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Dominican Republic, Caribbean City Guide

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Dominican Republic Meeting Planning

Casa de Campo Marina, Dominican Republic

Though known for its dazzling landscape and historic appeal, the Dominican Republic's lavish resorts and upscale hotels are raising the bar for its Caribbean neighbors. Grabbing the number 9 spot on Condé Nast Traveler's 2007 It List, the Dominican Republic is quickly becoming one of the Caribbean's most sought-after destinations for tourists and business travelers alike. Easily accessible, the country's eight major international airports provide convenient gateways to the island's top cities. Las Américas International, the largest airport, offers flights to destinations throughout the United States, Caribbean, Europe and South America.

Once in the Dominican Republic, guests are immediately transported into the lap of luxury. Expansive resorts and fashionable hotels are popping up across the island at a rapid rate. In fact, more than 20 hotels and resorts have been built over the past two years. Today, over 20,000 upscale rooms make for an excellent range of lodging options throughout the Dominican Republic.

Aside from providing luxurious lodging, many of these establishments are ideal for events and meetings. The Dominican Fiesta Hotel and Casino offers nearly 2,000 square meters of meeting and event space, or room for up to 2,800 people. Often regarded as the capital city's most prestigious meetings locale, the 21-story, 228-room Hilton Santo Domingo has a total of 1,579 square meters of meeting space. Two boardrooms, five flexible meeting rooms, a 669-square-meter ballroom and a 225-square-meter foyer are available for events ranging in function and size.

The Barceló Bávaro Beach resort features one of the largest and most modern meeting facilities in the Caribbean. Its Barceló Bávaro Convention Center can accommodate up to 5,000 guests within 24 meeting rooms. The center's largest room, the 1,600-square-meter Grand Bávaro Hall, is a stunning venue for black-tie galas and posh affairs of up to 3,000 people.

Altos de Chavon-Mediterranean Village

From casinos to award-winning golf courses, these meeting and convention hotels have much more to offer than boardrooms and ballrooms. Host a casual buffet lunch at Viva Wyndham Tangerine's La Bahía restaurant, or plan an elegant cocktail reception at its Loft Bar. Aside from its two newly-remodeled conference centers, the Casa de Campo resort offers numerous convenient settings for events so that attendees need not venture off resort grounds. The tennis center gardens are an elegant backdrop for dinners and receptions, while the resort's private Minitas Beach can host up to 600 people. Casa de Campo's Altos de Chavon, the resort's own 16th century replica of a Mediterranean village, has several beautiful venues, including the Chavon Terrace, La Piazzetta Restaurant and Chavon Plaza.

Unique venues are certainly not limited to those within resort grounds. La Plaza de la Cultura in Santo Domingo is home to a host of popular attractions that impart a traditional Dominican feel to any event. Add punch to a presentation by holding it in one of three theaters at the historic National Theater. Take the bored out of boardroom with a meeting in the conference room of the Museum of the Dominican Man, home of the world's largest collection of Taino artifacts. With wild orchids and tropical palms as a background, the Santo Domingo National Botanical Gardens are a colorful and elegant setting for cocktails and post-event receptions.

The Dominican Republic's economic mainstay is tourism, followed closely by agriculture. The country serves as headquarters for TRICOM, a major telecommunications corporation, and for cigar manufacturer General Cigar Dominicana.

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About Dominican Republic / Additional Info

Located on the landmass known as Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic occupies two-thirds of the 76,192 square kilometers of land it shares with neighboring Republic of Haiti. Originally named La Isla Española, the Dominican Republic was discovered by Christopher Columbus during his first trip to the New World in 1492. Capital city Santo Domingo served as the administrative capital of the New World Spanish Empire and center for Spanish exploration and settlement. An ever-popular locale, the nation was invaded by Spain, France, England, Colombia, Haiti and the United States before gaining independence in 1844.

Despite the repeated changing of hands, much of the country's terrain exists as it did at Columbus' first visit. In fact, more than 20 percent of the island has been set aside for preservation, resulting in 19 national parks, six scientific reserves, 15 nature reserves and two marine sanctuaries. Guests can get an in-depth look at the past of the "First City of the New World" with a visit to the
 Alcázar de ColónAlcázar de Colón
Alcázar de Colón. This 1510 palace served as the center of the Spanish court and the only known home of the Columbus family. One of the city's most popular historic sites, Museo de las Casas Reales traces the history of Santo Domingo through artifacts, art, and re-creations of royal halls.

Malecon in Puerto Plata

Many exciting attractions await visitors beyond the capital city as well. At the laidback Bayahibe village on the east coast, the new Casino Dominicus dazzles guests with its gaming tables, slot machines, high-end shopping and Vegas-style entertainment. In the north, Puerto Plata is home to the popular Amber Museum. Here, visitors can explore an extensive collection of Dominican amber, reputed to be the most transparent in the world. Or, for a relaxing day, stroll El Malecón, a 15-kilometer strip along the northern shore. Full of restaurants, beer stands and ice cream parlors, the strip comes alive at night with some of the hottest bars and discos.

From central mountain ranges to sub-tropical forests to sandy beaches, the Dominican Republic's diverse terrain is ideal for getting back to nature as well. Those looking for a true Dominican adventure frequent Punta Cana's day-long Fun-Fun Cave excursion. After rappelling 20 meters into the mouth of the cave, visitors can explore its underground rivers and Indian cave paintings. For a less intense experience in the outdoors, guests can swim with the dolphins at Ocean World Adventure Park or mingle with iguanas and crocodiles at the Parque Zoológico Nacional.

Punta Espada Golf Course

Undoubtedly one of the most popular ways to enjoy the country's pristine setting is through a day on the links. An unparalleled golf destination, the Dominican Republic has over 22 professional golf courses, designed by greats such as Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio. Golfers can spend a day at Punta Espada course in Cap Cana, named one of the Best 10 Golf Courses in the Caribbean by Forbes Traveler. Or, test your skills at the challenging Teeth of the Dog course at Casa de Campo. Designed by Peter Dye, it features eight ocean holes and signature touches such as elevated greens and trick of the eye trees. Whether spending a day on the green, at the beach, or in the city, golfers and non-golfers alike will certainly find that their visit to the Dominican Republic is up to par.