Altos de Chavón
About
What It Is
Altos de Chavón is a hand-built replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village perched roughly 300 feet above the Chavón River in La Romana, Dominican Republic [1][2]. The project was conceived by industrialist Charles Bluhdorn and designed by Italian master designer and cinematographer Roberto Coppa alongside Dominican architect José Antonio Caro; local artisans constructed every building, path, and iron sculpture from coral stone and terracotta [1][3]. Construction began in 1976 and the village opened in 1982 [1][2]. It sits entirely within Casa de Campo Resort, a 7,000-acre private gated resort, which directly affects how visitors gain entry [4].
The site functions simultaneously as a cultural center, a working artists' community, and a tourist destination [1][3]. It houses a design school affiliated with Parsons School of Design in New York, an archaeological museum, an amphitheater, galleries, restaurants, and artisan shops [1][3].
Activities & Experiences
Visitors can walk cobblestone alleyways lined with lanterns and limestone walls, browsing shops selling cigars, jewelry, clothing, and locally made crafts [1][2]. Active artist studios for pottery, weaving, silk-screening, and other media line the streets, and an art gallery exhibits works by Dominican and international artists [3].
The Regional Museum of Archaeology holds more than 3,000 pre-Columbian indigenous artifacts, some of which have been shown at international venues including the Museo del Barrio in New York and the Petite Palais in Paris [3]. The 5,000-seat Grecian-style amphitheater hosts concerts and live performances; past performers have included Frank Sinatra, Sting, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, Marc Anthony, and Julio Iglesias, among many others [1][3]. A monthly artisan market takes place on the last Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. [3]. St. Stanislaus Church, built in 1979 on the central plaza, is a frequently requested wedding venue and a notable architectural landmark [1][2].
Practical Access
Altos de Chavón is accessible only through the Casa de Campo resort entrance; there is no independent public entry point [4]. Resort guests enter free of charge, while non-guests typically pay approximately USD 30–50 per adult for a day pass when one is available, though access is not guaranteed on concert days, holidays, or busy weekends, and visitors are advised to confirm directly with Casa de Campo before traveling [4]. Guided tours from Punta Cana, La Romana, and Santo Domingo can include arranged entry [4]. The nearest airport is La Romana (LRM), approximately 15–20 minutes away; Punta Cana is roughly one hour away and Santo Domingo approximately two hours [4].
A visit of two to three hours is sufficient to walk the village thoroughly, with additional time needed for a meal or a concert [4]. The Archaeological Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. [3]. Educational group visits to the museum are available Monday through Friday with a minimum of 48 hours advance notice; rates are USD 4.00 per person for private schools, universities, and churches, and USD 2.00 per person for public schools, high schools, and foundations [3].
Restrictions
Access for non-resort guests is subject to availability and may be restricted on concert days, holidays, and busy weekends [4]. Educational group visits to the Archaeological Museum require a reservation submitted at least 48 hours in advance during business hours, and applications are not processed on Sundays or holidays [3].
What Makes It Distinctive
Altos de Chavón is not a ruin or a theme park but a fully functioning village that has been continuously inhabited and worked in by artists since 1982 [4]. The combination of a working design school affiliated with Parsons, a museum collection with international exhibition history, a 5,000-seat performance amphitheater, and a church that is among the most sought-after wedding venues in the Dominican Republic makes it unusually layered for a single site [1][2][3]. Its position 300 feet above the Chavón River also provides panoramic views over the river gorge and the adjacent Dye Fore golf course [1][2].
Sources
- Open year-round
- Typical duration: 4h
Access & fees
- educational visit — private school/university/church
- educational visit — public school/foundation
- non-guest day pass (adult)
- non-resort guest entry
Things to do
- art gallery viewing
- artisan shopping
- artisan studio visits
- dining on-site
- dining with river views
- educational group tours
- gallery visits
- live concerts
- museum visit
- shopping for local crafts and goods
- wedding ceremonies
Before you go
- confirm access before visiting
- educational visit payment at site cashier booth
- guided tours handle access for non-guests
- non-resort guests must pay entry fee or book tour
Events & seasons
- altos de chavón market
- live performances, amphitheater
Features
- 5,000-seat amphitheater
- archaeological regional museum
- archaeology museum on-site
- cobblestone alleyways
- construction origin
- cultural center foundation
- design school on-site
- nighttime illuminated setting
- panoramic river and sea views
- replica mediterranean village
- river overlook
- st. stanislaus church
- three art galleries
Nearby
- casa de campo resort
- dye fore golf course
Good to know
- address
- construction started 1976
- contact phone
- design school programs
- distance from punta cana
- distance from santo domingo
- educational visit advance notice
- inside casa de campo resort
- nearest airport
- payment at shops and restaurants
- recommended visit duration
- village opened
Photos
