President Luis Abinader has officially unveiled the “Ruta del Encuentro de Dos Civilizaciones” (Meeting of Two Civilizations Route), a 450-kilometer historical and cultural trail designed to position the Dominican Republic as a global destination for pilgrimage and heritage tourism.
Inspired by Spain’s famous Camino de Santiago, the project aims to revitalize the original 15th-century trails used during the early years of European arrival in the Americas.
The trail is designed to span approximately 450 kilometers, connecting the northern coast of Puerto Plata to the capital city of Santo Domingo. The route begins at the La Isabela Historic Park in Puerto Plata, the site of the first European settlement in the New World.
The route is being developed by phases. The initial phase will connect La Isabela to Jánico, passing through significant landmarks such as the Paso de los Hidalgos and the Fortaleza de Santo Tomás. A second phase will extend from Jánico to Cotuí in Sanchez Ramirez province, where the Barrick Gold operations are located. A third phase will complete the journey from Cotui to Santo Domingo.
The initiative identifies over 60 key historical landmarks. It includes the reconstruction of the local church at La Isabela and the implementation of new museum displays to enhance the visitor experience.
During the presentation in Puerto Plata, President Abinader emphasized that La Isabela holds immense historical value that has long been underutilized. By creating a structured trail with international standards, the government intends to move beyond “sun and sand” to attract cultural travelers and cruise passengers interested in history and archeology. The plan is to create jobs and investment opportunities in the rural and inland communities through which the trail passes.
The project is being developed as a public-private partnership to be managed through a dedicated trust (Fideicomiso de la Ruta del Encuentro) to ensure sustainable maintenance and development.
The launch event was attended by high-ranking officials, including the Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza, and the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, as well as international representatives such as the Ambassador of Spain, highlighting the project’s ambition to mirror the prestige and organization of European historical routes.
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Presidency
10 February 2026