Explore the Dominican Republic With William Holden

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Las Terrenas Playa Moron

Las Terrenas Playa Moron

The residential crowd is made up of...

The residential crowd throughout the Dominican Republic is varied and multicultural, and that’s what makes this Caribbean island so special. In particular, the north coast of the Dominican Republic covers hundreds of miles of pristine coastline and offers both an active beachfront lifestyle and a more tranquil lifestyle in the mountains overlooking the ocean. In both areas, the residential crowd is made up of Canadians, Americans, Europeans, and Russians. Then, of course, there are the Dominican professionals who bring their families up from the metropolitan cities of Santiago and Santo Domingo to partake in the vacation atmosphere of the north coast on holidays and weekends. There are also plenty of gated communities for part-time residents who come on a seasonal basis to enjoy vacation with friends and family.

The community vibe is...generally healthy, happy, and adventurous. One of the great things about the Dominican Republic is the great weather year-round. Adding to the daily comfort are the trade-wind breezes that generally come mid-morning keeping things fresh throughout the day.

Samana Puerto Bahia

Samana Puerto Bahia

The lifestyle offered is...multifaceted to say the least. The sandy beaches and blue Caribbean waters make for great days on the beach. Then, there are water sports like windsurfing, kite boarding, and small boat sailing. The trade winds also create brisk winds for the large sailboat and catamaran enthusiasts. The fishing is great, both in shallow and deep waters. For others, whale watching is a great activity during the mating season of the whales. The Dominican Republic is also a golfer’s paradise and has some of the best golf courses in the world. The yachting lifestyle is readily available in the Dominican Republic as well. Along with this is great scuba diving. To top it off, the Dominican Republic has multiple venues for the equestrian lifestyle, which includes polo, dressage, and jumping competitions; trail riding; and cross-country endurance riding through the mountains, which can rise more than 10,000 fee above sea level.

 

Las Terrenas Villa Elroja

Las Terrenas Villa Elroja

The most popular building type you’ll find is...the traditional Spanish Colonial. However, in recent years there has been a push toward a more modern look much like in South Beach, Miami and Cartegena, Columbia. Then, there is the minimalist “Tiki” look with thatch roofs and maintenance-free natural wood and concrete blended together.

 

The average home price is...arranged in tiers. Thus, “Tier 1” at the lower end for a private villa will average $250,000. “Tier 2” is in a gated community with an average private villa price of $1 million. Villas in “Tier 3” will either be on a private estate or in a more high-end gated community with an average price of $5 million. In some cases, villa prices will go up to $30 million.

 

The area’s greatest highlights are…great weather year-round, a warm and gracious local culture, and a true Caribbean lifestyle with “Metropolitan Perks.”

 

Cabarete Beach

Cabarete Beach

The area’s best driving-distance getaways are…all along the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Then, there are the mountains in the center of the island that reach more than 10,000 feet high. In addition to the metropolitan cities of Santiago and Santo Domingo to the south, there is Casa de Campo and Punta Cana to the east.

 

The best spot to dine fancy is…anywhere and everywhere. There are tons of fancy international restaurants all over the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Thus, a different dining experience can be had day after day.

 

The best spots to find entertainment are…Miami or New York. So, let’s be clear, there is no great opera or Broadway-type entertainment in the Dominican Republic. Yes, there are casinos in certain areas, and local musical festivals to attend when scheduled, but the best spot for entertainment in the Dominican Republic is your own favorite spot to have refreshments and watch the beautiful sunsets. There are also discotheques, watering holes, and hot spots for those seeking an adventurous evening, and at the same time, dinners in private villas with personal chefs who prepare everything.

 

The best spot to go shopping is…the local communities, which are stocking more and more international goods each year. The Dominican Republic always seems to have great fruits and vegetables locally. And supermarkets are popping up all over and stock many popular international foods. Many local dealers carry furniture, appliances, and accessories, but a trip to Santiago or Santo Domingo may be required for more complicated purchases. Most areas have talented interior decorators and almost everything can be ordered and delivered. The more personal items like clothes and jewelry are always available in the tourist areas, but everything can also be ordered.

 

The best place to tee off is…

It varies depending on the area in which you reside. On the north coast of the Dominican Republic, there is the Playa Grande Club & Reserve, which is part of the new Amanera, the first Aman resort on the island and the first ever to pair the Aman experience with golf. When traveling the south coast of the Dominican Republic, the most popular golf resort is Casa de Campo. To the east are the famous Cap Cana and Puntacana Resort & Club golf courses.lls us

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