Bávaro

EAST COAST
The East Coast region contains the most popular and fastest growing tourist area in the country - Punta Cana/Bavaro. One look at the surroundings and there is no question as to why. This is the place to be if tourists are seeking an all-inclusive style vacation set on one of the most picturesque beaches in the world.

Vacationers don't have to travel far for a change of scenery. Just south of the thriving area is environmentally forward Bayahibe. This area not only contains one of the most celebrated national parks, but has also received two awards for its conservation efforts in tourism.

Another popular east coast destination is La Romana. Most people who know a thing or two about the Dominican Republic instantly think of Casa de Campo when asked about this quaint area. While the luxurious resort frequented by many celebrities is a top attraction, the city of La Romana is historically important, especially for baseball fans, and worth a visit.

PUNTA CANA AND BAVARO
In Punta Cana, it's all about the beach. Punta Cana is undeniably breathtaking with tall swaying palms scattered along 21 miles of some of the whitest and finest coral sand beaches in the world. The area has become a haven for vacationers who are seeking a beach chair, a Pina Colada and a good read.

Punta Cana is the perfect atmosphere for families, couples or friends who are looking for a resort-style vacation. Just about every tour embarks from this area so no one in the group can complain about being bored.

The majority of the over 30 resorts in Punta Cana are all-inclusive, allowing for an easygoing vacation with plenty to do. As one of the fastest growing areas in the country, more luxurious and bigger complexes are planned to open in 2006. Beyond new accommodations, a 24-mile long boulevard is being built to easily move vacationers throughout the area.

EAST COAST BEACHES
Isla Catalina Isla Saona
Playa Bavaro
Punta Cana
Playa Dominicus
Playa Minitas

Isla Catalina
Only six square miles in size and located just off the shore from Bayahibe, Isla Catalina features the best coral reef in the area, a mangrove swamp and sand dunes. Crowds of tourists come for a day of scuba diving and relaxation.

Isla Saona
Located within Parque Nacional Del Este, Isla Saona is one of the southeast coast&rsquo's most popular tourist destinations. In fact, this small island was recently named one of the Caribbean's Eight Dream Beaches by Caribbean Travel & Life magazine. Powder sugar beaches, towering palms, azure water and the occasional sand bar at low tide make this one of the DR's most romantic destinations.

Playa Bavaro
Just north of Punta Cana, the Bavaro resort area continues the long stretch of picture perfect white beach. While Playa Bavaro is considered a separate beach from Punta Cana, the area appears as one extend strip of fluffy white sand reaching over 30 miles along the coast. Like Punta Cana, Bavaro is bordered with numerous all-inclusive resorts, many with cool refreshing drinks served beach-side.

Punta Cana
Punta Cana beach is often referred to as the coconut coast due to its hundreds of swaying coconut palms scattered along the 30 miles of super fine white sand.

This resort area is perhaps the DR's most popular vacation destination.
Punta Cana is outlined by a large concentration of all-inclusive resorts, each with their own garden of sun chairs and cabanas. However, despite the number of people who idle the day away here, the beach's size ensures visitors will never feel crowded. Those who don't want to spend their time simply baking in the sun can participate in an array of activities from beach volleyball to parasailing.

Playa Dominicus
The first beach in the Caribbean to have Blue Flag status (an eco-label showing high honors in a beach's commitment to sustainable development), Playa Dominicus is popular with scuba divers due to the presence of a large reef. Located near Bayahibe, Playa Dominicus is bordered by several all inclusive resorts

Playa Minitas
Playa Minitas is the private beach at the massive and luxurious Casa de Campo resort in La Romana. A variety of water sports are available at this exclusive stretch of sand as well as the resort's famous Minitas Beach pina colada served in a huge pineapple.

EAST COAST DIVING AND SNORKELING
La Romana
Just a boat ride away from La Romana sits the impressive Saona Island. A protected sanctuary within a national park, the island boasts abundant wildlife and marine life, such as turtles, whales, and sharks and is considered to have some of the best coral formations in the country. Divers should check with the dive operator for the current marine life conditions.

Also near La Romana, the large schools of fish at Bayahibe are accustomed to interacting with divers. Bayahibe also has its share of man-made wrecks for divers to explore. Two of these wrecks, Saint George and Embassy, are over 240 feet long each. In addition to the well-known wrecks, Bayhibe has one of the largest marine parks, Parque Nacional de Este.

Punta Cana
Located on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana features the longest coral reef on the island. Due to the convergence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, the diving conditions at Punta Cana can be rough and is not a recommended area for beginners. If the ocean is not favorable for diving during a stay, a fresh water dive inland can be arranged and will provide a different type of underwater experience.

EAST COAST GAMING AND CASINOS
Barcelo Bavaro Casino, Punta Cana
Website: www.barcelo.com
Hours: Slots 2 p.m. - 3 a.m., Table games 8 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Additional information: 100 slot machines and table games including, billiards, blackjack, roulette

Iberostar Hotel and Casino, Punta Cana
Hours: Slots 4 p.m. - 4 a.m. Table games 8 p.m. - 4 a.m. daily
Additional information: 46 slot machines and miscellaneous table games

Melia Caribe Tropical and Casino Palma Real, Punta Cana
Website: www.meliacaribetropical.solmelia.com
Hours: 8 p.m. - 3 a.m. daily
Additional information: 40 slot machines and table games including, blackjack, poker, roulette

New in 2006 Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana
Website: http://www.majestic-resorts.com/ingles.html
Additional information: slot machines and miscellaneous playing tables

EAST COAST GOLF
Dye Fore
Links
Punta Cana Resort & Club's La Cana Golf Course
Teeth of the Dog
Cocotal Golf and Country Club
Golf de Bavaro
Corales Golf Course
Las Iguanas Golf Course
Punta Cana Resort & Club's Second Golf Course
Punta Espada Golf Course
Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort
Catalonia Cabeza de Toro Golf Club

Fees outlined are for peak season (November through April) and are subject to change. Course lengths are provided from the most challenging tee.

Dye Fore
New course designed by Pete Dye

The newest course and the third by Pete Dye to open at the luxurious Casa de Campo resort in La Romana is unique with a 300-foot deep river gorge, Mediterranean village, mountains and the Caribbean Sea as backdrops. The course itself is expansive measuring a long 7,770 feet with fairways 200-feet wide. Although visually intimidating, the course is very playable and golfers have been raving about the new addition.

Par: 72
Holes: 18
Length of course: 7,770 yards
Green fees: $205/18; $147/June 1 - August 15 yearly maintenance, only nine holes available on each of the three courses. (Discounted rates if playing after 2:30 p.m.)
Cart: Included
Caddy: $25/caddy for up to four players including tip
Club rental: $47/person
Lessons: $45/half-hour; Packages start at $2,985/person including accommodations
Website: www.casadcampo.com

Links
Championship course designed by Pete Dye

The second course designed by Pete Dye at Casa de Campo in La Romana opened in 1975 and has been compared to traditional British and Scottish courses. Several lagoons and lakes with wading birds among tall bahia grass and sand traps set the scene. There are five holes where water makes this course an exceptional challenge.

Par: 72
Holes: 18
Length of course: 6,461
Green fees: $147/18; $147/June 1 - August 15 yearly maintenance, only nine holes available on each of the three courses. Discounted rates if playing after 2:30 p.m.
Cart: Included
Caddy: $25/caddy for up to four players including tip
Club rental: $47/person
Lessons: See Dye Fore
Website: www.casadcampo.com

Punta Cana Resort & Club's La Cana Golf Course
Championship Resort course designed by P.B. Dye

Located at Punta Cana Resort & Club, every hole within this P.B. Dye-designed championship course captures the scenery of the Caribbean with 14 ocean-view and four oceanfront holes. In fact, the 18th hole has been said to resemble the infamous 18th hole at Pebble Beach. The Punta Cana Golf Academy offers private lessons with golf pro Chris Hall and his teaching staff.

Par: 72
Holes: 18
Length of course: 7,152 yards
Green fees: (non-hotel guests) $144/18; $88/9 or (hotel guests) $100/18; $61/9
Cart: Included
Caddie: Not mandatory. $12/18; $6/9
Club rental: $40/round
Lessons: $50/45 minutes, $400/beginners 5-day clinic and $350/advanced 5-day clinic
Website: www.puntacana.com with online booking

Teeth of the Dog - UPDATED October 2005
Championship course designed by Pete Dye

Consistently ranked by golf experts as one of the top 50 courses in the world, Teeth of the Dog is located at Casa de Campo resort in La Romana. The course features several signature Dye formations along with seven oceanfront holes, four on the front nine and three on the back, and is considered extra challenging due to the sea breezes and airstrip. The course opened in 1971 and is now in the process of being updated. It will reopen in October of 2005. The Casa de Campo Golf Academy features PGA/LPGA golf pro Patti Butcher and offers 24-hours of total instruction packages.

Par: 72
Holes: 18
Length of course: 6,888
Green fees: $205/18; $147/June 1 - August 15 yearly maintenance, only nine holes available on each of the three courses. (Discounted rates if playing after 2:30 p.m.)
Cart: Included
Caddy: $25/caddy for up to four players including tip
Club rental: $47/person
Lessons: See Dye Fore
Website: www.casadcampo.com

Cocotal Golf and Country Club
Pepe Gancedo-designed course
The 18-hole course, designed by six-time Spanish champion Jose Pepe Gancedo, uses the natural terrain of an old coconut plantation and includes serene lakes and palm trees in its landscape. In 2002, an additional nine-hole course opened. Located close to Sol Melia Caribe and Sol Melia Tropical resorts in Punta Cana, the club offers lessons at its International Golf Academy with Douglas Falconer, a British PGA-award winning professional instructor.

Par: 72
Holes: 27
Length of course: 7,183 yards
Green fees: $89/18; $58/9. Guests of Sol Melia resorts receive discounted fees
Cart: Mandatory. $35/person
Caddy: Information not available
Club rental: $40/18; $30/9
Lessons: $50/hour; $30/half-hour
Website: www.cocotalgolf.com with online tee time request

Golf de Bavaro
Resort course designed by Juan Manuel Gordillo

Located at the Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort in Punta Cana, this par 72 18-hole course was designed by Juan Manuel Gordillo in 1991. The course is situated alongside the Bavaro lagoon and is considered excellent for beginners. Surrounded by lush vegetation, it was built specifically to accommodate tourists.

Par: 72
Holes: 18
Length of course: 6,106 yards
Green fees: $60/18; $48/9 plus an approximate $35 day pass. Guests of the resort receive discounted rates
Cart: $40/18; $30/9
Caddy: Information not available
Club rental: $30/18; $20/9
Lessons: $50/hour; $35/half-hour
Website: www.barcelo.com

Corales Golf Course - Opening August 2006
Resort course designed by Tom Fazio

With construction beginning in 2005, the second oceanfront course at Punta Cana Resort & Club will feature holes perched on cliffs along the north shore of the resort's luxury enclave called Corales. Oscar de la Renta, Julio Iglesias and Mikhail Baryshnikov all have beachfront residences in the enclave and visit often. Famed golf architect Tom Fazio is designing Corales to be very distinctive and promises it will be one of the Dominican Republic's must see and play courses.
www.puntacana.com

Las Iguanas Golf Course - Just announced
Resort course designed by Jack Nicklaus

Promising to be one of the most luxurious and largest resorts in the Caribbean, Cap Cana is scheduled to open the majority of its facilities in 2006. Just south of Punta Cana, it will be home to three Jack Nicklaus Signature courses. The second of these courses to open will be Las Iguanas with construction beginning in early 2006. In addition, the resort will house Golden Bear Lodge, the world's first Nicklaus-designed luxury condominium village located between Las Iguanas and Punta Espada, the first course scheduled to open at Cap Cana.
www.capcana.com

Punta Cana Resort & Club's Second Golf Course - Just Announced
Resort course designed by P.B. Dye

Just announced: P.B. Dye will be designing his second golf course at Punta Cana Resort - Club. The third course for the resort will be adjacent to Dye's world famous La Cana course. Additional information will be available soon.
www.puntacana.com

Punta Espada Golf Course - Opening 2006
Resort course designed by Jack Nicklaus

The initial golf course to open at luxurious Cap Cana will be Punta Espada, the first Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in the Dominican Republic. World renowned golf course management team Troon Golf will staff the 7,382 yard-long 18-hole course. The architecture utilizes the area's bluffs, beach, waterways and jungle foliage with eight of the holes directly on the ocean.
www.capcana.com

Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort - OPENING 2006
Resort course designed by Nick Faldo

One of the newest projects announced for the Punta Cana area, the Roco Ki Resort by Westin will feature an 18-hole Nick Faldo-designed course with six of its holes stretching across the headlands. Troon Golf will also manage this course. Additional information will be available soon.
www.rocoki.com

Catalonia Cabeza de Toro Golf Club - NEW 18-HOLE COURSE ANNOUNCED
Nine-hole resort course designed by Alberto Sola

Designed by Alberto Sola, the nine-hole course located at the Catalonia Bavaro Resort in Punta Cana is short but challenging. It opened in 2000 and features five lakes and numerous shade trees. The resort is now in the process of constructing a new 18-hole course. (The name, opening date and additional details are unavailable at this time.)

Par: 35 and 3
Holes: 9
Length of course: 2,600 yards
Green fees: $65/18; $45/9 or $20/par 3 18; $12/par 3 9. Guests of Catalonia Bavaro receive discounted fees
Cart: $25/18 per person; $20/9 per person
Club rental: $10