LA ROMANA REGION'S COLORFUL HISTORY

LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic (Oct. 25, 2007) - Travelers have been journeying to the La Romana resort area, on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, for nearly 500 years.  From the famed Spanish explorer Ponce de León, who first set foot in the area in 1494, to more than two hundred thousand visitors who vacationed in the popular resort area in 2006, La Romana's charms are no secret to savvy vacationers.
 
The earliest inhabitants of the island of Hispaniola, where the Dominican Republic is located, were the Tainos, pre-Columbian natives.  Christopher Columbus, who encountered these peace loving people during his first voyage to the New World in 1492, named them "taíno," meaning "good" or "noble."  Today, archaeologists and historically minded Dominicans, including local tourism leaders from the La Romana-Bayahibe Hotel Association, are carefully preserving the area's Taíno culture as well as historic records of these indigenous people. 

Archeological materials found throughout the region continue to tell the story, dating back more than 3600 years, of a productive community of harvesters, fisherman and farmers. History enthusiasts can satisfy their curiosity about the Tainos that populated the area through attractions and carefully preserved historical sites.  In La Romana, visitors can experience guided tours to archaeological dig sites or visit museums, including Altos de Chavón Regional Museum of Archaeology, which houses a collection of more than 3,000 artifacts from the Tainos.
 
History in the La Romana region is also preserved underground.  The area offers the most extensive cave system in the Caribbean: within Parque Nacional del Este (Park of the East), there are over 110 cave systems-some of which were used by the Taíno.  Not only are these caves fun to explore, but many of them also contain artwork painted and etched on the walls by the Taíno Indians, displaying various myths, beliefs and events, and dating back 500 to 5,000 years.  Adventure lovers can travel independently or book excursions with local tour operators to explore more than four miles of underground caves.
 
Cueva de las Maravillas or Cave of Marvels is one of the most spectacular geological wonders in the Dominican Republic and was the nation's first natural cave that was opened to the public.  Visitors will be mesmerized by the beauty of its natural caves.  A gently sloping 780-foot path takes visitors 25 feet below the surface where they will be captivated by the 500-year old pictographs, and enthralled by the stalagmite and stalactite rock formations.

Another historical landmark in the La Romana area is Casa de Ponce de León, the residence of the famed explorer, which was built nearly 500 years ago in the countryside near San Rafael del Yuma.  De León resided in his two-story stone residence when he governed the Higüey region for the Spanish Crown from 1502 to 1508.  Now a museum, visitors can tour the home of one of Spain's most renowned conquistadors.

Other historical wonders located near La Romana are the shipwreck parks of Bayahíbe, established to raise public awareness of the value of submerged cultural and biological resources in hopes of preserving these resources for the future.  Divers and snorkelers can journey to shipwreck sites, including a submerged Norwegian cargo ship, St. George and a site with New World artifacts from the 16th through 18th centuries such as cannons, anchors, bombards and breeches.

La Romana is an exciting and fulfilling destination for singles, couples and families.  Visitors can enjoy the La Romana's breathtaking scenery, vibrant culture, and rich colonial past while in the midst of miles and miles of clean white sandy beaches and pristine waters.  Along with the destination's range of recreational activities, which includes adventures with Tropical Tours and the soon to open Casino Dominicus, La Romana offers a variety of first-rate accommodations including the popular resorts of Casa de Campo, Oasis Canoa, Sunscape Casa del Mar, Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach and Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace.  Visitors will enjoy La Romana's breathtaking scenery, vibrant culture, and rich colonial past while in the midst of miles and miles of clean white sandy beaches and pristine waters.  For more information, visit http://www.explorelaromana.com.

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