Planning a Trip

Visitor Information

The government maintains La Romana Tourist Office at Teniente Amado García 22 (tel. 809/550-6922), open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. The staff is earnest and hardworking, but don't expect to come away with a wealth of information.

Getting There

By Plane -- American Airlines (tel. 800/433-7300 in the U.S.; www.aa.com) offers one daily flight to the Casa de Campo airport from Miami, with a travel time of about 2 1/2 hours each way. (Yes, it's a slow plane.) American Eagle (same phone number) operates at least two (and in busy seasons, at least three) daily nonstop flights to Casa de Campo/La Romana airport from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The flight takes about 45 minutes, and it departs late enough in the day to permit transfers from other flights. US Airways (tel. 800/622-1015; www.usairways.com) offers direct weekly service, usually on Saturday, from Charlotte, North Carolina.

By Car -- You can drive here in about an hour and 20 minutes from the international airport at Santo Domingo, along Las Américas Highway. (Allow another hour if you're in the center of the city.) Of course, everything depends on traffic conditions. (Watch for speed traps -- low-paid police officers openly solicit bribes, whether you're speeding or not.)

Getting Around

Most visitors don't rent a car but rely on local transportation, which is very haphazard and operated by independent drivers. You'll find both taxis and motoconchos (motorized scooters) at the northeast corner of Parque Central in the heart of La Romana. A typical ride almost anywhere within town costs less than RD$75, with the average taxi ride costing less than RD$150. Prices are always to be negotiated, of course.

You can also rent a car at the airport. Your best bet is Budget, La Romana Airport (tel. 809/813-9111; www.budget.com), open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm. A competitor is Honda Rent a Car, Calle Santa Rosa 84 (tel. 809/556-3835), in La Romana, open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm.

Fast Facts

To exchange money, go to Scotiabank, a bank at Calle Trinitaría 59 (tel. 809/556-5151), open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. There's an ATM out front. Long-distance calls can be made at Verizon, the phone company at Calle Trinitaría 51 (tel. 809/220-7927), open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm. The La Romana Post Office (tel. 809/556-2265) lies on Calle Francisco del Castillo Marquéz, 2 blocks north of Parque Central. For Internet access, head to the Casa de Campo resort . The business center here (tel. 809/523-3333) is open Monday to Saturday 8am to 7pm, and Sunday 8am to 2pm. Use of a computer costs RD$65 for 15 minutes or RD$260 for 1 hour.