In short
La Romana, Dominican Republic: ships berth at the terminal at the mouth of the Río Dulce, between the town and Casa de Campo. Little is walkable: Altos de Chavón is 15–30 minutes by car, Casa de Campo marina about 15. Three to four hours covers Altos de Chavón; Saona Island takes a full day, best on an excursion.
Starting or ending your cruise here? Port guide: terminal, getting there, where to stay →
Where do cruise ships berth in La Romana, and how do you reach the main sights?
At the La Romana cruise terminal at the mouth of the Río Dulce, with the town on one side and the Casa de Campo resort on the other. The terminal is small and the ship ties up right alongside; from there you need a taxi, a transfer or an excursion.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where the ship berths | At the La Romana cruise terminal pier at the mouth of the Río Dulce. With two ships in port, the second sometimes anchors offshore and tenders passengers in. The exact spot is in the daily programme. |
| Getting around | Taxis wait at the terminal. About 15 minutes to Casa de Campo marina, 15–30 to Altos de Chavón, 5–10 to La Romana town centre and 30–40 to Bayahibe, where the boats to Saona leave. Cruise lines sometimes run a transfer to Casa de Campo. |
| Walking from the ship | The town centre is about 2 km away, but the route runs along main roads and over a bridge in the heat. A taxi is easier. |
| Typical call | Usually 8–10 hours. La Romana is also a turnaround port, so on the day of your call some passengers on board change. Check the daily programme for exact times. |
| Money and language | Dominican peso; US dollars are accepted almost everywhere tourists go, and cards in restaurants and shops. The language is Spanish; at Casa de Campo and on excursions English is spoken. |
| Documents | Dutch and Belgian citizens need no visa for a short visit. The electronic e-Ticket form is for people arriving by air; cruise passengers do not need to fill it in. Check the rules for your passport (what to check). |
| All aboard | Usually 30–60 minutes before departure. Coming back from Saona or Bayahibe involves the sea and the main road — if you go on your own, leave a big margin. |
What can you fit into a day in port in La Romana?
A day in La Romana is nearly always a trip somewhere: up to Altos de Chavón, out to an island or to the capital. Pick one main destination to suit the length of your call.
Altos de Chavón and Casa de Campo marina
A stone village built in the style of a 16th-century Mediterranean town, on a cliff above the Chavón River: cobbled lanes, St Stanislaus church, an amphitheatre, a small archaeology museum and jungle views. 15–30 minutes by car. On the way back, the Casa de Campo yacht marina with waterside cafés.
Saona Island
Palm-fringed white beaches in the Del Este National Park. It is 30–40 minutes by road to Bayahibe, then 45–90 minutes by speedboat or catamaran each way. On the island: beach and lunch, often with a stop on the way at a natural pool with starfish in the shallows. It takes 7–8 hours — realistic only on a ship's excursion.
Catalina Island
A small island opposite La Romana: 20–30 minutes by boat, a beach and snorkelling along a reef wall. A good choice if you want an island but your call is not long enough for Saona.
Colonial Santo Domingo
The Colonial City of Santo Domingo, the first European-founded city in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the cathedral, the Ozama fortress and the Alcázar de Colón. The drive takes 1.5–2 hours each way, so only on a call of 9–10 hours or more, and best on an excursion.
Places on the map
The places from this guide, ready for your phone. “Map” opens Google Maps; “Walk from the pier” shows the walking route from where ships usually dock.
- Cruise pierMap
- Altos de ChavónMap
- Casa de Campo marinaMap
- Saona IslandMap
- Catalina IslandMap
- BayahibeMap
- La Romana town centreMap
- Colonial Santo DomingoMap
Which pier your ship uses depends on the day: check the daily programme.
Altos de Chavón, Saona or Catalina: which should you choose on one call?
On a call of 6–8 hours, Altos de Chavón is the easiest: it is close, and you can spend the rest of the day at the marina or in town. Saona is for a long call and for beach lovers; Catalina is the nearer beach.
- Altos de Chavón lies inside the Casa de Campo resort; visitors from outside pay an entrance fee and are admitted by taxi or on a tour. Go in the morning, before the heat.
- Saona is the longest trip of the day: car plus boat, with the return depending on the sea. The ship does not wait for independent passengers, so going on your own on a normal call is risky.
- Catalina means beach and snorkelling without a long journey. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes.
- La Romana town — the central park, the church of Santa Rosa de Lima and the market: half an hour to an hour to see everyday Dominican life. It is 5–10 minutes by taxi from the terminal.
- Taxis only from the terminal or through your cruise line. Agree the fare and pick-up time before you set off, and save the driver's number.
On your own or on a ship's excursion?
Altos de Chavón, the marina and the town are easy on your own — by taxi from the terminal, with the return time agreed in advance.
For Saona and Catalina islands and for Santo Domingo, a ship's excursion makes more sense: there are several legs of transport, boats depend on the weather and the journey is long. The ship usually waits for its own tours if they run late, but not for independent passengers.
How do you make sure you are back on board in La Romana?
- Agree the pick-up time with your driver. Settle when he collects you from Altos de Chavón or town, and give a time half an hour earlier than you need.
- Islands: not on your own. Boats from Saona and Catalina come back by sea, and waves can delay them. On a ship's excursion that is the ship's problem; on your own, it is yours.
- Traffic into town. The road between Bayahibe, Casa de Campo and La Romana can jam. Allow an extra 20–30 minutes.
- Sun and water. Even in winter the sun is fierce: high-factor sunscreen, a hat and water are a must.
- Take with you. Cruise card, the document your cruise line asked for, some small-denomination dollars or pesos and a phone with the ship's emergency number.
Where do cruises calling at La Romana start?
La Romana is both a starting port for Caribbean cruises and a stop on Eastern and Southern Caribbean routes. Departure ports:
- Cruises from San Juan — Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic's neighbour.
- Cruises from Miami — the Caribbean for a week or longer.
- Cruises from Fort Lauderdale — Eastern Caribbean routes.
- Caribbean cruises — seasons and routes in full.
Often on the same itinerary: San Juan in a day.
Common questions
Where do cruise ships dock in La Romana?
At the La Romana cruise terminal at the mouth of the Río Dulce, between the town and the Casa de Campo resort. Ships tie up right at the pier; with two ships in port, the second sometimes anchors offshore and tenders passengers in.
Can you walk from La Romana cruise terminal into town?
In theory, yes — the centre is about 2 km away, but the route runs along main roads and over a bridge in the heat. A taxi from the terminal is easier: 5–10 minutes to La Romana town centre.
How far is Altos de Chavón from La Romana cruise port?
From 15 to 30 minutes by car: Altos de Chavón is inside the Casa de Campo resort, on a cliff above the Chavón River. You get there by taxi or on a ship's excursion.
Can I visit Saona Island on a La Romana port day?
Yes, but it takes the whole day: 30–40 minutes by road to Bayahibe, then 45–90 minutes by boat each way. A ship's excursion is the calmer choice, because the ship waits for its own tours if the boats are delayed.
Do I need an e-Ticket to go ashore in La Romana?
No: the electronic e-Ticket form is for people arriving in the Dominican Republic by air, and cruise passengers do not need to fill it in. Dutch and Belgian citizens need no visa for a short visit.
What money do I need in La Romana?
The local currency is the Dominican peso, but US dollars are accepted almost everywhere tourists go. Bring some small notes for taxis and tips.
How the club fits in
Cruises calling at La Romana that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which itineraries calling at La Romana are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Practical port information is summarised from public sources as of October 2026: berths, call times, timetables, entry rules and visiting arrangements may change. Before you travel, check the ship's daily programme and the requirements for your passport. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.