Omar Perez
While Punta Cana and its wide array of all-inclusives remains a top draw for tourists not just in the Dominican Republic but in the Caribbean in general, a region just west of it is gaining interest from tourists and resorts.
Some 90 minutes west of Punta Cana, separated by highway roads that cut through fields of bananas and grazing cattle, lies Miches. It's a rural region known its unspoiled, palm-tree-lined beaches, nature preserves such as Salto de La Jalda (the highest waterfall in the Dominican Republic), Lagunas Redonda y Limon Natural Scientific Reserve and the hilltop Montana Redona. Historically, it's a region whose population mainly consists of farmers and fishermen. Leatherback turtles come to shore every year to lay eggs, and humpback whales pay migratory visits early in the year. They'll soon to have plenty of human company.
Some saw that Miches could one day serve as a sustainable tourism destination. The regional nonprofit Fundacion Tropicalia, established in 2008 by Tropicalia (the sustainable tourism and real estate development firm of Cisneros Real Estate) has promoted socio-economic and environmental development in Miches through various initiatives.
The trailblazer
Club Med took the first step into Miches, opening the Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda in 2019. The brand had already found success in its Punta Cana location, and the Dominican government encouraged Club Med to explore the idea of opening a Miches property.
"The region's lush landscapes, pristine beaches and vibrant local culture perfectly aligned with Club Med's vision of offering a sanctuary that combines relaxation with adventure," said Carolyne Doyon, president and CEO, Club Med North America and the Caribbean.
Initially, there were considerations regarding infrastructure and accessibility, as Miches was a relatively undeveloped area, Doyon said. However, the highway connecting Punta Cana to Miches significantly improved accessibility and mitigated these initial challenges.
"To address these concerns, we invested in building and developing the necessary infrastructure and worked closely with the government to enhance connectivity," she said. "Sustainability was also key, both during construction or day-to-day operations, as was hiring within the community." Club Med teamed with a local organization to establish a training center and hired more than 900 locals.
Following the leader
Club Med was the first, but it will soon have a lot of company.
Upcoming resorts include the December opening of Viva Miches by Wyndham, a Trademark All-Inclusive Resort; the Marriott Miches Beach (a conversion of the Sunrise Miches Beach that is slated to debut in the first quarter of 2025 and will be the brand's first all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic); Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton on Feb. 1; and two Hyatt Inclusive Collection properties: the adults-only Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa and the family friendly Dreams Playa Esmeralda, both slated for April openings.
Slated for a 2026 opening, the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Dominican Republic at Tropicalia (owned by the Cisneros family) will sit along 60 acres of beachfront on Samana Bay's southern coast.
Playa Esmeralda beach in the Dominican Republic. Photo Credit: Omar Perez
Simon Suarez, vice president of Institutional Relations and Projects of Grupo Puntacana in the Dominican Republic, said public and private initiatives introduced in 2012 spurred the region's tourism growth. (The introduction of a the highway between Miches and Punta Cana in 2015 also helped make Miches more accessible). After receiving tweaking and revising, the initiatives took hold around 2018 and ever since have launched unprecedented growth in the area, Suarez said.
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Miches is an extension of the Punta Cana region and offers "experiences that are not in Punta Cana, and it diversifies the [tourism] product in the market," said Suarez, whose past stints include serving as president of the Dominican Republic's Hotel and Tourism Association, and as a hotelier. He also envisions a future where resorts and other tourism offerings will span all the way between Punta Cana and Miches.
Each resort development project requires an environmental impact study, carried out under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic. Projects must adhere to environmental protection mandates, one of which is the required use of appropriate lighting for sea turtle nesting.
"Our objective is to ensure that the region's immense potential is harnessed responsibly, creating a competitive tourism offering that meets the environmental and social inclusion demands of today's travelers," said Gustavo Roman, executive director of the Association of Hotels and Tourism El Seibo-Miches (ProMiches). "We have developed a comprehensive tourism development plan for Miches, which we are implementing in partnership with the Dominican government, local authorities and community leaders."
Erika Sordo, Viva Resorts by Wyndham's corporate director of marketing and public relations, said the untouched nature of the Miches region will lure guests who seek a pristine, authentic stay.
"It's unexplored, it's off-the-beaten path, it's clean and pure," Sordo said. "It's truly a new destination in the Dominican Republic."
Carolyne Doyon could not agree more.
"The future of tourism in Miches looks promising,” Doyon said. “As the region continues to develop, it is set to become a significant destination for travelers seeking natural beauty and unique experiences.”
Correction: The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Dominican Republic at Tropicalia is owned by the Cisneros family; an incorrect spelling appeared in an earlier version of this article.