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La Romana is a city at the southeast end of the Dominican Republic. The area along the coast is mostly taken up with various resorts, most notably Casa De Campo Resort. Cruise ships also port here.
The city of La Romana was founded in 1897 as an oil town. After 1917, with the construction of a large sugar-mill (owned by Italian immigrants in the region of Rome, Lazio), the economy quickly shifted to sugar production. The commissioning of the sugar mill coincided with the rise in sugar prices worldwide, prompting the sugar industry to welcome workers from other parts of the country, many poor families from the Dominican countryside moved to La Romana in search of a better life.
In early 1960, Gulf and Western Industries, Inc. purchased the sugar mill and started to invest in the livestock... Read more
La Romana is a city at the southeast end of the Dominican Republic. The area along the coast is mostly taken up with various resorts, most notably Casa De Campo Resort. Cruise ships also port here.
The city of La Romana was founded in 1897 as an oil town. After 1917, with the construction of a large sugar-mill (owned by Italian immigrants in the region of Rome, Lazio), the economy quickly shifted to sugar production. The commissioning of the sugar mill coincided with the rise in sugar prices worldwide, prompting the sugar industry to welcome workers from other parts of the country, many poor families from the Dominican countryside moved to La Romana in search of a better life.
In early 1960, Gulf and Western Industries, Inc. purchased the sugar mill and started to invest in the livestock industry which was cemented in the province. Meanwhile, $20 million were invested to rebuild La Romana and build schools, clinics, housing and other infrastructure for workers. During the mid-1970s the American conglomerate began selling its Dominican assets, and at the same time built what is now one of the largest exclusive tourist resorts in the Dominican Republic, Casa de Campo.
Casa de Campo resort complex is the flagship of the La Romana All-Inclusive Resorts area. Built in 1975 by Gulf+Western to be the premier destination in the Caribbean, it has lived up to the hype. In 1984, Casa de Campo was purchased by the Central Romana Corporation which is co-owned by the Fanjul brothers. Altos de Chavón Amphitheater. Altos de Chavón is a replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village located just minutes from La Romana.
Casa de Campo International Tourist Port (Muelle Turístico Internacional Casa de Campo), located on the West Bank of La Romana River or Rio Dulce, has been utilized primarily for the docking of commercial ships, primarily for the transport of sugar and molasses. Upon exceeding the capacity of its port, the Central Romana Corporation built its new tourism-focused port on the east side of the river. The platform on the western bank was renovated and the river channel was dredged to a depth of 10.50 meters (34.4 ft).
Inaugurated with the arrival of the vessel Costa Marina on December 2002, the Central Romana Corporation invested US$12 million to extend the existing port by over 40,000 square meters (430,000 sq ft). The port is a modern platform and harbor terminal, with a capacity for two large modern cruise ships.
Today the new facilities boast two docking platforms (East Dock: 255 meters (837 ft) in length, West Dock: 225 meters (738 ft) in length), a 1,000 square meters (11,000 sq ft) passenger terminal and parking facilities which accommodate 24 buses.
A very popular way of getting around the town is through riding motorbikes as well as Gua Guas. Gua Guas is another name for buses. The motorbikes are easily accessible due to the fact that the people who ride them are always out like taxis. The catch here is that the bikers will demand a high price at first for the distances you are going. Different people ask for different prices. You have to be smart and not always accept the first price these people give you. Bargain with them and try to make the prices go lower. Chances are that they wouldn't want you to go to someone else. Be patient and you will pay the price that is appropriate for the distance you are going. Another thing, when you come upon a bike, make sure to eye the rider. Sometimes these people aren't experienced enough to drive around especially when they drive up to four people at a time. There is no such thing as accident insurance when riding these bikes. If you are involved in an accident, it's on you to pay for hospital bills or whatever bills you would have to pay for. It's pretty much riding at your own risk. Remember these riders are locals trying to make extra cash by giving people rides.
The railroad system is pretty much out the question. They are mostly used to carry goods across the Dominican Republic.
The buses are the cheapest way to go!
Moto conchos aka bikes prices depend on the person and are less safe. Depending on your taste and needs, make sure you are ready to take one of these rides.
Eating in a place like La Romana is quite easy and numerous in quantity. From the resort food to the local restaurants and bars, to the markets, and finally the vendors walking around. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you know what you're eating in case of allergies. The resort food is your typical meals with a bit of a Dominican twist in some foods. If you want to be very adventurous, feel free to buy food off the street markets, because the food is homemade and absolutely delicious. Many restaurants take out the main ingredients in some of the foods in order to keep regulations intact. This might not give you the full experience of what real Dominican foods taste like. However, this does not apply to all restaurants. Calamaris Fritos (fried calamari) is a very popular dish that many tourists enjoy when they visit La Romana. The food here ranges, so in order for you to find the right ones, make sure to do a bit of research to find the hotspots for certain types of foods.
The drinks here are as expected. You have your water, juice, soda, and finally beer. If you want to hardcore drink and have a good time with family and friends, there are many bars around the area which serve both beer and liquor. Also, a very popular way of drinking is off the streets. The vendors you see might have stands set up with different juices they have made from papaya to a myriad number of different fruits. On the beach, they have vendors walking by selling drinks and make sure you don't accept their prices right away. Bargain with them to lower the costs. Remember, the vendors want money and will take just about anything that is not too low.
The most you can possibly do is go down to the markets and buy cultural clothing and merchandise. Many people have and sell the same things so make sure to look around first before buying something because maybe you can get a better deal. For those of you who have decided to stay in a eat yourself motel or hotel, the market is the way to go. Here they have a variety of foods in which one can choose from. From fruits to vegetables, to drinks, and finally spices. You can enjoy a home cooked meal at a low price. As always make sure to bargain with the merchants in order to receive a lower cost on the foods. Aside from the food market, you can hit up the craft shops, and sports shops. Many of these places offer food within the building so make sure to look around. The rest is up to you.
LOCAL TIME
7:40 pm
January 18, 2021
America/Santo_Domingo
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LOCAL CURRENCY
DOP
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