La Romana - Casa de Campo - La Minitas Beach

It only takes ten minutes to arrive here by shuttle-bus, but as you can see, the trip is well worth breaking away from the resort area. Just remember, you may share this beach with another cruise ship or two, so expect crowds. If you're staying at Casa de Campo, ask the concierge to check the port when the cruise ships will be in town and make sure you go on a day when they are not there. Bring the camera - pictures of La Minitas Beach will be treasured in your scrapbook for years to come. People will ask about the color of the sand and the water. And of course, your tan.

La Minitas Beach is pristine in anyone's book. And, if you're staying at nearby Casa de Campo, this is a bigger beach than the man-made one in the resort. It is small, but clean even though you'll find a series of bars and restaurants nearby. Make sure to take along a little spending money and plenty of sun screen.

Ask the concierge when the shuttle runs, or you can rent a golf cart and drive yourself. Once there, you'll find a myriad of water sports and fun stuff. Here you'll be able to rent kayaks, windsurf boards, paddleboats, hobies, and if you're in to fishing - that can be arranged, right on the beach.

Look around for the special massage room - and get a massage right on the beach with the surf gently coming ashore. The craziness that is La Romana will be massaged right out of you. But remember that you can enjoy the day here and take a short hop to downtown La Romana and enjoy a cup of coffee with the bread from any of a number of bakeries. Card playing, dominoes, and chess make up just a little of the nightlife in La Romana. Of course with the Dominican Republic being famous for cigars, you'll probably smell one or two before you leave this paradise in the Caribbean. Make sure to buy a few if you know a friend who enjoys them, but remember to get local help. Cigar stores are notorious for selling you something that may not be the real deal.

Then there's the fully staffed La Palapa - or beach hut - designed for kiddos to play supervised games and sports. The staff there will watch your kids while you treat yourself to some fun in the sun.

There's a variety of restaurants around La Minitas Beach. Plan a sunset meal - recommended. Visit other things to do at Casa de Campo.

La Romana - La Minitas - BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - medium grain/coral based.
• Facilities - full
• Shade - umbrellas/shade tents.
• Sports - all for rental here.
• Notes - can get crowded during high season.

Further out, a crescent sandy beach with snorkeling and diving that's out of this world - Next! >>

La Romana - Casa de Campo - Bayahibe Beaches

Still here in La Romana, the trendy, international hotspot for world polo matches and some of the best golf on the planet - this city grew out of the need for center of commerce for the surrounding sugar plantations. Gustavo Cisneros calls it his home away from home, and many of the jet set have homes along the sea. And why not? This area of Dominican Republic is growing at a rapid pace. Rock along with beautiful bays make for a heavenly setting. One area is specifically breathtaking.

They couldn't help that it just happens to be by one of the best beaches on the island, Bayahibe. These pristine beaches of Bayahibe are laid back and peaceful. True, many hotels have popped up along the coast, but Bayahibe is graced with tiny islands that host an ecological haven.

Two main wildlife preserves, Catalina and Saona, are easily accessible from Bayahibe. Any hotel can help you with transportation. Some scientists still call the nearby Eastern National Park their temporary home as they continue to be thrilled by remnants of the ancient Taino civilization.

Here's a tip: the beaches of Bayahibe are largely undeveloped and secluded. So if you love to get away from the crowd - this is your place.

Just down the road from Bayahibe, stop at the Altos de Chavon. It's a recreation of a 16th century Italian village, complete with artisan workshops, an archeological museum, cobblestone streets, and architecture to boot. Of course, you'll just have to buy a piece of local work to take home! Be advised - it takes about a day to see everything.
Begun in 1976 by Charles Bluhdorn, then chairman of Gulf + Western, Altos de Chavon is a flourishing Caribbean art center near the Chavon River and the sea. What a wonderful gift to the world.

Casa de Campo - Bayahibe BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - medium bright white powder/coral based.
• Facilities - at main beaches.
• Shade - umbrellas/huts at main beaches. Palm trees elsewhere.
• Sports - diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, hobie cat, banana-boat, more. Fishing - some of the biggest snook ever recorded were caught here. Golf - Golf magazine called Casa de Campo the finest golf resort in the world!
• Notes - can get crowded at holidays. Cruise ships use some beaches. Ask locals for best picks. Don't miss Altos de Chavon on your way out. Local art work is high class. T-shirts from the silk-screen workshops are among the most sophisticated in the Caribbean. - recommended.

Guess what beach village Julio Iglesias hangs out at? It's the same digs celebrity designer Oscar de la Renta now calls home - and it's up ... Next! >>