
President Luis Abinader and Minister of Tourism David Collado officially inaugurated the Plaza Multiuso Seibana “Eduardo Lima” on Friday, 16 January 2026. Built with an investment of over RD$430 million, this state-of-the-art cultural and bullfighting arena is designed to serve as a major cultural anchor for the province of El Seibo and its fast-growing coastal gem, Miches, located about an hour north from the Punta Cana International Airport.
The inauguration marks a strategic milestone for the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur). As Miches emerges as the country’s next world-class luxury destination, the new arena provides the “complementary offer” that modern travelers seek, blending sun-and-beach luxury with authentic inland traditions.
During the ceremony, President Abinader highlighted that El Seibo must prepare its infrastructure and production to meet the soaring demand of the new hotels currently under development in Miches.
“This plaza represents the past, present, and future of El Seibo,” said President Abinader. “The future is brilliant; we are transforming this region into a powerhouse of investment. This arena will not only preserve our unique bullfighting heritage of the region’s Spanish settlers but also serve as a hub for the trade fairs and cultural events that will supply and entertain the thousands of tourists visiting Miches.”
Modern infrastructure for a centuries old tradition
Minister David Collado emphasized that the project was executed with total transparency and fulfills a decades-old demand from the Seibano community. El Seibo is the only province in the Dominican Republic that maintains the tradition of bullfighting, notably practiced here without sacrificing the animal.
Key features of the 4,900-square-meter facility include:
• Capacity: Seating for up to 2,500 spectators (with potential for 3,500 during concerts).
• Tourism amenities: Six restaurants, six commercial modules, a gift shop, and a dedicated tourism information point.
• Events & logistics: VIP boxes, a multiuse hall for 60 people, stables, corrals, and professional dressing rooms.
• Family space: A massive 2,567-square-meter children’s recreational area.
Economic impact
To ensure the facility remains a vibrant part of the tourism circuit, the government announced the creation of a “patronato” (management board). This body will organize monthly bullfighting exhibitions and cultural festivals, ensuring a steady flow of visitors from the coastal resorts of Miches and nearby Punta Cana into the heart of El Seibo.
“We are recovering public spaces and turning them into engines for the economy,” Minister Collado stated. “With this arena, we are giving the East a new reason to celebrate and giving international tourists a reason to explore beyond the beach.”
The event concluded with a performance by the Chiquito Team Band, symbolizing the arena’s future as the premier venue for large-scale concerts and artistic events in the eastern region.
The venue was built with resources from the Ceiztur fund managed by the Ministry of Tourism.
Read more in Spanish:
Mitur
20 January 2026