New arrival to La Romana - tips, tricks, advice, guidance, wisdom?!

La Romana is a medium size city here.  You are close to Casa de Campo - make sure you check out the marina and night life there. There are many good restaurants etc but remember it caters to high end tourism.

La romana itself offers a variety of places to enjoy music, dancing and night life. It really depends what you like. Things do change and I have not lived there in  a few years now.

I used to go to La Caleta on the  west side of the city on Sunday afternoons,  lots of music and dancing starting in the afternoon.  Good seafood there as well! 

The other teachers are  likely best people to help you get settled and  learn  the places to go. 

In terms of buying a scooter - I would not do it at least not in the beginning.  Its nuts to drive here let alone on a scooter.  For now use a good taxi.

Welcome from another resident Brit.

My interactions with La Romana are limited to visting a work friend in Casa de Campo a few times and dealing with two contractors from there in relation to a large project in Samana, so I can't offer much advice on the area.

I would say that you should make the most of nearby Bayahibe for weekends. I went back there a coupe of weeks back and the place has become an excellent resort.

You may well need to start thinking about being mobile soon after arrival if you live out of town and you mention near Casa de Campo. Adjust first, find your bearings and then look at your options. Two wheeled transport will cost you less than $1500 new and much less if used. Cars are expensive and a risky purchase second hand. As a work permit holder there is a process to get a DR driving license.

As a Brit, if it is your to your liking, you must bring lots of your favourite teabags because you will not find anything suitable or anywhere tasting like the tea found back home.

Registeras being a new resident here with the British Embassy in Santo Domingo too through their website. https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/ … to-domingo

DR is a diverse and immensely rewarding place to live despite it's problems as a developing nation. Be cautious especially when out a night. Adapt to live here, integrate and you may not want to leave. The women are considered to be attractive and for a single young man you will likely be very popular and in demand so be aware and prepared.

Here is the link to the Ministry of Tourism's website godominicanrepublic for La Romana.

http://www.godominicanrepublic.com/la-romana/

Don't buy Dominican pesos at a crazy price back home, and you will be better off bringing some US dollars which can be exchanged easily here at outlets throughout most towns at a good rate of exchange for pesos. GBP exchange is not always favourable except the resort areas. Don't exchange at the airport at poor rates either.

Enjoy and don't hesitate to ask more questions.

Very good advice . Just be careful and trust no one at the beginning .with time you will know
who you can trust . I am from Canada and had learn the hard way about trust issues in the DR . On a brighter note . Enjoy la Romana it's a nice town with great scenery and most people are friendly . But traffic is crazy ... I will be moving near you in January. I am moving to  San Pedro de macoris  . Enjoy your new start in the beautiful DR

Thank you all so much for your wisdom and recommendations!

I'll definitely be thinking twice about purchasing a scooter straight away, and I am excited about exploring La Romana!

Thank you all again!

Hello DBtoDR,

I lived in La Romana seasonally for the past 3 year years before moving into Casa de Campo where I sell real estate. I have contact information for a carpenter, as well as most other services including your transportation issue. My friend Catherine Alquier from France owns a large BnB (Chambres d Hotes) there for the past 9 years and has excellent contacts, information and guidance on life in La Romana. Let me know if you want her Whatsapp / email address. Do you speak any Spanish? Important.

Steve

Hi Steve . My husband is a mechanic .He has fixed many boats and seadoos in Casa de campo. If you know anyone who needs these services give me a text or call my husband .His name is Ezequiel *** Thanks. He values his work and his customers.

Hi Steverino
I am presently living in La Romana. I would love to have your contact for a carpenter and an electrician if you would have that too. Many thanks,
Gaspésie

Hello Gaspesie,

My dear friend Catherine A***from France has lived in La Romana for the past 9 years. She has a bed and breakfast at 28 Larimar St. at the top of the hill close to the river. Her number is**** She is on Whatsapp. We all use Whatsapp in the D.R. She is arriving in La Romana today after a month in France. I suggest you contact her tomorrow, Tuesday, to introduce yourself. Speak slowly if you do speak Spanish or French and tell her I sent you. She knows everyone in La Romana and can be trusted completely.

Sorry,  I reported this post accidentally,  I will have it put back up!  My apologies.

Welcome DB, I live in San Pedro, 30 minutes far from La Romana but I used to live there for 8 years, I sugest you to wait in the purchase of the scooter until you familiar with the area where you will live, and you see how we drive here to you will be prepared for our ways to drive.   Do you know what area in La Romana you will live?  La Romana has diferents kinds of nightlife, for Dance I like Marinelly.

Hello all!!

Sorry for dropping off the face of the planet, and for not sincerely thanking you all for your input and support.... I'm here!! It felt like a long build up!! I'm just about settled and finding my feet. Doing my utmost to dive in and just embrace everything that is around me.

Steve, would it be possible to have your contact details for your carpenter? Also, contact details for your friend, Catherine A, would be fantastic. Thank you!!

Planner and Lennox, thank you both for recommendations of Caleta and Bayahibe. Both places I have briefly explored, but will be sure to return to, especially on a Sunday adternoon/ evening.

Riva, Marinelly was one of the first places I was introduced to when I arrived, and I definitely enjoyed the experience!

Thank you all once again for such a warm welcome. I have gratitude for this wonderful experience, daily.


Hope all are well x

Hello DB to DR,

You can reach Catherine Alquier in La Romana thru her email at [email protected]
She operates a BnB at 28 Larimar St. She can provide contact information for literally everything you need. She has been there for 9 years.

As for the beaches, the best option is driving thru Bayahibe Bay another 5 minutes to Dominicus, a seaside community with startling white sand, crystal clear waters and dining / water sport options. Bayahibe has become a zoo with thousands of people trampling the beaches and leaving garbage. It is the number 1 tourist attraction in the D.R. and offers boating day trips to Saona Island, thus the crowds....

Caleta is the local beach for La Romana and has dining options but is a lesser beach and one that I go to occasionally. Minitas Beach in Casa de Campo is worth the $25 access fee if you want access to exclusive dining, cocktail service on the beach, towels provided, multiple seaside pools, water sports, funky food trucks and daily tours to Catalina Island.  After a day at Minitas, you can choose to dine at La Marina or Altos de Chavon, both within the borders of Casa de Campo and both world class holiday destinations....

Hi Again DBto DR

Contact me privately and I will provide Catherine's contact info.....

Hi there!
I am also 27 and living in la Romana as an expat around 8 months now. If you are interested in friendships still or chatting message back! I hope your cabinet worked out

Meli

Hey everybody. My Girlfriend has a job offer for a teacher in LA Romana. I am a Canadian with a aircraft maintenance license for Canada, eastern Caribbean and soon USA. Anyone know of job possibilities for myself. Long shot but any info is appreciated.

Welcome to the forums.  There is an airport in La Romana and one an hour away in punta cana.  Contact all the airlines who use those airports would be my starting point.  Good luck.

Dan2255 wrote:

Hey everybody. My Girlfriend has a job offer for a teacher in LA Romana. I am a Canadian with a aircraft maintenance license for Canada, eastern Caribbean and soon USA. Anyone know of job possibilities for myself. Long shot but any info is appreciated.

Airlines Jobs are limited here, Internationals airlines when their aircrafts has technical problems here they fly their mechanics, parts and tools down here to fix it.  Local airlines are small carriers so you do not have that many options and now with the covid they are not working 100% but you can try.  Here are the websites for the 2 biggest airlines we have here.

https://www.aircentury.com/ base JBQ
https://www.skyhighdominicana.com/ base SDQ

Hi

I'll be moving to La Romana in July. I just accepted a teaching position.
I read all your post and there is so much valuable information...thanks!!

I would really appreciate some help regarding housing & buying a car.

We are a family 4. My girls are at elementary school age. We are coming from North Carolina, where the pace is slow and the environment is pretty safe. We would appreciate living by the east side of Rio Dulce, that way the driving drops significantly.  Any recommendations are welcome... also safe/children friendly spots on the other side of the river. Safety is the golden rule.

And about the car... we are 4 so we definitely need one. And they are expensive!!!
Does anyone know a trustworthy used cars dealer?? It is OK if it's in Sto. Domingo.
Ohhh and one last question... what do we need to buy a car (besides money 🤣)??

Thank you in advance

Welcome to the forums.  For a vehicle contact Cruffman here for assistance. 

Fyi vehicle prices are rising.  There is a shortage of chips so new car production has slowed down worldwide.  Used vehicle market is heating up and import costs going up.

Housing you will need someone in La Romana.  Maybe our member there can help.  His name escapes me - Severino ?   Canadian living in Casa de Campo!

Used car prices seem to be very high right now in comparison to new cars....

Hello Tete Ovall,

I am a Canadian living in La Romana every winter. My friend from Paris owns a villa in a good part of town. East of the Dolce River you will want to rent in the best neighbourhood in La Romana, Buena Vista Norte!

A 5 minute drive to Abraham Lincoln School where I assume you will be living. I purchased a 2012 Honda Fit in La Romana through a reputable dealer and the 4 door car has been roomy, economical and low maintenance. Contact me privately for more details on your re- location.

How's much for the Fit and when did you buy it ?

I paid $8000.00 for it in Nov. 2019. It had 67,000 kms on it

Hi Tete,
Send me your email privately and I can connect you with good people re: car, rentals, etc.

Yes there are screens on the windows. Plenty of mosquitos here