Discovering Paradise
Discovering Paradise
A stunning 16th-century Mediterranean village replica perched above the Chavón River
Type
Cultural Village
Location
Casa de Campo Resort
Entrance Fee
Free (some galleries and shows charge separately)
Hours
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM daily
Duration
3-4 hours
Best Time
Late afternoon for stunning golden-hour photography
Difficulty
Easy
Guided Tours
Available
Parking
Available
Accessibility
Cobblestone streets; some areas challenging for wheelchairs
Altos de Chavón is one of the most visually stunning cultural sites in the Caribbean — a meticulously crafted replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village perched 90 meters above the winding Chavón River. Located within the Casa de Campo resort in La Romana, this artistic village was conceived by Italian designer Roberto Copa and industrialist Charles Bluhdorn in 1976.
Every cobblestone, archway, and wrought-iron balcony was placed by hand by Dominican artisans trained in traditional European construction techniques. The result is an extraordinarily authentic village that serves as a living cultural center, housing working artist studios, galleries, restaurants, and the famous 5,000-seat Grecian-style amphitheatre.
The story of Altos de Chavón begins in the late 1970s when Charles Bluhdorn, then-chairman of Gulf+Western Industries, envisioned creating a cultural center that would celebrate both Dominican craftsmanship and Mediterranean heritage. He enlisted Roberto Copa, a renowned Italian architect and cinematographer, to design the village.
Over the course of several years, Dominican stonecutters and artisans hand-built every structure using local coral stone and traditional techniques. The village was inaugurated in 1982 with a legendary concert by Frank Sinatra at the newly completed amphitheatre.
Today, Altos de Chavón houses the Altos de Chavón School of Design, affiliated with Parsons School of Design in New York. The village has become a symbol of the Dominican Republic's commitment to arts and culture, hosting exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events throughout the year.
Altos de Chavón offers a rich tapestry of cultural experiences spread throughout its charming cobblestone streets:
Altos de Chavón is located within the Casa de Campo resort complex in La Romana, on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic.
Entrance: Non-resort guests can access Altos de Chavón by registering at the Casa de Campo entrance gate. Admission to the village itself is free.
Yes, admission to the village is free. Non-resort guests need to register at the Casa de Campo gate. Some individual attractions like shows at the amphitheatre have separate ticket prices.
Plan for 2-4 hours to explore the village at a leisurely pace. Add more time if you want to dine at one of the restaurants or attend an event at the amphitheatre.
Yes, the Church of St. Stanislaus is one of the Caribbean's most popular wedding venues. Contact Casa de Campo resort for wedding packages and availability.
The village has cobblestone streets which can be challenging for wheelchairs. Some areas are accessible, but the terrain is uneven in many places. Contact the venue in advance for specific accessibility arrangements.