Hello loves! Today I’ll be showing you my favorite fun things to do in La Romana, Dominican Republic. Hope you enjoyed my last post of two of the stops on my 7-day cruise with Carnival. If you haven’t click here to see the beauty of Grand Turk and Curacao. We only had about 7 hours to do any kind of exploring or choose to go to popular beaches about an hour away.
We decided to go for the exploring. Why? Well for one the day was kind of gloomy and not really amazing for tanning and beaching. Secondly, we didn’t want to drive an hour away to the beach and take up more time. We got an excursion to explore the sights La Romana and the nearby city has to offer, the best part, we had air conditioning the whole time. A motor coach bus took about thirty of us around the city.
La Romana Sights
The first sight was of an Obelisk, modeled after the George Washington monument here in D.C. It’s a much smaller version but the beauty of it is that on all four sides there are paintings of contemporary and historical depictions of Dominican history and life. Next was their version of Central Park, here is where all the people would come to celebrate any national holidays and party all into the night. Right across the park was St. Rosa Lima Church, this was the first church to be built-in La Romana to honor Santa Rosa de Lima, the first patron saint of Peru. (Cool little fact since my heritage is Peruvian)
Dominican Baseball
Next stop on things to do in La Romana, was my groups favorite stop! We’re all from New Jersey and in Jersey, when you’re born you’re automatically a baseball fan. Why? The New York Yankees! As a kid, our families would get together and go to games, grill out at the stadium, or get everyone to go over someone’s house and watch the game. Being in the Dominican Republic, we got to see first-hand where many of the greats once played before making it big in the MLB.
Los Toros
Los Toros del Este is one of the top teams in La Romana and they took us around their whole stadium and to where many contracts were signed and showed us many items that could easily be found in Cooperstown. We were standing on the field where Robinson Cano, Gary Sanchez, Manny Ramirez and Pedro Martinez all played for or against the home team.
There were obviously many more players and seeing the city youth playing and training across the street was amazing. They start playing at a young age to hopefully get the chance to one-day leave for the MLB and provide a better life for their families.
Fundacion Corazon
Our next stop was Fundacion Corazon, here is where many of the children and people come to better themselves, get educated or help work to create some kind of profit for their families. The children would be in the school learning all day long. The adults would be found making jewelry, food, paintings, anything able to sell to help bring in a profit.
The good thing about this foundation is whatever the families made and sold they got to keep all of the profits. The foundation itself runs on some small government funding but mostly by public donations directly to the foundation.
Vegafina Cigars
The next things to do in La Romana was actually pretty cool; we went to a huge cigar company in the Caribbean. We got to see exactly how the Vegafina cigars were made and how the whole process happens. None of us, actually tried the cigars but a couple we became friends with said they were almost as good as a Cuban cigar. Here, we were able to shop around and got some snacks and did a little gift shopping as well.
Altos de Chavon
Our next stop on our things to do in La Romana was my favorite hands down! The city was said to be built as a gift from the ruling father to his daughter for her 15th birthday. (I just got a house party, not even a car. Haha!) He styled it after a Mediterranean European Village with a famous Italian architect and Dominican engineer working on the construction. A popular attraction because inside the city it holds a cultural center, an archeological museum, an amphitheater, St. Stanislaus Church and so much more.
Nearby is the famous Casa de Campo resort, where stars like Alex Rodriguez, Marc Anthony and others have summer homes and many other stars like the great Michael Jackson have visited. The amphitheater had many star performances, the most popular being Frank Sinatra, Santana and Julio Iglesias. There’s so much to see and explore here it truly does take your breath away. The nature is breath taking, the little shops adorable and even the weather couldn’t make it ugly.
Final Thoughts
I was extremely happy we choose to explore the beauty of La Romana instead of just heading to another beach. I’ll be back to visit la Casa de Campo. I got to learned a lot about the people and culture of the Dominican Republic. Most importantly, it made me appreciate the sacrifices my parents made for me by coming to the United States.
You get to see a different form of living and poverty at another level. The people, however, smile and believe in one another and their own way of life. We were all extremely grateful to have experience this and it made us realize how great we truly have it in our everyday lives. A part of me will always be with La Romana and here’s until next time.
Hope you enjoyed my list of things to do in La Romana, I highly recommend exploring the city than the beach excursion. Extremely fun and informative. Stay tuned soon for my final stop on my summer cruise with Carnival.
XOXO
Karen Giuliana
Hello loves, welcome to my blog! My name is Karen Giuliana Bardales and I am currently 31 years old. I was born New Jersey and raised in Florida, graduated from Florida Atlantic University and still residing in sunny South Florida.
The reason for my blog is to write about my experiences from traveling, the beauty industry, fitness and other things I love. I want to help inspire others through my personal experiences and be seen as a role model to young woman everywhere.
Thank you for reading and following along through my journey of life. Your support means everything to me, so thank you!
That looks like a fun trip, the pictures are amazing! The Dominican Republic is on my list, but I’m not too sure about going on a cruise. Especially if you’re only given 7 hours to explore somewhere, I would feel too rushed. But wow you did so much exploring in 7 hours!
Author
It really was! I agree with you, I would’ve love to been able to stay and see more. We just opted for the excursion over anything since the time frame. Thank you for reading! 😀☺️
Looks like such an awesome trip! Love all your pictures. Glad you had a blast!
Author
Thank you so much Rachel! 😀
The story about father building city to his daughter is something to remember. Love the photos, I can see you had great time.
Thank you for sharing 💕
Author
Thanks so much for reading girly! 😘☺️
It sounds like you had a great trip!
Author
Thank you! 🙂 it was a blast!
I friggin LOVE cruises!!!!!!! And I have never been to the Dominican, so now I am envious in all the ways!
Author
It was my first cruise and I had so much fun! Next cruise you take go to the DR! It’s so beautiful 😀
I friggin LOVE cruises!!!!!!! And I have never been to the Dominican, so now I am envious in all the ways! (I don’t know why this initially was commented as ASHLEY)
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Haha no worries girly! 🙂
I have never been on a cruise. I really do want to go on one soon. I will have to make this a destination.
Author
I highly recommend it! It was so much fun, and you get to visit my places!
What an awesome trip! I would love to visit that cigar factory, too. 🙂
Author
It was cool just to see how they’re made and the whole process. Thank you! 🙂
I have not been to La Roman but I spent some extensive time in other parts of DR and I loved it!
Author
It’s a newer port from what Carnival told us. That’s awesome though.
I have never been to DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, La Romana. Great to learn there are so many places for tourists to explore. I would love to visit the stadium and see how the Los Toros team play.
Author
I definitely recommend visiting. We all wished Los Toros we’re playing while we were there. We heard it gets packed and the food is to die for!!!!!
I love to see how things were made! Interesting you got to see cigars despite not smoking yourself-just the kind of experience I would have had haha. Thanks for sharing!
Author
Haha I personally am against smoking, but it’s still cool to learn and see how things are made. I’m super open! The whole process is actually super cool!
Love these photos! Really making me want to go back to the DR sooo much 🙂 I loved my time there and loved how beautiful the island was.
Author
Thank you! And ahhh what part did you visit?
La Romana in the Dominican Republic have so much to offer. What is really striking is the lush green and culture of this breathtaking city.
Author
Yes is simply beautiful! The places to see and just the green of everything there so different then living in the city. Haha
And this is just what you’ve experienced on the 3rd day? Just wow, the place must be filled with everything beautiful. That monument and church really looks like it holds a lot of history and culture. Here’s to Day 4, cheers!
Author
Well it was a cruise so we only had like 7-8 hours on land, but day 4 was amazing! The last island is literally my favorite! 🙂
Dominican Republic is amazing! I love it there and the people, food, sights, and nature are incredible. It is so cool that you went on a cruise! I’d enjoy that very much.
Author
They really are! I can’t wait to go back for longer next time! Where have you been in the DR?
WOW! All of the greenery looks so gorgeous there. It has been on my list to travel to.
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I definitely recommend it! It’s absolutely stunning!
Such a nice place to visit and it looks like you are really enjoying every single itinerary that you have it that place.
Author
It was truly amazing! Can’t wait to go back!
I’m hoping to go next year and this would be perfect place to start! This is truly a bucket lists material.
Author
Omg yes! I recommend it and it’s so beautiful and relaxing at the same time!
It looks like you had an awesome time visiting the Dominican Republic, there looks to be so much culture to explore and lovely things to see. Definitely somewhere everyone should visit.
Author
Couldn’t agree more! It was just so beautiful every way you looked!
Oh how fun…it looks like you had a blast. This is definitely a place worth visiting.
Author
Thank you, it was so much fun! 🙂
Beautiful place! Love your travel outfit of the day also looks comfy and ready to explore.
Author
Thank you! It was the dress was forever XXI and the sneakers were the foam memory adidas for all the walking! 🙂
So jealous of this trip, these photos are gorgeous! glad you had a good time
Author
Thank you so much girly! 🙂
Great post about your short visit to La Romana & Casa de Campo. I live and work in Punta Cana so it’s always fun to read about other people’s travel experiences and impressions on this destination. Whenever you want to come back, feel free to e-mail me if I can help you out in any way. X, Rawnie
Author
Omg Rawnie, yes I definitely will! I want to go back soon 🙂 honestly I loved it, the people, culture and things to do was a lot! So much fun!
Wow, I love how much there is to do in La Romana! I would love to see the Toros play and tour all the historic sites. I also agree that it’s good to break from the beach sometimes and get a little culture.
Author
Yes that was honestly the best part just exploring the city and not worrying about the beach. Haha
A cruise there sounds amazing and I love that there’s plenty of things to see and explore. It’s been such a long time since my husband and I have been on a cruise. Time to go planning!
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I recommend you go it was literally such a beautiful place and we were always moving and doing something fun!
Wow looks like you had a great time! I have been to La Romana and many other places in Dominican Republic and there are definitely great spots and so much beauty to explore. I am glad you had fun can’t wait to see your next stop 🙂
Author
Thank you so much Leslie! It was so beautiful and I’m anxiously awaiting to go back! 🙂 ahh stay tuned my last stop was by far my favorite island.
My cousin served an LDS mission in the Dominican Republic. I’m going to have to ask him if he’s ever been to La Romana. Loved the photos!
Author
Thank you so much girly! ☺️
If only I could jump on a flight right now!!
http://www.bonjourchiara.com
Author
Haha same here!!!!
That sounds like such a fun trip! It’s always nice to just explore past all the beaches and really learn the history of places that you visit.
Author
I totally agree, it was amazing to actually learn about the city than just head to a beach. I have plenty of that here in South Florida.
I just took my first cruise in Feb and I am hooked! I agree, it’s sometimes better to explore a city than just to lie on the beach
Author
Right?!? I’m dying to go back on one.
This looks so much fun!!!!! I would love to go there 🙂
Author
It truly was! You need to go and visit! 🙂
amazing photos~ looks like a blast 🙂 xoxo
Author
Thank you so much!!! 🙂
How gorgeous! Looks like an amazing trip! I laughed out loud – I think I got a beeper for my 15th birthday LOL
Author
Haha exactly, I got a house party not at town. So jealous!
Wow! I’m ready to pack my bags and go! I was very impressed with the Fundacion Corazon. It makes a profound positive impact on so many lives.
Author
It really does and it’s so inspiring to see all the people work together and kids actually get the chance to learn and go to school.
What an amazing trip! It looks like you had an amazing time. Reading about your trip makes me want to visit. Thank you for sharing with us!
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Thank you for reading! I definitely recommend if you can go visit to go! Love this city. 🙂
This looks like a wonderful trip. I love the photos from Altos de Chavon, love old architecture.
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Thank you! It was so beautiful the architecture and feel of the city. 🙂
These pictures are awesome. Sounds and looks like you had a fabulous experience. The Dominican Republic is really high up my travel bucket list. These just serves to further whet my travel appetite.
Author
Thank you! It truly is beautiful. Definitely a must see.
I have never been on a cruise but it looks very interesting and fun. The photos look like all of the spots are beautiful and makes me want to visit Dominican Republic.
xo Sheree
PoshClassyMom.com
Author
For my first cruise, it was super fun and exciting to see so many places. I highly recommend the Dominican Republic and want to go back!
Such an amazing trip! I would love to visit all of these places on one cruise, that’s why they’re the best!
Author
Yeah, I totally agree!
Looks like such a fun trip!
Lauren
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It was! Thank you! 🙂
What an exciting adventure! I have a bucket list of exciting places I would love to visit and the Dominican republic is one of them. Your pictures are so lovely.
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Thank you so much! Definitely recommend you go see the DR it’s so beautiful!!!! 🙂