Discover Altos de Chavón: 16th Century Charm In The Dominican Republic

In La Romana, Dominican Republic, Explore A Town Preserved In Time

The Chavón River starts in the heart of the Dominican Republic, and it flows out to the Caribbean Sea through the marina of Casa de Campo.

At the mouth of the river is a picturesque village called Altos de Chavón.

How Altos de Chavón Began: A Visionary Architect’s Dream Village

Altos de Chavón is a recreated historical village, first built in 1982.

In 1976, the Italian architect and cinematographer Roberto Coppa, the Dominican architect José Antonio Caro, and Charles Bluhdorn, the chairman of Gulf+Western (one of the largest media conglomerates), worked together to bring a dream to life.

Their dream was a unique one: an idyllic Mediterranean village, harkening back to the 16th century. But, rather than be situated in Italy, Greece, or the South of France, the trio built their dream town overlooking The Chavón River here in the Dominican Republic.

The design of Altos de Chavón was inspired by the styles of the Italian Renaissance, particularly Tuscan Romanesque and later Baroque aesthetics. Yet, Caro chose to also integrate iconic Spanish Colonial designs, particularly when developing the village’s cobblestone streets.

The result? A beautiful place, reminiscent of the quiet, history-rich towns on the Italian coast and the South of France. To this day, Altos de Chavón is seen as the crown jewel of the Mediterranean Revival architectural movement.

Contemporary Art & Culture of Altos de Chavón

Today, many of the arts and events that make Altos de Chavón a culturally rich locale are run by the Altos de Chavón Cultural Center Foundation. From championing the internationally renowned Altos de Chavón School of Design, to managing Hollywood films shot on location, to organizing popular music festivals, the nonprofit ACCCF is the heart of this extraordinary destination.

Travel Safe & Smart In Altos de Chavón

For a safety-conscious traveler, Altos de Chavón is an ideal destination. Because the village was intentionally designed, it’s one of the most secure areas of the Dominican Republic.

Security & Medical Staff In Casa de Campo

Altos de Chavón sits within the gated, luxury community Casa de Campo. The enclave is protected by its distance from the bigger cities, and it’s also staffed by private, professional security personnel,

Casa de Campo also has a fully-stocked, professionally staffed medical suite available to all visitors, so any unexpected medical issues can be handled swiftly and discreetly.

Caravan understands the importance of safety when touring. Stress about risks can ruin the relaxation and fun people want when they travel! That’s why we do everything possible to grant guests peace of mind.

Every Caravan tour is all-inclusive, with our professionals handling your stay at hotels, meals, and transportation throughout the trip. Everything is covered in the up-front tour price; all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the destination.

And there’s so much to enjoy in Altos de Chavón!

What To Experience In Altos de Chavón?

The resort village has so much to offer, it might be impossible to catch everything on one trip! In that case, we recommend a few highlights.

St. Stanislaus Church (Iglesia San Estanislao de Cracovia)

St. Stanislaus Church was first consecrated in 1979, and it hosts mass on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Inside, the church’s rustic brickwork and stained glass artwork create a scenic space for worship and celebration.

Outside, the church’s plaza and fountain are popular locations for photoshoots.

Regional Archaeological Museum (Museo De Arqueológico)

Explore over 4,000 years of Indigenous History at Altos de Chavón’s Archeological Museum.

The museum’s collection includes over 3,000 pieces, each arrayed in complex, educational displays.

Arts & Culture

Altos de Chavón Amphitheatre

In 1976, the architect Roberto Copa created the Altos de Chavón Amphitheatre, crafted in the open-air style of Ancient Greece.

The theatre has hosted internationally renowned musicians and artists, from Frank Sinatra to Marc Antony. Catch a concert at one of the most intriguing venues in the Caribbean.

Gallery At Altos de Chavón School of Design

The internationally prestigious Altos de Chavón School of Design is a sister to the renowned Parsons School of Design in New York City.

The school’s gallery highlights groundbreaking new voices in international arts. It also hosts retrospectives of globally popular painters, sculptors, and fashion designers.

Dining & Nightlife

In Altos de Chavón, eat, drink, and dance at some of La Romana’s hottest spots.

Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine in La Piazetta, a restaurant bringing the Mediterranean to you. Or, join the party at Onno’s, the top spot for tapas and street tacos on the beach.

After dark, check out the Genesis Nightclub, where DJs invite you to dance the night away.

Coves, Caves, and Shores Near Altos de Chavón

Visitors to Altos de Chavón often take day trips to nearby, unique nature experiences.

Cave of Wonders National Park (Parque Nacional Cueva de las Maravillas)

The Cave of Wonders is a popular natural attraction, roughly 12 miles (20 kilometers) out from Altos de Chavón. The cave system itself covers an area of 2.8 square miles (4.5 sq. km.), and features a stunning, mirror-like underground lake, striking stalactite and stalagmite forms, and hundreds of ancient works of art.

The art was painted by the indigenous peopleTaíno, who first reached Hispaniola island between 400 B.C. and 900 A.D. Taíno artists likely created the cave paintings over a millennia ago, depicting their mythology.

Sea Turtles Nesting on Minitas Beach

Minitas Beach is just over 3 miles away from Altos de Chavón, on the shore of the La Romana province. There, sea turtles nest every year from March to November, with eggs hatching throughout the season.

Visitors can receive live updates on sea turtle activity by using the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s turtle tracking feed. If travelers want to swim with the sea turtles, multiple La Romana beaches offer the activity, including Minitas and, slightly further out, Saona Island.

Exclusive, All-Inclusive Tours of the Dominican Republic by Caravan

The Dominican Republic is an extraordinary vacation destination, and it’s exclusively available through Caravan.

Caravan’s 7-Day Dominican Republic Tour is the only one of its kind. No other travel organization offers the unique access to, and experience of, the best of the Dominican Republic.

Join us, and enjoy an all-inclusive tour where everything’s ready for you. There’s no need to lift a finger. Caravan’s professionals have curated the best places to stay, ways to travel, and meals to enjoy, and we’ve built those costs right into the price you see. There are never any surprise fees!

All you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the trip of a lifetime–at a truly affordable price!

If you’re interested in learning more about Altos de Chavón, or any other destination, call us at toll-free at 1-800-CARAVAN. Or, book your place today by calling 1 (312) 321-9800

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Why Travel with Caravan?

Excellence Since 1952

You can trust our years of experience with tours of superb quality and excellent value. Caravan has enjoyed the same family management and ownership since 1952.

PanAm Jet
In 1959, Pan Am invited Caravan to be the very first tour company to fly their clients on its new line of Clipper Jets.
Vintage Motorcoach
In 1964, Caravan introduced the very first fleet of air conditioned motorcoaches in all of Europe.
Leather Back Turtle Park
Caravan is a proud supporter of the Leatherback Turtle National Park and Costa Rica's efforts to protect this endangered giant.
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Caravan Care

For your safety, Caravan cancelled most 2020 and all 2021 tour departures and refunded 100% of all payments received. See Caravan’s Covid-19 Terms of Travel.

Caravan's Proud History

In 1965, Roger Mudd hosted a two-hour CBS TV special on Caravan Tours. This TV production took about one month to make and was so successful it inspired the 1968 romantic comedy movie “If it’s Tuesday this must be Belgium.” In the early 50’s the Mayor of Dublin presented Caravan with the Key to Dublin for bringing the first American tour to the city after WWII. Since then, Caravan has been recognized as a pioneer in travel. You can trust in our stability, experience and dedication to quality.

Great Hotels

Stay at park lodges, scenic resorts, and excellent hotels in great locations. See hotel descriptions on each tour page.

Meals

Most meals included within Latin America. For USA and Canada tours, included meals are listed on each itinerary page. Bottled water is provided on motorcoaches in Latin America.

Complete Sightseeing

Enjoy complete sightseeing with more visits, extra features, and local guides.

Fully Guided by Tour Directors

All tours conducted from start to finish by professional tour directors, who are fluent in English, experienced, and fun.

All-inclusive

Caravan includes all activities listed in the tour itinerary page. Caravan does not sell any optional activities which can add hundreds of dollars to your tour price. Your free time is scheduled in great settings where there is no need to buy additional expensive activities.

Shopping Freedom

Caravan will not bring you to overpriced shops in exchange for payments. Caravan gives you ample opportunity and time for great shopping, and the freedom to choose where and when to shop.

Great Value, Book Early

Caravan’s strong buying power gives you great vacations at prices much lower than you can find anywhere. In a typical year, most of our tours sell out quickly. Book early for the date you prefer and the best air fare.

How does Caravan Tours sell these tours for such a low cost?

Caravan delivers volume to our suppliers, who in turn reward us with their very best prices. We in turn pass these savings on to you, and you reward us by buying our tours. As volume continues to rise, we then receive even better prices from our suppliers, and we pass even greater savings on to you. This year our tours are better than ever.

Trade Association Memberships

Caravan is a member of NTA (National Tour Association), ABA (American Bus Association), CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), and ACMA (American Commerce Marketing Association).

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