Meeting and incentive guide dominican republic

[on location] dawna robertson

How much ‘Awesome’ can your incentivegroup handle?

DOMINICAN REPUBLICMeeting & Incentive Planner 2011/2012

Untitled-4 45 5/19/11 6:03:21 PM

CONTENTS

8

Sure, the place is beautiful. But who says you can’t be good-looking and serious about business at the same time? AMResorts knows the business of meetings inside-out. And we have the facilities and expertise to go with it.

Gorgeous. And smart.

Dreams Resort & Spa Punta Cana

M E E T I N G S & I N C E N T I V E S

Learn more at www.AMRMeetings.com

Riviera Maya, Cancun, Puerto Aventuras, Tulum, Riviera Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta,

Huatulco, Ixtapa, Punta Cana, Cap Cana, La Romana, Montego Bay

02-03_AMR.indd 2 7/12/11 11:22:48 AM

Sure, the place is beautiful. But who says you can’t be good-looking and serious about business at the same time? AMResorts knows the business of meetings inside-out. And we have the facilities and expertise to go with it.

Gorgeous. And smart.

Dreams Resort & Spa Punta Cana

M E E T I N G S & I N C E N T I V E S

Learn more at www.AMRMeetings.com

Riviera Maya, Cancun, Puerto Aventuras, Tulum, Riviera Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta,

Huatulco, Ixtapa, Punta Cana, Cap Cana, La Romana, Montego Bay

02-03_AMR.indd 3 7/12/11 11:23:08 AM

On behalf of the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, welcome to our amazingly diverse meetings destination boasting an array of unique and exciting venues for convening in the world’s top hotels and resorts.

A destination like no other, Dominican Republic features unspoiled white sand beaches, mountains studded with waterfalls and rivers, lush coconut palm forests and a remarkable variety of arts and entertainment options. Here the pulse-pounding thrill of the merengue, intriguing relics from centuries past, sumptuous gastronomy, premium cigars and magical ecotourism adventures await your meeting delegates.

Dominican Republic is a colorful tapestry of Spanish, French and African influences woven by a rich and storied history. On his first voyage and landing in the Americas, Christopher Columbus described Dominican Republic’s lush land as “a beautiful island paradise with high forested mountains and large river valleys”. This statement is still as true today as it was in 1492.

From the world-class beaches and resorts along the East Coast to the culture-rich hotels in Santo Domingo, up to the eco-diverse North Coast and Peninsula, Dominican Republic’s wealth of meeting facilities and resorts makes it ideal for programs of all types and sizes. Our savvy meetings industry is known for very friendly, warm people and excellent, professional services. And with a variety of lavish hotels, convention centers that can accommodate anywhere from 200 to 5,000 people, and historic venues, Dominican Republic offers a fantastic combination of environments for your meetings.

Exceptional value is another plus. Featuring a total of almost 70,000 hotel rooms, Dominican Republic’s world-class resorts and hotels offer expansive meeting space, state-of-the-art technology, and affordable cuisine.

Please come and explore Dominican Republic for your next meeting and bring your group to our breathtaking island sanctuary for spectacular meetings in our tropical paradise.

Sincerely,

Francisco Javier GarciaMINISTER OF TOURISM, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

MEXICOMayan RivieraRiviera Nayarit

DOMINICAN REPUBLICPunta CanaSanto Domingo

JAMAICAMontego Bay

BRAZILSalvador de Bahía

SPAINITALY

Call Center: +1888 237 1226 (Toll Free)[email protected]

www.fiestahotelgroup.com

FHG Meetings & Events would like present its wide variety of hotels and resorts: From stylish, urban hotels in the main Spanish capital cities to breathtaking, all-inclusive resorts for incentives and events in the Caribbean, Pacific and Brazil.Featuring modern, first class facilities for conventions of up to 500 people as well as an expert team of coordinators in each destination to ensure the success of every corporate event.

Introducing

FHG Meetings & Events

Untitled-23 4 5/19/11 5:22:29 PM

MEXICOMayan RivieraRiviera Nayarit

DOMINICAN REPUBLICPunta CanaSanto Domingo

JAMAICAMontego Bay

BRAZILSalvador de Bahía

SPAINITALY

Call Center: +1888 237 1226 (Toll Free)[email protected]

www.fiestahotelgroup.com

FHG Meetings & Events would like present its wide variety of hotels and resorts: From stylish, urban hotels in the main Spanish capital cities to breathtaking, all-inclusive resorts for incentives and events in the Caribbean, Pacific and Brazil.Featuring modern, first class facilities for conventions of up to 500 people as well as an expert team of coordinators in each destination to ensure the success of every corporate event.

Introducing

FHG Meetings & Events

04-05_LETTER.indd 5 5/2/11 11:43:44 AM

6 GoDominicanRepublic.com

CONTENTS

Planning Points 12 Key essentials that planners should know when organizing a program in the Dominican Republic.

Meeting Hotels 14A lineup of all the major meeting properties located in both beach and urban regions.

Punta Cana & Bavaro 16Superb beaches, large all-inclusive resorts, world-class golf, and eco-adventures.

La Romana, Bayahibe & More 22A � shing village vibe, spectacular golf, unique cultural venues, and o� shore island escapes.

Cruise 27Extend meetings and incentives with excitingcruises to nearby islands.

Puerto Plata 28Awesome group adventures both on the water and high up in the mist-swept mountains.

Welcome Learn why this Caribbean island provides so much ROI for your next meeting or incentive.

Dominican Republic Meeting & Incentive Planner 2011/2012 was produced by Worth Custom Publishing, a division of Worth International Media Group, in cooperation with BVK and the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. 5979 NW 151 St., Suite 120, Miami Lakes, FL 33014 · (305) 828-0123 · (800) 447-0123 · worthit.comEDITORIAL | Editor: Greg Oates; Contributing Editors: Diana Rowe, Danielle CohenDESIGN | Creative Director: Scott Glick; Production Manager: Estrella Bibas; Ad Traffi c Manager: Susan Dikeman SALES + MARKETING | Dominican Republic Managing Director: Sandra Reed; Director of Marketing: Matthew Bray EXECUTIVE STAFF | Chairman of the Board: Hal Herman; President/Editorial Director: Laurel Herman; Executive Vice President: Gary Herman; Vice President/Group Publisher: Lorri Robbins; Vice President/Associate Publisher: Terence K. Murphy

Black on white

Reverse

Samaná 31This ultimate tropical fantasy feels remote but it’s easily accessible for all types of groups.

Santo Domingo 32This venerable seaside city is the birthplace of the New World and a UNESCO Heritage site.

Santiago & Central Region 36The mountains provide an array of activities from cigar museums to whitewater rafting.

Food & Music 39Dominican food combined with Merengue musicis an unbeatable networking opportunity.

DMC List 40A roundup of on-island, professional destination management companies.

Tourism Offi ces 42A list of Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism o� ces around the world.

8Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana

Untitled-28 6 5/20/11 11:06:05 AM

7Dominican Republic Meeting and Incentive Planner 2008/2009

ASSOCIATION OF DESTINATIONMANAGEMENT EXECUTIVES

DEFINING THEDMC PROFESSION

AND MUCH MORE...

YOUR CONNECTION TO SUCCESSThe only CMP certified DMC in the Dominican Republic

www.ctsdr.com 1.809.959.0505

Your every wish is our command!

GROUPS, MEETINGS, INCENTIVES & EVENTS SPECIALISTS

Shipping and customs assistance

Exclusive airport meet and greet

Advance pre-purchasingof Tourist Visa Cards

Luxury transfers, Private SUVs and Limousines

Exciting tours and adventures

Team building and Treasure Hunt activities

Humanitarian donations(schools, clinics, orphanages)

Golf & Fishing Tournaments

Full Meeting & Conference Services

Extensive A/V technology and décor experience

Translation Equipment

Photography and Videographer Services

A full range of spectacular themed eventsfor welcome & farewell parties

Hospitality desk staffed by our group coordinators who are local experts

Gift Selections

Cell phone rentals

Your every wish is our command!

Untitled-1 7 5/2/11 11:44:49 AM


DOMINICAN REPUBLICland of explorations

Dominican Republic combines every imaginable Caribbean experience with energy and grandeur. Think of it as the Caribbean with the volume turned up, o� ering meeting and incentive planners a convenient way to create powerful programs not soon to be forgotten or duplicated.

Untitled-25 8 5/19/11 5:30:07 PM

�Dominican Republic Meeting & Incentive Planner

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Left: Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana

there are unending, blistering white beaches studded with thousands upon thousands of palm trees for as far as the eye can see. As the second largest island in the Antilles, Dominican Republic offers a sense of unlimited expanse and adventure filled with secret spots waiting to

be explored and discovered. Offshore, the tropical light makes the warm waters vary in color from clear turquoise hues to deep cobalt blues, filled with teeming marine life flitting among the nearby colorful coral reefs. There are numerous small islands too, perfect for exclusive group events where attendees will feel like they’re congregating in a postcard. Inland, few others places in the Western Hemisphere can claim the spectrum of geography here. The mist-covered summit of Pico Duarte rises 10,700 feet (3,175 mts) from the palm-swathed forests of the Cordillera Central mountain range—the highest elevation in the Caribbean. Deep crevasses are filled with exotic foliage and hidden waterfalls cascade over wide gorges, where groups of attendees will surrender in awe to the prehistoric scenery devoid of modern development. And there are the small towns, quaint fishing villages and large cosmopolitan cities where the locals are proud to share their passion for music, food, sports and culture with visitors in a natural, unassuming manner. If you start a conversation with a local about Merengue dancing or baseball, be prepared to sit for a while. You may also want to order some strong Dominican coffee or a glass of the island’s rich amber rum to sip while you listen. Dominicans are passionate about their country and love educating visitors about the best way to enjoy its offerings. As a bonus, you may end up learning a few dance moves before the conversation is over.

The VALUe & eVOLUTION Of IsLANd MeeTINgsThe diversity of experiences and locales available in Dominican Republic is only part of the seduction for meeting planners. While most tourism destinations around the world felt the impact of the global economic crisis in recent years, the island continues to post record arrivals annually. Much of this is due to the incredible values inherent with all-inclusive pricing, where food, beverages, activities and entertainment are included in the price, so planners know the total cost of a program upfront. In addition, business meetings in the DR are tax-deductible for U.S. citizens, as stipulated in the Tax Information Exchange Agreement within the Caribbean Basin Initiative. And the exchange rate between the dollar and the peso is highly favorable for visiting groups, adding even more value. Over and above the excellent ROI that Dominican Republic offers, the group hotel, transportation and telecommunications infrastructure has evolved to a level of world-class quality.

Untitled-31 9 7/14/11 2:20:29 PM


A wide range of newly constructed and renovated convention venues, large city hotels and beachside group resorts provides the latest in technology for groups, while an expansive network of large DMCs operate out of all of them to provide the required support services. Dominican Republic’s key geographic location in the center of the Caribbean Basin positions it as a strategic commercial and business center. There are eight major international airports, many recently upgraded, located in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, La Romana, Puerto Plata, Barahona, Santiago and Samaná. Equidistant to Central, North and South America, this is the one destination in the Caribbean that can provide both a sense of the exotic and the familiar for large international trade shows, conferences, meetings and incentives. “Dominican Republic has evolved on all fronts: new highways, new hotels, updated airports, and new standards of technology and service,” says Les Pye, Marketing Director for Connect Travel Services, an on-island DMC that caters exclusively to meeting/incentive groups. “Most of the large hotels and resorts focus on MICE business, and the world-class golf and amazing beaches and beautiful scenery are the best in the Caribbean.” The real beauty of Dominican Republic, however, is that much still exists as it did when Columbus dropped anchor here in 1492. First-time visitors will see few high-rise buildings outside Santo Domingo. Mass tourism and international business arrived to this tropical paradise long after global awareness exposed the benefi ts of low-impact development. The island’s vast resources—from the national mahogany tree to the delicate ibis waterfowl—remain stridently protected for the generations of tomorrow.

REGIONAL RUNDOWNAs you explore the Planner, you’ll see that we divided up the country into different regions. The map on the opposite page gives you the lay of the land, but below we also break out each region’s destinations and group experiences to give you a sense of what to expect.

East Coast: Luxury big-brand hotels offering exquisite beaches, world-class golf and a wide range of water sports enthrall groups headed to Punta Cana, Bavaro Beach, Uvero Alto and Macao.

South Coast: Historic attractions, art hubs, eco-escapes and superb golf courses defi ne the excitement in La Romana, Bayahibe, Saona, Catalina, Boca Chica and Juan Dolio.

North Coast: Gorgeous beaches, thrilling water sports like kite boarding and a thriving arts and crafts scene are among the group options in Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete.

Samaná Peninsula: Here, natural attractions and incredible beaches blend with eco-fun activities such as hiking, swimming, whale watching and horseback riding.

Santo Domingo: Age-old marvels counterpoint sleek new properties, sizzling nightlife and cultural insights are among the highlights found in the country’s capital.

Central: Refresh and recharge your group by exploring the charming towns, fascinating museums and stunning landscapes of Santiago, Jarabacoa and Constanza.

Isla Saona

Isla Beata

Atlantic Ocean

Hato Mayor

Higüey

Barahona

Bonao

Puerto Plata

Santiago

Montecristi

Nagua

Jarabacoa

Constanza

BocaChica

Punta Cana

Miches

Bahía deSamaná Cayo

Levantado

RíoSan Juan

CabareteSosúa

Luperón

Parque NacionalIsla Cabritos

Oviedo

Lagunade Oviedo

Cabo Rojo

Parque NacionalSierra de Bahoruco

Jaragua

J. ArmandoBermúdez

José del Carmen Ramírez

Los Haitises

Bahía deManzanillo

Pico Duarte

San Pedro De Macorís

Monte Plata

Salto El Limón

CaboFrancés

Viejo

Damajagua

Cayo Arena (Paraíso)

Estero Hondo

La Vega

Laguna Rincón de Cabral

Loma Quita Espuela

El Choco

Samaná

LagunaLimón

Lagunas Redonda y Limón

Hoyo dePelempito

PoloMagnético

El Seibo

Cabo CabrónCabo Samaná

CuevaFun Fun

María Montez (BRX)

Punta Cana (PUJ)La Romana

Casa de Campo(LRM)

La Isabela (JBQ)

Arroyo Barril

LagunaRedonda

Pedernales

SANTO DOMINGOLa Romana

Reserva CientíficaÉbano Verde

Cibao (STI)

JuanDolio

GregorioLuperón(POP)

Cueva LasMaravillas

IslaCatalina

Altos deChavón

El Catey (AZS)

Las TerrenasEl Portillo

Las Américas(SDQ)

La Caleta

Bocade Yuma

Dunasde Baní

Haiti

Lago EnriquilloIsla Cabritos

Caribbean Sea

ParqueNacionaldel Este

Azua

BANÍ

San Cristóbal

Cabrera

San Joséde las Matas

Dominican Republic

San FranciscoDe Macorís

City and Town

Point of Interest

Cruise Port

International Airport

Domestic Airport

Beach

Protected Area/Park

Golf Course

Whales

Highest Peak

KEY

Playa Grande

CayosSiete

Hermanos

Bayahibe

Non-hotel Convention Spacesaround Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO Capacity*

Puerto Sansouci 8,200 Banco Central 723Casa San Pablo 120Palacio de Bellas Artes 625Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores 1,050Teatro Nacional 2,175Universidad Autónoma de 1,500Santo Domingo

OUTSIDE SANTO DOMINGO Capacity

Gran Teatro del Cibao, Santiago 2,100 Universidad Católica Nordestana, 360San Francisco de Macoris Jarabacoa Country Club 800

*Number denotes group size, theater-style

Untitled-31 10 7/14/11 2:22:53 PM

11Dominican Republic Meeting & Incentive Planner

East: Punta Cana & BavaroPunta Cana International Airport serves Punta Cana,

Cap Cana, Bavaro Beach, Macao, Uvero Alto, Cortecito and Higuey

•

MAP OF MAJOR REGIONS &INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

North: Puerto Plata & SamanáGregorio Luperón International Airport serves Puerto Plata, Cofresi, Cabarete and Sosua El Catey International Airport serves Samaná Peninsula

•

•

South: Santo Domingo, La Romana & Bayahibe

Las Américas International Airport serves Santo Domingo, Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, La Romana and Bayahibe

La Romana International Airport serves La Romana and Bayahibe

La Isabela International Airport serves Santo DomingoMaría Montez International Airport serves Baharona

•

•

••

Central: Santiago, Jarabacoa & Constanza

Santiago International Airport serves Santiago, Jarabacoa and Constanza

•

Isla Saona

Isla Beata

MAP OF MAJOR REGIONS &INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

Isla Saona

Isla Beata

Atlantic Ocean

Hato Mayor

Higüey

Barahona

Bonao

Puerto Plata

Santiago

Montecristi

Nagua

Jarabacoa

Constanza

BocaChica

Punta Cana

Miches

Bahía deSamaná Cayo

Levantado

RíoSan Juan

CabareteSosúa

Luperón

Parque NacionalIsla Cabritos

Oviedo

Lagunade Oviedo

Cabo Rojo

Parque NacionalSierra de Bahoruco

Jaragua

J. ArmandoBermúdez

José del Carmen Ramírez

Los Haitises

Bahía deManzanillo

Pico Duarte

San Pedro De Macorís

Monte Plata

Salto El Limón

CaboFrancés

Viejo

Damajagua

Cayo Arena (Paraíso)

Estero Hondo

La Vega

Laguna Rincón de Cabral

Loma Quita Espuela

El Choco

Samaná

LagunaLimón

Lagunas Redonda y Limón

Hoyo dePelempito

PoloMagnético

El Seibo

Cabo CabrónCabo Samaná

CuevaFun Fun

María Montez (BRX)

Punta Cana (PUJ)La Romana

Casa de Campo(LRM)

La Isabela (JBQ)

Arroyo Barril

LagunaRedonda

Pedernales

SANTO DOMINGOLa Romana

Reserva CientíficaÉbano Verde

Cibao (STI)

JuanDolio

GregorioLuperón(POP)

Cueva LasMaravillas

IslaCatalina

Altos deChavón

El Catey (AZS)

Las TerrenasEl Portillo

Las Américas(SDQ)

La Caleta

Bocade Yuma

Dunasde Baní

Haiti

Lago EnriquilloIsla Cabritos

Caribbean Sea

ParqueNacionaldel Este

Azua

BANÍ

San Cristóbal

Cabrera

San Joséde las Matas

Dominican Republic

San FranciscoDe Macorís

City and Town

Point of Interest

Cruise Port

International Airport

Domestic Airport

Beach

Protected Area/Park

Golf Course

Whales

Highest Peak

KEY

Playa Grande

CayosSiete

Hermanos

Bayahibe

Untitled-25 11 5/19/11 5:32:12 PM


planning pointskeys to keep in mind

Knowing these basics about Dominican Republic will help you channel its varied charms into memorable events, meetings or incentive programs.

langUagESpanish is the official language. However, English is spoken by nearly everyone throughout the tourism industry.

aiRliFtGetting your group here is easy, thanks to a number of direct flights from the U.S., Canada, Europe and Latin America to the island’s major destinations. American airlines flying to DR include American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Northwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and US Airways. The following U.S.-based airlines fly from Canada: American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines and US Airways. These airlines have charter flights from Canada: Air Canada (Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and Samaná); Air Transat (La Romana, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and Samaná); Sunwing (La Romana, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Samaná and Santo Domingo); Thomas Cook/Sky Services (Puerto Plata, Punta

Cana and Samaná); West Jet (Punta Cana and Puerto Plata). There are eight international airports in Dominican Republic, serving the major beach tourism regions and the two large metropolitan areas of Santo Domingo and Santiago:

• Las Americas International Airport—serving the capital city of Santo Domingo, Boca Chica and Juan Dolio • La Romana International Airport—serving the Casa de Campo resort and golf mecca, and Bayahibe hotels• Punta Cana International Airport—serving the Punta Cana/ Bavaro resort region• Gregorio Luperón International Airport—serving the Puerto Plata resort region • Santiago International Airport—serving the city of Santiago and the interior mountain towns of Jarabacoa/Constanza • El Catey International Airport—serving the ecologically rich Samaná Peninsula • La Isabela Airport, Santo Domingo—offers domestic flights within Dominican Republic and flights to some Caribbean islands. La Isabela will be equipped to serve international flights in the future.• Maria Montez International Airport—serving Baharona

Untitled-26 12 5/19/11 5:34:19 PM


GROUND TRANSPORTATIONMotor coaches and vans arranged by the many local, professional destination management companies (DMCs) are the preferred method of group transportation. Since Dominican Republic is a large country, attractions can sometimes be a modest drive from the resort areas. Clients usually stay within the resorts except for group excursions. The major rental car companies are represented, but hiring a car and driver or taking a taxi are additional options for getting around. Use only the taxis in the tourist system: the taxis outside the airport and at the resorts. If you go out, keep the taxi company’s card and call the same taxi company to pick you up. The taxis are not metered, so always negotiate the fare before you get into the cab.

MONEYThe Dominican peso is the official currency, although American and Canadian dollars, as well as euros, are accepted in many areas. Major credit cards are accepted, and ATMs are readily available in the tourist areas. Many planners negotiate their prices in U.S. dollars with the resorts, DMCs and other DR vendors.

ElEcTRIcITYOperates at 110 volts/60 Hertz, the same as North America.

TIMEThe local time zone is Eastern Caribbean Time (GMT-0400). Dominican Republic does not observe daylight savings time.

TIPPINGA 10 percent tip is expected. For the best service, let the program staffers know that you will tip according to the quality of service. At the end of the program, give the head service people the cash tip for themselves and for however many people assisted you.

DMcS

Dominican Republic has many DMCs that operate throughout the entire country. Most meeting and incentive planners use them to arrange offsite day trips and transfers. See page 40 for a list of DMCs.

TElEPHONETo call the United States and Canada, simply dial an area code and phone number as you would at home. Several cell phone companies offer service in Dominican Republic. The local area codes are 809, 829 and 849.

TOURIST cARDWhen entering Dominican Republic, prior to entering the immigration line, visitors are required to purchase a Tourist Card for $10. This must be paid in American dollars or euros. No coins or other currency, including Dominican pesos, credit cards or traveler’s checks, are acceptable. The Tourist Card is paid for and collected at the airport.

TAX BREAKS Under the terms of the Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the Caribbean Business Initiative, business meetings and incentives held in Dominican Republic are tax deductible for American citizens.

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTSAll American and European citizens must show passports when they enter Dominican Republic. Canadians traveling directly to DR can enter with their original birth certificates and two photo identifications (driver’s license and health insurance card.)

Untitled-26 13 5/19/11 5:34:58 PM


Meeting Properties in

BARAHONACasa Bonita Tropical LodgeMeetings capacity: 20 pplwww.casabonitadr.com

BAVARO-PUNTA CANABarceló Bávaro Beach & Convention CenterMeetings capacity: 5,000 pplwww.barcelobavarobeach.com

Barceló Bávaro CasinoMeetings capacity: 860 pplwww.barcelobavarocasino.com

Barceló Bávaro Palace DeluxeMeetings capacity: 1,300 pplwww.barcelobavaropalacedeluxe.com

Barceló Dominican BeachMeetings capacity: 200 pplwww.barcelodominicanbeach.com Barceló Punta CanaMeetings capacity: 800 pplwww.barcelopuntacana.com

Caribe Club Princess Beach Resort & Spa Meetings capacity: 350 pplwww.princess-hotels.com

Catalonia Bavaro Meeting space: 2,045 sq. ft.www.princess-hotels.com

Dreams Palm BeachMeeting space: 7,856 sq. ft.www.dreamsresorts.com/drepb/

Dreams Punta CanaMeeting space: 4,133 sq. ft.www.dreamsresorts.com/drepc/

Excellence Punta CanaMeeting space: 2,175 sq. ft.www.excellenceresorts.com

Gran Bahía Príncipe ÁmbarMeetings capacity: 400 pplwww.bahia-principe.com

Gran Bahía Príncipe BávaroMeetings capacity: 400 pplwww.bahia-principe.com

Gran Bahía Príncipe Punta CanaMeetings capacity: 400 pplwww.bahia-principe.com

Grand Palladium Bávaro ResortMeeting space: 6,512 sq. ft.www.fiestahotelgroup.com

Grand Paradise Bávaro Meetings capacity: 250 pplwww.amhsamarina.com

Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana Meeting space: 65,000 sq. ft.www.hardrockhotelpuntacana.com

Hotel Bávaro Princess All Suites Resort Spa & Casino Meetings capacity: 780 pplwww.amhsamarina.com

Iberostar Bávaro ResortMeeting space: 4,531 sq. ft. www.iberostar.com

Meliá Caribe TropicalMeeting space: 12,000 sq. ft.www.solmelia.com

Natura Park Beach Eco Resort & SpaMeetings capacity: 120 pplwww.blauhotels.com

NH Real Arena Meetings capacity: 868 pplwww.nh-realarena.com

Occidental Gran Punta CanaMeeting space: 13,347 sq. ft.www.occidentalhotels.com

Ocean Blue & SandMeetings capacity: 400 pplwww.oceanhotels.net

Paradisus Palma RealMeeting space: 25,865 sq. ftwww.paradisuspalmareal.com

Paradisus Punta CanaMeeting space: 20,137 sq. ft.www.paradisuspuntacana.com

Puntacana Resort & ClubMeetings capacity: 250 pplwww.puntacana.com

Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana Function space: 18,279 sq. ft.www.altabellahotels.com

Sirenis Cocotal Beach Resort Casino & SpaMeetings capacity: 400 pplwww.sirenishotels.com

Sivory Punta Cana Meetings capacity: 150 pplwww.sivorypuntacana.com

Tortuga Bay Boutique Hotel Meetings capacity: 250 pplwww.puntacana.com

Tropical Princess Beach ResortMeetings capacity: 350 pplwww.princess-hotels.com

VIK Hotel Arena BlancaMeetings capacity: 70 pplwww.aguaresort.com

Zoetry Agua Punta CanaMeetings capacity: 100 pplwww.aguaresort.com

BOCA CHICADon Juan Beach Resort Meetings capacity: 200 pplwww.donjuanbeachresort.com

Hotel Be Live Hamaca Meetings capacity: 1,500 pplwww.belivehotels.com

CABARETECeluisima Paraiso TropicalMeetings capacity: 40 pplwww.hodelpa.com

Sea Horse RanchMeetings capacity: 25 pplwww.sea-horse-ranch.com

Tropical Casa Laguna ClubMeetings capacity: 50 pplwww.tropicalclubs.com

Velero Beach ResortMeetings capacity: 20 pplwww.velerobeach.com

Villa TainaMeetings capacity: 30 pplwww.villataina.com

JARABACOARancho Olivier Bed & BreakfastMeetings capacity: 40 pplwww.ranchoolivier.com

CONSTANZARancho ConstanzaMeetings capacity: 50 pplwww.ranchoconstanza.com

Hotel Alto CerroMeetings capacity: 320 pplwww.recepcionaltocerro.com

JUAN DOLIOBarceló CapellaMeetings capacity: 200 pplwww.barcelo.com

Coral Costa Caribe Meetings capacity: 1,070 pplwww.coralhotels.com

Embassy Suites Hotel By Hilton at Los Marlins Golf ResortMeetings capacity: 400 ppl www.losmarlins.embassysuites.com

LA ROMANA & BAYAHIBECasa de CampoMeeting space: 15,000 sq. ft. www.casadecampo.com.do

Dreams La RomanaMeetings capacity: 750 pplwww.amresorts.com

Gran Bahía Príncipe La Romana Meetings capacity: 180www.bahia-principe.com

Iberostar Hacienda DominicusMeeting space: 4,300 sq. ft.www.iberostar.com Hotel Be Live CanoaMeetings capacity: 540 pplwww.belivehotels.com

Viva Wyndham Dominicus PalaceMeeting space: 2,454 sq. ft.www.vivaresorts.com

PUERTO PLATABarceló Puerto PlataMeetings capacity: 180 pplwww.barcelopuertoplata.com Be Live Grand CareyMeetings capacity: 300 pplwww.belivehotels.com

Be Live Gran MarienMeetings capacity: 906 pplwww.belivehotels.com

Casa Colonial Beach & Spa ResortMeetings capacity: 20 pplwww.casacolonialhotel.com

Casa Marina BeachMeetings capacity: 300 pplwww.amhsamarina.com

Celuisma Tropical Playa DoradaMeetings capacity: 800 pplwww.celuismacaribe.com

Gran Ventana Beach ResortMeetings capacity: 300 pplwww.granventanahotel.com

Iberostar Costa DoradaMeetings capacity: 450 pplwww.iberostar.com

Puerto Plata VillageMeetings capacity: 500 pplwww.puertoplatavillage.com

Sosúa Bay Resort/Victorian HouseMeetings capacity: 600 pplwww.sosuabayresort.com

DoMinican RePublic

Untitled-27 14 5/19/11 5:36:05 PM


VH Victoria Golf & Beach ResortMeetings capacity: 200 pplwww.vhhr.com

Viva Wyndham TangerineMeeting space: 7,198 sq. ft.www.wyndham.com/hotels/popvt/main.wnt

RIO SAN JUANBahía Príncipe San JuanMeetings capacity: 350 pplwww.bahiaprincipe.com

SAMANÁBalcones del AtlánticoMeetings capacity: 50 pplwww.balconesdelatlantico.com.do

Gran Bahía Príncipe Cayo LevantadoMeetings capacity: 100 pplwww.bahiaprincipe.com

Gran Bahía Príncipe CayacoaMeetings capacity: 300 pplwww.bahiaprincipe.com

Viva ResidencesMeetings capacity: 75 pplwww.residenceatviva.com

SANTIAGOAloha SolMeetings capacity: 170 pplwww.alohasol.com

Helios Apart-HotelMeetings capacity: 30 pplwww.heliosapartahotel.com.do

Hodelpa Centro PlazaMeetings capacity: 57 pplwww.hodelpa.com

Hodelpa Garden CourtMeeting space: 2,299 sq. ft.www.hodelpa.com

Hodelpa Gran AlmiranteMeeting space: 8,555 sq. ft.www.hodelpa.com

Hotel PlatinoMeetings capacity: 75 pplwww.hotelplatinord.com

SANTO DOMINGOBarceló Santo DomingoMeetings capacity: 1,500 ppl www.barcelo.com

BQ Santo Domingo Meetings capacity: 500 ppl www.bqsantodomingo.com

Clarion Hotel Santo DomingoMeetings capacity: 450 pplwww.clarionsantodomingo.com.do

Courtyard Santo Domingo by MarriottMeetings capacity: 100 pplwww.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sdqcy-courtyard-santo-domingo

Dominican Fiesta Hotel & CasinoMeetings capacity: 2,850 pplwww.fiestahotelgroup.com

Hilton Santo DomingoMeeting space: 17,000 sq. ft. www.hiltoncaribbean.com/santodomingo

Holiday Inn Santo DomingoMeeting capacity: 160ppl www.holidayinn.com

Hotel Nicolás de OvandoMeetings capacity: 50 pplwww.accorhotels.com

InterContinental V CentenarioMeetings capacity: 1,200 ppl www.intercontinental.com/santodomingo

Meliá Santo Domingo Hotel & CasinoMeetings capacity: 700 ppl www.solmelia.com

Occidental El EmbajadorMeeting space: 9,481 sq. ft.www.occidentalhotels.com

Quality Hotel Real Aeropuerto Santo DomingoMeetings capacity: 120 ppl www.realhotelsandresorts.com

Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & CasinoMeetings capacity: 1,200 pplwww.marriott.com/sdqgw

Santo Domingo Hotel & CasinoMeetings capacity: 850 pplwww.hotelsantodomingo.com.do

Right (from top): Paradisus Punta Cana Beach Resort;

Paradisus Palma Real Beach Resort, Punta Cana;Occidental El Embajador, Santo Domingo;

Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana

Untitled-14 15 8/4/11 1:53:36 PM


PUNTA CANA & BAVARO

stretching along the entire east coast of Dominican Republic, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean Sea, the region of Punta Cana consists of incomparable

beaches stretching over 40 miles. The wide white sands along the areas of Bavaro, Macao, Uvero Alto, etc., are punctuated with literally hundreds of thousands of tall swaying palm trees just feet from the sea, providing no shortage of private places for groups to relax in the shade under the canopy of palm fronds. “I’m standing there thinking that beach looks almost fake, it’s so beautiful,” says Lynn Beierschmitt, who planned an event here for 300 international attendees for a software developer. “I know I will not have to dress that up. I won’t have to theme it.” Lining the beaches, a gauntlet of large, mostly all-inclusive properties represent the largest selection of group-friendly resorts on the island, including a handful of new and recently

renovated conference hotels with voluminous, high-tech meeting space. There’s also a growing array of new ultra-luxury resorts offering both European Plan and all-inclusive pricing models for top-tier board retreats and incentives. Your inspiration begins on touchdown at the open-air Punta Cana International Airport—the largest privately owned airport in the world. The facility welcomes packaged mass travel to the island from around the globe, so it’s well equipped to handle large groups arriving all at once.

AQUATIC ADVENTURES The wide-ranging collection of resorts in Punta Cana take full advantage of their prime oceanfront locale with a long list of beach- and water-based activities easily organized for groups. Right on the sand, there’s beach volleyball, windsurfi ng,

paradise coast

Untitled-15 16 7/15/11 12:37:19 PM


Punta Cana & Bavaro

snorkeling, banana boating, glass-bottom boating, kayaking, kiteboarding, parasailing and sailing. How does this sound? Groups can climb aboard four large catamarans seating up to 100 people each for a sail out to the Marinarium Marine Park. Upon arrival, everyone slips into the warm water to snorkel and swim with friendly stingrays flitting about the brilliantly colored reef. Add some fresh pina coladas and lively merengue lessons onboard for the sail back, and the networking among the group will flow as naturally as the gentle waves washing ashore. Due to the confluence of the Atlantic and Caribbean, there is great deep sea fishing out past the reefs. Charter a fleet of boats and issue a team challenge before they set out to hunt for Atlantic blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, wahoo, white marlin and a host of other big game fish.

ManatI ParKJust a few minutes’ drive away from the bulk of beachfront hotels, Manati Park is an expansive eco-themed attraction that examines the early history of the island and some of its most colorful animal species in a lush exotic setting. The wildlife here is the main attraction, including: dolphins, flamingos, crocodiles, parrots, sea lions, turtles and iguanas. Some of the flamingos in Manati are the first ever on-island to be raised in captivity. Planners can organize private functions to swim with the dolphins, or arrange exclusive educational tours behind the scenes to see how the exotic plants and animals are nurtured. There’s also a re-created Taino Village offering insight into life before European settlement. Resident staff in native Taino garb practice the handicrafts of their ancestors, and onlookers can purchase wooden jewelry and small decorative household items that the Taino people created over 1,000 years ago.

aDvEnturE tourSLocal tour companies such as Bavaro Runners offer a wide stable of high-adrenaline adventures off the beaten path. The most popular land activity is the half-day Zipline Tour high up in the Taino Anamuya Mountains. Groups up to 70 pax make the 45-minute trip via massive, open-air 4x4 safari trucks. The experience consists of 16 platforms connected by 12 zip lines, including the two longest in the Caribbean. While flying over the rugged landscape, tree canopy and winding river far below, participants are treated with jaw-dropping views. Following that, everyone gathers at the Bavaro Runners Ranch set atop a mountain ridge overlooking the verdant chasm. It’s a great way to relax with your colleagues while enjoying fresh fruit, juices and pastries in the light mountain breeze. Another popular group tour is a full-day Culture Tour to explore all of Punta Cana’s cultural richness. Starting early in the day, groups will drive through the sugarcane and tobacco fields to visit both a sugar processing factory and a cigar-making facility. Both of these are an intriguing look into daily Dominican agricultural life as it’s existed for centuries. The tour also passes by local schools where groups can interact with the children and school teachers. Often times, the tour companies can help meeting and incentive planners organize some type of volunteer event or donation program at the schools. After that, groups always enjoy visiting a country home for a long leisurely homemade lunch with the locals. Guides are present to translate, and this is another opportunity to give back to the local community. Finally at day’s end, everyone jumps out of the safari trucks for a dip in the crystalline waters of beautiful Macao Beach, followed by a short siesta on the sand.

Left: Bavaro Beach

Untitled-28 17 5/19/11 5:38:59 PM


Updated beachfront convention hotels

HARD ROCK HOTEL PUNTA CANABeaches in Dominican Republic don’t usually bring to mind electric guitars and classic rock ‘n roll, but that’s what you’ll find at the new 1,800-room Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana. Instead of tropical décor, Hard Rock lined the walls with nifty memorabilia such as Elvis Presley’s custom-made, navy blue suit; Madonna’s fluffy bathrobe; and pop art paintings of icons like John Lennon, Santana and Janis Joplin. The rock star theme carries into the huge split-level suites, decorated with photos of classic rock ‘n rollers. They come with a big Jacuzzi at the foot of the bed and an enormous bathroom with a dual-head shower big enough to host a small event. Super fast WiFi and long distance calls to the U.S. are complimentary, as well as the in-room minibar. The resort was specifically designed with big conferences in mind, offering 65,000 sf of

meeting space in the attached convention center. The resort features two giant lobbies with one of them solely dedicated to groups, located right next to the convention space.

BARCELO BAVARO PALACE DELUXE The property that really established Punta Cana as a group business destination, Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe Resort opened the first standalone Convention Center on the east coast almost a decade ago. With 23 rooms hosting a total of 2,500 delegates, this facility is a true convention center and a favorite venue for groups from around the world. The reason (besides the beach) is because the halls wrapping around the ballrooms have no walls, so you’re surrounded by water, tropical breezes and flowering plants during breaks. In late 2010, the 486-room hotel complex completed a comprehensive renovation that entirely reinvigorated the resort. The 488 full-size suites have jacuzzis on the balconies and a bright contemporary design. Meanwhile, the 582 hotel rooms next to the Convention Center are just minutes from the meeting rooms, and far away from the leisure guests. Most of the amenities have been rebuilt, including four panoramic restaurants right on the beach, and five more serving Japanese, Mexican, French, Italian and Spanish cuisine.

Below Left: Spa at Melia Caribe TropicalBelow Right: Corales Golf Course @ PUNTACANA Resort

Untitled-13 18 8/4/11 1:51:38 PM


HISTORIC HIGUEYA visit to the bustling city of Higuey, the capital of the province, is a requisite stop for history aficionados. Take time to walk down the historic narrow streets founded in 1502 by the Spanish explorer Ponce de León. Step into a colmado (grocery store) and purchase Santo Domingo coffee or Dominican rum. Browse the colorful open-air market of meats, fish and produce, and find a bench in the park to take in the scene. Higuey is home to the stunning, mid-century modernist Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, home of the famous Virgin Mary painting brought over the Atlantic by the early Spaniards, now an awe-inspiring shrine with an altar. The shrine attracts thousands of pilgrims every year on the national holiday, Virgin of La Altagracia Day (January 21). Also include a stop at the House Museum of Ponce de León, a small palace built 500 years ago by the famous Spanish explorer, south of Higuey on the road to La Romana. The conquistador settled in this two-story home, now turned into a museum showcasing medieval architecture.

GRAND GOLF & SPA RESORTSWith 12 world class golf courses and more in development, Punta Cana offers the greatest collection of fairways in any one region in the entire Caribbean, many of them stretching along the sea. For groups, all of these golf courses are attached to large, all-inclusive and European Plan hotels with full-service meeting space and professional spa/wellness centers. Play the PGA Trump card at Jack Nicklaus Signature courses at the ultra-luxurious Cap Cana Resort, just south of Punta Cana International Airport. Choose from either the new Las Iguanas Golf Course or the first Nicklaus course in the Caribbean—the Punta Espada Golf Club—which hosted the 2010 PGA Champion’s Course. Presently, Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana is open with a 30,000-sf conference center. Scheduled to open early 2013, the Gems of Cap Cana complex of hotels will encompass three of the four AMResorts brands: the top-end Zoetry Resorts, the adults-only Secrets Resorts, and family-oriented Now Resorts. And like a growing number of hotel brands in Punta

eet within an eco-conscious environment...

888.442.2262 | 809.959.2262

MC

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Dominican_Meeting Planners_Half_Page_PCRC.pdf 1 4/18/11 3:15 PM

Untitled-28 19 5/19/11 5:40:26 PM


Cana, AMResorts is well-situated to capitalize on “Bleisure” groups (mixing business and leisure) due to the availability of multiple resorts in a single destination. Opened in the late 1990s, PUNTACANA Resort offers a variety of accommodations on its swath of beachfront paradise, including a series of villas with interiors designed by fashion designer and resident Oscar de la Renta. The villas face the P.B. Dye championship La Cana Golf Course, with 14 oceanview fairways. In 2010, the resort unveiled the gorgeous $35 million Corales Golf Course perched atop huge coral formations leaning over the sea. And the Six Senses Spa is considered among the top three most luxurious spas in the country. A new marina provides anchorage for a gleaming stable of deep-sea fishing boats to go after swordfish and blue marlin. And with a careful eye towards preserving the environment, the owners have partnered with Cornell University and opened a $1 million bio-diversity laboratory. And for dining with a view, La Yola is built like a fishermen’s boat with a hull-shaped balcony extending into the water.

Groups staying at the all-inclusive Meliá Caribe Tropical All-Inclusive Beach & Golf Resort should incorporate a round at the Cocotal Golf and Country Club, designed by Spanish golf champion Joe Gancedo. Choose from three 9-hole courses and also add private or group lessons at their onsite Silver Sands Golf Academy. The 1,128-room resort features 184 Royal Suites which provide exclusive access to resort amenities like a private pool, restaurant and concierge lounge, along with upgraded bath and room products. This is an exceptionally large property offering incredible variety with 13 restaurants and 14 bars. The 12 meeting and banquet halls host up to 1,000 people, while thetwo open-air amphitheaters cater to 800. Sister resort to the Caribe Tropical, the new 554-room Paradisus Palma Real Resort includes an entirely separate resort complex called The Reserve. The 190 extra large suites wrap around a huge lagoon facility, each with a large terrace on the second floor, or an actual lawn with day beds on the ground floor. The property was designed with buy-out incentive

A beautiful oceanfront luxury boutique hotel, awarded 4 Diamonds for property and its international cuisine restaurant “Gourmond”, combines Polynesian and Caribbean influences with style and modern sophistication, offers a picturesque and secluded piece of paradise for your corporate getaway or meeting.

Located in Punta Cana, Sivory has 55 spacious suites, stunning ocean views and personal plunge pools, 2 equipped conference rooms, 3 art cuisine restaurants, one of the Caribbean’s most extensive wine cellars, infinity pool and the relaxing Aquarea Spa & Wellness Center, amongst 40 miles of golden beaches and palm trees.

Let us cater to your corporate needs, and make this the most unforgettable, fascinating, successful trip.

Escape to Sivory

Sivory Punta Cana Boutique HotelUvero Alto / Punta Cana

Dominican RepublicTel. 1855 SIVORY 0 or 809 333-0500

Fax. [email protected]

www.sivorypuntacana.com

SivoryAd.indd 1 5/20/11 11:06:48 AM

16-21_EAST.indd 20 5/20/11 11:11:47 AM


groups in mind due to the exclusive nature of this self-contained sanctuary. The YHI Spa + Health Club is a Top 10 spa on the island situated in a lovely thatch roof structure, with trickling water running between all of the spa suites. The biggest surprise might be the South Beach-style GABI Lounge. The outdoor lounge by the pool combines a sultry mix of padded stools on the sand and large screens with MTV videos. And in a similar vein, The Royal Suites Turquesa by Palladium offers 372 beautiful new suites with marble floors, large in-room jacuzzi, hardwood 4-post beds and high-threadcount white linens. Groups staying here have their own exclusive use of the property for a serene experience among the tropical flora and swaying palm trees. Butler service and 24-hour room service are standard. Then when everyone wants the large, festive resort experience, they have sharing privileges at the nearby, upscale Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino, Grand Palladium Bavaro Resort & Spa and Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa.

ECO GROUPSBlau Natura Park Beach, Eco Resort & Spa sits on densely lush grounds within a veritable rainforest setting. It is especially great for visiting groups’ families, who like to poke around in the gardens to see the many peacocks, flamingos, ibises and other waterfowl that call Natura home. If you’ve never dined in a restaurant built on stilts over a lagoon, while lights illuminate the lush tree canopy at night, this is the place to do it. There’s also conference space for 120 people. BEACH BOUTIQUEThe variety of hotel product along Dominican Republic’s east coast is staggering, especially as small designer hotels are entering the scene. For example, the quiet 55-room boutique hotel Sivory Punta Cana, a AAA Four-Diamond property, offers three upscale dining options. The most elegant is the French cuisine at Gourmond. The restaurant carries 8,000 bottles of wine, by far the best selection in Punta Cana, which is open for private group tours and tastings.

Untitled-28 21 5/19/11 5:41:45 PM


la romana& bayahibEthe caribbean coast

Untitled-29 22 5/19/11 5:43:01 PM


Left: Dreams La Romana Below: Villa at Casa de Campo

the southern shores of Dominican Republic reflect the rhythms of the Caribbean where fishermen get up with the sun to cast nets over the calm waters in the slanting light.

Fishing villages line the coast from Santo Domingo to Bayahibe, two hours away in the southeast, and their time-honored traditions imbue the area with a strong sense of community. About a 1/2 hour west of Bayahibe, the city of La Romana is the commercial and cultural hub of the region, anchored by the modern La Romana International Airport. The beauty of the Caribbean Coast for groups is its central location with convenient access to so many different types of island experiences. Planners can combine in one program: the spectacular beaches of Bayahibe, the best golf in the Caribbean, two beautiful offshore islands for Robinson Crusoe-type escapes, and the cultural wonders of Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone.

BAYAHIBE & THE ISLANDSEarly every morning of the week, dozens of 16-foot fishing scows filled with visitors depart the quiet harbor in Bayahibe, on the northern outskirts of the protected El Parque Nacional del Este. Everyone is heading out en masse to sea for a 45-minute ride to postcard-perfect Saona Island. On the way there, the boat drivers will head into the natural sanctuary to explore the hundreds of species of exotic flora, birds and fish who thrive here in this protected habitat. The peninsula is also known for its more than 400 caves and ancient cave paintings by the pre-Columbian Taino natives. From there, the group motors back out to sea until Saona appears on the horizon. Imagine the ideal beach with blistering white sand and tangled palm trees listing over Tiffany blue water. That’s Saona, a stunning atoll with enough space for 300 pax to snorkel in the surf without feeling cramped. There’s also a little community with bright pink and yellow wooden homes lining the beach displaying vibrant Haitian art for sale. Be sure to pack a few additional boats with fresh seafood to barbecue on the beach, with enough Presidente beer, Dominican cigars and rum to go around. The ride back is special too. In the late afternoon, the water is as flat as a glass tabletop. The boats stop midway for a swim in the clear shallow water and there’s not a single person without a blissful smile stamped on his or her face. For scuba divers, Catalina Island is a small coral-rimmed island just 1.5 miles offshore from La Romana, which is well known in diver circles for two incredible dives ranked among the top 10 in the Caribbean. “The Wall” extends from 15-140 feet in depth, while “The Aquarium” is teeming with colorful species like toad fish, sea horses, and the highly sought after lion fish.

BAYAHIBE BEACH HOTELSThe handful of large all-inclusive resorts outside Bayahibe face some of the prettiest beaches on the island, and there’s a real sense of feeling secluded within a world all your own. The hip and contemporary 751-room Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa features an 8,000-sf ballroom and eight additional breakouts, eight restaurants and seven lounges. The top ranked spa and large rooms/suites are a big plus with planners. The 501-room Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus is designed like a series of Spanish noblemen’s haciendas, while the lobby gathering space is decorated with Taino artifacts, European antiques and a mesmerizing display of tile work. Two conference rooms seat 300 pax.

A HOUSE IN THE COUNTRYOne of the most comprehensive resorts in the entire Caribbean, the sprawling 7,000-acre Casa de Campo resort is like a large country club by the sea. Situated just minutes from La Romana and the airport, the 265-room property is really a full-scale community with luxurious villas, a mega-yacht marina and a staggering collection of amenities, activities and venues. Beyond the luxurious suite accommodations, hundreds of expansive private villas are available for group rentals for elegant 100-pax dinners prepared in-house by a resort chef, or hospitality golf suites, executive retreats, spouse programs, etc. Indoor conference space is 15,000 sf. The villas and suites encircle two of the best golf courses in the hemisphere. “Dye Fore” features breathtaking views overlooking precipitous chasms high above the winding Chavon

Untitled-29 23 5/19/11 5:43:43 PM


River. And the waterfront Teeth of the Dog golf course, ranked #1 in the Caribbean, undulates along the seashore framed by palm tree forests and million-dollar homes. Adding to the stable of top caliber sporting venues, the Equestrian Center is home to championship polo tournaments that groups can view, or try the always fun donkey polo for themselves. The most comprehensive skeet shooting facilities in the Caribbean provide a highly memorable teambuilding activity, and the luxurious La Terraza Tennis Center features 13 courts. And following an extensive $30 million renovation in 2010, Casa de Campo added the stunning Cygalle Healing Spa featuring huge spa suites. There’s also the brand new Beach Club by Le Cirque restaurants where chefs visit for 6-month stints from the illustrious NYC establishment. The mega-yacht marina is encircled by dozens of shops and restaurants with large waterfront seating capacity. Organize a lunch with Cantonese specialties from Chinois restaurant and calamari on handmade Amalfi china from Limoncello, before sailing to nearby Catalina Island where Casa de Campo has permanent beachside facilities for private group events.

ALTOS DE CHAVÓNPerched atop dramatic cliffs overlooking Chavon River next to Casa de Campo, Altos de Chavón is a recreated 16th century Mediterranean plaza, exceptionally well designed to host lavish gala events for groups of all budgets. Built in 1976, it was designed by cinematographer Roberto Copa who used skilled local artisans to construct the weathered limestone, wood and iron buildings by hand. The 5,000-seat outdoor amphitheater has hosted concerts for singers Placido Domingo and Julio Iglesias, and it’s available for corporate

rental. The venue also hosts extravagant musical performances at night that celebrate local culture and dance. Furthermore, there’s a coterie of casual and upscale restaurants like the rustic La Piazzetta for Italian fine-dining. And many corporate groups take advantage of the panoramic views to arrange large, al fresco receptions and dinners on the cobblestones in front of the charming St. Stanislaus Church. Parsons School of Design in New York operates a satellite facility at the Altos de Chavón School of Design, where planners can organize group art classes. There’s the magnificent new Regional Museum of Archaeology with exhibits focusing on the native Taino tribes who once lived here, complemented by an exceptional Dominican fine art museum. For gifts, check out the lovely Batey’s shop, selling gorgeous, delicate handmade linens crafted by local women working in the outlying farms.

Below: St. Stanislaus Church, Altos de Chavón

Polo is known as the sport of kings. Donkey polo is not.

Polo, a thrilling grass game lauded for its sense of decorum and propriety, celebrates the powerful agility of both man and mount. Champagne is obligatory. So are big floppy hats and good manners. Above all, polo exemplifies the Englishman’s ideal of physical countenance cherished by the likes of Ralph Lauren and the British Royal Family. Donkey polo is a different story. Casa de Campo can organize group tournaments with attendees astride donkeys. Volleyballs and broomsticks are used instead of traditional polo accoutrements. Or, planners can create VIP events during polo season, Nov.-April, to watch the spectacular scene unfold from under tented stands with champagne and canapes.

Untitled-29 24 5/19/11 5:44:30 PM


For meeting and incentive groups visiting the shores surrounding Punta Cana, Bayahibe and La Romana, there is an offshore island that will satisfy your attendees’ dreams of paradise... Saona.

Untitled-29 25 5/19/11 5:45:18 PM


LA ROMANA & SAN PEDRO DE MACORISThe sugarcane industry gave birth to the wealthy city of La Romana, but it’s also home to the largest handmade cigar factory in the world. Located in the heart of town, the Tabacalera de Garcia facility employs a staff of 3,700 people who roll over 300 brands of cigars, including Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann and Don Diego. Groups can go behind the scenes to witness the entire process in action, from the drying of the leaves to the final inspection. And you will never smoke a cigar the same way again after you see the care and devotion that goes into rolling a fine cigar. The factory just opened a new Cigar Shop & Visitors Center where everyone can shop and smoke stogies while sipping on fine rums and brandies. Director Ruben E. Gonzalez is also available to lead cigar, wine and fine liquor pairing events at the regional hotels. Also new in La Romana, the luxurious La Estancia residential community is home to P.B. Dye’s La Estancia Golf Course. This is a breathtaking course with 12 holes skirting the cliff’s edge 400 feet over the Chavon River.

Less than a 1/2 hour drive from La Romana, the city of San Pedro de Macoris is the birthplace of professional Dominican baseball players in the American big leagues, where some of the world’s best players have been trained and nurtured. You know their names and faces: Sammy Sosa. Alex Rodriguez. Manny Ramírez. These professional baseball superstars in the United States are literally heroes here at home. San Pedro is home to a slew of American big league scouting camps, but anyone can drive up and watch literally hundreds of boys of all ages playing organized ball in dozens of fields. San Pedro also has a fun seaside boulevard with lively nightlife for visiting attendees who want a slice of local culture away from the big resorts.

JUAN DOLIO, GUAYACANES & BOCA CHICALocated midway between La Romana and the capital city, the peaceful beach towns of Juan Dolio and neighboring Guayacanes are known for their communal fishing village vibe, quiet beaches and fresh seafood served in family-owned restaurants. Visiting attendees can literally buy just-caught dorado and snapper from local fishermen right out of their small boats as they motor back after a big haul. Before lunch, a walk along the narrow streets shopping for local and Haitian paintings and handicrafts, followed by a cup of coffee in the salty breeze while watching children play, is a quintessential way to spend your off hours enjoying Dominican Republic to its fullest. Many golfing groups do make the trip to Juan Dolio to test their skills on the Gary Player Signature course at the unique Guavaberry Golf & Country Club. The heavily landscaped fairways on this dramatic 18-hole course feature indigenous coral rock formations and over 400 spiky corozo palm trees. Boca Chica shares many of the same idyllic traits as Juan Dolio but it’s only minutes east of Santo Domingo so it’s a great escape for delegates attending city conferences. Much of life revolves around the beach and colorful street that runs parallel, Calle Duarte, where groups can sample local cuisine in shorts and sandals among a wide variety of laid-back beach bars. The serene sapphire sea in Boca Chica will take your breath away, as it has for generations of city dwellers, so best to visit during the week. The bay is part of the protected La Caleta National Underwater Park offering extraordinary snorkeling and scuba diving around two shipwrecks. The 135-foot Hickory sank here after years of trolling for Spanish treasure lost here in the 1700s. And the El Limon tugboat was scuttled to bolster marine life, including trumpetfish and blue tangs. Meanwhile, snorkelers can easily access some of the island’s most plentiful reefs.

Below top: Juan DolioBelow bottom: La Estancia Golf Course

Untitled-29 26 5/19/11 5:45:57 PM


CRUISEgroups at sea

O ver half a million visitors arrive on the shores of Dominican Republic every year aboard luxury cruise ships sailing the Caribbean Sea. Due to its central

location, the island is a major stop for shipboard meetings and incentives. Attendees fl ying into Dominican Republic for landbased meetings can also book pre/post cruise itineraries for easy trips to the nearby islands thanks to the Dominican Republic’s prime central location in the Caribbean. Major cruise lines calling at Dominican Republic include: Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Costa Mediterranean Cruises and Princess Cruises. Cruise ships arrive at one of four terminals: Sans Souci and Don Diego in Santo Domingo; Port of La Romana on the southeast coast; and the Samaná Peninsula in the northeast. And in all three destinations, passengers are just minutes away from some of the most impressive cultural attractions and beautiful natural scenery in the Caribbean. In Santo Domingo, at the mouth of Ozama River, the DonDiego Terminal was built in 2006, while Sans Souci opened in2009. These modern facilities border the 500 year-old walls of

the world famous Colonial Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the fi rst established city of the Americas. The wide streets and expansive plazas rimmed with important architectural landmarks make it easy to organize large group tours. The terminals in Santo Domingo are also only a mere 10-minute drive from most business hotels downtown. In La Romana, the mesmerizing Altos de Chavón is a recreated 16th century Mediterranean village built by local artisans. Only 15 minutes from the port, this staggering venue is fi lled with upscale restaurants, boutique shops, a regional archaeological museum and world class school of design.Groups can also enjoy large banquets on the plaza with panoramic views towering over the Chavon River. There are few other places in the world that surpass theSamaná Peninsula is terms of sheer geological beauty. The rugged mountains and coastline are covered in millions of palm trees, where groups will fi nd a variety of remote waterfalls, solitary beaches and quiet fi shing villages. In the middle of Samaná Bay, the gorgeous island of Cayo Levantado offers one of the country’s best beaches for day excursions. Or groups can see thousands of humpback whales migrate here to give birth in the winter—a truly unforgettable experience to witness.

Untitled-29 27 5/19/11 5:46:59 PM


puertoplataadventure coast

the northern shores of Dominican Republic are dramatically different, both physically and culturally, from anywhere else on the island. Most of the entire coastline is rimmed

by majestic mist-swept mountains offering an entirely new drama and array of experience for groups away from the beaches. This is also where Christopher Columbus first settled in the New World, so there’s a very real sense of deep-rooted community with many layers of local culture embedded within the marvelous scenery. When people say they want an “authentic” Dominican experience, this is where they visit. The capital of the province is Puerto Plata, flanked by an eclectic combination of seaside communities targeting group business. Just east of Puerto Plata, Gregorio Luperón International Airport is the major gateway, with quick access to all of the north coast’s main attractions.

CaBarete BaY Within this tableau of rugged peaks and sublime shores, the buzzing beach community of Cabarete is regarded as the “Adventure Capital of the Caribbean.” From around the world, a globetrotting band of thrill-seekers come here for the Western Hemisphere’s best windsurfing and kiteboarding, due to the offshore tradewinds bumping into the peaks creating a gentle convection air current. On any given day, over 100 brightly colored billowing sails can be seen dancing over the waters of Cabarete Bay. A batch of windsurfing, kitesurfing and Laser sailing championships have already solidified Cabarete’s standing on the world stage. So there are many well-established watersport schools on the beach to teach private groups. The surfer vibe extends beyond the waves. Large tiki huts with funky bars and fresh seafood restaurants set up shop all down the beach. And most interesting, they’re staffed by both locals and young globorati streaming in from Denmark to

Detroit. At night, there are bonfires on the beach and live concerts that provide a free and exciting experience found nowhere else in the Caribbean. Cabarete is also base camp for exotic land excursions. The adventure outfitter Iguana Mama offers group packages for “canyoning” through the 27 Waterfalls at Damajagua, where attendees slide down waterfalls into crystal mountain pools. Less extreme sports like mountainbiking, ATV riding and kayaking are also popular among trails winding through the coconut palm forests and sugarcane fields. In the heart of Cabarete Bay, about 45 minutes from Puerto Plata, the all-inclusive, 221-room Viva Wyndham Tangerine is the largest group hotel on the beach, with a large open-air auditorium and 7,200 sf of meeting space. Just a few miles down the road, Sea Horse Ranch offers a world-class equestrian center with horseback rides and instruction, both Western and English style. Groups ride along empty beaches graced with million-dollar plantation homes available for private parties and retreats. plaYa DoraDaLocated on the outskirts of Puerto Plata just minutes from the airport, Playa Dorada is a gated resort community featuring over a dozen all-inclusive resorts. Most of them feature expansive meeting and event space, both indoors and out, along with multiple onsite restaurants, lagoon pools and nightly dancing and entertainment. Further amenities that all of the hotels share include the most upscale casinos on the north coast, regional tour company

Untitled-30 28 5/19/11 5:48:28 PM


offices, numerous watersports outfitters, a large shopping mall and upscale tennis facilities. In the center, the 18-hole Playa Dorada Golf Course designed by Robert Trent Jones is completely surrounded by dense thickets of palm trees. And all of it’s surrounded by two miles of soft sandy beaches, making Playa Dorada a one-stop destination for meeting professionals. Major all-inclusive meeting and incentive hotels include the 271-room Occidental Allegro Playa Dorada, featuring indoor group facilities for up to 120. The upscale 506-room VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort houses a 250-person conference center. For small groups seeking a truly luxurious European Plan hotel, the boutique Casa Colonial Beach & Spa Resort was designed to look like an elegant mansion, with a gorgeous rooftop pool deck and one of the best spas in Dominican Republic, if not the entire Caribbean. And just outside the Playa Dorada complex, the all-inclusive, 516-room Iberostar Costa Dorada occupies its

own beach for more groups wishing a more self-contained and secluded program, supported by a modern conference center hosting up to 800.

SOSÚA BEACHMidway between Cabarete and Puerto Plata, the buzzing little town of Sosúa is framed on three sides by lush green mountains. Life revolves around Sosúa Beach and a postcard-worthy crescent bay with some of the clearest, calmest water in the country. Sosúa is also a great place to shop and eat barefoot on the sand. Back behind the beachfront wall of tall swaying palm trees, dozens of shop owners sell their colorful handmade wares and clothing. Meanwhile, small restaurants housed in rustic tiki bars offer a welcome respite from the sun, where groups can mingle while enjoying fresh seafood caught daily. Overall, Sosúa is a kind of throwback to the classic Caribbean resort town built out of a charming fishing village

Kiteboarding in Cabarete

Untitled-30 29 5/19/11 5:49:53 PM


Below: 27 Waterfalls at Damajagua

that’s getting harder and harder to find these days. Side streets are filled with colorful shops selling handmade gifts, and the town is known for its active nightlife. The local community is primarily made up of expatriates from around the world. Once an important haven for Jewish settlers escaping persecution in Europe during World War II, the beach town is home to a synagogue that welcomes all faiths—and that pretty much sums up life here. There’s a little bit of this and a little bit of that and a whole lot of harmony thanks in no small part to the gorgeous setting.

Ocean World:World’s Largest Dolphin Home

Located in quiet Cofresi just west of Puerto Plata, the fun Ocean World Adventure Park, Marina & Casino features the world’s largest man-made dolphin habitat in the world. Organize events to feed dolphins, sharks and stingrays, or wander among the park to see tigers and exotic aviary.

PUERTO PLATANot far from where Christopher Columbus established the first settlement in the New World, Puerto Plata began as a trading post where ships from Spain could deliver goods to all the Spanish colonies. By 1540, the first fortress of the New World was constructed: El Castillo de San Felipe, which buttresses the winding seaside promenade running along the entire span of the downtown corridor. Many times throughout the year, varied festivals can add a touch of local color to any group event. During the era of European colonization, sugar, leather, tobacco and rum were traded between sailors from the seven seas. Today, tourists can walk around the old city to see the many Victorian homes laced with delicate gingerbread trim. The #1 attraction in town is the Amber Museum, housed in a 2-story neo-classic home built in 1918. The top floor of the museum features a wealth of exhibits examining the history of exploration for the semiprecious stone, along with rare amber samples containing ancient fossils within the resin. On the museum’s ground floor, there’s a well-stocked shop selling a wide range of bright amber baubles in all price ranges, which is always popular with visiting groups. Just outside of town, the Teleférico (cable car) ride to the top of Isabel del Torres mountain offers stunning views of the entire town and the northern coast. At the summit, a Cristo Redentor (Christ the Savior) statue protects the souls below, much like the monolithic Christ figure overlooking Río de Janeiro. Another reason to make the trip are the brilliantly colored flowers spread throughout the botanical gardens covering the entire summit of the mountain.

The venue is perfect for large groups due to the massive size and plenty of activities to split the group into. While one group scuba dives with dolphins, another group can sit in on the Sea Lion Show & Encounter. These amazing creatures, originating in Uruguay, do tricks and stunts in the 350-seat stadium for guests. Meanwhile, another group can snorkel in the Snorkel Reef, a coral reef aquarium filled with exotic fish including angelfish, puffers, butterfly fish and lobsters. The facility also features a 104-slip marina, a full service casino and the 102-seat Poseidon Restaurant, specializing in local seafood. This is a perfect spot for creating culinary teambuilding activities.

Untitled-30 30 5/19/11 5:50:51 PM


SAMANÁbig ‘wow’ factor

t he Samaná Peninsula in Dominican Republic’s northeast coast is a stretch of unblemished, palm tree-smothered paradise chronicled by Christopher Columbus as “the

fairest land on the face of the earth.” The northern coast of the peninsula is home to Las Terrenas, a small fi shing village set on virgin beaches lined with funky-colored, wooden fi shing boats and barefoot beach bars. This is the Dominican Republic of your dreams, where mass travel development will never occur due to the limited size of buildable land around Las Terrenas. And this tranquility radiates throughout the entire Samaná region where a tropical wonderland replete with lush, coconut-covered mountains dissolves into a crystal-clear sea. Its ocean is fi lled with thriving coral reef enveloped by brightly colored fi sh and one of the largest populations of humpback whales in the world. Amidst this unspoiled marvel, RockResorts unveiled the brand new Balcones del Atlántico. This simple yet luxurious resort features 86 villa-suites, one restaurant and four spa suites. The luxury accommodations are designed to make you feel like a local in your own Caribbean home. Each villa-suite has two or three bedrooms, a fully equipped designer kitchen, spacious living room, dining room and a landscaped terrace. The residential feel gives the entire stay a touch of comfort and familiarity in a new, undiscovered location that’s still a secret to much of the world.

POSTCARD PARADISEAn invigorating boat ride out into the Bay of Samaná, the island of Cayo Levantado is a tiny 6-square-mile island rimmed with powder soft white sand and gorgeous turquoise water. Many attendees visit to simply walk along the beach and suntan, while others venture out to the thriving reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving. Facilities are also on hand for catered BBQ lunches prepared with daily fresh seafood. From January to March, planners can organize group excursions to spot humpback whales that migrate to the area in the thousands for mating season. Follow that up with dinner on Cayo Levantado for an uncompromised view of the sun setting on the Atlantic’s horizon. Back on the peninsula, El Limon Waterfall is a stunning little tropical oasis where visitors can go to cool off and relax. Groups also hike, ride horseback or take an ATV up to the waterfall’s ledge. Once there, try the delectable local produce such as cocoa, grapefruit and coconuts. This region is well known for its agriculture, yielding plump and sweet fruit and some of the best coffee in the world. Also for groups, there’s a wide selection of charming oceanfront restaurants, such as Colibar Restaurant in the Colibri Playa Hotel. Every day the kitchen receives locally caught seafood for dishes like Coda d’Agostina—delectable lobster served with homemade garlic sauce.

Cayo Levantado

Untitled-30 31 5/19/11 5:51:33 PM


santo domingoathens of the new world

Untitled-2 32 7/15/11 1:24:19 PM


Left: Columbus Palace Right: Plaza de España

with a population of more than two million people, the capital city of Santo Domingo sits at the mouth of the Ozama River where it empties into

the Caribbean Sea. Due to its strategic location and protected harbor, this is the very birthplace of the Americas where Christopher Columbus and his family members established the first European city in the New World. Today, the bulk of international conferences in the city take place in and around the malecón—a broad esplanade skirting the sea. The major business hotels all front the long boulevard with panoramic views of the dark blue water, providing a welcome respite from typical big city congestion with open skies and light tropical tradewinds. Numerous large group venues around the city can accommodate groups up to 1,500 people, while an interesting array of historic settings and cultured hotels imbue any gala with colorful drama. Las Americas International Airport is the gateway into the capital city, located on the eastern outskirts about 30 minutes from the business district.

LA ZONA COLONIALOnly 15 minutes from the conference hotels, the magisterial 16th century Colonial Zone is without a doubt the most powerful cultural destination in the Caribbean Basin. Situated behind 15-ft thick stone walls towering up from the Ozama River, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is the pride of Dominican people. It was here where Columbus’ son Don Diego and the Spanish Admiralty oversaw the conquest of the Caribbean and Spanish Main for over a century. An elegant array of architectural landmarks and important artwork remains in place from the 1500s as a testament to the age of European expansion. So, a must for any group is a grand tour of the unforgettable structures lining the cobblestone streets. Start with the Alcázar de Colón (Columbus Palace) where Don Diego lived with his wife Doña María de Toledo. This huge residence (originally containing 55 rooms, of which 22 remain) was built in 1515 with an Andalusian palette of Moorish, Gothic and Isabelline styles. Inside, a priceless collection of period art and furnishings include both original pieces and donations from the University of Madrid. Directly in front of the palace, the Plaza de España is a wonderful venue for outdoor evening gatherings when the palace is lit up at night. Across the plaza, the Museum of Royal Houses is situated within two adjacent 16th-century palaces encompassing the city’s original Governor’s residence, the Hall of Justice and the Viceroy’s throne. This is worth a visit just to

see the comprehensive exhibits of military hardware ranging from medieval crossbows to lady daggers. From there, a breezy walk up Calle de las Damas (Street of the Ladies) leads to dramatic attractions highlighted by the Santa María de la Encarnación Cathedral located in Parque Colón (Columbus Park). Completed in 1540, the cathedral is the oldest church in the Western Hemisphere, where priests still use the original 464-year-old keys to lock the original mahogany doors. Inside, stop to admire the stained glass by Dominican artist Rincón Mora. Also be sure to walk up into the Torre de Homenaje (Tower of Homage) with its crenellated roof, where guards once stood sentinel over the harbor to warn of enemy barquentines. Another good way to see the city, the Colonial Chu Chu is a new train that makes a 45-minute tour every hour in the historic city, with audio guides in English, Spanish, Italian, French and Russian. The train accommodates groups of 64.

COLUMBUS LIGHTHOUSEThe most venerable site in Dominican Republic lies just across the Ozama River. Opened in 1992 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival, the Faro a Colón (Columbus Lighthouse) is a massive $100 million structure spanning over three city blocks. Here, the First Admiral of the West Indies purportedly rests in a dignified Baroque mausoleum guarded by ceremonial militia.

Untitled-2 33 7/15/11 1:24:46 PM


MEETINGS IN THE PARKAvailable for private rental, the National Botanical Gardens & Parks is the largest of its kind in the Caribbean. Its displays include tropical palms, 48 pools with more than 40 species of aquatic plants, a pavilion, and an arboretum with approximately 1,500 trees, most of which are native. Popular onsite attractions include the Japanese Garden and colorful orchid pavilion, with more than 300 orchid species. Take a couple hours to stroll the cage-less national zoo, Parque Zoologico Nacional. More than 200 different species, including native Dominican and migratory animals, live here in areas closely resembling their natural habitats. Stop by the newly remodeled Serpent Area, including an anaconda, albino python from India, and the Hispaniola and Green Snake from Dominican Republic. Located on the Ozama River are two parks worth a visit. The National Aquarium gives attendees a glimpse into the world of the Caribbean with over 3,000 marine animals. A highlight is a walk below the undersea Plexiglas tunnels.

THE DINING/NIGHTLIFE SCENEFrom regional Dominican dishes to flavorful international cuisine, Santo Domingo’s dining scene appeals to the international passions of any guest. Restaurants worthy of a group’s patronage are clustered around the city, including the Colonial Zone, Gazcue, the malecon and uptown. Here are some of the highlights: Imagine taking your attendees to an underground cave, where centuries ago pirates were hidden in this limestone hideaway. Descend narrow stairs 40 feet to feast down-under amongst the stalactites and stalagmites at Mesón de la Cava. Or for the cave-phobics, choose seating upstairs in the restored colonial home with a view of the city. The restaurant has been a long time favorite for celebrities and dignitaries, from Francois Mitterand to Francis Ford Coppola. The menu consists of modern Spanish with French influences, such as: shrimp in cilantro cream, conch gratine, gazpacho and grilled Caribbean rock lobster. Merengue, Latin jazz, blues and salsa add to the ambiance for a truly unique dining experience. El Conuco has long been a favorite for groups with arguably the best local authentic food for visitors in the city. The restaurant is decorated like a country house with colorful fabrics, wicker embellishments, pots and pans strewn about, and long buffet tables heaping with freshly prepared food. The best part might be the dance performances where professionals perform beautiful merengue moves in traditional dress. Ristorante Fellini is consistently regarded among the top three restaurants in the city, serving fine-dining Italian food such

Opposite: InterContinental V Centenario Santo DomingoBelow right: Ristorante Fellini

Large City Conferenceswith a Taste for the Arts

Santo Domingo offers several air-conditioned auditoriums for group events: Casa San Pablo (1,200 pax), Banco Central (723) and Universidad Pedro Henriquez Ureña (700) Throughout the city, there is also a diverse collection of cultural venues available for group events, including:

Teatro Nacional (1,500) Museo de Historia y Geografía (500) Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes (555) Conservatorio Nacional de Música (400) Instituto Cultural Dominico Americano (300) Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de la Escuela de Diplomacia (250) Auditorio Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (250) Plaza de España en la Ciudad Colonial, Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO (1,200)

••••••

•

•

Untitled-31 34 5/19/11 5:54:08 PM


as shrimp carpaccio and risotto with beet and squid ink. There are 300 wines on the menu and a chic upscale outdoor terrace for pre-dinner cocktails. In the Colonial Zone, La Taberna Vasca creates astonishingly good Caribbean/French cuisine. Try the Basque Tapas Tastings combo with a variety of different delectable fish drizzled in deftly prepared Creole sauces. Meanwhile, the desserts are considered among the best in the country. With one of the best locations in the city at the entrance to Plaza of Spain facing Columbus Palace, Pat’e Palo European Brasserie is sometimes called “the first restaurant in the Americas.” It’s housed inside a naval officer’s home built on this spot in 1505. The arched ceilings, exposed brick walls and polished hardwoods offer a nice counterpoint to the white linens and soft, live guitar music. And there’s the food, earning it the reputation as the one must-see restaurant for visitors in town. Try the Angus steak marinated in curry and honey with green chile/lime sauce; homemade ravioli with lobster mousse; and porcini mushroom risotto with Serrano ham. The nightlife in Santo Domingo is just as exciting as the cuisine, and many of the nightclubs cater well to foreign groups. Two of the most outstanding are: Casa de Teatro in the Colonial Zone, where you can enjoy live music and performances by local artists, and contemporary art. Also, Guacara Taina is a 3-level dance club memorable not only for its music, but for its location inside an enormous cavern.

GROUP HOTELS The large conference hotels are all lined up on George Washington Avenue facing the Caribbean Sea, so it’s easy for groups to have dinner at one, visit the casinos at another and finish up with dancing and drinks at a third. All of them feature considerable meeting space because the city is so well situated for Pan-American conventions. The 228-room Hilton Santo Domingo is the newest group property and it boasts the largest casino on-island. The hotel was specifically designed for the modern business person. The 300-room Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino is an excellent value, with 26,000 sf of meeting space. Hotel V Centenario InterContinental Santo Domingo features 196 rooms, 34 suites and a contemporary, worldly ambiance with a fun pool area for outdoor events. The 224-room Hotel Meliá Santo Domingo offers a compelling Spanish flavor in its design and menus. The property is known for its warm hospitality. The 278-room Occidental El Embajador is consistently ranked among the best business hotels in the city, with a luxurious Old World elegance. And in the Colonial Zone, the 104-room Hostal Nicolas de Ovando is a chic designer property built within three historic residences dating back to the early 1500s. The inner courtyard surrounded by arched terraces and the large lobby lounge are two of the city’s most charming venues.

Untitled-31 35 5/19/11 5:54:42 PM


centralthe dominican alps

a bout an hour south of Puerto Plata, the abundantly fertile heartland of Dominican Republic unfolds before you. The Cordillera Central mountain region and Cibao

Valley together create some of the most dramatic geography and ecological diversity in the Caribbean Basin. It’s called the “Land of Eternal Spring,” where lush alluvial plains undulate below the tallest mountain in the West Indies, Pico Duarte. Bring your group here to get lost in Mother Earth. For instance, a total of 18 waterfalls cascade over chasms cutting deep into this rugged land. The region is home to Dominican Republic’s most prolific coffee and cigar plantations, owned by families that for generations have produced these two key Dominican exports. The topsoil here is said to be among the deepest in the world, and farmlands thriving with strawberries, coffee and cacao contribute to the island’s reputation as the “Breadbasket of the Caribbean” for groups interested in agricultural tourism and sustainability. The hub destination in the valley is Santiago, the second largest city in DR, accessed via Cibao International Airport, or 90 minutes south from Puerto Plata or two hours north of Santo Domingo. Surrounding Santiago, two charming mountain towns are within an hour’s drive.

JaraBacOaStreaming down from the high peaks, the Yaque del Norte and Jimenoa rivers intersect outside the rustic town of Jarabacoa— a Taino word meaning “place where the water flees.” Up here in the higher altitudes, the air is ripe with the scent of pine trees and cooling mountain breezes, where the temperature rarely climbs above 72 degrees. For groups, the 27-room, lodge-style Rancho Baiguate is your base camp for adventure, teeming with young and old adrenaline seekers from around the world. From here, innumerable tours venture into the country for whitewater river rafting, canoeing, horseback riding, 4-wheel ATVs, serious canyon rappelling and mountain biking.

By far, whitewater river rafting is the #1 group event throughout the entire central region, and planners can’t miss creating a spectacular event due to both the scenery and adventure. During the 3.5-hour ride, you’ll pass through Class II-IV rapids including the 12-foot “Mike Tyson” vertical drop and the “Cemetery,” where boulders stand straight up in the air. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many groups, with an inherent teambuilding aspect due to everyone’s need to make sure the person next to him or her remains in the raft. For those groups seeking a little more peaceful of a program, the Armando Bermudez and Jose Carmen Ramírez National Parks in the western part of the country offer a bewildering mix of flora and fauna highlighted by the many varieties of orchids and bromeliads. More than 250 different bird species have been spotted in Hispaniola, more than half of them can be seen in these two parks, including chicui, zumbador de las montañas, papagayo, and cotorra. Also be sure to check out Salto Baiguate waterfall with a towering drop into a pool of water where visitors can swim in the warmer months. Just getting there is part of the attraction along the edge of a ravine with spectacular views. Rancho Baiguate is part of the Grupo Baiguate collection, including the 43-room Hotel Pinar Dorado, with modern conference space for 350 persons.

cOnStanZaThe closest city to the base of Pico Duarte Mountain, the city of Constanza is the highest in the country so it’s best to dress warm, especially in the winter. Groups come here for an authentic and relaxing look at local Dominican culture, unfettered with the mass transportation and hustle of the larger tourism destinations. The city has seen a rise in popularity with the evolution of the farm-to-table trend around the world. Long tables can be set up outdoors at a collection of small inns and hotels like Rancho Guaraguao, where everyone can sit down for leisurely meals in the fresh misty air.

Opposite, clockwise from top right: Santiago, Jarabacoa, Constanza

Untitled-32 36 5/19/11 5:55:55 PM


Untitled-1 37 5/19/11 5:57:14 PM


Manytimes,theproduceandpoultryusedforthelunchesanddinnersaregrownrightonsite,asConstanzaissituatedinoneofthemostpopularfarmingdistrictsinthecountry. Plannersshouldconsidersettingupcookingclassesoreveneventswhereattendeesactuallyharvesttheirownfruitsandvegetablesbeforejoiningtogethertoprepareamealfortheentiregroup. Therestofthetime,juststopandsmellthejuniper.TheCibaoValleyisMotherNature’sfinesthour.SmokeabigDominicancigaronamountaintop.Enjoyafreshcupoflocaljavainthemildair,orgoforagrouphorsebackrideupthroughthehillsamidtheverdantforests. Afterdaysofmeetingsinthebigcities,Constanzarewardsdelegateswithalong,healthyanddeepbreathoffreshmountainmajesty.

Santiago: Cigar & Rum Tours in the Dominican Heartland

Santiago, the second largest city in the country, is located in the heart of the Cordillera Central Mountain range on the highway between Santo Domingo on the south coast and Puerto Plata on the north. And much like Santo Domingo, it has a small and energetic cultural area in the downtown business corridor with a vibrant lineup of museums, boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs. Nearby, the town of La Vega is the home of the country’s Carnaval. The most extravagant celebrations take place in Santo Domingo, but many of the costumes and masks are created by the talented artists in this small town. Each week, parades show off their latest creations.

The Cigar IndustryOver the last few decades, the cigar industry in Dominican Republic has evolved into a worthy competitor against the best brands in Cuba. The richly fertile fields around Santiago produce the bulk of tobacco, and groups are invited to visit some of the plantations on a series of well organized tours, that include trips to coffee and rum plantations, the beaches on the north coast and adventurous mountain activities outside Jarabacoa. In Santiago, the Museo del Tabaco is a popular tour to learn about the history of the industry and the cigar-making process. For special cultural events, the Centro Leon Cultural Center is a beautiful modern structure filled with contemporary art, developed by the E Leon Jiménes Tobacco Company—the most renowned cigar manufacturer in the country. They offer tours both inside the large city factory and to the smaller “rolling farms” in the country. Another highly respected cigar maker, the family-run Tabaquería Carbonell was established in 1897, and today it is still run as a family company. Visit the factories where experts sit diligently rolling Palmas, Coronas, Churchills and others. The distinctive earthy scent intensifies in the adjoining room where the finished cigars mature during their reposo (rest).

Below: Centro Leon Cultural Center

Untitled-1 38 5/19/11 5:57:53 PM


food & musicaround Dominicana

d ue to the vast natural resources around Dominican Republic, there’s plenty of fresh food everywhere, ranging from strawberries grown in the mountainous

Cibao Valley to lobster, mahi-mahi and swordfish found in the Caribbean Sea. Comida criolla (Dominican cuisine) resembles Creole cooking due to the wide range of cooking methods handed down over generations from the various Spanish, African and Taino cultures who lived here. The national dish is Sancocho with various meats and vegetables in stew often containing pork, seafood, sweet potatoes and cassava. Sancocho prieto is a dark, almost black stew made with seven different kinds of meats. Another typical dish, La Bandera (the flag) consists of the colors of the flag: white rice, red beans, and tostones (fried green plantains), along with stewed meats and salad. Also popular, asopao is a flavorful soup full of meat, rice and vegetables. And no self-respecting local restaurant in Dominican Republic would serve a menu without a good arroz con pollo (chicken mixed with rice). That’s the Dominican way. From the best restaurants in the city and resorts to the smallest beach shack, fresh lobster is high in demand from foreign visitors. There are few better ways to network with

colleagues and clients than slathering hot butter over a giant lobster cooked on the beach, while everyone relaxes in shorts and bare feet. While you’re at it, order up a combo seafood platter with a few local Presidente beers. Island fare consists of mero (sea bass), chillo (red snapper), carite (kingfish), lambí (conch), camarones (shrimp) and the always delicious pulpo (octopus).

merengue, day & nightThere are few places you can venture to in Dominican Republic without the sounds of merengue, salsa and the gentler bachata music playing in the background. From babies, local children are raised to music, including in school where they’re sometimes taught lessons through song lyrics. When they’re teenagers, boys become excellent dancers to attract the attention of their female schoolmates. And at nightclubs throughout the island, throngs of locals dancing the merengue expertly will enthrall many visitors with the grace, style and passion of their seemingly choreographed movement. One sure way to get attendees to relax with colleagues is by organizing a group merengue dance class. Any large space will do. Oftentimes you’ll see multiple instructors leading classes everywhere from an exhibit hall to a palm-fringed beach.

El Conuco, Santo Domingo

Untitled-1 39 5/19/11 5:58:32 PM


AMSTAR DMC

Carretera Bávaro km 2 1/2

Punta Cana

Tel: 809-221-6626; Fax: 809-455-1490

amstardmc.com

amstargroups.com

ARBAJE TOURS

Calle Pedro A Bobea No. 2,

casi esq. Ave. Sarasota,

Ensanche Bella Vista, Santo Domingo

Tel: 809-535-4941; Fax: 809-535-6000

[email protected]

arbajetours.com

CONNECT TRAVEL SERVICES

101 Boulevard 1ro de Noviembre

Punta Cana

Tel: 809-959-0505

[email protected]; ctsdr.com

CARIBBEAN NEXUS TOURS

Puerto Plata:

Plaza Playa Dorada 2º Floor 2-b-b

Tel: 809-320-1515/1666/1777

Fax: 809-320-1444

Punta Cana:

Carretera Verom Bávaro

Edif. Metro 2º Floor, Bávaro, Higuey

Tel: 809-552-0943/0792

Fax: 809-552-0658

[email protected]

nexustours.com

COLONIAL TOURS

Arzobispo Meriño 209 Zona Colonial

Santo Domingo

Tel: 809-688-5285 ext. 107

Cell: 809-861-9030; Fax: 809-682-0964

[email protected]

D.S. VOYAGES

Plaza Fernández II Local 15-B

Av. Winston Churchill

Tel: 809-472-6589; Fax: 809-541-8095

[email protected]; ds-voyages.fr

EL CABALLO TOURS ECT

El Paseo de la Costa 2da Planta

Las Terrenas, Samaná

Tel: 809-240-6249, Fax: 809-240-6270

[email protected]

elcaballotours.com

EDECANES TOURS

Av. Núñez de Cáceres, Plaza Saint Michell,

#24 El Millón, Santo Domingo

Tel: 809-549-3555, Fax: 809-549-3510

[email protected]

edecanestours.com

HOLA TOURS

Plaza Mariel 2 Carretera Friusa-Riu

Punta Cana

Tel: 809-552-1775; Fax: 809-552-1223

[email protected]; holatours.com

K&M DESTINOS

Calle Eugenio Deschamps 5,

La Castellana, Santo Domingo

Tel: 809-334-1910; Fax: 809-334-1913

[email protected]

[email protected]

kmdestinos.com

PRIETO TOURS

Avenida Francia #125 Gazcue

Santo Domingo

Tel: 809-685-0102/Fax: 809-685-0457

[email protected]

prietotours.com.do

TRAVEL IN STYLE

Av. Los Próceres no. 10

Diamond Mall, local 45-A

Santo Domingo

Tel: 809-616-3000

Fax: 809-549-6112

dominicantravel.com

[email protected]

TRAVEL SERVICES RUSIA

Carretera Bávaro, km 0 Plaza Costa

Bávaro, local 102B Bávaro

Tel: 809-552-6220

Fax: 809-552-6334

[email protected]

TURENLACES

Calle “C” - #32 Reparto Esteva (Piantini)

Santo Domingo

Tel: 809-565-3500

Fax: 809-565-1221

turenlaces.com

VIP TRAVEL SERVICES

Plaza Cueva Taina Local D1

Punta Cana

Tel: 809-466-1101

Cell: 809 284-9379

Fax: 809-466-1010

[email protected]

viptravelservices.com

VIAJES BOHIO

Benito Moncion No. 161

Santo Domingo

Tel: 809-686-2992

Fax: 809-687-1912

Boni Canto Rondon

[email protected]

viajesbohio.com

destination management

Untitled-2 40 5/19/11 5:59:38 PM


Many DMCs in Dominican Republic can organize group side trips throughout the entire country.

Untitled-2 41 5/19/11 6:00:21 PM


Escape to Where it All

Your story begins

Nothing says recreation, corporate

getaways, or unique events like the

sophisticated tropical luxury of all new

Casa de Campo. Lobby spaces

captivate. The new pool area dazzles.

Restaurants like The Beach Club by Le

Cirque and La Caña by Il Circo delight

the senses. Polo, golf, sporting clays,

spa days, nightlife, horseback riding,

enhanced Elite rooms with updated

design … this is the grandest chapter

for an exceptional Caribbean program.

CONTACT:DOMINICAN REPUBLICMINISTRY OF TOURISM Calle Cayetano Germosén, esquina avenida Gregorio Luperón Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicPhone: [email protected]

NORTH AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN NEW YORK136 E. 57 St. Suite 805New York, NY 10022, USAPhone: 212-588-1012/ 14Toll Free: [email protected]

MIAMI848 Brickell Ave. Suite 747Miami, FL 33131, USAPhone: 305-358-2899Toll Free: [email protected] CHICAGO180 North La Salle Street, Suite #3757,37th � oor, Chicago, IL 60601, USAPhone: 773-529-1336/ 37Toll Free: [email protected]

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO890 Ashford Ave. Suite C-3 CondadoSan Juan, Puerto Rico 00907Phone: [email protected] MONTREAL, QUEBEC2055 Peel Street, Suite 550 Montreal, Quebec H3A 1V5, CanadaPhone: 514-499-1918Toll Free: [email protected]

TORONTO, ONTARIO26 Wellington Street East Suite 201Toronto, Ontario M5E-1S2, CanadaPhone: 416-361-2126/27Toll Free: [email protected]

EUROPE

PARIS, FRANCE22, Rue du 4 September75002 Paris, FrancePhone: [email protected] FRANKFURT, GERMANYHochstrasse 5460313 Frankfurt, GermanyPhone: [email protected] STOCKHOLM, SWEDENKungsgatan 37111 56 Stockholm, SwedenPhone: [email protected] LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM18-21 Hand CourtLondon WC1V 6JFUnited KingdomPhone: 44-20 72427778/ 44-20 [email protected] MADRID, SPAINCalle General Yagüe #4Puerta 12, 28020 Madrid, SpainPhone: [email protected]

BRUSSELS, BELGIUMAve. Louise 271 LouizalaanBruxelles 1050, BelgiumPhone: [email protected]

MILAN, ITALY25 Piazza Castello20121 Milano, ItalyPhone: [email protected] ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIAC. Shpalernaya, 54, Of. A12191015 St. Petersburg, RussiaPhone: +7 921 77 85 [email protected]

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLICStepanska 611/14. CZ-110 00 Praha 1Czech RepublcPhone: [email protected]

SOUTH AMERICA

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINACalle San Martin 1143, 1er piso Buenos Aires, Argentina Phone: [email protected]

SANTIAGO, CHILEAugusto Leguia Sur 79O� cina 1105, Las CondesSantiago de Chile, ChilePhone: [email protected] SAO PAULO, BRASILAve. São Luis No. 50Conjunto 91E-9 AndarEdif. Italia / CentroCep 01046-926 São Paulo / SP, BrazilPhone: [email protected] BOGOTA, COLOMBIAO� cina 513 de la Torre AEdif. Teleport Business Park,Calle 114 No. 9-01, Santa Fe de Bogota, ColombiaPhone: 57-1-629-1818/[email protected] CARACAS, VENEZUELACalle Villa� or con Ave. Casanova,Edif. Of� maker piso 1, O� cina 1-3Sabana Grande, Caracas, VenezuelaPhone: [email protected]

Untitled-3 42 5/19/11 6:01:30 PM

CSR

Escape to Where it All

Your story begins

Nothing says recreation, corporate

getaways, or unique events like the

sophisticated tropical luxury of all new

Casa de Campo. Lobby spaces

captivate. The new pool area dazzles.

Restaurants like The Beach Club by Le

Cirque and La Caña by Il Circo delight

the senses. Polo, golf, sporting clays,

spa days, nightlife, horseback riding,

enhanced Elite rooms with updated

design … this is the grandest chapter

for an exceptional Caribbean program.

www.casadecampo.com.do

For additional information, contact Group Sales at 800.336.5520

305.856.7083 or direct at 809.523.8733

Untitled-23 43 5/18/11 12:21:17 PM

Untitled-6 44 5/2/11 12:24:07 PM

Documents

Meeting and incentive guide dominican republic