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 The World's Top Six Retirement Havens for 2008(copyright 2008; source: by Lynn Mulvihill, published by Live and Invest Overseas, www.liveandinvestoverseas.com) excerpt (page 11): "Haven # 4: Dominican Republic - a Caribbean Lifestyle That Won't Break the Bank" This is quintessential Caribbean warm, turquoise waters...soft, white-sand beaches...swaying coconut palms...small fishing villages...and a slower pace of life. Yet, the place where Columbus first set foot in the New World remains one of the last spots in the Caribbean that's truly affordable. Though the Dominican Republic has been attracting increasing numbers of tourists in recent years, beyond its all-inclusive resorts lie many deserted beaches. Popular with European visitors (it's emerging as a favorite wedding and honeymoon destination among Europeans), it's managed to remain off the radar of most U.S. travelers and expats. Along the coast, temperatures hang in the 80s year-round, making it a haven for sun-worshippers. Most tourists head for the north, but the best beaches are found in the southeast, particularly along the stretch of coastline from Bávaro to Punta Cana, known among marketers and developers--as theâÄù Costa de CocoâÄù (Coconut Coast). Though its beaches are the biggest draw to the vacation set, there's more to life in the DR. Boasting the highest peak in the Caribbean (Pico Duarte), the rugged landscape presents opportunities for hiking, biking, and white-water rafting. As the first landing point of Columbus and his crew, the country is home to a series of firsts: the New World's first hospital, paved road, university, cathedral, oldest working church, and oldest monastery can all be found here.> Baseball lovers needn't worry about missing the game. Beisbol is a national obsession (Sammy Sosua is a native of the DR) and world-class games are regularly held in Santo Domingo's grand stadium. Controversial as it may be, cockfighting is popular here, and locals turn out in throngs to wager bets on their favorite rooster. Dominicans also know how to throw a party. The calendar of events covers anything from merengue to film festivals...with Carnaval being the biggest annual affair. From beachfront condos to luxury town villas: the DR's best addresses Since the late 1990s, the northern coast area around Puerto Plata has drawn visitors for its beaches, resorts, and wide variety of adventure sports and water activities. A favorite windsurfing, diving, surfing, and mountain-biking destination, schools have popped up along the coast to cater to the adventurers. Beyond their resorts, the towns of Puerto Plata and Cabarete have little to recommend them. Cabarete, especially, is a buzzing town with countless hotels and a busy nightlife. Retirees would do much better in Sosua, where a large expat community (from Germany, the U.K., U.S., and Canada) is already in residence. In the early 1940s, many German and Austrian refugees settled in Sosua, where, with government assistance, they created a dairy and cheese factory. The tradition continues today, with the town producing most of the DR's dairy products. For expats seeking convenience, you'll be hard pressed to find a better option than Sosua with its banks, shops, and pharmacies...while its Swiss bakeries, Italian trattorias, and German sausage-makers give it a unique cultural flair. Despite the influx of visitors, Sosua's kilometer-long beach remains one of the most beautiful in the area. Just 25 miles long by 9 miles wide, the Samana Peninsula, on the east coast, is attracting independent-minded travelers looking for something more than the all-inclusive resorts. Here visitors can experience small-town life, deserted beaches, excellent horse-riding and hiking, and some of the best diving in the country. From mid January to mid March, the Samana Peninsula offers some of the best whale-watching opportunities in the world.
As mentioned earlier, the Coconut Coast from Bávaro to Punta Cana boasts some of the DR's finest beaches. Bavaro, with more than 30 resorts, is already over-developed. But, Punta Cana the easternmost point in the DR sees relatively few visitors. It has just a handful of resorts, most notably Cap Cana (one of the most luxurious resorts in the Caribbean), which has helped to put the area on the map. Prices here are reasonable, too...especially when compared with other islands in the Caribbean, where you'll find little for under $500,000. A 2,500-square-foot newly-built villa in Punta Cana, with three bedrooms, two baths, living room, fully-equipped kitchen, maid's quarters, and high-quality finishings is currently on the market for $280,000. Dominican Republic Checklist
Further readingFor more nitty-gritty details on living, investing, and doing business in the Dominican Republic, see the DR's country page at www.LiveandInvestOverseas.com/Dominican_republic. And, for specific opportunities, remember to stay tuned to your weekly edition of the Overseas Opportunity Letter. |
