Expedia achieves future reservations to the Dominican Republic higher than those of 2018, a record year

The United States is supporting the reopening of Dominican tourism

They want tourism to come out of the crisis much more competitive

The recovery of tourist demand in the US market is proceeding at an accelerated pace in the Dominican Republic, so much so that projections are that it will even exceed the volume of visitors reached by Expedia in 2018, the DR’s record year for tourist arrivals, a period in which the country managed to exceed six million visitors.

“The Expedia company, which is our main tourism supplier, already has higher levels of reservations for the future than in 2018 and 2019. In other words, the projections we have with a company like Expedia is even higher than what we had before. So we are excited,” said the president of Asonahores, Rafael Blanco Tejeda.

Blanco Tejera explained that currently, with the closure of Canada and much of Europe, the country is depending on the US market. “The United States has given us great support by not closing international travel with us. Basically we are filling our properties with that market, which is traditionally the most important market. The United States represents 44% of our hotels nationwide.”

The president of the largest tourism union in the country explained that the United States is carrying out an exceptional vaccination process so that they are observing that it has not only responded in these months but that this is going to strengthen more because the American population in about months will reach more than 70% in herd immunity. “What we are going to see is that the US market will increase its participation in the Dominican tourism sector,” he said, according to Diario Libre.

In that sense, he specified that what the tourism sector wants is to turn around the entire crisis generated by Covid-19 and relaunch itself in a much more competitive way.

“We do not want only to achieve the success of the past, but we want to relaunch ourselves with a modern vision, with a competitive vision, and with a public-private vision,” said the executive.

He expressed that they are convinced that the only way to establish the tourism sector is hand in hand with the public sector. In fact, “the way we are working with the public sector has been exceptional, we are working as a team on most of the things.”

Referring to how the Dominican Republic has handled the reopening, he indicated that really, the handling of the pandemic and the economic opening carried out by the government of the Dominican Republic has been an example not only regionally but also worldwide.

“We have to talk first about the vaccination processes. We are one of the leading countries in terms of vaccination; We have to talk about the responsible reopening, which is domestic tourism, but also with the support that was given to the hotels. We have the financial part, we cannot put aside the Central Bank , the Dominican banking, for the support they gave us, a resounding support; then we have to see the labor part through the Ministry of Labor,” he said.

Blanco Tejera added that “In addition to the way we work the protocols together, an extraordinary job has been done in the Dominican Republic that has been recognized by international organizations such as the World Tourism Organization ( UNWTO ).”

Rainieri: “Starting in June we will approach the pre-pandemic level”

AFFIRMS US WILL COMPLETE INOCULATION BY JULY 1

 Punta Cana airport exceeds passenger flow month after month

 The tourist entrepreneur paid a visit to the National Palace

The tourism entrepreneur, Frank Rainieri, indicated that when the countries issuing vacationers to the Dominican Republic complete their vaccination process, the sector will experience a rebound similar to the old days.

“Starting in June, we are going to have significant growth in tourism to the Dominican Republic and we will begin to approach the numbers we had in the past,” Rainieri said during a visit to the National Palace.

Although he clarified that it would not be the return to normality, he understands that economic growth and jobs will recover.

Rainieri said that by July 1, the United States wouldcomplete its vaccination program, Spain in 90 days, Germany will also do the same. “These are important markets for the Dominican Republic, which represents a “golden opportunity” for the growth of the tourism industry,” he said, according to local media.

The pioneer of the tourism development of Punta Cana pointed out that, in recent months, the numbers at the Punta Cana International Airport remain green in relation to the arrival of tourists: March surpassed the month of December, which until then had been the more important; April surpassed March, and May is above April.

Rainieri was visiting the Government House to participate in the meeting of the Competitiveness Commission, to which he belongs.

Tourism is making a clear recovery in the Dominican Republic: arrivals grow more than 7% in April

COLLADO SAID THAT FOR MAY, THE NUMBER OF AIR TICKET RESERVATIONS IS THE BEST

 With the vaccination process, they expect a good summer.

The Dominican tourism sector continues in a frank recovery, registering a 7.5% growth in April with more than 327 thousand visitors, compared to March.

This was reported by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, indicating that the hotel reopening and occupancy rates remain in continuous recovery. At the same time, Expedia bookings exceed the rates of January 2018.

“With a growth of 7.5% in April compared to the month of March, in April, the arrival of 327,074 visitors consolidates the sustained trend of recovery of tourism in the Dominican Republic. With these numbers it is evidenced that tourism continues to grow in a sustainable way in the Dominican Republic, thanks to the efforts we make together with the private sector,” he stated.

Collado, in meeting with the president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores), Rafael Blanco Tejera; the president of Inverhotel, Ramón Roselló and the vice minister of Tourism, Jacqueline Mora, stated that the trend is reaffirmed when observing that, facing May, the number of air ticket reservations is the best in the last 14 months.

Blanco Tejera assured that “we are positioned in a privileged way throughout the region, at the time of expressing optimism about the evolution that tourism has been exhibiting in the country.”

He added that as the vaccination process progresses favorably and the markets in Europe and Canada begin to normalize, there will be a good summer with the arrival of tourists.

Meanwhile, Roselló affirmed that the growth figures presented by Minister Collado have not been by chance, after defining as admirable the vaccination process carried out in the country, unique in relation to other countries in the region.

He specified that these figures, achieved in April and throughout the first four months of the year, have been “the result of work and effort.”

According to the monthly monitoring statistics provided by the Ministry of Tourism ( Mitur ), more than 70% of these arrivals were from US passport tourists, and more than 40% of the total entered through the Punta Cana airport.

Regarding the demographic profile, in April, most of the tourists who visited the country were people between 21 and 49 years of age, female.

“The average stay was 7 nights, mainly marked by the permanence of American tourists and by the stay registered in the most touristy areas of the country,” highlights the press release.

At the end of April 2021, 3,549 flights had been received from 48 countries, 131 airports, and 133 airlines.

Dominican hotels to reopen more sustainably

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic Hotels and Tourism Association (Asonahores) president Rafael Blanco Tejeda, affirmed Sun. that for the entity, in the future, it is important to relaunch the sector under the concept of sustainability.

“We want our tourism industry to be sustainable from an environmental point of view,” Blanco said.

He indicated that what the tourism sector wants is to try to revert the entire crisis generated by COVID-19 and relaunch itself in a much more competitive way.

“We don’t want only to achieve the success of the past, but we want to relaunch ourselves with a modern vision, with a competitive vision, and with a public-private vision.”

Country brand Dominican Republic ‘Open Arms’

Santo Domingo .– Graphic designer Isabella Fernández is the winner of the creation of the new Country Brand logo, with her proposal ‘Brazos Abiertos’”(Open Arms).”

Fernández was awarded RD$3.0 million. She won 53% of the votes and beat Alejandro Soto, who had presented the “Infinite Country” logo.

The selection was made last night during an event held in the Eduardo Brito room of the National Theater, which was attended by President Luis Abinader; the first lady, Raquel Arbaje; the Minister of Tourism, David Collado; Ligia Bonetti, representative of the private sector in the Multisectoral Commission, among other officials and personalities.

Brad Pitt to star in movie to be filmed in Dominican Republic; to arrive in the coming days

His co-star will be the popular American actress Sandra Bullock.

The General Directorate of Cinema (DGCine) reported that in the next few days, the filming of the film “Lost City of D” will begin in Samaná, which will bring together the stars Brad Pitt and Sandra Bullock, a romantic action-adventure comedy by Paramount, in which Channing Tatum and Daniel Radcliffe will also perform. For this super production, some 74 million dollars (RD $ 4,294,000,000) of the local budget have been consigned.

As we had reported from Diario Libre, we are waiting to return to the country of Angelina Jolie’s ex to join the rest of the actors who are already staying in Casa de Campo.

“Brad Pitt is the main actor in the film” Lost City of D,” and is expected to arrive in the Dominican Republic in the next few days,” published the specialized medium.

The American press has advanced that “Lost City of D” is a romantic adventure comedy and will be released next year.

The American actor visited the town of Miches in the Dominican Republic, accompanied by businessman George Nader and some friends, where he spent moments of leisure and relaxation on the Costa Esmeralda beach.

During his helicopter visit, Pitt bathed on the beach, drank coconut water, and admired nature and miles of shallow water into the sea.

Another who became interested in Miches was the famous actor Robert De Niro, who has investments in Dubai and other countries and has shot films in the country and has investments in Barbados.

The Dominican Republic continues to attract the attention of Hollywood stars for the filming of their films. A few days ago, Jennifer López, Mark Walberg, and Vin Diesel were in the country, spearheading film projects.

Collado assures April has been the best month for tourism after the pandemic

According to Minister David Collado, the tourism sector in the Dominican Republic continues to show positive numbers, which shows that the recovery is real.

During April, the arrival by air of non-resident visitors reached 327,074 people. Of these, 283,547 are tourists, which implies a growth of 7.5% when compared to March of this year.

Also, within the 327,074, the tourism minister said that 43,527 are family visitors for a decrease of 11.9%.

“We have taken very seriously that tourism is the main industry in the Dominican Republic and today I can announce that April is the best month for tourism in the Dominican Republic after the pandemic,” said Collado.

He added that “hotel occupancy is almost 50% in the Dominican Republic of the total of all rooms,” said Collado.

The Tourism Minister said there were only 15,000 rooms open upon arrival, and currently, there are around 70,000 rooms.

“80% of all the portfolio that the Dominican Republic has of rooms, are already open,” he said.

Dominican Republic could reach herd immunity in Aug.

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic could achieve herd immunity in August this year, if the vaccination flow in recent weeks continues.

The govt. has expanded the National Vaccination Plan against COVID-19 to all those over 18 years of age, a measure made possible by the arrival of two million doses of the Chinese Sinovac vaccine.

The projection is made by the Minister of Public Health, Daniel Rivera, who hopes that this week they can complete the two million people vaccinated with the first dose.

“The second dose is already practically covered and, if on Monday we had 125,000, on Tuesday 156,000 and today it is at a rate like this, we believe that the rate at which it arrives, and I am sure another group of vaccines will continue to arrive, as we are going keep up with the rhythm.”

Dominican Republic, Air Canada’s “priority” destination for its reopening of flights

HOWS SPECIAL INTEREST IN OPERATING AGAIN IN PUNTA CANA, PUERTO PLATA AND SAMANÁ

 Dominican ambassador in Canada seeks the line to resume its flights to the country.

 Airline executives congratulate the DR for the reactivation of tourism

The Dominican ambassador to Canada, Michelle Cohen, began a series of meetings with Canadian airlines to join efforts to reopen flights to the Dominican Republic in the context of the reactivation of tourism that the Caribbean country has initiated.

The first meeting of the diplomat, in virtual form, was with Air Canada, in the persons of its executives Dina Bertolo, vice-president of product development, and Daniela Mauro, chief business officer.

The airline representatives congratulated the Dominican tourism authorities for conducting the opening and reactivation, affirming that the Caribbean island is among their priority destinations, especially Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, and Samaná.

From their point of view, the authorities’ provisions have been necessary for the hotels to maintain their operation amid the sanitary contingency of the covid-19 protocols.

They revealed that Air Canada has structured a five-year plan for the Dominican market and currently has flights for reservations in the system, accommodating consumers for reopening.

The airline expects to resume flights to the Dominican Republic on June 26th of this year. The executives recalled that Air Canada was among the first airlines to fly after the pandemic broke out, thanks to its strength and ability to take risks.

Ambassador Michelle Cohen’s meetings with other Canadian airlines will continue this week.

Tourism generates more than 500,000 jobs in the Dominican Republic

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, described as a “true success” the meeting of Tourism Ministers of the Americas that took place in the country and in which critical joint initiatives were approved to achieve the “full recovery” of the tourism industry, which in the Dominican Republic alone generates more than 500,000 jobs and represents 17 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

“This summit of ministers, organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is, without a doubt, the bell of the recovery of tourism in the Americas,” said Collado when evaluating the results of the meeting, in which 16 ministers and four deputy ministers of tourism participated.

After long hours of discussions, ten points were approved at the summit, where joint efforts were established to achieve the recovery of tourism, the sector most affected by the covid-19 pandemic.

The extraordinary meeting of the Ministers of Tourism of the Americas agreed to ask the governments of the continent to support this sector of the regional economy by “prioritizing the adoption and dissemination of unified international protocols for biosecurity and travel facilitation for the resumption of tourism in a safe, expeditious and high quality manner.”

It also establishes the promotion of public-private alliances.

UNWTO: Dominican Republic is one of the countries that best managed the pandemic

Pololikashvili spoke in the framework of the “Meeting of Tourism of the Americas,” an international event in Punta Cana.

The secretary-general of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili, assured this Friday that the reopening of tourism begins in the Dominican Republic for being one of the countries that have better handled the pandemic.

“When I am asked which is the destination that has been able to handle better in this time, I always say that one of them is the Dominican Republic,” expressed the UNWTO representative.

Pololikashvili was speaking at the “Tourism Meeting of the Americas,” an international event in Punta Cana, east of the Dominican Republic, organized by the UNWTO.

The UNWTO representative said that the event would address issues such as implementing protocols, noting that unified protocols are needed in the region because when citizens start traveling throughout the continent, there must be unified criteria to avoid confusion among travelers.

“Today we are going to talk about unified protocols, because we need it. We want to connect the Americas with Europe and the rest of the world, connect continents with other continents. To connect the world through a single protocol so as not to confuse people,” said Pololikashvili.

For his part, the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, indicated that recovery is just around the corner and emphasized that the only thing that can delay it is simple and complex at the same time: fear.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN
Tourism Meeting of the Americas began in Punta Cana
“Simple and complex because unlike danger, which is something real and palpable, fear is a mental artifice that only we ourselves give life to,” he added.

Collado expressed that fear cannot be allowed to be the legacy of the crisis generated by COVID-19, “and we must overcome it with the opposite: Hope.”

The Dominican Minister of Tourism asked those attending the activity to commit themselves once again to the people, to the collaborators who sustain their lives working for the sector and their families, to the millions of tourists who are anxiously waiting to go out and see “our beautiful destinations.”

“Let us think, work hand in hand and act to demonstrate that democracy, politicians, and good rulers, with integrity and transparency, are the only way towards this new normality, said Collado.

Dominicans start mass vaccination today

Santo Domingo.-  Starting today everyone over 18 years of age will be able to receive the first dose of the vaccine against COVID-19, after the arrival of two million doses of the drug from China. With this new batch, the country has received 4,459,200 doses of the drug since February.

As of May 7, the country has administered 2,325,108 vaccines, of which 1,515,063 correspond to the first dose and 810,045 to the second, for which the authorities have 2,134,092 for mass vaccination.

To achieve effective application and reach the majority of the population, the authorities set up 542 vaccination stations throughout the country. Greater Santo Domingo has 57 sites.

86% of the country’s 303 hotels were open last March

Santo Domingo.- 86% of the country’s hotels were open last March, most of them in La Altagracia, Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata and Samaná, according to data published by the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (Mepyd).

That means that, for that month, a total of 267 hotel facilities out of the 303 in the country were operating.

The occupancy rate of those hotels was 40.9% in March, according to official data presented in the Mepyd Sectorial Panorama report. Occupancy is measured in rooms that are effectively operational and not in closed or remodeled.

President of the Puntacana Group, Frank Rainieri, predicts rapid tourism recovery

Businessman urges to be open to transformations in the sector.

The president of the Puntacana Group, Frank Rainieri, affirmed yesterday that the tourism industry will have a rapid recovery, even sooner than expected “and will be much more solid, but it must be prepared for the great changes that covid-19 leaves behind.”

At the meeting of tourism ministers of the Americas, convened by the World Tourism Organization, he assured that within those changes, the industry must guarantee security, resources, and accessibility, which “will allow us a much faster recovery and growth of tourism with nearby countries, the United States and Europe.”

A document explains that he spoke at the session dedicated to hearing the private sector’s approach.

He explained that the early recovery of the industry requires changes in procedures because tourists will be looking for more individual activities, such as sports, bicycles, and activities in contact with nature.

Rainieri said that the industry would have to make changes because the tourist will look for hotels and places of low density, and recalled that the positioning of Punta Cana today is possible because at the time the hoteliers of the destination agreed to maintain a low density, to build facilities with many green areas and to maintain the height at the level of a palm tree, or no more than 18 meters high.

He proposed to leave aside the congestion of visitors and look for physical spaces to do activities without a significant degree of overcrowding. He warned that now everything will be electronic, there will be no keys, and it is necessary to prepare for the changes to be inserted in the industry since the tourist will look for inclusive places.

President Abinader receives his first dose of the COVID vaccine

The president was inoculated two days after Phase II of the # VacúnateRD Plan that enables those over 50 to get vaccinated.

This Wednesday, the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona, received the first dose of the Sinovac vaccine against COVID-19 at the San Carlos Club in the National District, near the National Palace.

The president was inoculated two days after the start of Phase II of the #VacúnateRD Plan that enables those over 50 years of age to be vaccinated and on the eve of the arrival of a batch with two million more Sinovac vaccines sent from China.

To date, more than two million Dominicans have received the COVID-19 vaccine. The figure includes the first and second doses. The National Vaccination Plan began on February 16 with the front-line staff of the Ramon de Lara Hospital, where the first patients with the disease began to be treated.

This would be the fourth shipment of vaccines arriving in the Dominican Republic from China.

Commercial flights increase at Las Américas airport

UNITED STATES, PUERTO RICO, VENEZUELA, COLOMBIA, SPAIN, PANAMA, CURAÇAO .

The flow of flights and passengers to different destinations through the Las Americas International Airport (AILA) increased last Monday with the scheduling of 92 round trips, including ten cargo operations.

The itinerary, consisting of 82 commercial passenger flights and ten cargo operations, was programmed by the Flight Operations Department of the concessionaire Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom).

The operations were divided between 44 flights arriving from different points abroad, 38 departing, plus ten cargo flights.

Likewise, the most significant percentage of operations were scheduled with flights to cities in the United States, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Colombia, Spain, Panama, Curacao, Aruba, and other Caribbean destinations.

Despite the sanitary restrictions established in the AILA and other airport terminals of the Dominican Republic, people continue to travel abroad.

Last Monday, there was a visible movement and increase of people lining up in front of the airline counters, checking their documents, and regularizing their travel status.

Passengers to board flights departing to the United States, South America, Spain, and other nations, must present the physical or cellular document of the test results.

In addition, an executive of one of the airlines that regularly operate flights to the United States, said their flights are currently departing with an occupancy factor of 80 to 90 percent.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health authorities and the AILA continue to apply the sanitary protocol against Covid-19 inside and outside the airport terminal facilities.

Encarna Piñero: “The Dominican Republic is managing tourism recovery very well”

SHE ASSURED THAT THIS GENERATES CONFIDENCE IN THE ENTIRE SECTOR AND THE ISSUING COUNTRIES.

 Mobilizing vaccines to sector employees

 He said that Cancun and Jamaica had emulated the excellent management of the DR.

The Dominican Republic, Cancun (Mexico), and Jamaica are the three destinations leading the tourism recovery in the Caribbean, and the effects will be more visible in the winter season starting next November, said Encarna Piñero, CEO of the Piñero Group, one of the Spanish hotel companies with the most significant presence in the Caribbean.

During meetings at the World Tourism Summit, the first event to be held after the start of the pandemic, Piñero told Efe that although with entirely different scenarios, “these three destinations are doing very well.”

“Dominican Republic is doing very well, the new government is managing very well, in the short term, the recovery, mobilizing vaccines to employees in the sector. After the good performance of the Dominican Republic, Cancun and Jamaica rebounded, which although initially had a downturn, is now one of the best performers, there is no regular behavior of the three destinations but I think Cancun is the one that will rebound more,” she added.

For Encarna, the global tourism industry will experience two critical moments for recovery in the coming months, the first one due to the massive vaccination in the United States and the second one in Europe.

“This will generate a wave of confidence in the entire sector, in all tourism, and the moment that in Europe there is a higher percentage of vaccination, the influx to the Caribbean will be noticed,” she said.

In addition, she said that “We are expecting, we think we are improving, in the short term we are improving, we are hopeful that when the United States finishes the vaccination in July there will be an increase in bookings to all Caribbean destinations because they are the preferred destinations for North Americans.”

However, although there is optimism and slow recovery, the directive recognizes that there is a lot of caution among hotel business people because, at this time, the objective of the companies is no longer to seek profits but to maintain the sustainability of the companies and the stability of their workers.

“We will not open all the hotels. We will be at 70% with respect to 2019. With all this we have changed the scale of values, we were not prepared to close, we are prepared to open and manage, but we had to close in fifteen days 15,000 rooms and then you pose this for how much is it, two months, three months, fifteen thousand employees, what do we do,” Piñero emphasized.

As part of the “orderly restructuring” that they were forced to do, they found that segments such as golf and housing in high-value tourist areas are gaining an unexpected boom.

“Now we are focused on helping each business to have its own rhythm, real estate and golf have been doing better than hotels, we have helped them to have a growth rhythm, the residential part has surprised us and that is because many people now want to live outside the big cities, there is a spectacular increase in sales,” the CEO pointed out.

JetBlue: leisure travel drives reactivation of flights in the Caribbean

WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A RECOVERY THAT PRIORITIZES LEISURE,” SAID THE AIRLINE

 Estimated capacity may exceed 2019 levels in July and August

 The airline projects business travel to start picking up in the fall

Leisure travel is for the American airline JetBlue the engine that guides the reactivation of flights in the Caribbean region.

“We are in the midst of a recovery that prioritizes leisure,” said Scott Laurence, JetBlue’s head of revenue and planning. “We are made for leisure,” the executive emphasized.

Laurence said that the Caribbean and Latin America are the pillars of the airlines for leisure travel. Although he recognized some obstacles with the test rules implemented by the United States earlier this year, he indicated that demand in the region has recovered. He estimated that except for a change in the trajectory of the pandemic, capacity might exceed 2019 levels in July and August.

According to company projections, as recently reported by the airline based in New York, for the Caribbean and Latin America, capacity is scheduled to increase by up to 1.7 percent compared to two years ago, from April to June.

When it comes to business travel, JetBlue expects workers to start returning to their offices and, more importantly, flying on business trips again this fall. This would follow what is expected to be a relatively hectic period for leisure travel this summer when some analysts warn that rates may reach, or even exceed, 2019 levels during peak periods.

An increase in the number of corporate travelers in September could shift from the recovery of leisure this summer to that of business this fall, with suits possibly replacing sandals on airplanes after Labor Day (September 6).

“We are cautiously optimistic that, assuming travel restrictions are not increased, the vaccine will remain in effect, in which case the count will stabilize or decrease; the drop has the potential to be good for JetBlue,” said JetBlue President Joanna Geraghty during the airline’s first-quarter earnings announcement.

One million 106,733 people already have a first dose of the anticovid vaccine; about 800 thousand have had both

As of the 28th of this month, reports presented by the authorities show that 1,106,733 people have already received at least one dose, and nearly 800 thousand have been fully vaccinated with both doses.

Since the beginning of the National Vaccination Plan, on February 16 of this year, 1,893,836 doses of vaccines against the coronavirus have been applied.

In addition, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance has set up vaccination centers nationwide for the National Vaccination Plan.

“It is important that each person goes to get vaccinated and if they have already received their first dose it is essential that they conclude their vaccination process with the application of their second dose, it is the only way they will be better protected and fully vaccinated against COVID-19,” said the Minister of Health, Daniel Rivera.

Meanwhile, the coordinator of the Health Cabinet, Raquel Peña, announced that from Monday, May 3, until May 10, vaccination will continue with first doses, expanding to include all people over 50 years of age.

She recalled that they would continue with the “Yo te llevo” (I’ll take you) vaccination initiative, with which a person who takes an adult over 75 years of age can also enjoy the first dose of the antidote.

All these actions reflect the marked intention of the Dominican government to recover social normality and with it the definitive reopening of the productive processes and the reactivation of the national economy, affected by the health crisis.

People who want more information about the available centers can access vacunaterd.gob.do, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or by calling *822 between 8 am and 8 pm, Monday through Friday.

Five beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic that you must visit

This country has many characteristics to love, and although it stands out for its people, it is also known for its spectacular beaches.

Traveling through the most beautiful destinations in the Dominican Republic is a dream come true. The half-island has an impressive natural wealth that makes this land a magical place where you can disconnect from the tumult of the big cities and connect with nature. Is it a coincidence that many international films mention the DR as a destination for rest and vacation? No, it is not.

The Dominican Republic truly has it all. This country has characteristics that make more than one fall in love. Although it stands out for its people, its athletes, its products, its projects, it also stands out for its natural resources and, above all, for its spectacular beaches with warm, crystal-clear waters that can be enjoyed all year round thanks to our climate.

Even though we are in a reactivation process due to the COVID-19 pandemic that started at the end of 2019, currently it is not unreasonable to visit these destinations as mind-blowing as the DR beaches, because as filmmaker Steven Spielberg says, “you dream to live” and after the crisis, we all need dreams and plans. That’s why adventurer Carlos Torres (@carlostorresrd ) proposes visiting these five beaches that are loved not only by Dominicans but are a reference to this country in the world.

1. Bahia de las Aguilas, Pedernales

Many have heard of it, but few have gone to see it. This paradise is located in Pedernales, in the southwest of the Dominican Republic, and is part of the Jaragua National Park. “It is one of my favorite beaches and I know that many have already been there too, for its crystal clear waters and white sand that borders it, in addition to the biodiversity that you can find around it. Bahía de las Águilas is one of those places where you disconnect from all the hustle and bustle of the city and never want to leave,” says Torres.

“If you plan to come, you can camp in Cabo Rojo beach, where there are ecological hotels that provide this service (Glamping) and where you can sleep in tents with all the comforts (beds, sheets, pillows, bathrooms, showers); they also have restaurants that will make your stay a very special and diverse experience,” says Carlos.

From there, boats leave for Playa Bahía de las Águilas, which is right in front; the trip takes about 15 minutes. While you go there, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery around you.

When you get to the beach, you will be impressed by that landscape that will make you feel in paradise, literally; it is a beach worth visiting for the unique beauty it possesses. “I have already visited it hundreds of times and it still makes me fall in love as the first time,” adds this influencer and tour guide.

You can get there in two ways: by boat (the fastest) or by land (it will take you longer), taking into account that the road that connects you to the beach is not in good condition and you must go in a 4×4 vehicle.

2. Cayo Arena, Monte Cristi

Located about 20 minutes by boat from the beach of Punta Rucia, north of the Dominican Republic, Cayo Arena is a minor but paradisiacal key, famous for its beautiful seabed snorkeling and swimming with fish, is visited daily by tourists from around the world. Once there, you can enjoy its shallow waters, snorkeling with a great variety of colorful fish. It is a perfect place to go and enjoy yourself with friends or the whole family. Once in the key, you can eat fruits and drinks to refresh yourself.
After your visit to the key is over, you can take an exciting tour through the mangroves, where you can learn a little more about this tree and its essential role in the marine ecosystem.

3. Ermitaño Beach, Samaná

The only way to access it is on foot, through a dense jungle-like path, or by boat from Playa El Valle (the easiest and fastest way), and it takes about 15 minutes. If you plan to visit this place, it is advisable to bring: bathing suit, mask and snorkel accessories, flip-flops, sunscreen, towel, underwater camera, and snacks. If you are lucky, you may encounter wild boars scampering along the shore and come out to swim in the crystal clear waters of this beautiful virgin beach.

4. Arroyo Salado Beach, Cabrera

Arroyo Salado, La Boca, or La Entrada are the names by which this beach in the municipality of Cabrera is known. It has more than 4 kilometers of white beach adorned by hundreds of coconut trees next to the mouth of the Arroyo Salado River (the beach and the river kiss in La Boca), which offer a unique set and a pleasant atmosphere for those who enjoy being in contact with the nature of the place. “This is a must stop on your next visit to Cabrera.”

Access to this beach is straightforward. The road is in perfect condition, and upon arrival, you will find several restaurants offering typical food and fish and seafood to taste right under the coconut trees.

The beach is clean and calm, seasonally the tide tends to rise, but almost all year round is kept in good condition. Just in front is the Arroyo Salado River, surrounded by beautiful mangroves where you can take a refreshing swim in freshwater.

When you leave the beach, you can take advantage and visit other places in the municipality of Cabrera that are less than 7 minutes away, such as Blue Lake, Laguna Dudú, and a little further on a beautiful waterfall called El Saltadero.

5. El Valle Beach, Samaná

Samaná is known for its many tourist attractions. Its beaches are its main attraction, so visiting the area of El Valle is a rewarding experience for those looking to disconnect and connect a little more with nature.

Playa El Valle is located 15 minutes from the center of Samaná, surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes and more than 4 kilometers of virgin beach that will make you feel literally in paradise. It has a small river, where you can also take a refreshing swim from the beach’s warm waters.

The access to it is effortless since the road leading to the beach was reconditioned and can be reached by any transport without inconvenience. Upon arrival, you will find several restaurants where you can stop eating and buying drinks at a reasonable price.

This beach is one of the favorite beaches for hawksbill turtles that travel hundreds of kilometers to nest and lay their eggs. “I invite you to visit it, you will love it.”