If you love pleasant tropical weather, pristine beaches, and a wide selection of outdoor adventures to enjoy, a Caribbean getaway is an excellent choice.
La Romana vs. Punta Cana, the best place to vacation in the Dominican Republic?
La Romana vs. Punta Cana
According to flight ticket database company ForwardKeys, the Dominican Republic will be the most visited country in 2022.
The country is home to the world’s most beautiful beaches: an endless stretch of fine, white sand and crystal-blue waters. The wonders of the place are ethereal and unlike any other.
Given that there are so many stunning spots to select from, if you’re a first-time visitor to the country, you could be perplexed about which destination to pick.
We’ll help you make the right choice so you may have the most memorable holiday of your life. Let’s compare La Romana and Punta Cana, two of the most visited places in the country.
Ubicación
Punta Cana is located in Cabo Engano, the easternmost region of the Dominican Republic.
Since Punta Cana lies on the Atlantic coast, where the waves are bigger and ideal for surfing.
On the other hand, La Romana, a city and port, is located on the Caribbean coast in the southeast of the Dominican Republic.
Punta Cana is larger than La Romana in terms of geographical size. The distance between them is 39 miles.
Both destinations have international airports: Punta Cana International Airport and Casa De Campo International Airport (La Romana).
La Romana’s airport is smaller than the busy Punta Cana International airport. Direct flights from the US are less frequent and a lot more expensive.
You can choose to fly from the US to Punta Cana. It’s a 46-min drive to Casa De Campo International Airport.
Climate
If you want to make the most out of your trip, tracking the weather is highly important. You may visit the country during the dry season to enjoy many exciting and fun activities.
That said, the greatest time to visit Punta Cana is from December to April. For La Romana, come between December and March. It’s warm during these months, with fewer possibilities of rain.
For both countries, January is the coldest month. La Romana’s weather is hotter by 35.6°F (2°C) compared to Punta Cana.
You might want to avoid visiting Punta Cana and La Romana during the rainy season between the months of July to October.
Beaches and Resorts
The picturesque white sand beaches at Punta Cana and La Romana, as well as the crystalline, turquoise waters, will surely wash all your stress away.
Feel the warm, tropical breeze against your cheek, listen to the gentle rustling of the palm trees while you relax and soak under the sun or swim in the cool waters.
Just imagining this kind of vibe will make you want to book the earliest fight possible. For both Punta Cana and La Romana, the possibilities are endless.
Since Punta Cana is bigger, it’s home to long, white sand beaches. There are many all-inclusive hotels and accommodations compared to La Romana.
We have Macao beach, one of the best beaches in Punta Cana. There you can try various water sports activities and satisfy your palate with exceptional dishes from their wide selection of restaurants.
We also have Bavaro beach, one of the longest in the Caribbean, and Playa Blanca, which is small, with shallow waters that are perfectly safe for kids.
On the other hand, popular La Romana beaches include Playa Bayahibe—a quiet and popular diving spot.
You can also visit Playa Dominicus beach, which is rich in corals and marine life. It’s the first Caribbean resort ever to earn the Blue Flag.
Must-See Resorts in Punta Cana
Relax and unwind in Ocean Blue & Sand Resort. It’s known for its lagoon-style pools, bowling alley, hydromassage bathtub, and exceptional spa and cosmetic treatment services.
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana is a family-friendly resort with a water park. You might even experience meet-and-greets with famous characters that your kids will love. The resort also features water sports activities and live evening entertainment.
Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort is famous for its grand Sirenis Aquagames Water Park, where you can try numerous fun aquatic activities and slides.
Additionally, the resort offers dancing lessons, archery classes, and a wide array of bars where you can enjoy various alcoholic drinks.
Most-Visited Resorts in La Romana
Casa De Campo is the first ever resort in the Dominican Republic. It’s a top-rated luxury destination with private beach fronts, world-class cuisine, and the world-renowned Teeth of the Dog golf course.
Just a 20-minute drive from the airport, Dreams Dominicus is an all-inclusive Mediterranean-style resort. Here you’ll feast on authentic Italian cuisine, enjoy live performances, and try snorkeling with PADI-certified instructors.
If you want a quiet and affordable resort with a golf course and an entertaining casino disco, Bahia Principe Grand La Romana is the place for you.
Within the resort is Bahia Scouts, a colorful water park perfectly designed for kids. They have all sorts of entertainment and educational activities that your little ones will surely love.
Other Attractions and Activities
Punta Cana is full of people. There are more restaurants, resorts, hotels, and shopping centers. Party animals shouldn’t miss the active nightlife, either.
Punta Cana is the best choice if you want to surf or try extreme water sports. A wide range of activities are also available, like biking, zip line tours, hiking, and more.
One of the most popular excursions is Reserva Ecológica Ojos Indígenas, a stunning place with eight eye-shaped lagoons. Visitors can also hike and enjoy the vast countryside view from Redonda Mountain.
The area is less crowded and quiet, so you should go to La Romana if you want a chill, relaxing vacation.
The waters in La Romana are calmer than those in Punta Cana. They have rich and beautiful coral reefs, making it a perfect place for diving, snorkeling, and fishing.
La Romana hosts major attractions like Cuevas de Maravillas, which translates to Cave of Wonders. It’s a national park with a cave system that houses preserved petroglyphs and historical Taino paintings.
The islands of Saona and Isla Catalina are popular excursion points too. Saona is a protected area for turtles. Its untouched wonders are truly breathtaking.
On the other hand, Isla Catalina is home to magnificent coral reefs and is a popular stop for cruise ships.
Conclusión
Punta Cana and La Romana are perfect destinations for immersing yourself in the rich Dominican culture and experiencing nature at its best.
Punta Cana is a great destination when it comes to partying, shopping, and extreme sports like surfing.
La Romana, on the other hand, is a good choice if you want a more relaxed and quiet atmosphere where you can swim and do fun activities like snorkeling.