The Dominican Republic is not quite a tropical paradise - but wed say that in a lot of ways it comes pretty close. Predictions are that the DR (as it is often referred to) will go from strength to strength over the next few years as visitors find out just what a wonderful wealth of exciting activities and landscapes it has to offer. Often called the Caribbeans best kept secret, this soubriquet will become less appropriate as visitors increasingly recognize that nowhere else amongst neighbouring holiday island hot-spots can beat the DR for value!

The Dominican Republic is not quite a tropical paradise - but wed say that in a lot of ways it comes pretty close. Predictions are that the DR (as it is often referred to) will go from strength to strength over the next few years as visitors find out just what a wonderful wealth of exciting activities and landscapes it has to offer. Often called the Caribbeans best kept secret, this soubriquet will become less appropriate as visitors increasingly recognize that nowhere else amongst neighbouring holiday island hot-spots can beat the DR for value!

From - whale watching to bird watching; exhilarating sea fishing (for big game like marlin) to gentler pastimes such as world-class snorkelling; terrific terrain for hiking and cycling; adrenalin pumping sea-sports like windsurfing and kiteboarding to just as much excitement inland, from whitewater rafting, canyoning, caving, jungle trekking, mountain climbing…and so on!!!! The DR offers all this and so much more.

But lets not forget what many people visit the DR for - the sun, sea and sand! With well over 300 soft, white, typically tropical beaches (many virtually deserted much of the time) the DR is probably the best place in the Caribbean for these too. Amongst them you will also find Cayo Levantado, the original setting for the taste of paradise beach, familiar to many as the home of a certain well known coconut filled chocolate bar!

Along with wonderful tropical forests, waterfalls, mountains (Pico Duarte is the highest in the Caribbean, and thats the pinnacle of the largest of five mountain ranges in the DR) and even desert areas, the DR has something for every taste. It also has superb Parques Nacionales and many unspoilt, and untouched areas. In fact the DR is a pretty big place so is by no means as over developed and as touristy as the majority of its Caribbean competitors (except maybe in one or two ‘well known resort areas).

The Island of Quisqueya (on which both the Dominican Republic and Haiti now reside) was home to the remarkable Tainos before it was discovered in 1492, by Christopher Columbus, and renamed Hispaniola. It is therefore not short of historically and culturally fascinating attractions. For example, the capital, Santo Domingo, is the oldest City in the New-World, and a visit to the ‘old town’- the Zona Colonial - is a must on that day away from soaking up the sun that almost inevitably shines no matter what time of year you take your vacation.

Whilst in the capital, there is also few better places for the sports enthusiast to take in a superb game of baseball, or ‘beisbol’ as the Dominican call their national game. A game about which they are fanatical almost to a man (and woman). In fact several of the major Dominican cities host fine quality teams that frequently feature those local star players who have also made it big in the American Major League game.

It is certain that the more that those visiting the Dominican Republic can be encouraged to escape from their ‘all-inclusive’ compounds and take the independent traveler route in order to discover the real DR, the more that both the tourists and their wonderfully welcoming and friendly Dominicans hosts will be happy! Like Columbus himself, they might find it the most beautiful land they have ever seen…and decide to stay!

Ruth and Esther Ramos, www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com Copyright 2005, All rights reserved.

Article must be published as is (unedited) and with the author’s bio paragraph (resource box) and copyright information included.

Source: www.rafting.exsportz.com

Popularity: 32% [?]

Property outlook is great and real estate tourism is booming in the Dominican Republic, says the forecast from the Dominican Association of Real Estate Tourism Companies (ADETI).

U.S. $1.5 billion is invested in real estate property developments in Dominican Republic, says the ADETI President, Juan Bancalari. The real estate tourism prospective is even more upbeat considering the fact that it is expected to attract US$3.0 billion per year within three years.

Marinas, beaches and golf courses are the leading factors that make  real estate tourism and investment in the Dominican Republic so attractive. However, the country has competitors such as the wonderful beaches of Mexico and Central America. For this reason Bancalari, the president of Dominican Association of Real Estate Tourism Companies, says that the country needs to project an image of security for real estate and other types of investments to develop tourism and properties for European and American holiday vacationers.

It seems that the projection of a secure investment environment is working. As real estate development is experiencing a slump in Florida, a local engineering company is looking not only outside of the box, but also outside of the U.S. borders. “Bonita Springs-based Stafford Engineering will open the doors of a new office in downtown Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, on Tuesday and begin offering architectural, engineering, real estate, construction management and business relocation services in the Caribbean Island country.” – reports Naplesnews.com in its July 31, 2007 issue.

The newspaper says that “Other Southwest Florida businesses also are moving into Caribbean markets, Garcia added: Cape Coral-based Bellagio Homes and SJR Development are developing a residential community in the Dominican Republic, and The Jack Parker Corp., a Fort Myers-based real estate development company, is building a mixed-use community in Costa Rica.”

There is a change in tourism and holiday vacationers’ trends. According to Frank Rainieri, the vice president of ADETI, tourism is changing toward real estate tourism. “Before hotels were simply pure hotels. All the large chains of the world (…) are already entering the tourism real estate component. I believe that that already creates the new dynamics of investment in the tourism sector.” - Dominicantoday.com.

Tourism, and particularly real estate property tourism, has been among the top five currency generating factors for Dominican Republic. It was this type of tourism that created the boom in the coastal areas of Southern Spain in 1970s and 1980s, which used to be Spain’s most economically depressed areas. Today, due to the real estate tourism and boom in properties, these have become some of Spain’s most developed and attractive areas. The Dominican Republic intends to do just the same by attracting more real estate tourism and emphasising  that investing in the Dominican Republic’s real estate and property market is safe and secure.

Source: http://www.westindies-realestate.com

Popularity: 26% [?]

For those on the lookout for unbeatable real estate investments, Dominican Republic real estate is a dream come true. From beachfront Cabrera vacation villas to plush Playa Grande real estate and vacation rentals, Dominican Republic real estate offers a range of options to clients who are looking to live in a Caribbean paradise.

Dominican Republic real estate is a reflection of the country’s unique culture. Varied in location, size and style, there are properties in the Dominican Republic to suit every buyer’s need. The country’s extensive shorelines make waterfront homes widely available. Most properties for sale in the Dominican Republic are located on the northern, eastern and southeastern coasts, many within quiet resort and golf communities where owners have access to full amenities. The country is also easy to reach, with several major airports connected to North American hubs.

Right now Dominican Republic real estate is very affordable. The housing market is only now beginning to see a rise in prices and those increases have been very moderate. As the expected rise in tourism begins, the Dominican Republic property market will definitely see the prices go up. With investors beginning to uncover the latent potential of this tropical island the Dominican Republic real estate market is sure to benefit. Before long this beautiful but by-passed island will have major resort developments, luxury villas and commercial projects dotting its shoreline and inexpensive holiday home purchases will be a thing of the past.

The Dominican Republic is a small and beautiful Caribbean island made popular with the continuous influx of tourists, high quality, and affordable resorts dotting the many palm-tree lined golden beaches. As compared to many other Caribbean destinations today, The Dominican Republic real estate market still offers best-priced properties at excellent water front locations. Though the island is yet to gain a growing economy status, it remains a much desirable holiday destination just like the other islands of the Caribbean. Tourism is the main stay of The Dominican Republic while the number of tourists is growing at an unprecedented rate.

It is extremely informative for anyone interested in getting a general sense of the the Dominican culture and the country. His website, newsletters and book have been very informative and remember that there is plenty of money to be made in the Republic and you can have a super life while at it.

You will see that the Dominican Republic offers you an incredible variety of villas, apartments and fincas that will meet all tastes and budgets. Step inside this distinct Caribbean territory where you’ll finally feel at ease, and decide upon one of the Dominican real estate listings.

With its variety of real estate, the Dominican Republic is a unique place that combines two extremes: the height and depth, the mountain, and the sea, the simplicity and the luxury. Yet, the true charm and beauty of the Dominican Republiclies in the very center of the country dominated by the Cordillera Central which ends in the Caribbean Sea.

Dominican Republic Punta Cana Bavaro is one of the last remaining real estate investment tax havens left in the Caribbean with a low cost of living. Popular for its all-inclusive resort vacation packages, Punta Cana, the Dominican is one of the fastest growing foreign investment locations in the world. It is called Bavaro Beach by many and any real estate purchased in this part of the Dominican Republic will only increase in value.

Source: www.articles.top501.nu

Popularity: 15% [?]

A recent swarm of foreign investors to the Dominican Republic has put it truly on the map for luxury property investment. The high-end segment of its real estate market is seeing numerous new and promising developments.

The Dominican Republic suffers from a disadvantage: it adjoins Haiti. Nor is it the usual Caribbean fantasy ‘unspoiled virgin island paradise’. It has over 9 million people spread over a mountainous 48,072 sq km, an average per capita GDP of only US$3,074, and social problems which include a vast gap between rich and poor, and the highest possibility in the world of death from handguns.

Yet it does have great attractions. “There are miles and miles of beaches and nobody comes. It is still very open,” says Monique Frings.

The super-luxury developers may change all that. Thousands of acres of waterfront property have been acquired for three residential developments along the country’s northwest coast, near the border with Haiti, by a French developer, Pierre Schnebelen.

His project, Costa Bayana, will have more than 13,000 properties, including clusters of condominiums, seven-bedroom estates, plus 900 marina slips, 260 super-yacht hangars, six golf courses, nine hotels, 28 boutique inns and three cruise ship piers, all linked by high-speed hydrofoils.

Cap Cana, on the southeast coast is an enormous project focusing on high-end hotels, golf courses, and residences, sitting on more than 30,000 acres of land. The plan is to have about five high-end hotels, five golf courses, and thousands of luxury residences. It is said to be the largest private community in the Dominican Republic. Located beside the international airport, Cap Cana has everything going for it, including Trump at Cap Cana is a partnership project with The Trump Organization.

There are no restrictions on foreigners buying property.

Source: www.globalpropertyguide.com

Popularity: 31% [?]