Travel Archive

Dominican Republic

Tourism, local communities, and public infrastructure in eastern Dominican Republic

February 5, 2016 - February 10, 2016

The eastern Dominican Republic is a region marked by a blend of coastal tourism, established local communities, and significant infrastructure growth. Punta Cana and Bávaro have seen rapid transformation since the late 20th century, shifting from fishing villages and agricultural areas to major international resort destinations. Nearby towns such as Miches and La Romana continue to reflect traditional economic activities such as fishing, agriculture, and small-scale commerce, even as large-scale development projects expand throughout the coastal corridor. Architectural and infrastructural elements, including hotels like Cortecito Inn and Hotel La Loma, illustrate different stages of regional growth, from early tourism development to more recent resort planning and ecotourism initiatives.

Beaches such as Macao and Juanillo reveal ongoing contrasts between public access, traditional uses, and privatized resort landscapes. Local public spaces and commercial sites—including abandoned structures and roadside fairgrounds—highlight the relationship between longstanding community life and the new demands of tourism and real estate. The area’s natural features, including the shallow waters of Laguna Redonda and the Atlantic coastline, have shaped both historical settlement patterns and recent economic shifts, making this region a focal point for discussions about the future of land use and cultural preservation in the Dominican Republic.

*February 10, 2016* — Playa Juanillo, located in the Cap Cana development of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, is a coastal area that transitioned from a fishing shoreline to a resort community in the early 2000s. The beach is characterized by its tall coconut palms and calm, turquoise waters, protected by offshore reefs. Today, Playa Juanillo serves as a public beach and a venue for events, blending natural Caribbean scenery with resort amenities.

*February 10, 2016* — A surfer rides a wave at Playa Macao, a public beach located on the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic. This beach is known for its consistent waves, making it a popular destination for surfers and a significant site for water sports in the region. Playa Macao is situated near the resort town of Punta Cana, offering a natural contrast to the developed tourist areas.

*February 10, 2016* — Macao Beach, located on the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic in La Altagracia Province, is one of the few remaining undeveloped shorelines in the Punta Cana region. Historically a landing spot for local fishermen and a training ground for surfers, it retains public accessibility unlike many surrounding resort-dominated beaches. The consistent waves make it a popular destination for surfing, offering a contrast between traditional coastal use and modern tourism development in the area.

*February 9, 2016* — A woman sells bread from a display case on a street in La Romana, Dominican Republic. The building behind her, painted orange, bears the inscription "Templo Cristiano Kabod," indicating it is a Christian church. The presence of water tanks on the roof and the barbed wire fencing suggest a focus on security and self-sufficiency, common in areas with variable infrastructure. This type of street vending is a vital part of the local economy, providing access to goods and employment in communities across the Dominican Republic.

*February 9, 2016* — Residential buildings in La Romana, Dominican Republic, are situated adjacent to a railway line. The architecture displays a variety of styles and vibrant colors, with the prominent white structure featuring classical columns and balconies. The presence of the railroad suggests a historical connection to transportation and industry in the region, likely for the movement of goods or people. Today, these structures serve as homes, reflecting the contemporary urban landscape of La Romana.

*February 9, 2016* — Playa del Hotel Iberostar, located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, is a stretch of coastline developed for tourism. The area, part of the La Altagracia Province, is known for its white sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters, fringed by numerous palm trees. This particular beach serves as a primary amenity for the Iberostar Selection Hacienda Dominicus resort, offering guests a space for relaxation and water activities. The development of such resorts in Punta Cana began in the late 20th century, transforming the region into a major international tourist destination.

*February 8, 2016* — The RD-104 highway connects the tourist hub of Bávaro with the coastal town of Miches in the El Seibo province of the Dominican Republic. This route traverses a landscape characterized by lush vegetation and rolling hills, providing access to the less developed eastern coastline. The road serves as a vital artery for both local communities and the tourism industry, facilitating travel between popular resorts and more remote natural attractions.

*February 8, 2016* — An amazing sunset in the Dominican Republic countryside.

*February 8, 2016* — In Laguna Verde, Dominican Republic, a temporary carnival fairground is set up adjacent to numerous political billboards. The billboards advertise candidates for municipal elections, including Oneida Veras and Joselo Martinez & Cesarina, for the 2016-2020 term, reflecting the active political landscape of the region. The presence of carnival rides, such as a Ferris wheel and spinning pods, alongside campaign advertisements, highlights the blend of local entertainment and political engagement in communities like La Otra Banda, which is also indicated by road signage pointing to nearby tourist destinations such as Punta Cana and Bávaro.

*February 6, 2016* — Hotel La Loma, situated on a hill above Miches, Dominican Republic, provides a vantage point over Laguna Redonda and the coastal town. The hotel's design, with its terrace and pool area, reflects the modest scale of tourism development in the region prior to the expansion of large resorts in the late 2010s. From this overlook, the urban layout of Miches, its cemetery, and fishing boats are visible, highlighting the town's traditional economy. The surrounding landscape, characterized by the turquoise waters of the lagoon and the frequent tropical storms, illustrates the geographic and climatic conditions of the Dominican northeast.

*February 6, 2016* — Miches, Dominican Republic: Coastal Town Under Stormy Skies. This elevated perspective overlooks Miches, a coastal town in the El Seibo Province of the Dominican Republic, situated on the northeastern Caribbean shore. The town, historically reliant on fishing and agriculture, is now a developing tourism hub connecting the coastal corridor to popular destinations like Punta Cana and Samaná. The image captures the town's dense residential areas and cemetery against a backdrop of approaching rain clouds, with the pale turquoise waters of Samaná Bay visible in the distance. This vantage point highlights the ongoing transformation of the region, juxtaposing traditional development with the expansion of tourism infrastructure.

*February 6, 2016* — The El Cortecito Inn, located in Bavaro, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, is a resort complex designed to cater to tourists. The architecture features thatched-roof structures and open-air courtyards, common in tropical resort design, surrounded by lush palm trees and manicured lawns. This area serves as a central gathering space, likely offering amenities such as swimming pools and lounge areas, typical of Caribbean vacation destinations. The resort's design aims to provide a relaxing atmosphere, capitalizing on the region's natural beauty and climate for its appeal to international visitors.

*February 6, 2016* — The Hotel Cortecito Inn is situated in Bavaro, a popular tourist region within Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. This resort complex, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and palm trees, exemplifies the Caribbean's appeal as a vacation destination. Its architecture features white stucco buildings with arched balconies and walkways, designed to complement the warm climate and coastal environment. The hotel serves as a lodging and leisure facility, contributing to the local economy through tourism.

*February 5, 2016* — This abandoned ferry boat, once likely a mode of transport or perhaps a floating attraction, now rests partially submerged off the coast of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Its rusted hull and decaying structure speak to a forgotten purpose and the relentless passage of time. The presence of a yellow water slide suggests it may have served as a unique excursion vessel or a stationary entertainment platform before its abandonment. The vessel's current state serves as a stark reminder of the transient nature of human endeavors against the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea.

*February 5, 2016* — This abandoned structure in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, once served as a gift shop catering to Russian tourists, as indicated by the "GIFT SHOP РУССКИЙ МАГАЗИН" (Gift Shop Russian Store) signage visible on its facade. The building's dilapidated state suggests a cessation of operations, possibly due to economic factors or changing tourism trends in the region. The presence of palm trees and its location near a sandy area point to its establishment in a resort or coastal area, common in Punta Cana's development as a tourist destination.

*February 5, 2016* — A sailboat navigates the turquoise waters off the coast of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The beach in the foreground shows evidence of erosion control measures, with sandbags and rocks placed to mitigate the impact of the sea. Punta Cana is a globally recognized tourist destination, known for its pristine beaches and vibrant marine life, attracting visitors for water sports and relaxation. The presence of the sailboat suggests ongoing maritime activity, a common sight in this popular Caribbean locale.