Why Honeymoon in La Romana and Bayahibe
Calm water is the first reason. Unlike much of the east coast, these beaches face south onto the Caribbean and are protected by reefs, so the sea is usually gentle and good for swimming and snorkeling straight from the sand. Sargassum is less of a problem here than in Punta Cana in most years.
Second, the boat trips. Saona and Catalina islands, both within protected parks, sit a short ride from Bayahibe. You can spend a day wading at the famous sandbar, snorkeling a coral wall or picnicking on a beach with no road access.
Third, variety. Casa de Campo offers the polish of a private resort with excellent golf, horse riding, tennis and a marina scene. Bayahibe brings the laid-back fishing village atmosphere and the country's best diving. Inland, caves with ancient art and a cliff-top village make good half-day outings.
When to Go
December through April is the most popular period, with dry, sunny weather and highs in the low to mid 80s°F. Evenings are breezy and comfortable. This is high season at Casa de Campo, especially around holidays.
May and June are hotter and a little wetter but generally fine, with calmer crowds and lower prices.
July through October is the warmest and most humid part of the year. Hurricane season peaks from August through October. Storms do not strike often, but they can disrupt boat trips for days.
Sea conditions on the south coast are usually calm year round, which makes this area a good choice if you are traveling in spring or summer and worried about sargassum or rough Atlantic surf. Book Saona trips for early in your stay, so you have spare days if weather cancels one.
Where to Stay
Casa de Campo Resort and Villas covers a huge private estate east of La Romana. Couples can stay in hotel rooms or book private villas that come with staff, a golf cart and sometimes a pool. Days revolve around Minitas Beach, the marina restaurants and the golf courses, with Altos de Chavón a short ride away.
Bayahibe and the neighboring Dominicus area have several large all-inclusive resorts on calm beaches. Hilton La Romana has a kid-free section, while Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus sits on one of the nicest stretches of sand nearby.
For a simpler and more local stay, small hotels and guesthouses in Bayahibe village put you within walking distance of dive shops, fishing boats and beach restaurants.
Split stays work well here: a few nights in Bayahibe for boat trips and diving, then a few at Casa de Campo for golf and pampering.
Romantic Things to Do
Take a boat from Bayahibe to Saona Island, inside Cotubanamá National Park. Most trips stop at a shallow sandbar in clear water where starfish rest on the sand, then continue to palm-lined beaches. A private boat lets you leave before the crowds.
Snorkel or dive off Catalina Island, where a coral wall drops away close to shore. Bayahibe is the country's dive capital, with reef sites and the St. George, a large ship sunk deliberately as an artificial reef.
Walk through Altos de Chavón, a re-created 16th century Mediterranean village on a cliff above the Chavón River. Its stone church of St. Stanislaus, art galleries and restaurants are lovely at sunset. A large open-air amphitheater hosts concerts.
Tour the Cueva de las Maravillas between La Romana and San Pedro de Macorís, a lit cave with hundreds of Taíno drawings. Golfers should play Teeth of the Dog, where several holes run along the sea.
Getting There and Around
La Romana International Airport (LRM) sits right beside Casa de Campo and has limited nonstop service from the US, mainly from New York, plus private jets. Most couples fly into Punta Cana, about an hour east, or Santo Domingo, about an hour and a half west via the coastal highway. Check current routes before booking.
Private transfers are the easiest way to reach your hotel. Within Casa de Campo, guests get around by golf cart and resort shuttles. Taxis and hotel cars cover the short drive between Casa de Campo, La Romana and Bayahibe.
Boat trips to Saona and Catalina leave from the Bayahibe waterfront. Most operators include hotel pickup. Driving yourself is possible on the main highways, but avoid rural roads after dark.
Food and Drink
Casa de Campo has a range of restaurants spread across the estate, from beach grills at Minitas to formal dining at the marina, where yachts make the backdrop. Altos de Chavón has a few restaurants with river views, good for a sunset dinner before or after a concert.
Bayahibe village keeps it simple and fresh. Small beachfront restaurants cook the morning's catch, often whole red snapper fried crisp with tostones, or lobster in a creole sauce. Prices are lower than at the resorts and the setting, with fishing boats bobbing offshore, is hard to beat.
The Saona day trips usually include a beach lunch of grilled chicken, fish, rice and salad, plus rum punch on the boat back.
La Romana is a sugar town, so try local rum. Order a cold Presidente on the beach. Taste mamajuana if someone offers you a shot.
Honeymoon Tips
Book Saona early in the trip and go private if you can. Group boats can carry dozens of people. The sandbar gets busy by late morning.
Wear reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard on boat days. The Caribbean sun on the water is intense and there is little shade on the islands.
At Casa de Campo, reserve golf tee times, dinner tables at the marina and any spa treatments when you book your room. Holiday weeks fill up fast.
If you plan to dive, bring your certification card and logbook. Beginners can do a discover dive in the calm shallows off Bayahibe.
Carry small bills in pesos or dollars for tips, beach bars and fishermen selling coconuts. Use licensed taxis or hotel cars rather than motoconchos. Keep valuables locked up on beach days. Mention your honeymoon when booking boats too; some crews bring a bottle of sparkling wine.
