An Ultimate Caribbean Lifestyle

The Dominican Republic

An Ultimate Caribbean Lifestyle

By JG Walker. Previously published in the 2015 Fall Issue.

A history buff might know the Dominican Republic as the modern name of the place where Christopher Columbus and crew first made landfall after crossing the Atlantic in 1492. A sports fan might know this Caribbean nation as the 2013 World Baseball Classic champion and home to dozens of Major League stars like Albert Pujols and David Ortiz. But a growing number of Americans and Europeans are discovering that the Dominican Republic is not only a great year-round vacation destination, but also an ideal location to live, work or retire.

The Dominican Republic is a stable, progressive democracy with a thriving free-market economy that’s the largest of any Caribbean country. Spanish is the official national language, but many workers in the hospitality industry speak English. Crime rates are low and so are most basic living costs like food, transportation and medical care.
The fall and winter months are a great time to visit the Dominican Republic. Average daily highs range from the mid-80s to the upper 90s and water sports like swimming and surfing along its 1,000 miles of coastline are always in season. Temperatures can be much cooler in the mountainous interior and a growing eco-tourism industry accommodates visitors who want to explore the rich diversity of the tropical highlands.

THE NORTH COAST

The North Coast region of the Dominican Republic faces the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the country’s prime tourist destinations. The port city of Puerto Plata is a popular stop for cruise ships and is home to a number of full-service resorts. The city features museums and historic sites like the 16th-century San Felipe Fort. Area beaches include several with big waves that are ideal for surfing, and the nearby Ocean World Park offers exhibits that include the world’s largest custom-built dolphin lagoon. Another must-see site is the Isabel de Torres Botanical Gardens, accessed via a spectacular cable car ride to a mountain peak overlooking the city. Nightlife includes a welcoming variety of merengue and salsa music clubs.

Just to the east is the town of Cabarete, an international destination for windsurfers, kiteboarders and scuba divers. Even as its popularity as a tourist destination has grown, Cabarete has retained an intimate, small-town character where nearly all of the shops and restaurants are within walking distance. Many eco-tours to the interior originate in Cabarete and the acclaimed Playa Grande Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones with 10 oceanfront holes, is about a 30-minute drive away. Sea Horse Ranch (see sidebar) is located just outside of Cabarete.

Samana is a North Coast town that is especially popular for honeymooners and couples seeking a romantic retreat in a beautifully natural setting. The nearby El Limon Waterfall and the Los Haitises National Park offer splendid day-trip opportunities. Horseback riding, snorkeling and sailing are among the area’s most frequently enjoyed activities, and
Samana is a hub from January through March for off-shore excursions to view huge pods of migratory whales.

THE EAST COAST

Punta Cana is the heart of the East Coast region of the Dominican Republic, where many of the nation’s large, all-inclusive destination resorts are located. Some are couples-only retreats, while others offer sports-oriented vacation packages that can include deep-sea fishing charters and play on the area’s 12 seaside golf courses. But most of Punta Cana’s resorts cater to families who want to enjoy both on-site activities like swimming and organized kid recreations, as well as off-site visits to attractions like Dolphin Island Park and the Bavaro Adventure Park. There are also a number of village-style shopping areas and buffet restaurants that feature local cuisine. For adult after-hours fun, Punta Cana features a variety of live-music clubs and more than 15 casinos. The Punta Cana International Airport welcomes daily direct flights from Miami and other U.S. cities.

Located just to the west of Punta Cana on the Caribbean seashore is La Romano, one of the country’s premier eco-tourism destinations. The nearby town of Bayahibe is the gateway to Isla Soana, a pristine 42-square-mile island that’s part of the impressive national park system. The La Romano area is also home to several top-rated golf courses and Estadio Francisco Micheli, a favorite stop for baseball fans who want to catch a game that showcases the country’s talented stars.

SANTA DOMINGO

The Dominican Republic’s capital of Santa Domingo is one of Latin America’s most historic and sophisticated cities. The Colonial City area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a delightfully walkable neighborhood that features well-preserved 16th-century buildings, cobblestone lanes, museums, shops and restaurants. Visitors to the Santa Domingo Zoo & Botanical Gardens can enjoy their tour on mini open trains that traverse the grounds. Fine and casual dining are part of the local culture in a city with more restaurants than any other in the Caribbean and Central America; both local and international fare is offered and the fresh coffee from the Dominican Republic’s highland plantations is second to none. The performing arts scene in the capital city includes opera, ballet, symphony and theater performances on a year-round schedule. Santa Domingo is also home to 18 colleges and universities, two international airports and an urban rapid-transit system that makes it a breeze to get around in this lively city of nearly 3 million residents.

Rancho Santana

Tola-Rivas, Nicaragua

Rancho Santana stretches over 2,700 remarkable acres ranging from valleys to rolling hills, from tropical dry forests to awe-inspiring elevations. Its rugged nature is certainly celebrated, but the Ranch's world-class food and beverage, services and amenities that make it perfectly suited for leisurely sunbathing and stargazing. Guests seeking activity and adventure are enticed by its renowned surf breaks, riding stables, and hiking paths. Like the sea turtles and spider monkeys, some guests feel particularly at home on "the Ranch" and for them, a limited number of private lots enter its Real Estate portfolio on an annual basis. Read More...

NIC

Select

Panama Pacifico

Panama Oeste, Panama

Panama Pacifico is a labor of love, fueled as much by personal passion as financial investment. Their dream: to create Latin America's first complete master-planned new town-a landmark destination where people can live, work and play in one beautiful and sustainable environment. Read More...

PAN

Select

Sea Horse Ranch

Sosua, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Sea Horse Ranch is a luxury, oceanfront resort with private villas for rent and for sale. Located in Cabarete-Sosua on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, Sea Horse Ranch is a 20-minute drive from the international airport of Puerto Plata. Read More...

DOM

Select

Estrella del Mar Golf and Beach Resort

Mazatlan, Mexico

Located just minutes from the International Airport, Estrella del Mar features 3.5 miles of beachfront, an 18-hole, Par 72 Robert Trent Jones II Championship Golf and much more! Stroll through the events gardens, banquet and meeting facilities, and visit the on site turtle sanctuary. Featuring transportation to and from the airport, and more. Read More...

MEX

Select

Ladera San Jose

San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur Los Cabos, Mexico

Ladera San Jose is a planned community located in the tourist corridor of San Jose del Cabo, the more family and arts oriented town in the Los Cabos area. The project was designed by renowned Mexican architect Agustin Landa, who was inspired by the strong natural sense of the land and the ocean and mountain views. Read More...

MEX

Select

Rancho San Lucas - Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas, BCS, Mexico

Rancho San Lucas is an exclusive, 834-acre resort community located just 30 minutes from the Los Cabos International Airport in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Enjoying sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean and Baja's stunning desert landscape, this landmark community offers visitors and owners a private respite and an unparalleled collection of residential options including The Villas at Rancho San Lucas with Santa Barbara-style single family homes and five floor plans to choose from. Read More...

MEX

Select

Playa Bonita Beach Residences

Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic

Playa Bonita is a luxury beachfront residential community. It is located along the north coast of the Dominican Republic, on the beautiful Samana peninsula. The community is being developed on waterfront property along its namesake, the Playa Bonita beach. This idyllic beach can be found to the west of Las Terrenas, a thriving cosmopolitan town. Playa Bonita is the best beach of Dominican Republic. It strives the perfect combination of smooth and silky sand and unbelievable turquoise crystalline water. Read More...

DOM

Select

Pacific Lots and Homes of Costa Rica - Costa Rica Real Estate

Ojochal, Costa Rica

Pacific Lots represents that largest development for North Americans in Costa Rica. Now in our 26th year, we have developed 17 phases in the southern Pacific zone of Costa Rica. We are the largest builder of Custom Homes in Costa Rica and offer turn key rental services for our clients. Read More...

CRI

Select

Palm Cay / One Marina - Homes in the Bahamas

Nassau, Bahamas

Palm Cay is a unique oceanfront gated community, set within 70 acres, which successfully blends the exclusivity of a magnificent 200+ berth marina with panoramic waterfront and glorious beaches, to offer an idyllic and affordable lifestyle-unsurpassed even by Bahamian standards. Read More...

BHS

Select

Coldwell Banker Ambergris Caye

San Pedro, Belize

Excellent retiree program - buyers are eligible for tax benefits, including exemptions on retirement income. Ambergris Caye is the number 1 tourist and retirement destination in Belize and one of the top retirement destinations in all of the Caribbean and Central America . We have seen a constant increase in tourism to the country. Read More...

BLZ

Select