La Romana’s cruise pier sits five minutes from one of the Caribbean’s most famous resorts. Most passengers either don’t know Casa de Campo is accessible by day pass, or they arrive expecting something different from what they get. This guide tells you exactly what you’re buying, what you’ll pay on top, and how to make the most of a few hours here without any nasty surprises.
Important update: The status of day passes for cruise passengers changes periodically at Casa de Campo. Some sources indicate they are no longer available directly through the resort. The most reliable way to access the resort as a cruise passenger is through your cruise line’s shore excursion programme, or through a third-party booking platform. Always confirm current availability before your sailing date.
What Is the Casa de Campo Day Pass?
Casa de Campo is a 7,000-acre private resort on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic, owned by the Fanjul family and consistently ranked among the Caribbean’s top luxury properties. It sits immediately adjacent to the La Romana cruise pier, making it one of the most accessible resort day pass experiences in the Caribbean.
Day pass packages for cruise passengers typically run $99 to $199 per adult, depending on the package and booking channel. These prices do not include taxes, which run above 18% in the Dominican Republic, and do not include most activities beyond the basics.
What’s Actually Included
Here is an honest breakdown of what a standard day pass covers:
| What’s Included | What Costs Extra |
|---|---|
| Beach access at Minitas Beach | Golf (see below — significant additional cost) |
| Sun loungers and towels | All food and drinks beyond included lunch |
| One included lunch (some packages) | Kayak rental (~$28/hour) |
| Non-motorised water sports access | Paddleboard rental (~$30/hour) |
| Altos de Chavón village entry | Paddle boat rental (~$40/hour) |
| Resort grounds access | Spa treatments |
| Pool access | Tennis court fees |
| Bike rental (~$26/day) | |
| All alcoholic beverages | |
| 18%+ tax on everything |
The bottom line: you get access to a beautiful beach with a sun lounger, entry to Altos de Chavón, and one meal if your package includes it. Everything beyond that — including every drink, every activity rental, and every round of golf — is charged separately, at resort pricing, plus tax.
Golf: The Most Important Thing to Understand
The previous version of this page implied that golf was part of the day pass experience. A reader who visited corrected us: it is not, and the situation has changed significantly.
Golf at Casa de Campo is now restricted to registered resort guests, villa owners, and their accompanying guests. Outside visitors — including cruise passengers with day passes — can no longer simply book a tee time. If you are not staying at the resort, access to the golf courses is not guaranteed regardless of what you pay.
For passengers who are registered resort guests, green fees are substantial:
- Teeth of the Dog (just reopened after full 2025 restoration): approximately $400 per person for resort guests
- Dye Fore: approximately $325 per person
- The Links: approximately $250 per person
- All fees exclude the mandatory 18% tax
- Caddies are mandatory on Teeth of the Dog and Dye Fore — an additional cash cost
- Club rental is available at approximately $100 per set per day
If you are a cruise passenger specifically visiting Casa de Campo to play golf, contact the resort directly before your trip to confirm whether outside access is currently available on your sailing date.
Minitas Beach: The Real Draw for Most Visitors
For passengers not interested in golf, Minitas Beach is where the day pass genuinely earns its keep. This protected cove within the resort grounds has calm, clear water, a reef running for about three-quarters of a mile parallel to the shore, and a beach club restaurant and bar with waiter service directly to your sun lounger.
What You’ll Find at Minitas Beach
- Calm, sheltered swimming — ideal for families and those who prefer flat water
- Snorkelling along the reef (bring or rent equipment)
- Kayak rental at approximately $28 per hour
- Paddleboard rental at approximately $30 per hour
- Paddle boat rental at approximately $40 per hour
- Waiter service from the Beach Club restaurant and Coco Mar Bar
- Volleyball courts
- Children’s activity area
- Showers and restrooms
Sun loungers are included. Everything else — food, drinks, water sport rentals — is charged separately at resort prices. A reader who visited described pricing as comparable to New York City rates, which is a useful benchmark. This is not a budget beach stop.
Altos de Chavón: Worth the Walk
Entry to Altos de Chavón — a replica 16th-century Mediterranean village built from local coral stone — is included in the day pass. Built in the late 1970s as an arts and crafts village, it sits above the Chavón River canyon and genuinely warrants an hour or two of exploration.
What to See in Altos de Chavón
- Regional Museum of Archaeology — a serious collection of pre-Columbian Taíno artefacts, often overlooked by visitors rushing through
- St. Stanislaus Church — built from coral stone, regularly used for weddings, with river canyon views
- The amphitheatre — an 5,000-seat open-air venue designed by Roberto Copa, with panoramic Chavón River views that most visitors miss
- Art galleries and boutiques — higher quality than typical Caribbean port shopping, with local Dominican art and jewellery
- Restaurants — several options ranging from casual to smart, all at resort pricing
The cobblestone streets can be uneven — wear comfortable shoes rather than sandals.
Getting There from the Pier
The resort is approximately five minutes from the La Romana cruise pier by taxi. Some day pass packages include a resort shuttle — confirm this when booking, as it affects your logistics and budget. If arranging your own transport, taxis are readily available at the pier and the fare is short. For full details on getting around the port area, see our La Romana transportation guide.
The resort is large. Golf cart shuttles run between areas, but factor in travel time between the beach, Altos de Chavón, and the marina. Trying to cover all three in a single port day is ambitious — pick two and do them properly.
La Marina: Worth a Look Even Without a Pass
The marina area of Casa de Campo is Mediterranean in style, with waterfront restaurants, boutique shopping, and views across the marina to the Caribbean beyond. It is worth noting that parts of the marina are accessible to visitors without a full day pass — if your main interest is lunch and a browse, this may be worth investigating before committing to the full package.
Honest Budget Planning
Here is a realistic picture of what a day at Casa de Campo costs two adults:
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Day pass x2 (mid-range package) | $300–$400 |
| 18%+ Dominican tax | Included in above or additional |
| Drinks (2–3 rounds) | $60–$100 |
| Food beyond included lunch | $40–$80 |
| Water sport rental (1–2 hours) | $30–$80 |
| Taxis (return) | $10–$20 |
| Realistic total for two | $440–$680+ |
This is a premium shore excursion. It delivers a genuinely luxurious environment, but it is not a budget option and should not be treated as one. Eat breakfast on your ship, go easy on the drinks, and focus on the included elements — beach, Altos de Chavón, and the grounds — to get the best value from what you’ve paid. For lower-cost alternatives at this port, our La Romana budget guide covers the options.
Book Your Visit
The most straightforward way to book access as a cruise passenger is through your cruise line’s shore excursion programme, which typically guarantees entry even during busy periods. Alternatively, third-party platforms sometimes offer day pass access:
Check availability at Casa de Campo on Klook
Always verify current day pass availability before your sailing date, as the resort’s policy for cruise passengers has changed over time.
Who Should Visit Casa de Campo
Casa de Campo makes sense for cruise passengers who:
- Want a genuinely upscale beach environment without leaving for a local beach independently
- Are interested in the Altos de Chavón village and museum
- Are registered resort guests who want to play golf (book in advance)
- Have a higher shore excursion budget and want comfort over adventure
It is less suited to passengers who:
- Are primarily motivated by price — there are cheaper beach options near La Romana
- Came specifically to play golf as a day visitor — confirm current outside access policies before assuming this is possible
- Want to explore local Dominican culture — the resort is a self-contained world that has little to do with everyday Dominican life
For alternatives and more context on what to do in La Romana beyond the resort, see our La Romana cruise port guide, La Romana beaches guide, and La Romana shore excursions overview. The full Altos de Chavón guide goes into more detail on the village if that’s your main interest. If you’re still planning your Dominican Republic port stops, our Caribbean cruise port guide covers the full region.
Common Questions
Is golf included in the Casa de Campo day pass?
No. Golf is a significant additional cost and is currently restricted to registered resort guests. Outside visitors including cruise passengers may not be able to book tee times. Confirm directly with the resort before your trip if golf is your main reason for visiting.
What is the 18% tax people mention?
The Dominican Republic charges an 18% ITBIS (value added) tax on most goods and services. At a luxury resort, this adds meaningfully to every bill. Factor it into your budget from the start rather than discovering it on your receipt.
Can I just show up without booking?
Availability has historically varied. At busy times the resort may be at capacity for day visitors. Booking through your cruise line or a third-party platform in advance is more reliable than arriving and hoping for walk-in access.
Is the day pass worth it if I’m not playing golf?
Yes, if your priorities are a calm, well-maintained beach with full service, and you want to spend time in Altos de Chavón. No, if you’re expecting an all-inclusive experience or are watching your budget carefully — the extras add up quickly.
How long does it take to get from the pier to Casa de Campo?
Approximately five minutes by taxi. The resort is one of the most accessible shore excursion destinations from any Caribbean cruise pier.
Is Teeth of the Dog open?
Teeth of the Dog was closed throughout most of 2025 for a complete restoration and has now reopened. It remains restricted to registered resort guests and their companions.
This page was updated following direct reader feedback from someone who visited Casa de Campo as a cruise passenger. If you have been recently and something here is out of date, please use the comments below to let us know — accurate information helps everyone.
Last Updated: 10 April 2026
2 responses
This is misleading. Golf is not included. Minimum fee to play golf is $325, clubs are a separate fee. Also, you stated resort amenities included. The only amenity one does not have to pay for are beach chairs, everything else requires one to pay, and charge is comprable to US . I’m from NY and prices are comprable. In addition, they charge over 20% in taxes.
Hi Loretta
Thanks so much for letting me know. I’ve updated the page now with the correct information.
Thanks.