Is this the Dominican Republic's next hot spot?
Once a modest fishing enclave on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, Bayahibe Dominicus has been experiencing a steady transformation.
Long overshadowed by the busy tourism corridors of Punta Cana and nearby La Romana, this pocket coastal community is now emerging as a low-key yet increasingly desirable destination, especially for travelers and investors looking for a more laid-back Caribbean alternative in the Dominican Republic.
What's fueling the growth is a combination of strategic resort investments, the opening of internationally branded properties and the latest signal of confidence: a large-scale residential development that will bring a new wave of travelers and second homeowners to the area.
• Related: Dominican airline Arajet continues a rapid U.S. expansion
Set to break ground this year, The Don Dom, a master-planned community by real estate firm Becca and design partner Gritt, brings a residential anchor to the region's slow-burning evolution. The 1.3 million-square-foot project will blend nature-focused design with walkable infrastructure and resort-style living, a first for Bayahibe Dominicus. This marks a new chapter in how the region is positioning itself as a place to live, invest and return to.
"We chose Bayahibe Dominicus for its combination of strategic value and environmental integrity," said Frederico Castillo, CEO of Becca. "It offers exceptional natural protection thanks to the Saona Island and the peninsula, which translates into pristine and sargassum-free beaches year-round. At the same time, it remains underexploited compared to other tourist centers, allowing us to build a high-value community from the ground up."
Bayahibe's tourism roots remain closely tied to its proximity to Saona Island and the protected waters of Parque Nacional Cotubanama. The town's access to these areas has made it a key launch point for boat excursions, with local guides offering daytrips that highlight the area's ecological diversity.
Checking in
But the identity has started to shift, propelled by a string of strategic hospitality upgrades and brand expansions over the past few years.
Take Iberostar Selection Hacienda Dominicus, for example. A sweeping renovation included upgrades to all 528 rooms, featuring high-tech installations such as Chromecast, USB sockets and key systems connected to guest wristbands. The renovation has also been carried out in alignment with Iberostar's vision for sustainability, as outlined in its 2023 Agenda. The agenda is divided into three actions: a circular economy model, responsible consumption of seafood and improving coastal ecosystem health. The resort has created 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) departments in all of its hotels, Hacienda Dominicus being one of them.
Similarly, Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace completed its own extensive revamp, redoing common areas and food and beverage offerings while continuing to share amenities with its sister resort, Dominicus Beach. Together, these sister properties anchor much of the beachfront in Dominicus.
Most recently, Sunscape Dominicus La Romana opened its doors as part of Hyatt's Inclusive Collection. The 854-room property is among the largest in the region and expands La Romana's capacity for all-inclusive, family-oriented vacations. La Romana is 10 minutes from Dominicus.
Hilton Garden Inn recently opened in La Romana, becoming the brand's first in the Dominican Republic. With proximity to both the airport and the cruise terminal, the property introduces affordable options for pre- and post-cruise guests.
Different place, different pace
All of this is happening just a 40-minute drive from Punta Cana, but the atmosphere in Bayahibe Dominicus remains notably slower and more relaxed. The two main beaches, Playa Bayahibe and Playa Dominicus, are hubs for local life, with Sunday picnics and fried fish stalls popping up along the shoreline. In contrast to Punta Cana's megaresorts and fast-paced entertainment, Bayahibe Dominicus' allure is in its slower pace and connection to nature.
There are plenty of ways to pass the time while there, including snorkeling and diving at Catalina Island; kayaking and paddleboarding; and visiting Padre Nuestro cave for swimming and exploring.
It's this contrast that The Don Dom seems poised to tap into. As a gated, master-planned community, the project focuses on mid-density living, access to nature and mixed-use spaces rather than high-rise sprawl. Phase one, already underway, is set to deliver a mix of residences designed for both long-term occupancy and short-term rentals, which gives travel advisors the opportunity to book for their clients.
"Dominicus has a very particular identity, defined by its simplicity, close connection to the sea, and local spirit," Castillo added. "Our development approach is rooted in preserving and enhancing this identity. We prioritize the use of local labor, vendors and materials, respect the scale and aesthetic of the area, and ensure that our architecture responds to its context. In an increasingly globalized and saturated Caribbean, Dominicus stands out as one of the few places where it's still possible to develop with intention from the ground up."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Major Bank Thinks Bitcoin Is Going To Get Less Volatile — Is It Time To Invest?
If you've been on the sidelines watching bitcoin's wild price swings with caution, you're not alone. For years, bitcoin has had dramatic ups and downs, making everyday investors nervous about jumping in. However, this might be changing. As reported by CoinDesk, a report from Deutsche Bank suggests that bitcoin's volatility is likely to continue falling. It pointed to growing mainstream acceptance and an increase in the digital currency's adoption by companies, retail investors and governments. Read Next: Learn More: And if the trend continues, bitcoin could become more like traditional assets and even more attractive to long-term investors. What does this mean for conservative investors? Is it time to invest? Why Bitcoin's Volatility Is Easing Up Since its creation, bitcoin's price has been nothing but a wild ride. However, according to Deutsche Bank, several key factors are helping reduce volatility. For one, there's growing institutional adoption. More companies, retail investors and governments are embracing bitcoin, not just as a speculative asset but as a long-term investment. Second, there's more regulatory clarity. During the recent U.S. Crypto Week in Washington, D.C., the GENIUS Act, which aims to set a regulatory framework for stablecoins, was signed into law. The CLARITY Act, which would establish regulatory guidelines for cryptocurrencies, has also passed in the House. Check Out: A More Mature Market Could Attract Long-Term Investors Deutsche Bank sees the decline in volatility as a sign of a maturing market. If bitcoin continues on this path, it may start to look more like a digital version of gold — a stable store of value rather than a risky bet. That shift could attract more conservative investors, including pension funds and sovereign wealth funds, who previously stayed away due to high risk and regulatory uncertainty. Is It Time To Invest? Bitcoin becoming less volatile doesn't guarantee that prices will only go up. It means the market could behave more predictably over time. If you've been hesitant about buying bitcoin because of the wild price swings, this trend toward stability might offer a more comfortable entry point. Still, it's important to remember that bitcoin is not without risk. It remains a high-risk, high-reward asset, and it's still influenced by news, regulatory decisions and shifting investor sentiment. But if Deutsche Bank is right and bitcoin's volatility is declining, then we may be looking at a new chapter for crypto — one where long-term investors can invest in the crypto with a bit more peace of mind. More From GOBankingRates How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Your State? This article originally appeared on Major Bank Thinks Bitcoin Is Going To Get Less Volatile — Is It Time To Invest?
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-pine-cay-island-exploration-ALISTMARIA1124-55e8fcf88d2f48d6bd37a0a8277ac423.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
12 minutes ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Under-the-radar Island Near Turks and Caicos Has Glow Worms, Turquoise Waters, and No Crowds
Several of the islands within the Turks and Caicos archipelago have that rare combination of being easy to get to—Providenciales International Airport (PLS) offers direct flights from many major U.S. cities—while simultaneously feeling a world away from work emails, other travelers, and any of life's everyday stressors. They also boast some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world, with Provo's Grace Bay often taking the top spot as the best of the best. One look at the clear blue waters of Grace Bay may tempt you to plan a trip, but there's a neighboring island that has similar beaches—possibly even better ones, depending on who you ask—but without any of the crowds that form from the main island's roster of resorts and other services catering to tourists. It's also the perfect jumping-off point for witnessing an almost supernatural light show from glow worms, also known as Bermuda fireworms or Odontosyllis enopla , which illuminate a green light during the mating cycle. The 800-acre private island of Pine Cay is just a 20-minute boat ride from Providenciales, and it's home to the eponymous luxury resort, Pine Cay. 'Socially distanced by design, we have 3 miles of privately owned beach to be shared among 30 privileged guests. There are no inhabitants other than our guests,' general manager Christian Langlade tells Travel + Leisure. Yes, you may spot a few fellow travelers on the beach, but everyone has their own dedicated beach chair and tiki hut setup—and you're encouraged to roam the island at your leisure, snorkeling directly off the pristine coast, casting for bonefish, or venturing out to a nearby sandbar. In fact, the only time you may run into other guests, outside of meals, is when everyone sets off on a cruise to see the glow worms in action. 'The glow worms happen every month during the three days after a full moon phase,' explains Langlade. 'We have an organized excursion with a private boat that takes our guests to the most prolific area where the bioluminescent creatures transform dark shallow waters into otherworldly landscapes. This typically happens on the other side of the island, known as 'the flats.'' Although it's certainly visually impressive, it's also rooted in science. 'Spawning females swim in slow circles secreting a bright bluish-green luminous mucus while releasing gametes. Males swim rapidly toward glowing females while emitting short flashes of light in advance of releasing their own gametes,' states a 2018 study published in the PLOS journal by several scientists associated with the American Museum of Natural History. Even if your visit doesn't align with the incredible glow worm light display, there are still several reasons to have Pine Cay on your vacation shortlist. 'December to April offers excellent visibility, flat water, and the opportunity to see migrating humpback whales,' says Langlade, noting that his favorite time is May to August, 'when waters warm up to a perfect temperature and proud mothers introduce their baby bottlenose dolphins.'
Forbes
15 minutes ago
- Forbes
A Birdwatcher's Paradise Awaits At Trinidad's Asa Wright Nature Centre
Asa Wright Nature Centre is managed by HADCO Experiences, a Trinbagonian destination management ... More company that specializes in eco-conscious luxury tourism. While the Caribbean is home to a wealth of wildlife-rich islands, few destinations offer such a fascinating blend of biodiversity as Trinidad. Located just off the coast of Venezuela, this storied island comes equipped with a truly diverse array of native species, with both Caribbean and mainland South American wildlife thriving across its borders—and for a thorough immersion into the vibrant fauna of Trinidad, it's tough to find a better destination than Asa Wright Nature Centre. Named in honor of Iceland native Asa Wright, this sprawling estate has been a popular destination for birdwatching since the 1950s—and in the modern era, the property is perfect for an ecotourist's getaway into the Northern Range, with 29 spacious rooms and a charming main lodge that's ideal for photographers and casual birdwatchers alike. Though top-tier ecotourism destinations abound all across Trinidad, the Asa Wright Nature Centre offers a glimpse into the pristine beauty of the Arima Valley, with plenty of unforgettable avifauna to find along the way. In addition to Trinidad, the tufted coquette can also be found in Venezuela, northern Brazil and the ... More Guianas region. Immediately upon arrival, visitors can bask in the splendor of the Spring Hill Estate building, with high-definition photographs and detailed wildlife paintings lining its walls—but it's the open-air verandah that draws birders in droves, with fresh bananas and other fruit set out each morning to attract all sorts of native species. Within minutes, visitors can marvel at eye-catching birds like the green honeycreeper, silver-beaked tanager and purple honeycreeper, while state-of-the-art spotting scopes are also in place across the verandah, providing visitors with a chance to glimpse species like the channel-billed toucan or common black hawk resting far off in the treetops. Amidst the fresh fruit, the area is also brimming with hummingbird feeders, transforming this idyllic space into a captivating flurry of beating wings by mid-morning. Classic South American species like the blue-chinned sapphire and white-chested emerald are abundant across the gardens, while the ruby topaz is a particular favorite thanks to the brilliant yellow and red plumage of the males—but there's one species in particular that draws birdwatchers in droves. Known as the tufted coquette, this tiny hummingbird is renowned for its striking appearance, with males boasting a prominent orange head crest and lengthy neck plumes that give the animal a polka-dotted appearance. The oilbird is one of few avian species that use echolocation to navigate its surroundings. Guests can have a truly fulfilling day of birdwatching without setting foot beyond the main lodge, but there's plenty of can't-miss avian opportunities to be found across the property's hiking trails as well. While there are more than 15 kilometers of trails to explore across the entirety of Asa Wright Nature Centre, you don't have to venture far from the main lodge to find one particularly fascinating site—the white-bearded manakin lek, to be precise. Each day, this small patch of forest springs to life as males compete for the attention of watching females, engaging in a time-honored ritual that involves leaping, head-bobbing and loud, firecracker-like wing snaps—and to sweeten the deal, the eye-catching bearded bellbird can be found just a short walk away from the lek, inviting birders to cross off two species from their life list in one fell swoop. Beyond the manakin lek, guests can also embark on a guided journey to spot one of Trinidad's most elusive creatures. Known as the oilbird, this cave-dwelling animal is an evolutionary oddity, serving as the sole flying nocturnal frugivore in the bird world—and the Asa Wright Nature Centre provides the perfect viewing opportunity during daylight hours. After a brief hike along one of the preserve's most scenic rivers, guests will arrive at the mouth of a small cavern, with plenty of native frogs and crabs to spot along the way. Upon entering the cave, several nesting oilbirds can be found dwelling within as they gear up to search for food at twilight, providing visiting birders with a megatick that's otherwise particularly difficult to accomplish. The Asa Wright Nature Centre grounds measure in at more than 525 hectares of protected rainforest. Though Asa Wright Nature Centre offers some of the finest birdwatching opportunities in all of the Caribbean, the property also comes equipped with a wealth of other amenities to keep guests occupied during a stay. After a long birding session, explorers are welcome to cool off with a trip to one of the estate's natural bathing pools, with roaring waterfalls and verdant foliage found at each site. Meanwhile, entomology buffs should be sure to embark on a guided night hike that showcases the many species that roam the forests of the Northern Range in the dead of night. Stick insects, scorpions and spiders are a common sight, while lucky visitors might catch a glimpse of a porcupine scurrying through the canopy. In addition to ecotourism, the Asa Wright Nature Centre is also a top spot for a thorough immersion into the richness of Trinidadian cuisine. During morning hours, guests can look forward to a superb breakfast spread that offers some of the island's most beloved dishes, with options spanning from melongene choka—a hearty eggplant dish that's brimming with notes of garlic—to saltfish buljol, a vegetable-heavy dish that's infused with salted cod. Later in the day, visitors can dine on savory plates like curried goat and curried shrimp, but no visit is complete without sampling some of the fresh fruits that grow across the island, with options including governor's plum, papaw and Julie mango.
