Most people planning a Dominican Republic vacation default to Punta Cana. It’s what they know. It’s what comes up first.
Casa de Campo doesn’t come up first. And that’s exactly why the right clients end up there.
I just returned from a FAM trip that took me through several of the Dominican Republic’s top properties, and Casa de Campo in La Romana was one of the most genuinely impressive resort destinations I encountered. Not for what it looked like in photos, but for what it actually felt like to be there. Let me give you the honest version.
What Casa de Campo Actually Is (And Isn’t)
First, let’s clear something up: Casa de Campo is not a traditional all-inclusive resort. It operates on a room-rate model, with dining, activities, and amenities available à la carte or through packages. For some travelers, that’s a dealbreaker. For the right traveler, it’s exactly the point.
What you’re buying at Casa de Campo is scope. This is a full resort destination, 7,000 acres with multiple distinct neighborhoods, three beaches, a working marina (one of the finest in the Caribbean), multiple restaurants, a world-class spa, equestrian facilities, and polo. Real polo, played by real players, on a real field you can watch from the stands on Sunday afternoons.
If your version of a Caribbean vacation is a pool chair and a swim-up bar, Casa de Campo is not your resort. If your version of a Caribbean vacation is waking up inside one of the most extraordinary designed environments in the Western Hemisphere, it might be exactly right.
The Insider's Guide to the Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Families
Every property. Personally vetted. No fluff.
I put together a guide with my top all-inclusive picks for families. What makes each one worth it, who each resort is actually best for, and the details you won't find on the booking sites.
Altos de Chavón: The Detail That Makes This Trip Unforgettable
No review of Casa de Campo is complete without spending significant time on Altos de Chavón, because this is the element that makes the property genuinely unlike anywhere else I’ve recommended.
Altos de Chavón is a replica 16th-century Mediterranean village built by Italian set designer Roberto Copa on behalf of the resort’s founder in the 1970s and 80s. It sits on a cliff above the Chavón River, a river that runs through a canyon so dramatic it looks like a film set, which is essentially what it was when Apocalypse Now used it for jungle filming.
The village has galleries, artisan shops, restaurants, a church where Marc Anthony married his first wife, and a 5,000-seat amphitheater where Frank Sinatra played the inaugural concert. Today it hosts major touring acts. The setting is so specific and so visually arresting that even people who’ve seen a lot of the world stop and stare.
Walking through Altos de Chavón with clients in mind, I kept thinking: this is the kind of place that makes people feel like they’ve seen something real. Not a theme park version of culture. An actual designed environment with genuine history layered into it.
That matters. Especially for couples who’ve “done the all-inclusive thing” and are looking for something with more depth.
The Beaches at Casa de Campo
Casa de Campo's private Minitas Beach Club is the heart of the resort's beachfront experience. This beautifully maintained stretch of sand offers everything you'd expect from a luxury resort beach, including complimentary loungers, towel service, food and drink service, and a variety of water sports rental.
The beach club is home to several restaurants and bars, making it easy to spend the entire day by the water without ever needing to leave. You'll also find two casual food trucks for quick bites between swims or while relaxing on the beach.
Whether you're looking to unwind with a cocktail in hand, enjoy lunch with ocean views or spend the afternoon on the water, Minitas Beach Club offers a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere that's perfect for guests of all ages.
The Marina and Surrounding Area
Teeth of the Dog, the resort’s signature golf course, is consistently rated one of the top golf courses in the Caribbean and Latin America. It runs along the sea. Non-golfers should at least walk it.
The marina at Casa de Campo is legitimate. Deep-water slips, superyachts, charter fishing boats, restaurants and bars along the docks. Even if you have no interest in boats, the marina is worth an evening. It has a completely different energy from the resort, more local and international at the same time.
The marina also has multiple restaurants. I had the pleasure of eating at La Casita which offers beautiful waterfront views and a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere.
Even if you're not planning to dine here, the Marina itself is worth exploring. Lined with boutiques, cafes, and waterfront restaurants. It's the perfect place for an evening stroll, shopping or enjoying a cocktail with a view.
For couples who want to add a day trip: deep sea fishing, diving off La Romana’s coral reef systems, or a catamaran excursion to Saona Island are all within range.
Who Casa de Campo Is Right For
This is not a resort I’d recommend universally. Here’s exactly who I send here:
Perfect for:
• Couples celebrating a milestone anniversary or honeymoon who want experience, not just luxury
• Multi-generational groups where adults want to have their own vacation within a vacation (the scope handles everyone)
• Golfers — full stop, Teeth of the Dog alone justifies the trip
• Travelers who’ve done the Caribbean beach-and-pool circuit and want something with more cultural texture
• Anyone who wants to feel like they discovered something, not just booked somewhere obvious
Not ideal for:
• Budget-conscious travelers — Casa de Campo is a genuine investment, and the à la carte structure means your final bill can surprise you
• First-time Caribbean travelers who just want to turn off their brain — the resort rewards engagement and exploration
My Honest Take as a Travel Advisor
I came away from this visit with a clearer sense of who I’ll send to Casa de Campo, and it’s a specific client. It’s the couple who’s been saying for three years that they want to “do something different.” The high-income professional who’s stayed at beautiful resorts all over the world and wants to feel genuinely moved by a place. The multi-generational group that needs enough going on that three generations never run out of things to do.
When the right client goes to Casa de Campo, they come home and tell me it was one of the best trips they’ve ever taken. That’s the bar. And Casa de Campo consistently clears it.
Planning a trip to the Dominican Republic and not sure which area, or which resort, is right for you?
I visited seven properties on my last FAM trip through the DR. I know this destination at a level that takes years to develop, and I’d love to help you find your version of the perfect trip.
[Download my free guide below — then let’s talk.]
The Insider’s Guide to the Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Families
Every property. Personally vetted. No fluff.
I put together a guide with my top all-inclusive picks for families. What makes each one worth it, who each resort is actually best for, and the details you won’t find on the booking sites.
Or if you are ready to talk specifics: