Karl WP Beyer The Caribbean island of Hispaniola is divided into two parts. weHaiti lies in the eastern part; the Dominican Republic occupies the east of the island. Chaos and gang violence reign in Haiti. In contrast, the Dominican Republic was rated as comparatively "prosperous and stable" by the German news program "Tagesschau" in 2023.
Dominican Republic – Facts and Figures
The Dominicans live in an area of 48.730 square kilometers, roughly the size of Lower Saxony, Germany's second-largest federal state. The country's population was officially estimated at approximately 2022 million in 11,2. The country is divided into 31 provinces and the capital city around Santo Domingo.
La Romana – capital of the province of the same name
The port city of La Romana is located in the southeast of the Dominican Republic and borders the Cotubanamá National Park. La Romana is undoubtedly a large city. However, population figures vary. According to various sources, between 153.000 and 266.000 people live in the country's fourth-largest city.
La Romana from a bird's eye view
The region around La Romana was first settled in 1502. However, the city was not founded until 1897 as a result of the construction of a sugar refinery. Sugar production developed continuously in the following years, especially after the conglomerate Gulf & Western acquired the former South Puerto Rico Sugar Company in 1967. Livestock farming and cement production were added as additional industries.
La Romana - Big Sugar says hello
The sugar complex has since passed into other hands. According to hearsay, part of the proceeds from the sale went into the establishment of the community of Casa de Campo east of La Romana. Hotels, villas, a marina, and several golf courses have transformed Casa de Campo into one of the most exclusive communities in the Dominican Republic. Tennis courts, a polo club, equestrian sports, and manicured beaches complete the picture. The newspaper Harper's Bazaar is quoted as saying that Casa de Campo is one of the 10 best resorts in the world.
Under these conditions, it happened as it had to happen: tourism has now become the most important source of income for the city and the region, even ahead of the sugar complex.
La Romana - estuary of the Rio Dulce
La Romana – Destination of the cruise ships
La Romana's lightly frequented international airport and harbor benefit cruisers departing from there for Caribbean cruises. The Sugar Breeze Cruise Terminal is located at the mouth of the Rio Dulce. AIDA Cruises and TUI Cruises use La Romana as a base port for their ships. La Romana's downtown area is not characterized by significant points of interest & sights blessed. Activities in the immediate and wider surroundings ensure that boredom is never a problem during a day of lounging.
La Romana - the Sugar Breeze Cruise Terminal from a bird's eye view
Dominican Republic – Safety Information
What's disappointing is that the German Foreign Office, in its travel recommendations, mentions a relatively high crime rate throughout the country. Tourists run the risk of becoming victims of robbery or other violent crime. While the Dominican government strives to ensure safe tourism, armed robberies occur repeatedly both in Santo Domingo and in the tourist areas. Perpetrators on motorcycles are primarily interested in cell phones, backpacks, handbags, and jewelry. Unsafe neighborhoods and slums should only be entered in the company of locals. Participation in organized excursions is recommended in the Dominican Republic.
Update March 2025