Dominican Republic’s Five-Star Race
The Dominican Republic is one of the newest hot spots in the Caribbean for travel. Among the newest luxury resorts in the DR, are Maxim Bungalows and The Westin Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort, the latter is scheduled to open this fall in Punta Cana. Additionally, new year-round air service from JetBlue will bring the DR closer to the Big Apple.
While maintaining its popularity among vacationers worldwide, the Dominican Republic (DR) has taken its tourism efforts to a new level through its recent collaboration with JetBlue Airways, which became the only carrier to provide nonstop, daily year-round service between New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Puerto Plata’s Gregorio Luperon International Airport as of Jan., 2008. With regular fares between New York and Puerto Plata starting at $109 each way, the new service makes it easy and cost effective for those coming from JFK Airport.
“We are very excited about JetBlue’s new service to Puerto Plata and welcome travelers to discover the incredible beauty of our North Coast,” said Luis Simo, vice minister of tourism. “This new route will positively impact not only tourism and real estate development in this area, but will also provide Puertoplatans living in the U.S. a convenient and economical opportunity to return home.”
Agent Opinion
"Punta Cana continues to be a great value for an all-inclusive destination," notes Crystal, Minn-based Steve Phillips, among the Carlson Wagonlit Travel experts who were recently polled about the outlook for the Caribbean.
"However, the American tourist is used to a certain type of destination ... [with] some of the comforts of home. The Dominican Republic has struggled to acquire and build an infrastructure to support American tourists. Therefore, after going there once, clients are not as likely to want go back, even though they feel they received great value for their vacation dollar."
But things are changing rapidly in the Dominican Republic, with a slew of upscale properties – from brands like Westin, Ritz-Carlton, and Four Seasons – poised to transform the image of Punta Cana.
For example, the Caribbean will welcome its very first Heavenly Spa by Westin, which will be unveiled at The Westin Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort when it opens fall 2008 in Punta Cana. The 11,500 square foot Heavenly Spa will offer a sanctuary of 15 spacious and sumptuously designed treatment rooms and an infinity pool with inspiring views of the ocean and Macao Beach which has been praised as one of the most exceptional in the world by UNESCO for its pristine white sand and crystal clear waters.
The Faldo Legacy Course is the first of up to four championship courses that will comprise
The Roco Ki Golf Club.
Maxim Bungalows is located in Cofresi Beach, on the country’s north coast in the Puerto Plata region, and in Juan Dolio, on the south coast, close to the capital city Santo Domingo. The Cofresi Beach location opened March 15, 2008 while the Juan Dolio property is slated to open in September. Adventurous clients looking for an exhilarating action-packed getaway will revel in the Maxim Bungalows Adventure package. Four nights’ accommodation starts at $1,699 per couple. The Girls Weekend Escape package is $299 per night per person double. Call 866-970-3364; www.MaximBungalows.com
Posh tour operator, Island Vacation offers a $100 air credit, per person when a spacious junior suite is booked for a four-night getaway. A “Spa Prelude” including an herbal wrap and choice of sea salt or sugar body scrub (30 minutes) will prepare duos for the “Togetherness” treatment, which features a “Serenity Soak,” followed by a 50-minute couple’s massage. Priced from $1,985 per room, based on double occupancy, inclusive of airport transfers, for travel through Dec. 21, 2008. Call 877-903-2525; www.islanddestinations.com
For more information, contact the Dominican Republic Tourist Office, 888-374-6361; www.godominicanrepublic.com
November 2007 Issue
The Treasure of La Romana-Bayahíbe
by Denise Mattia
Scuba dive and snorkel at impressive reefs in crystal-clear water with a healthy, diverse fish population, while at a Caribbean resort that offers sprawling beaches and topside attractions as well? You may think that’s a tall order from your clients, especially since most islands are becoming overdeveloped and the fish population of the world is under a lot of stress from line, net and spear fishing. Having just returned from the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, where there are great beaches, three excellent golf courses, and a soon-to-open casino, I can report that the island should be considered an excellent Caribbean scuba diving destination as well.
A Healthy Environment
Kudos for a healthy environment belong to La Romana-Bayahíbe Hotel Association, a non-profit organization devoted to making this flourishing southeastern section of the Dominican Republic a stellar tourist attraction, while maintaining its commitment to preserving the archeological and natural resources here and in the Bayahíbe Parque National del Este (the National Park of the East). Their efforts have made La Romana and neighboring Bayahíbe the first Caribbean areas to receive the international Blue Flag, an award given to developers and hoteliers for maintaining strict water quality standards at beaches and marinas and for creating preservation and conservation programs for the public, decision-makers and tourist operators.
Concern for visitors’ needs is important here as well, and, with only three days to accomplish my assignment, I was glad to have the Manager of Viva Diving at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach and Palace, two of the five most popular resorts in La Romana-Bayahíbe, plan my itinerary.
Efficient and accustomed to being in authority, Laura Gualazzi outfitted me with all-new Sherwood scuba equipment until American Airlines delivered mine, which remained in San Juan for a day, along with my luggage. Laura confirmed my five dives over the next two days, scheduled an inland trip to snorkel in the Padre Nuestro cave and, knowing I wouldn’t have time to shop, chose a selection of items for me from the very chic (and fairly reasonable) boutique on the premises. The woman is a travel agent’s fairy god-sister.
Still, there’s no better magic than floating into a fairyland of rippling shadows. I swam the length of the 240-foot cargo ship, the St. George, which bottoms out in 145 feet of sand, lies minutes by boat off the resort’s coast, and is considered a “must do” by divers. The sun filtered down on this otherworldly scene and revealed a network of marine life that’s been developing on the vessel since she was sunk in 1999 to create an artificial reef.
Old shipwrecks, many from the 16th century, abound along the coast of the National Park, which includes Isla Saona, a low-lying island that’s a refuge for flamingos, 294 species of plants, and innumerable reptiles and insects, including several species of butterflies. Under the water, a wide range of marine life can be found in this sanctuary. During my four dives here, I encountered nurse sharks, eagle rays, stingrays, barracudas, a bait-ball-sized school of bright yellow small mouth grunts, a squadron of blue tangs, and a host of reef fish. Toward the end of one dive, my dive buddy and I drifted in the gentle current, past the amorphous configurations of corals and sponges, and suddenly noticed a trio of eagle rays skimming the nearby sandy bottom. Startled, they turned in unison and disappeared into the blue, a reminder that we’re intruders in their world.
Rare Sightings
Although sightings of the Antillean Manatee, a species indigenous to the Dominican Republic, are rare, divers have reported encountering these shy, elusive creatures, which are endangered and continue to be in peril from poachers . Dolphins often ride in the wakes of boats and are sighted off the coast of the National Park. An investigation of one pod that frequents the area is underway. It’s hoped that, given time and training, the dolphins will allow tourists to snorkel with them. If the project succeeds, it will be the first dolphin encounter in the wild.
Going back several thousand years, archeologists believe that the Tainos (tah-EE-nohs), possibly the first Amerindians, were responsible for drawing on cave walls and for leaving gifts of pottery in the clear waters of sinkholes that dot the interior of La Romana-Bayahíbe and the National Park. Tourists can view the preserved wall art amid stalactites and stalagmites in dry caves (cenotes), while certified divers can penetrate flooded cenotes, if they are accompanied by a cave-diving specialist.
For a few hours before my flight, I was happy to kick back and listen to the roll of waves lapping against the stunningly white beach, and the rustle of palm fronds and sea grapes in the gentle wind, trusting that La Romana-Bayahíbe Hotel Association will continue its work to preserve this fantastic region. For more information, visit www.explorelaromana.com.
Getting There, and Staying There
American Airlines flies directly to San Juan, Puerto Rico, from most major cities and connects with American Eagle for a daily flight to La Romana. Leave sufficient time between flights and carry on a bathing suit and a change of clothes.
The five most popular hotels in La Romana Bayahíbe are: Casa de Campo, 800-777-3643; E-mail: res1@pwmonline.com; www.casadecampo.com.do.
Oasis Canoa, 809-682-2662; E-mail: info.hotels@globalia-hotels.com;www.globalia-hotels.com.
Sunscape Casa del Mar, 809-221-8880; E-mail: info@sunscapecasadelmar.com; www.sunscaperesorts.com.
Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach, Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, 809-686-5658; E-mail: ventas@vivaresorts.com; www.vivawyndham resorts.com.
Tropical Tours provides airport transfers and excursions from the hotels. Call 809-523-2028; www.tropicaltoursromana.com.do
A pamphlet, Scuba Diving Guide, Bayahíbe Parque National del Este, written by Adolfo López, Environmental Consultant for the Tourist Association, is available free of charge at all the water sports operations.