DOCSLIB.ORG

Neocolonialism Through Tourism in the Caribbean Understanding and Addressing the Challanges

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Neocolonialism Through Tourism in the Caribbean Understanding and Addressing the Challanges neocolonialism through tourism in the caribbean understanding and addressing the challanges a capstone presentation by carlos augusto1 perez ferrer 2 table of contents acknowledgements ...................5 project narrative ...................6 project definition ...................9 literature review ..................13 project glossary ..................18 precedence studies ..................19 site analusis ..................23 proposed designs ..................33 conclusion ..................42 reference ..................43 3 4 a big thank you to the people that have made this project and the experiences that have shaped it, and me, possible: Dr. Jocelyn Widmer, Dr. Timothy Murtha, Dr. Anne Donnelly at the Center for Undergraduate Research, Paloma Rodriguez at the UF international center, and Jake Kheel at the Grupo Punta Cana Foundation. And of course, a big hug to my friends and family for all their support throughout the years. 5 project narrative they reach their jobs by travelling several kilometers of road. Not only does this phenomenon separate families and break down social institutions, but also presents the need to commute- a need that must be met for the tourism industry to function and for the Neocolonialism Through Tourism in the individuals who labor in it to meet their needs. Caribbean, Understanding and Addressing the In Verón, many people depend on the Challenges, is the culmination of research that I’ve public transportation network comprised of private conducted over the summers beginning in 2016 companies to meet this need. This network includes focusing on an urban center in the Dominican Ruta Beron, who manages 12 passanger vans Republic called Verón. The focus of this project has that function like buses called guaguas. There are been to learn about the forces that have shaped also motoconchos, or motorcycle taxis owned and the urban landscape of Verón into what it is today, operated by private individuals who are members of understanding some of the challenges that Verón an organizing body Motoconcho drivers. And there faces, and exploring how they can be addressed is Sitrabapu, the regional bus company, comparable through design and landscape architecture. to Greyhound. The results of a survey I helped Verón is a municipality located within the design and administer in 2016 showed that 66% of touristic region of Punta Cana in The Dominican participating households use this local transportation Republic (The DR) that was established as the system to meet their mobility needs. bedroom community for many of the people that According to the same survey, the satisfaction work in the resorts of Punta Cana and Bavaro and rates with the transportation system are generally the ecosystem of businesses that surround them. positive. More than half of participants reported Historically, this was a sparsely populated region, feeling satisfied with their transportation options. home to small fishing and agricultural communities, However, the conversations that aren’t reflected in until the 70’s when the advent of the all-inclusive the survey results tell a different story. Many people resort business model catalyzed the rapid growth of that we talked to express a negative perception of this area into a massive touristic region. the transportation system in general, considering it This growth resulted in part due to the dangerous and inefficient. But there is a culture of country’s shift from agriculture and manufacturing being grateful and they often reported being satisfied towards tourism. Dominicans and Haitians have since because they make do. been moving to Verón to work in the tourism industry In addition, not unlike in the US, there is a and Verón has grown quickly and organically from an cultural idea of the individual’s purchase of a vehicle informal settlement, of mostly seasonal residents, to a symbolizing freedom. However, when this vehicle municipality comprised of 24 different neighborhoods is purchased on credit, and mainly as a means of and its own governing body. commuting to work, the purchase of a vehicle is Within the last 2-3 years Verón has been actually the purchase of the illusion of freedom, formalizing and apartment buildings, gated further entangling the individual in a cycle of selling communities, and shopping plazas reminiscent their labor for very modest wages. By addressing of ones you might see in South Florida are being transportation, the agency of people subject to constructed. Despite how much Verón has been economic forces beyond their control can be formalizing more recently, the rapid influx of people reengaged. in Verón over a short period of time coupled with the Throughout these 4 years I‘ve spent the next lack of significant investment by the government and 4 years learning about the transportation system the private entities responsible for this growth has left in order to identify some of the issues that lead to communities with limited access to essential services. a negative perception of it and exploring how to Of these essential services, I have focused disentangle individuals from the need to purchase on learning about transportation, and how access a vehicle, I’ve learned that there are many facets to to it can be improved. The circumstances in Verón, the challenges facing transportation in Verón and the where neocolonial economic forces have replaced country more generally, and multiple ways in which to agriculture with tourism as the major industry have intervene to improve the function and perception of resulted in the migration of Dominicans and Haitians the transportation system. who have left the places where they once worked This idea was confirmed by material that I near their home, oftentimes in agriculture, to a place studied as reference for this project. In a paper on on the outskirts of a touristic region, where, by design, the metro system in Santo Domingo, the capital of 6 The DR, Omar Rancier calls for a substitution of a prototype of the user interface for the proposed architecture for urbanism in order to improve public app based off an existing app called Transit, which spaces, transit, and the quality of life in the city, provides information for public transportation systems meaning designed objects or sites must be part of around the world. This app would provide users a larger set of strategies for transit that are part of a with route information, the live location of guaguas, vision for the city, not just one-off plans. and ETA for a given stop. I am also proposing data Radical cities, by Justin McGurik reflects collection features that would mine user’s location this philosophy. He describes the concept of “social data to inform the design of future Guagua routes as urbanism”, of which, the building blocks are ‘integral Verón continues to populate and develop. This feature urban projects’, being a project where many things would leverage the flexibility that this transportation are happening at the same time.” Another idea service is capable of, further increasing access to the McGurik presents is, “to move past the surgical service. tendencies of the modernists whose job it was to ‘cut A transportation mapping project I conducted out the cancer of the slums’, and in continuation with in 2017 revealed communities underserviced by this medical metaphor suggests the practice of ‘urban Verón’s transportation companies, so I am proposing acupuncture’ explaining that, “needles rather than readjusting the transportation routes to better service scalpels are the tools of today’s planners, stimulating these areas for the physical intervention proposed the city’s nervous system with tiny interventions that by this project, and as part of these redesigned can have a catalytic effect on the organism as a routes, including transfer nodes associated with whole.” public spaces, where passengers can switch between These ideas have informed my goal for this modalities of transportation. This aspect of the project, which is to explore a landscape practice intervention seeks to leverage the differing capacities informed by social urbanism by proposing an integral and travel ranges of the vehicles, helping to reduce urban project that works within the existing paradigms competition between companies, and furthering a of Verón and identifies targeted opportunities for sense of cohesion between them. In addition, these intervention to enact organic shifts in the way spaces will elevate the experience of using the public this urban landscape functions. I have selected 3 transportation system, helping improve perceptions. modalities of intervention to illustrate how an integral The overall goal of the proposed interventions urban project addressing transportation in Verón is to improve perceptions of the transportation might work; cultural landscape interventions, digital system. Achieving this goal will encourage it’s use and landscape intervention, and physical landscape disentangle individuals from the desire to purchase interventions. a vehicle. This can be achieved by promoting the In the spirit of eco-revelatory art and the multi- cultural value of these forms of transportation through national tradition of adorning public transportation public art, increasing access to the transportation vehicles with local forms of cultural expressions, system by making it more transparent and easy the cultural intervention I am proposing is to tap to engage with through a mobile application, and into the rich tradition of Dominican hand painted designing
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Review of Reef Restoration and Coral Propagation Using the Threatened Genus Acropora in the Caribbean and Western Atlantic
    BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE. 88(4):1075–1098. 2012 coRAl Reef pApeR http://dx.doi.org/10.5343/bms.2011.1143 A REVIEW OF REEF RESTORATION AND CORAL PROPAGATION USING THE THREATENED GENUS ACROPORA IN THE CARIBBEAN AND WESTERN ATLANTIC CN Young, SA Schopmeyer, and D Lirman ABSTRACT Coral reef restoration has gained recent popularity in response to the steady decline of corals and the recognition that coral reefs may not be able to recover naturally without human intervention. To synthesize collective knowledge about reef restoration focused particularly on the threatened genus Acropora in the Caribbean and western Atlantic, we conducted a literature review combined with personal communications with restoration practitioners and an online questionnaire to identify the most effective reef restoration methods and the major obstacles hindering restoration success. Most participants (90%) strongly believe that Acropora populations are severely degraded, continue to decline, and may not recover without human intervention. Low-cost methods such as coral gardening and fragment stabilization were ranked as the most effective restoration activities for this genus. High financial costs, the small footprint of restoration activities, and the potential damage to wild populations were identified as major concerns, while increased public awareness and education were ranked as the highest benefits of coral reef restoration. This study highlights the advantages and outlines the concerns associated with coral reef restoration and creates a unique synthesis of coral restoration activities as a complementary management tool to help guide “best-practices” for future restoration efforts throughout the region. Worldwide coral reef degradation has reached a point where local conservation strategies and natural recovery processes alone may be ineffective in preserving and restoring the biodiversity and long-term integrity of coral reefs (Goreau and Hilbertz 2005).
    [Show full text]
  • Mapping Current and Future Priorities
    Mapping Current and Future Priorities for Coral Restoration and Adaptation Programs International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Ad Hoc Committee on Reef Restoration 2019 Interim Report This report was prepared by James Cook University, funded by the Australian Institute for Marine Science on behalf of the ICRI Secretariat nations Australia, Indonesia and Monaco. Suggested Citation: McLeod IM, Newlands M, Hein M, Boström-Einarsson L, Banaszak A, Grimsditch G, Mohammed A, Mead D, Pioch S, Thornton H, Shaver E, Souter D, Staub F. (2019). Mapping Current and Future Priorities for Coral Restoration and Adaptation Programs: International Coral Reef Initiative Ad Hoc Committee on Reef Restoration 2019 Interim Report. 44 pages. Available at icriforum.org Acknowledgements The ICRI ad hoc committee on reef restoration are thanked and acknowledged for their support and collaboration throughout the process as are The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) Secretariat, Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and TropWATER, James Cook University. The committee held monthly meetings in the second half of 2019 to review the draft methodology for the analysis and subsequently to review the drafts of the report summarising the results. Professor Karen Hussey and several members of the ad hoc committee provided expert peer review. Research support was provided by Melusine Martin and Alysha Wincen. Advisory Committee (ICRI Ad hoc committee on reef restoration) Ahmed Mohamed (UN Environment), Anastazia Banaszak (International Coral Reef Society),
    [Show full text]
  • Unique Resort Experiences
    Unique Resort Experiences Mexico Caribbean ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Cancun ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya ............................................................................................. 4 Zoëtry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres Cancun ............................................................................................. 5 Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort ............................................................................................. 6 Secrets Riviera Cancun ......................................................................................................................... 6 Secrets The Vine Cancun ...................................................................................................................... 6 Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa .............................................................................................. 7 Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort ............................................................................................ 7 Dreams Sands Cancun Resort & Spa .................................................................................................... 8 Riviera Maya .............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Mapping Ontogenetic Habitat Shifts of Coral Reef Fish at Mona Island, Puerto Rico Cartografía De Las Mudanzas De Habitáculos D
    Mapping ontogenetic habitat shifts of coral reef fish at Mona Island, Puerto Rico Item Type conference_item Authors Schärer, M.T.; Nemeth, M.I.; Appeldoorn, R.S. Download date 02/10/2021 07:32:38 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/31272 Mapping Ontogenetic Habitat Shifts of Coral Reef Fish at Mona Island, Puerto Rico MICHELLE T. SCHÄRER, MICHAEL I. NEMETH, and RICHARD S. APPELDOORN Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00681 ABSTRACT Coral reef fishes use a variety of habitats throughout daily, ontogenetic, and spawning migrations, therefore requiring a suite of habitats to complete their life cycle. The use of multiple habitats by grunts (Haemulidae) and snappers (Lutjanidae) was investigated at Mona Island, a remote island off western Puerto Rico. The objective of this study was to determine if the distribution of three different life stages was random in relation to benthic habitat types. Coral reef fish were sampled throughout all habitat types randomly over a period of six months. For seven species of grunts and snappers median fork length was significantly different by habitat type identifying critical habitats for juveniles distinct from adult habitats. Within a life stage significant differences were observed in fish density by habitat type. Early juvenile grunts and snappers were more abundant in habitats of depths less than 5 m, mainly in rocky shores and seagrass areas with patches of coral or other hard structures. Larger juveniles were significantly more abundant in depths less than 5m in coral dominated habitats. Adults were abundant throughout the habitats of all depth ranges, except for two species Haemulon chrysargyreum and Lutjanus mahogoni, which were limited to shallower habitats.
    [Show full text]
  • Inside Brochure
    INSIDE BROCHURE THE ESTATES CORALES Corales represents a very exclusive community within Become a part of our magnificent paradise community with the purchase of a vacation home in the elite Estates Once at the resort, the opportunities for relaxation and PUNTACANA Resort & Club. It is a warm, private refuge at PUNTACANA Resort & Club. Grupo PUNTACANA has recreation are endless. You can test your skills at our world where neighbors know neighbors and children make worked meticulously to develop communities in harmony class golf courses, give yourself over to a master lifelong friends. To see that Corales is truly a special place with their lush surroundings, preserving the rare natural therapist at Six Senses Spa, or walk along five miles of to make your vacation home, you need only look at whom treasures of the Dominican Republic. pristine, white beaches. We feature a pioneering ecological you’d be living next to: Oscar de la Renta, Julio Iglesias, park with SEGWAY tours, a full-service marina, scuba tours and Mikhail Baryshnikov all own homes in Corales. Come join the ranks of Oscar de la Renta and Julio to sunken ships, exceptional dining options, and numerous Corales is home to one of the globe’s top golf courses, Iglesias, stepping into an exclusive lifestyle of relaxation, designed by world-famous architect Tom Fazio. Set between excitement, and understated elegance. With homes along water sports, along with house staff and nanny services for rocky cliffs and coral reefs, this distinctive course offers our scrupulously manicured golf course and the sparkling your convenience. picturesque ocean views and exciting challenges sure to Caribbean Sea, there’s an abundance of locations and satisfy any golf fanatic.
    [Show full text]
  • Coral Reef Decline and Beach Erosion in the Dominican Republic………….………
    Working Paper _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Coastal Capital: Dominican Republic Case studies on the economic value of coastal ecosystems in the Dominican Republic JEFFREY WIELGUS, EMILY COOPER, RUBEN TORRES, and LAURETTA BURKE Suggested Citation: Wielgus, J., E. Cooper, R. Torres and L. Burke. 2010. Coastal Capital: Dominican Republic. Case studies on the economic value of coastal ecosystems in the Dominican Republic. Working Paper. Washington, DC: World Resources Institute. Available online at http://www.wri.org/ coastal-capital. Photos: José Alejandro Alvarez World Resources Institute 10 G Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Tel: 202-729-7600 www.wri.org April 2010 World Resources Institute Working Papers contain preliminary research, analysis, findings, and recommendations. They are circulated to stimulate timely discussion and critical feedback and to influence ongoing debate on emerging issues. Most working papers are eventually published in another form and their content may be revised. Project Partners The Coastal Capital project in the Dominican Republic was implemented in collaboration with Reef Check-Dominican Republic. This project would not have been possible without the financial support of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Swedish International Biodiversity Programme (SwedBio). i Table of Contents Acknowledgments…………………………………………………………………………………… iii Executive Summary…..……………………………………………………………..……………..... iv 1. Coralline beaches in the Dominican Republic: Two studies…………………………………. 1 a. Potential economic impacts of beach erosion in the Dominican Republic…………. 2 b. Coral reef decline and beach erosion in the Dominican Republic………….………. 7 2. A worrying trend: Declines in coral reef- and mangrove-associated fisheries in the Dominican Republic ………………………………………………………………………. 12 3. Dive tourism in La Caleta Marine Park: A win-win opportunity for fish and fishermen ……………………………………………………………………………………….
    [Show full text]
  • 8. Coastal Fisheries of the Dominican Republic
    175 8. Coastal fisheries of the Dominican Republic Alejandro Herrera*, Liliana Betancourt, Miguel Silva, Patricia Lamelas and Alba Melo Herrera, A., Betancourt, L., Silva, M., Lamelas, P. and Melo, A. 2011. Coastal fisheries of the Dominican Republic. In S. Salas, R. Chuenpagdee, A. Charles and J.C. Seijo (eds). Coastal fisheries of Latin America and the Caribbean. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper. No. 544. Rome, FAO. pp. 175–217. 1. Introduction 176 2. Description of fisheries and fishing activities 178 2.1 Description of fisheries 178 2.2 Fishing activity 188 3. Fishers and socio-economic aspects 191 3.1 Fishers’ characteristics 191 3.2 Social and economic aspects 193 4. Community organization and interactions with other sectors 194 4.1 Community organization 194 4.2 Fishers’ interactions with other sectors 195 5. Assessment of fisheries 197 6. Fishery management and planning 199 7. Research and education 201 7.1. Fishing statistics 201 7.2. Biological and ecological fishing research 202 7.3 Fishery socio-economic research 205 7.4 Fishery environmental education 206 8. Issues and challenges 206 8.1 Institutionalism 207 8.2 Fishery sector plans and policies 207 8.3 Diffusion and fishery legislation 208 8.4 Fishery statistics 208 8.5 Establishment of INDOPESCA 208 8.6 Conventions/agreements and organizations/institutions 209 References 209 * Contact information: Programa EcoMar, Inc. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. E-mail: [email protected] 176 Coastal fisheries of Latin America and the Caribbean 1. INTRODUCTION In the Dominican Republic, fishing has traditionally been considered a marginal activity that complements other sources of income.
    [Show full text]
  • DO-IT-YOURSELF Travel Agent FAMS
    DO-IT-YOURSELF Travel Agent FAMS Discover the tropical all-inclusive destinations of Occidental Hotels & Resorts. Our Do-It-Yourself Travel Agent FAM rates allow you to experience our resorts at your own pace while you enjoy the sun, sand and beauty of our destinations. Book today and take advantage of our special rates! 2015 ALL-INCLUSIVE TRAVEL AGENTS RATES Per Person, Per Night Rates Starting From: MEXICO Allegro Cozumel COSTA RICA Royal Hideaway Playacar Low $48 - High $70 Occidental Grand Papagayo Low $150 - High $175 $60 January Low $65 - High $85 Occidental Grand Xcaret, ARUBA Allegro Papagayo Occidental Grand Cozumel & Low $48 - High $75 Occidental Grand Aruba Occidental Grand Nuevo Vallarta $65 January Low $125 - High $185 - $165 January Low $55 - High $85 COLOMBIA Allegro Playacar DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Occidental Grand Cartagena Low $48 - High $75 Occidental Grand Punta Cana All Year $80 Low $55 - High $85 Travel Dates & Seasons: January: 1 – 31; All year: 1/10/15-12/22/15; High Season: 1/3/15-3/31/15; Low Season: 4/1/15-12/22/15. Blackout dates and other restrictions apply*. Subject to space available. For reservation & information call 1.888.223.3308 or email [email protected] *Requirements: 2 night minimum stay (if booked more than 7 days prior to arrival) or 3 night minimum (if booked within 7 days prior to arrival). Above travel agent rates, applicable only to travel agent room, are all-inclusive, per person, per night and based on double occupancy in the lead room category and may vary by resort/destination. Single, extra person and children’s rates are available.
    [Show full text]
  • The Best Dominican Excursions Welcome!
    The best Dominican excursions Welcome! 5. LOS HAITISES NATIONAL PARK CONTENT Would you like to walk in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus? Of course you would! That’s why we’re inviting you to our exclusive excursion from Punta Cana to Santo 1. Saona Island Domingo. We’re giving YOU the opportunity to experience, first hand, the birth of European civilization in the Americas. The first cathedral, paved road, university, hospital, 2. Saona Island and Altos de Chavon stone home, tavern, etc are all located within a 16 block radius in Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone or «Old City». Oh and did we mention the Colonial Zone is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992? How many World Heritage Sites have you been to?This is how 3. Historical Santo Domingo your day shakes down... From Punta Cana you head west through rolling sugar cane fields until we reach the 4. Samana Dominican Republic’s capital city. Now, you’re in the thick of it, witnessing everyday life for millions of Dominicans; your walled off resort is far from this reality.. 5. Los haitises national park 6. Beach horseback riding 7. Swim with dolphins 8. Bavaro Adventure Park 9. Scape Park 10. Marinarium Punta Cana 11. Coco Bongo Show & Disco 12. Waterfall Limón 13. Jeep safari 14. Helicopters flights 3 8. Scape Park Scape Cap Cana, an ecological park located in the heart of Cap Cana, on the impressive Farallon cliff that lies 265 meters above sea level. Our excursion to Scape Park Cap Cana includes transportation to all hotels in Punta Cana, Bavaro and Cap Cana.
    [Show full text]
  • An Assessment of Sea Turtle, Marine Mammal and Seabird Bycatch in the Wider Caribbean Region by Rhema Hyacinth Bjorkland Departm
    An Assessment of Sea Turtle, Marine Mammal and Seabird Bycatch in the Wider Caribbean Region by Rhema Hyacinth Bjorkland Department of Environment Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Larry Crowder, Supervisor ___________________________ Scott Eckert ___________________________ Pat Halpin ___________________________ Song Qian ___________________________ Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Environment in the Graduate School of Duke University 2011 ABSTRACT An Assessment of Sea Turtle, Marine Mammal and Seabird Bycatch in the Wider Caribbean Region by Rhema Hyacinth Bjorkland Department of Environment Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Larry Crowder, Supervisor ___________________________ Scott Eckert ___________________________ Pat Halpin ___________________________ Song Qian ___________________________ An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Environment in the Graduate School of Duke University 2011 Copyright by Rhema Hyacinth Bjorkland 2011 Abstract Sea turtles, marine mammals and sea birds are vulnerable to higher mortality rates as a direct function of incidental capture (bycatch) in marine fisheries. Their migratory behavior exposes them to multiple fishing gear types and fishing practices and efforts to understand the rates of interaction between these
    [Show full text]
  • Results of a Coral Reef Survey of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with Comparisons to Past Studies and Other Caribbean Reefs
    Results of a coral reef survey of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with comparisons to past studies and other Caribbean reefs August 20th – 25th, 2003 By Marilyn E. Brandt, Wade T. Cooper and Johanna F. Polsenberg Field survey team: Marilyn Brandt Wade Cooper Cara Dickman Johnathan Kool The National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science University of Miami 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149 (http://ncore.rsmas.miami.edu) 1 1. Introduction 1.2 The Survey Team This field survey was conducted by members of the National Center for Caribbean Coral Reef Research (NCORE), a center within the Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami, FL, USA. NCORE, directed by Dr. John McManus, was founded in response to the need for critical information on how to best assess and manage coral reefs of the Caribbean, and focuses on the analysis and prediction of coral reef resilience in order to improve the scientific and socioeconomic basis of coral reef management. 1.3 Purpose of Survey NCORE’s purpose in performing an Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA; http://www.coral.noaa.gov/agrra/) of the Punta Cana reef was four-fold: 1) to provide scientific information to stakeholders of the Punta Cana reef; 2) to collect preliminary information on the Punta Cana reef tract for identification of potential future monitoring sites; 3) to compare the Punta Cana reef to other reefs across the Caribbean, using standardized AGRRA data; and 4) to obtain an initial survey for incorporation into a future AGRRA survey of the entire Dominican Republic.
    [Show full text]
  • Dominican Republic Attracts Vacationers from Around the World Who Come to Explore and Savor the Luxuries of Punta Cana
    PUNTA CANA Playa Juanillo Welcome to Punta Cana The sophisticated East Coast of Dominican Republic attracts vacationers from around the world who come to explore and savor the luxuries of Punta Cana. Nestled across 100 miles (160 kilometers) of the world’s top beaches lapped by turquoise waters and dotted with swaying palm trees, Punta Cana is Dominican Republic’s most lavish and popular destination. Your inspiration begins at touchdown, where the picture- perfect coastline beckons with a seemingly endless strip of frost-white sand shelving into reef-protected lagoons of irresistible peacock blues and greens. These silvery sands stretch virtually unbroken for 40 miles (64 kilometers) and are the reason for Dominican Republic’s astonishing assemblage of all-inclusive resorts and convention centers. Punta Cana’s beaches and all-inclusive resorts may be its biggest draw, but its world-renowned golf courses and entertainment, like swimming with dolphins and zip lining through the exotic vegetation, promise to capture your imagination and refresh your soul. To the north of Punta Cana is the equally luxe resort area of Bávaro. Together, Bávaro and Punta Cana feature Dominican Republic’s largest hotel and resort infrastructure. Year after year, this region, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean Sea, have been the venue for international fishing competitions and have also become the number one golf destination in the Caribbean, among the top in the world. The following guide to Punta Cana includes descriptions of the amazing attractions, golf courses, beaches and more that await you. Cover photo: Playa Caletón Punta Espada Golf Course 2 3 Airport (LRM), Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP) in Puerto Plata, El Cibao International Airport (STI) in Santiago, and Facts El Catey International Airport (AZS) in Samaná.
    [Show full text]