Rio Dulce (La Romana)
18° 24.19N 68°57.25W
4.6 nm from Catalina Island
This river gives easy access to the town of La Romana. The locals call it ‘Casa y Pesca’ which translated means ‘Hunt and fish Marina’ although there is no marina or dock for visitors.
As a result, it is NOT EASY to find a place to “park” your boat in this harbor. Even anchoring is difficult, as you must do it close to the bridge in very tight space. I would NOT leave my boat unattended here.
The good news is that this IS an excellent provisioning stop. The Jumbo Supermarket, and many other stores and services.
The river is busy with tripper boats in the early morning and on their return in the afternoon. You may anchor in the middle of the river just short of the bridge. The travel lift and marina facility on the east side is owned by the sugarcane company and is for their use only. A tripper boat, the ‘Fiesta Mar’, docks on the west side in the evening and one may negotiate to lie alongside. Be prepared to untie from your adopted mother ship first thing in the morning.
The town of La Romana and supermarket ‘Jumbo’ is within walking distance to the east. This large supermarket is well stocked and provides a large variety of local and imported produce. Six blocks up from the front entrance of Jumbo is the main park of La Romana with a bandstand and metal sculptures built by local craftsmen; well worth a look. Behind the park is a magnificent church.
Should you need assistance with anything the locals are all too pleased to help. Take your leather shoes to be cleaned from the shoeshine boys around the park. They do a magnificent job and are masters of their craft, all for a small charge.
Above the bridge, on the west bank, two docks up, is a facility called, Puerto Marina. It is an excellent small restaurant that serves Dominican food and Italian Food. The owner, who is Italian, is Ugo Vezzola. He has indicated that if you anchor below the bridge, and come up to his dock, he would be happy to help you in any way possible, including helping to bring your groceries back from the Supermarket. Perhaps you will do that, and have lunch afterwards at his restaurant, from where you can see both your dingy as well as your boat.
Onshore Information:
You can get just about anything you may need in this vibrant town. The marker for your navigation around town is the ‘Jumbo’ supermarket.
Continuing up hill all roads lead to the main road out of town going west towards the capital Santo Domingo.
Marine electrical services:
Manual Electric Service.
No 13 Altagracia.
Tel: 809 556 2757 Esp/Eng
Go directly uphill from Jumbo turn right on Altagracia. A block from the dead end is Manual Electric Service who has a small chandlery and can supply all your marine electrical needs. Ask for Manual who speaks poor English but understands marine electrics’ and can probably sort out any problems you may have. He has two shops. Find him either in La Romana or Andres, Boca Chica.
Internet and telephones:
Cybernet Café
Calle Eugenio # 13
(NW corner of the park)
Tel: 809 813 5514 Esp/Eng
For general information and a friendly greeting call on ‘big man’ Francisco Sanchez at the Cybernet internet café, which has the fastest machines in town and also telephones all at very affordable rates. The centre is at the northwest corner of the park, to the right of the Internet café is the café ‘La Trigadora’ a mecca for visiting yachtsmen.
Taxis:
Santa Rosa Taxis:
Calle Duarte # 18
Tel: 809 556 5313
On the south-east corner of the park is this friendly taxi company with all the major routes listed outside on a board, all routes quite reasonably priced. Next door is a clean spacious local café serving excellent Dominican coffee.
Outboard motor supply and repair:
GR Outboard Centre.
Calle Fray Juan De Utreras #15
Tel: 809 720 2530 Esp
Straight up from the park by one block, towards the right, is this repair and supply store for all your outboard needs, they also stock a variety of other marine supplies; ask for Francisco Gurerro.
Hardware supplies:
Detallista
Top of Calle Pedro A. Lluberes
Tel: 809 556 4666 Esp
Continuing a half mile uphill from the park and up to the main road just west of the roundabout you will find the largest hardware store in town, with a very good variety of hardware items and tools.
Engine supplies ( inc filters.)
Respuestos RAP
Tel: 809 556 5767 Esp
About three blocks west is ‘Respuestos Rap’ truck store where you can find fuel and oil filters and many other mechanical parts.
Alternators:
Electro Auto Abuelo
Av Pedro Abreu # 16
Tel: 809 813 1396 Esp
Six more blocks west on the left, this business will test and repair alternators, starter motors etc.
Marine engineering and electrical:
R & R Marine
bowens@navierasbr.com
Tel: 809 562 1661 or 7110
Fax: 809 567 7992
Cell: 809 754 1211
Bill Owens, an American, will certainly be able to help you solve engineering and electrical problems; he also has a propeller service and supply business.
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