Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
CUEVA DE LAS MARAVILLAS
More than 500 pictographs and petroglyphs can be seen on a tour of
Cueva de las Maravillas
(Cave
of Wonders; adult/child RD$300/50; 9am-5:15pm Tue-Sun), an enormous cavern complex dis-
covered in 1926 on the highway some 20km west between San Pedro de Macorís and La Romana. Ex-
tending for 840m between Río Cumayasa and Río Soco, this massive underground museum is well
marked and beautifully illuminated with motion-sensing lights. As far as caves go, it's pretty stunning.
The entrance fee includes a 45-minute guided tour (some English is spoken as well as French, Italian
and German). There is also an equestrian center (horseback riding RD$400 per hour) and a small
iguana exhibit.
Coming from San Pedro de Macorís, look for the entrance on your left not far past the Playa Nueva
Romana resort complex. Best way to get here is to take your own car, though taxis are also an option
(round trip from La Romana including wait time US$60).
Eating & Drinking
Cinco
MAP
CAFE
$
GOOGLE MAP
(Calle Restauración 15; gelato RD$100-270; noon-8pm Mon-Wed, from 10am Thu, 10am-10pm Fri &
Sat, to 9pm Sun)
Cinco does Illy espresso, delicious beat-the-heat gelato and creative sand-
wiches (RD$190 to RD$295).
Trigo de Oro
MAP
BAKERY
$
GOOGLE MAP
(Calle Eugenio A Miranda 9; mains RD$60-350; 7am-9pm Mon-Sat, to 1pm Sun; )
Though it
(oddly) had most of its shady courtyard renovated away in favor of a more modern look,
this French bakery and cafe remains a welcome respite from
motoconcho
fumes. Located
inside an historic mansion, the bakery side has freshly made pastries like mini-lime tarts
and cheesecake, while the cafe does great sandwiches served on crusty baguettes.
Da Lucas
( 809-550-3401; Plaza Buena Vista, Av Los Robles; mains RD$220-750, pizza RD$200-300;
6-11pm Tue-Sat, 11am-11pm Sun)
Harder to find than the Holy Grail, this local's secret is bur-
ied inside a residential complex less than 2km from
centro
. Delectable fresh pastas (ravi-
oli, tagliatelle and gnocchi are made in-house) are served on an atmospheric patio under a
ITALIAN
$$
