Place To Stay The Night Before In La Romana

My wife an I will be in the DR March 12-20, 1999. We will be staying at the Casa del Mar, La Romona. Here is our dilema....we have reservations at the resort from Saturday, March 13th to Saturday, March 20th. The only flight we could get was on Friday, March 12th. I am looking for a place to stay that Friday, March 12th that is safe, clean, and fairly inexpensive. Casa del Mar has no space for one night and not only that, the cost for one night at Casa del Mar would be as much as we are paying for the week (time share trade). I am trying to talk my wife into an all-nighter (at the resort), having some drinks, sitting by the ocean, then a nap the next day after we check in. She is not too fond of that idea (can't blame her) and states she does not want to sit around the resort looking like waifs. Worried about hotel safety in the nearest towns. For that matter, don't even know if there are any hotels in any of the adjoining towns.

Also, while there, we want to snorkel. I have read different opinions about snorkeling (some good, some bad). We have our own equipment and are looking for suggestions of good sights. One person said that 100 meters off the beach was good. Another said it was terrible. Have any suggestions?

There is plenty of low cost lodging in Bayahibe very close to Casa del Mar - clean and quite decent. Safety is not a concern in this area.

I cannot help you with the snorkling since I have only snorkeled at Catalina Island. Are you flying into Las Americas? If you are, then why don't you stay at an inexpensive hotel in Boca Chica; Hotel Zapata for example. Another option is to stay in Santo Domingo, right in the Colonial Zone. Hotel Palacio (US$54) is very nice. You can then tour the Colonial Zone in the morning, and then head to Bayahibe by 1 or 2pm as the drive is (I believe) a bit under 2 hours from Sto. Dgo. Also check the Resort Database, as I am sure there might be reviews of small hotels in the Bayahibe/Romana area.

Hope this helps,

Natasha

If you are landing at the Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo, spend your first night in the Hotel Zapata of Boca Chica, it's economical and you get the opportunity of seeing a different beach town and going for some delicious seafood dining along the beach. If you are landing at the La Romana International Airport, then head for Bayahibe town and find a low cost hotel for that evening.

I also highly reccomend staying in Bayahibe. It is a 5 min walk to the hotel and I just returned on Sunday from Casa del Mar. Bayahibe is very safe and its on the same beach as Casa del Mar. There are a couple of hotels in Bayahibe and they look very nice. I am sorry but I dont have the prices for the hotel but I am sure that they are not all that expensive. If you have any questions regarding the hotel please contact me and I will be able to answer your questions. The time share deal is intereting and we spoke with one of the vacation club reps about the different time share packages.

Have fun and email me if you have any questions. Jennifer