One of the most frequently asked questions we get is why would someone buy property in the Cabarete/Sosua area instead of on the other side of the island, the place most North Americans know as the “All-Inclusive Capital of the DR,” Punta Cana (PC). The question itself reflects the marketing bias that has always presented the eastern end of the island as a fabulous beach and golf destination, but recently positive attention is being diverted to The Dominican Republic’s (DR) north coast as more and more Baby Boomers and vacation property buyers search for the very best beachfront bargains.
The real difference in considering the area east of Puerto Plata vs. estate comes down to what kind of experience a person wants. Punta Cana is on the Caribbean, tranquil waters with sandy beach dominated by large All-Inclusive hotels. For a few days of sun and golf it is a fabulous destination, but for escape from winter cold and for more long term residency offerings, the Atlantic facing north coast is a far better choice. Below are just a few reasons the two areas might as well be on different islands they are so different:
- The Atlantic brings year round wind off the ocean producing world class wind sport opportunities such as kite boarding and wind surfing. The wind also keeps the climate cooler and more bug free thus creating pleasant living conditions for the growing expatriate population roughly divided into third proportions among Canadian, American and European citizens. Punta Cana on the other hand is calm and sunny with less vegetation and without the exotic mountain vistas where the mountains ripple down to the sea on the north coast.
- A more interesting climate and scenery on the north coast also combines with more cultural experience as there are real towns here to enjoy. Cabarete is largely a tourist town having grown up by the incredible growth of Kite Boarding in the area whereas Sosua is both a working Dominican town and a tourist destination. Residents and tourists freely move about on bus and taxi systems or rented cars and find countless restaurants, beaches, shops and tours whereas in PC the hotel experience governs most contact with the island and its residents; in fact, there really isn’t even much of a town of PC but rather a region populated with hotels.
- Another important difference is hurricane vulnerability and again the two areas differ greatly. Most storms hitting the DR come up from the south or east making the southern and eastern ends of the island such as PC more vulnerable to the more destructive storm surge. The north coast has three things in its favor regarding hurricanes: 1) three mountain ranges in the center of the island (the highest peak being 10,400 feet from sea level) tend to disrupt storms passing over the island leaving heavy rain to the north coast but not storm surge, 2) Puerto Rico to the east and Jamaica as well as Haiti to the west work in conjunction with the mountain ranges to break apart storms that might pass over the north coast, and 3) deep ocean water to the north of the DR do not favor the development or sustenance of hurricanes and serve as an additional assets in our protection. You can see old growth palm trees all up and down the north coast illustrating natural factors very much working to our protection here.
- Many other reasons abound ranging from heavy governmental investment in North Coast infrastructure (roads, sewage treatment, beaches, full time electrical grid, expanded International Airport in Puerto Plata with many direct flights to the US, Canada and Europe, security, etc.) but perhaps the most compelling reason to consider the north coast for second home or retirement property is value—prices and selection on the north coast simply cannot be beat and offer the most affordable beachfront and ocean facing mountain properties in the Caribbean. Take a look below as just a few choices:
BL6020AB - Great buy on a Cabarete beachfront lot with miles of sand to walk:
AP6126AB - Brand new Cabarete apartment listing and a great price on quality; natural stones, wood, and really cool design—first one of this model closest to the beach:
AP6094AB - Stunning Cabarete beach front penthouse finished with marble, granite, mahogany one bedroom condo:
AP6098AB - Lovely 2 bedroom fully outfitted Sosua condo in 185 acre complex with full service gym, restaurant, water park for the kids, and gorgeous ocean vistas.
AP6026AB - Terrific 3 bedroom beachfront Cabarete condo for less than $US300,000
HG6063AB - Absolutely immaculate Cabarete house with pool and it comes with a Nissan Murano that only has 45 thousand miles and is pristine:
HG6041AB - Incredible tropical Cabarete villa for rental return or luxury living at a great price:
There are great bargains available right now in Dominican real estate in both Cabarete and Sosua; Sally and I can help you find your own little slice of paradise, it’s more affordable than you think.
Contact Arthur and Sally Byrd.
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