The Compass Report

Is Samana Real Estate For Me?

Samana is located on the North East Coast of the Dominican Republic, about 130 miles east of Puerto Plata. Samana has numerous beaches and beautiful mountains. The New Samaná El Catey International Airport opened in 2006 making Samana easily accessible. Samana has some of the best whale-watching in the world. During January through March, about ten thousand Humback Whales come to Samana to nurse their young and mate. Samana features unspoiled beaches, vibrant coral reefs, mountain waterfalls and tropical rain forests.

With the tropical forests, coconut groves, hundreds of cozy alcove beaches, turquoise crystal clear waters, waterfalls, protected national parks and a protected bay Samana is one of the most beautiful areas of the Dominican Republic. Samana is a destination for nature lovers and adventurers. Enjoy lush green mountains, long white sand beaches, solitude, lively little towns in between, turquoise waters. Samana is also a romantic destination, and several of its small hotels are perfect for honeymooners.

Samana - Las Terrenas - Las Galeras - Hotels in The Dominican Republic

Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado - Located on the secluded island of Cayo Levantado in Samana. This marvelous all inclusive hotel provides all the facilities necessary to make your holiday a dream trip. There is one buffet restaurant and three la carte restaurants, four bars including Lobby Bar, Cigar Bar, Beach Bar and Pool Bar. There are 195 air-conditioning rooms with marble bathroom and hydromassage bath. Located 45 minutes from the new Samana airport and a short boat shuttle to the island of Cayo Laventado where the hotel is located.

Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa - Located in the beautiful Samana bay and surrounded by lush nature with a a Wedding Gazebo. There are 295 air-conditioning rooms with terrace or balcony. All rooms are non-smoking. Located 40 minutes from Samana El Catey International Airport and 3 minute drive to Samana where you will find the Pueblo Principe shopping center featuring shops, bars, discotheque and casino.

Gran Bahia Principe El Portillo Beach Resort - Located on El Portillo beach in Las Terrenas on the Samana Peninsula. This all inclusive resort is just a few yards from the town of Las Terrenas! Enjoy unspoiled white-sandy beaches, coconut-covered mountains and clear mountain streams winding through lush, tropical rain forests and vibrant coral reefs. A great area for for nature lovers, adventurers, scuba diving, deep sea fishing and whale-watching. There are 396 air-conditioned guest rooms with a private balcony and garden or ocean view. 30 minutes drive from the new Samana Airport El Catey and just 5 minutes away from the town of Las Terrenas or 35 minutes from the town of Samana.

Viva Wyndham Samana - Located on a beautiful beach in Las Terranas on the Samana Peninsula. This all inclusive resort offers a freshwater pool with kid’s area, beach bar, snack bar/pizzeria, three restaurants, theatre, discotheque and gym. There are 218 guest rooms, including 62 Junior Suites, featuring a private balcony and garden or oceanview. The town of Las Terrenas is 10 minutes from the resort and 3 hours from Puerto Plata International Airport.

Second homes: Punta Cana gets a tide of better access, options

At a time when so much real estate news is bad, tourism officials in the Dominican Republic are having good things to talk about.

This summer, then-tourism minister Felix Jimenez announced a billion-dollar government infrastructure investment that includes a new cruise ship marina and road upgrades for his island nation. Then, last month, his successor, Francisco Javier García, announced that private investors have begun an additional $9 billion in developments.

The announcements included especially good news for visitors headed to the hot spot of Punta Cana, a peninsula on the easternmost coast of the Dominican Republic that has long been the home of all-inclusive resorts and, more recently, several large residential developments.
An international airport already serves the area, but the new infrastructure investment will add high-speed ferry service between Punta Cana and Samaná, another popular tourism peninsula on the northeast coast. It also will build a new highway that will reduce travel time to the capital of Santo Domingo from four hours to about an hour and a half. Both projects are scheduled for completion before 2012.

Punta Cana's main attraction is more than 20 miles of powdery white beaches. About 30 beach resorts, casinos and second-home options occupy this stretch. Several of the larger residential developments, including Roco Ki and the Punta Cana Resort & Club, offer complimentary mini-vacations for prospective buyers.

Housing prices in the upscale developments generally begin in the $400,000-$600,000 range and go upward into the millions. For buyers willing to look outside those developments and forgo resort-style amenities, prices can be much lower. Three-bedroom houses start at $250,000. One-bedroom condos begin at under $120,000, and many one- and two-bedroom condos are in the $150,000-$200,000 range.
Affordability, however, is not the Dominican Republic's sole appeal. For second-home buyers, the nation also offers a stable democratic government, ease of doing business in a region otherwise infamous for red tape, easy air access, a vibrant community of other foreign home buyers and a top-notch portfolio of golf courses with layouts by the likes of Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye and Nick Faldo

PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

 Best for: Golfers and beach lovers.
Claim to fame: The Dominican Republic has 10 international airports, more per capita than any country.
Don't miss: Baseball, the national sport, has produced hundreds of major-leaguers. Season runs October to January.

Getting there: Punta Cana International Airport is four to 19 miles from the coastal enclaves