Cruise port · Dominican Republic · Eastern Caribbean
La Romana & Catalina Island cruise port guide
La Romana, on the Dominican Republic’s southeast coast, is a gateway to Saona Island’s sandbars and beaches, the replica Mediterranean village of Altos de Chavón and the golf courses of Casa de Campo. Some itineraries instead, or also, stop at nearby Catalina Island, a tender call devoted to beach time and snorkeling over a shallow reef.
- Beach days
- Catamaran trips
- Golf
- Snorkeling
Photo: Balou46, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Country
- Dominican Republic
- Region
- Eastern Caribbean
- Type of stop
- Cruise port
- Language
- Spanish. English is spoken at the resort, the terminal and by tour guides.
- Currency
- Dominican peso (DOP). U.S. dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, and cards work at larger businesses.
- Best time to visit
- January–December
- Average highs
- 85–89°F through the year
About La Romana & Catalina Island
La Romana itself is a sugar and cigar town, home to one of the world’s largest premium cigar factories and a huge sugar mill, rather than a sightseeing destination. Its appeal for cruisers is location. Within half an hour you can be on a catamaran bound for Saona Island, wandering the cobbled lanes of Altos de Chavón above the Chavón River, or teeing off at Casa de Campo, one of the Caribbean’s best-known resorts.
It’s a great port for beach and boat days and an easy one for families. Travelers who want a walkable old town straight off the ship won’t find it here; for colonial history, Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial is a long but rewarding day trip. Catalina Island calls are purely about sand, sea and a relaxed lunch.
Where cruise ships dock in La Romana & Catalina Island
In La Romana, ships dock at the cruise terminal at the river mouth on the edge of town. The terminal has a few shops and cafés, and taxis and tour buses wait outside; there’s little to walk to. Altos de Chavón is about 15 to 20 minutes away, Bayahibe (the departure point for Saona trips) about 30 minutes, and Santo Domingo roughly 90 minutes to two hours. For Catalina Island, ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to the beach, where facilities are set up for the day. La Romana is also a starting point for some cruises.
Best things to do in La Romana & Catalina Island on a cruise
- 1
Saona Island
beach
The classic La Romana excursion. Catamarans and speedboats leave from Bayahibe for the island’s palm-lined beaches inside Cotubanamá National Park, usually stopping at a shallow sandbar, the piscina natural, where you can wade among starfish. Lunch and drinks are typically included. It’s a full day, so a ship’s tour removes the timing risk.
- 2
Altos de Chavón
culture
A replica 16th-century Mediterranean village built in the 1970s on a cliff above the Chavón River, with stone lanes, artisan shops, St. Stanislaus Church and a Greek-style amphitheater. It sounds kitsch, but it’s atmospheric and the river views are excellent. Allow about two hours.
- 3
Catalina Island snorkeling
wildlife
Just off the coast, Catalina Island has a shallow reef close to the beach and a deeper wall nearby that’s popular with divers. Whether you visit on a ship’s Catalina call or by boat from La Romana, the water is usually calm and full of reef fish.
- 4
Casa de Campo golf
adventure
The resort’s Teeth of the Dog course, designed by Pete Dye with several holes right on the sea, is famous among golfers. Tee times for non-guests are limited and costly, so reserve well ahead through your ship or the resort.
- 5
Cueva de las Maravillas
nature
A cave park between La Romana and San Pedro de Macorís with lit walkways past stalactites and hundreds of Taíno rock drawings. It’s accessible, with an elevator and ramps, and takes about an hour. A good choice for a cooler, shaded outing.
- 6
Santo Domingo Zona Colonial
history
The first European city in the Americas has the oldest cathedral in the New World, the Alcázar de Colón and cobbled Calle Las Damas. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and a fascinating day, but expect about three to four hours of round-trip driving.
La Romana & Catalina Island weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 8530 | 8630 | 8731 | 8932 | 8932 | 8932 | 8932 | 8932 | 8932 | 8831 | 8630 | 8530 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7323 | 7323 | 7423 | 7624 | 7825 | 7826 | 7926 | 7926 | 7926 | 7826 | 7625 | 7524 |
| Rain in (mm) | 2.154 | 2.359 | 2.564 | 3.077 | 4.9124 | 3.178 | 4.1103 | 4.6117 | 8.6219 | 4.1103 | 7.5191 | 3.076 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
What to eat and drink in La Romana & Catalina Island
Dominican staples are easy to find: la bandera (rice, beans and stewed meat), sancocho stew, mangú with fried cheese, and chicharrón. In Bayahibe, fresh fried fish with tostones and coconut rice is the beach lunch to look for. Drink Presidente beer, Brugal or Barceló rum, and fresh juices. La Romana is cigar country, so a cigar shop visit is easy to fit in, and mamajuana is the local souvenir.
Tips for your port day
- Most of the good stuff is 20 to 30 minutes from the pier, so arrange transport in advance or take ship’s tours on a short call.
- On Saona trips, the starfish at the natural pool should stay in the water; picking them up harms them.
- Bring cash in small U.S. bills for tips and drinks on boat trips, and confirm what’s included before you go.
- For a Catalina call, pack reef shoes, snorkel gear and sun protection; shade is limited once the beach fills up.
Cruise lines that visit La Romana & Catalina Island
Often on the same itinerary
La Romana & Catalina Island cruise FAQs
Is there anything to do near the La Romana cruise terminal?
Not much within walking distance. The terminal has a few shops, but most attractions, including Altos de Chavón and the Saona boats, are 15 to 30 minutes away by road.
How long does the Saona Island excursion take?
Most of the day. Including the drive to Bayahibe, the boat ride and beach time, expect six to eight hours. Check that the return fits comfortably within your all-aboard time.
Is Catalina Island a tender port?
Yes. Ships anchor off Catalina Island and run tenders to the beach. Allow time for tender lines at the end of the day.
Is La Romana safe for cruise passengers?
Generally, yes. Casa de Campo, Altos de Chavón and organized tours are well used by visitors. Use licensed transport and check the U.S. State Department advisory for the Dominican Republic before you go.
Can I visit Santo Domingo from La Romana on a cruise?
Yes, though the capital is a fair distance away. The drive takes roughly 90 minutes to two hours each way, so a ship’s excursion or a private driver with a firm return time is the safest choice.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.