While Punta Cana and its wide variety of all-inclusive resorts remain a major attraction for tourists not only in the Dominican Republic but throughout the Caribbean, the area immediately west of it is gaining in tourist and resort interest.
About 90 minutes west of Punta Cana, separated by a highway that cuts through banana fields and grazing cattle, lies Miches, a rural community known for its pristine palm-lined beaches and nature reserves such as Salto de la Jarda (the highest waterfall in the Dominican Republic), Lagunas Redonda y Limón Natural Science Reserve, and Montana Redona, perched high up in the hills. Historically, the region’s inhabitants have been mostly farmers and fishermen. Leatherback turtles come to the shore each year to lay their eggs, and humpback whales make their annual migration. They’ll soon have plenty of human company.
Some believed that Miches might one day become a sustainable tourism destination. A local non-profit organization, Fundación Tropicália, founded in 2008 by Tropicália (Cisneros Real Estate’s sustainable tourism and real estate development company), has promoted the socio-economic and environmental development of Miches through various initiatives.
Pioneers
Club Med took its first steps into Miches with the opening of Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda in 2019. The brand had already had success with a property in Punta Cana, 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 align perfectly with Club Med’s vision of offering a sanctuary that combines relaxation and adventure,” said Caroline Doyon, president and CEO, Club Med North America and the Caribbean.
Doyon said there were initial concerns about infrastructure and accessibility because Miches was a relatively underdeveloped area, but the highway connecting Punta Cana to Miches has greatly improved accessibility, mitigating those initial challenges.
“To address these concerns, we invested in building and developing the necessary infrastructure and worked closely with the government to increase connectivity,” she said. “Sustainability was also important, both during construction and day-to-day operations, as well as employment in the community.” Club Med worked with local organizations to set up a training center and employ more than 900 locals.
follow the leader
Club Med was the first, but many others will soon follow.
Upcoming resort openings include the brand’s trademark all-inclusive resort, Viva Miches by Wyndham (opening in December); Marriott Miches Beach (a remodel of Sunrise Miches Beach, scheduled to debut in the first quarter of 2025 and be the brand’s first all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic); Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort, a Hilton Curio Collection by Hilton, opening February 1; and two properties from the Hyatt Inclusive Collection: the adults-only Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa and the family-friendly Dreams Playa Esmeralda, both scheduled to open in April.
Due to open in 2026, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Dominican Republic Tropicália (owned by the Cisneros family) will be located on 60 waterfront acres on the south shore of Samaná Bay.
Playa Esmeralda Beach, Dominican Republic. Photo by Omar Pérez
Simon Suarez, vice president of institutional relations and projects for Grupo Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, said a public-private initiative put in place in 2012 spurred tourism growth in the area. (The opening of a highway connecting Miches to Punta Cana in 2015 also helped make Miches more accessible.) After some tweaks and modifications, the initiative took hold around 2018 and has since led to unprecedented growth in the area, Suarez said.
• Related: Swings are popular in Montana Redonda, Dominican Republic
Miches is an extension of the Punta Cana area, “providing experiences that you can’t get in Punta Cana and diversifying the (tourism) product on the market,” said Suarez, a former hotelier and president of the Dominican Republic’s Hotel and Tourism Association, who envisions a future in which resorts and other tourism facilities will be spread throughout the area between Punta Cana and Miches.
Each resort development project requires an environmental impact study, conducted under the supervision of the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. Projects must comply with environmental protection regulations, one of which is the use of lighting suitable for nesting sea turtles.
“Our goal is to responsibly exploit the great potential of the region and provide a competitive tourism offering that meets the environmental and social sensitivity demands of today’s traveller,” said Gustavo Roman, Executive Director of the Hotel and Tourism Association of El Ceibo Miches (ProMiches). “We have developed a comprehensive tourism development plan for Miches and are implementing it in collaboration with the Dominican government, local authorities and community leaders.”
Erika Sordo, director of marketing and public relations for Viva Resorts by Wyndham, said the untouched nature of the Miches region will attract guests looking for a pristine and authentic stay.
“It’s uncharted, remote, clean and pure,” Sordo said. “It’s truly a new destination in the Dominican Republic.”
Caroline Doyon couldn’t agree more.
“The future of tourism in Miches is promising,” Doyon said. “As the area continues to develop, it will become a key destination for travelers seeking natural beauty and unique experiences.”
