WORLD WONDER
10/4/2007 4:42:59 PM by Philip Starz
It may not have been elected as one of the new wonders of the world, but it should have. Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic is set to live up to its reputation as the “World’s Next Great Destination” — and its creators want you along for the luxe ride, not only in Cap Cana, but throughout the rest of the country as well
In a country renowned the world over for its big-game fishing, cigars, music, Caribbean waters and eco-adventures, there’s a new lure that will rival all else in the “Republic of Colors.” Cap Cana, a massive exclusive-living project being developed on the Dominican Republic’s eastern region, is being touted as the “World’s Next Great Destination” and is set to become just that with more than 5,000 residential units, five golf courses, several yachting, sports and beach clubs, a 1,000-slip marina and a slew of luxe hotels planned as part of the master plan.
The first stage of Cap Cana is so mammoth it’s planned for completion in the span of 12 to 15 years and will comprise an area of 8,680 acres. Throughout Cap Cana, several real estate options are being built, each divided into its respective locations, depending on the favored leisure interests of potential buyers: golf, beaches and marinas.
Golf living options include Green Village, Gayuco Estates & Villas, Las Palmas Villas, Logroval Premium Villas, JC & I Villas, Las Lagunas Estates, Golden Bear, Yarri and Caleton. Beach options are sprawled along Juanillo Bay and include beachfront homes for the aforementioned Logroval and Caleton villas as well as Punta Palmera; marina-front options include Alta Bella Fishing Lodge, Ribera Marina and Aquamarina. Trump is also developing Farallon Estates in the area, which sits atop the highest elevation in the area, overlooking the entire project at 200 feet above sea level.
Cap Cana Now
As the final touches are placed on all of Cap Cana’s offerings, there are a couple of options that are available for you to enjoy today — or tomorrow — depending on when you book your flight or charter to the country.
Green Village
Recently recognized among the ten best options for real estate investment in the world by Travel and Leisure magazine, Green Village is considered by real estate analysts as one of the best places to invest in a second or third home. Located near the Punta Espada and Las Iguanas golf courses, Green Village houses 138 one- and two-bedroom villas as well as 59 three- to five-bedroom residences.
Punta Espada Golf Course
Since teeing off in November 2006, the Punta Espada Golf Course has already gained attention from Robb Report, Forbes and Golf Digest as one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean — and the world. The Golf Club will be the site of the PGA’s Champions Tour and flaunts 100 percent paspalum grass, the preferred surface in sunny locales. The Jack Nicklaus-designed course is set to attract pros and enthusiasts alike from around the world who want to take advantage of the sprawling Caribbean views unique to this par 72, 18-hole course.
Trump Farallon Estates
Even Donald Trump has arrived with Trump Farallon Estates at Cap Cana, 68 lots of land atop the highest bluff in the area, boasting views from 200 feet above sea level. The lots range in size from 1.6 to 12 acres and in price from $3 million to $12 million and will be overseen by last season’s Apprentice winner. The development has already broken a world record, selling $350 million and more than 95 percent of its inventory in the first four hours of the official sales launch.
Modern Marina
Inaugurated in April 2007 with the opening of 58 slips, the marina at Cap Cana is expected to house more than 1,000 slips for yachts ranging in size all the way up to mega yachts. The marina will feature five-star services including restaurants, bars, boutiques and shops, and will be complemented by a five-star hotel, Altabella Fishing Lodge, which will feature 110 suites and 250 luxury apartments with panorama views of the marina. Yachtsmen and boaters from around the world are sure to flock to these luxe docks year-round to take advantage of the area’s offerings.
Exclusive Hotels
Projected to become one of the most luxurious hotels in the Caribbean, the five-star Sanctuary Cap Cana Golf & Spa will open this winter. With 176 full-view suites, half of them will feature direct entrances from the ocean. The fully equipped, 22,000-square-foot spa will feature eight restaurants and bars and an event area for 500.
Set to debut along with the Sanctuary, The Golden Bear Lodge will boast 98 condos with prime architecture, private pools and world-class views. Co-developed by Jack Nicklaus, the resort is located between the Punta Espada and Las Iguanas golf courses.
Also within Cap Cana, the 16 three- and four-bedroom Caleton Villas are located next to the Caleton Beach Club with views of the ocean and adjacent golf course. This boutique-hotel is set to rival even the most luxurious offerings found throughout the rest of the Caribbean.
Fine Fishing
Besides prime real estate and accommodation options, the Dominican Republic hosts several international fishing tournaments each year, including ESPN’s Billfish Xtreme Tournament at Punta Cana Resort & Club. Several fishing world records have been broken in the waters surrounding the country. A prime example was set off the coast of La Romana when the 50-pound tackle world record of Atlantic blue marlin was set with an 850-pound catch.
Most anglers may not be aware that the Dominican Republic serves as a hideout for dozens of some of the world’s most sought-after species including barracuda, bonito, kingfish, sailfish, and Spanish mackerel, among many others. Many elusive species make the Dominican Republic their port-of-call as they migrate through the Caribbean. In the north coast, for example, white marlin is abundant May through August, while blue marlin and tuna thrive July and August. Sailfish are numerous November through April and wahoo, king mackerel and dorado can be found year-round. On the southern tip of the country, blue marlin, dolphin and barracuda are heavily prevalent June through September. Sailfish and wahoo can be caught October through January.
Throughout the Dominican Republic, fishing charters are available for deep-sea fishing. Some of the most trusted fishing excursion companies include Aqua Adventures (Aqua-Adventures.com), which specializes in small-group deep-sea adventures for tuna, marlin and snapper and is run by American-born Capt. Pablo Santos; Captain Don Fishing Adventures (RoomsPop.com), offers offshore, inshore, half-day or full-day excursions with more than 20 years of experience in chumming, trolling and live bait fishing; and Coconor, which showcases charters out of Puerto Plata twice a day on 32- and 45-foot fishing yachts.
Other fishing charter companies to choose from include Gone Fishing (PuertoPlataHot.com), offering a low companion rate for none-angling tag-alongs; Pelicano Explorer (PelicanoExplorer.com), offering daily trips into the waters off the Ocean Bravaro Resort in Punta Cana for all levels of anglers with an introductory course taught by experienced instructors for those who want to learn as much as they can about deep-sea considerations before leaving the docks; and Got Marlin? (Got Marlin.com), a full-day outing available from July through August on the 46-foot Just Us.
The best part of most of the charters available in the Dominican Republic is that many promise to never have more people aboard than lines, ensuring everyone has their try at catching the “big one.” And with the hundreds of opportunities that will present themselves aboard, luring in the catch of a lifetime is not as far-fetched a notion as you might think.
Under the Sea
Once you’ve gotten used to the beautiful surface of the oceans surrounding the Dominican Republic, it’s time to explore what’s underneath. Whether you prefer exploring the centuries-old shipwrecks off the north coast or the reefs off the south coast, the Dominican Republic offers something for everyone in its vast underwater world of fish-gazing.
Geographically, the best diving can be had on the Dominican Republic’s east coast. Just a boat ride away from the city of La Romana sits Saona Island, a protected sanctuary within a national park. Frequent below-surface sightings here include turtles, whales and sharks. Large schools of bayahibe are known to interact with divers throughout the man-made wrecks that surround this island including Saint George and Embassy, both of which are more than 240 feet long.
Punta Cana is also a respected dive site, boasting the longest coral reef in the Dominican Republic. Since the convergence of the Caribbean and Atlantic produces rough conditions, this area isn’t recommended for beginners, although group dives are available year-round and recommended for intermediate to advanced divers.
Off the northeastern coast, the Samana Peninsula is considered to house the best dive sites in the Caribbean. Hundreds of caves, tunnels, walls and reefs make up 23 unnamed sites in the area. From mid-January to the end of March, thousands of humpback whales pass through the area, guaranteeing more than just casual fish sightings in the area.
If you venture off to the south end of the country, Boca Chica, Juan Dolio and Ocoa Bay offer the best underwater sights and photo ops. The wrecks Hickory and Limon at La Caleta Underwater National Park as well as cave diving at Cueva Taina and black coral and aircraft wreck excursions can be found throughout this area. A complete listing of dive operators can be found at GoDominicanRepublic.com.
Living in Paradise
If never-ending leisure activities and living options that rival royals is on the agenda, Cap Cana may be the answer to all your dreams. With all the real estate investment positives available in the Dominican Republic, combined with an abundance of leisure activities for any taste, investing in Cap Cana is a no-brainer for anyone in search of the exotic luxe life and everything that comes along with it. Not sold yet? Visit CapCana.com for all the details. And remember to jump into the opportunity before everyone else does. It’ll be well worth the initiative. Just make sure you send us a postcard once you discover your newfound paradise.