimming and snorkeling in perfect conditions—warm water, clear visibility, and no seaweed or trash. The only concern was avoiding stepping on starfish, which are protected and should not be touched.
The ports of Bayahibe and Isla Saona are not ideal for water activities due to jagged rocks, so wearing flip-flops is recommended.
### Beautiful Tropical Islands
Close to La Romana are two stunning islands: Isla Saona and Isla Catalina. While I didn’t visit Isla Catalina, it has received excellent reviews. Isla Saona, which I did visit, was the highlight of my Dominican vacation. The island welcomes you with towering palm trees and sandy paths leading to secluded beaches with some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen. There was no sargassum, jellyfish, garbage, or stingrays—just perfect blue waters and white sand.
### Luxurious Resorts in La Romana
While Punta Cana is well-known and popular, La Romana offers a fantastic alternative. Similar to how Cancun is famous but Puerto Escondido offers a great experience, La Romana provides a wonderful vacation without the same level of recognition. Visitors can expect an incredible time, possibly even better than in Punta Cana. With high-end all-inclusive resorts like Hilton, Dreams, and Iberostar, La Romana’s beaches remain pristine and free from massive seaweed invasions.