| p>I asked Bruce Pierson of Dominican Paradise | | | | highway, the prices of real estate will have |
| why he felt that Las Terrenas was beginning to | | | | drastically increased, catching up to and equaling |
| hear the whispers of interest from investors | | | | the other Caribbean Islands. |
| throughout the world and how long he felt before | | | | In addition to the developments and chains |
| the world awakened to opportunities that are | | | | mentioned above, more than 20 more projects |
| present there. | | | | are currently underway in Samana. Presently, |
| Bruce writes, Unlike many of the coastal towns in | | | | investing in Las Terrenas is not only about |
| the Dominican Republic, Las Terrenas has been | | | | investing in one of the most beautiful areas in the |
| mostly undiscovered by major economic tourism | | | | Caribbean, but also about the possibility of getting |
| and development. The Peninsula of Samana was | | | | an excellent ROI. We foresee land prices will |
| mainly an eco-tourism destination and the perfect | | | | continue rising, minimum, at a yearly rate of about |
| hideaway for many Europeans expats. | | | | 35%. Compared to the low rates of ROI in |
| Most of the desired real estate is not owned yet | | | | Europe and the US, this signifies great potential |
| by foreign investors or all-inclusive hotel chains; | | | | for earnings with minimal risk. |
| instead much of it is still owned by Dominican | | | | I spoke a great deal with Bruce, who moved Las |
| families and is still affordable. | | | | Terrenas twenty years ago. His interest and love |
| This is about to change. The new international | | | | for the area goes far beyond financial and |
| airport, El Catey (25 minutes drive from Las | | | | economical interest. The DR is arguably the most |
| Terrenas), is now operational. Long distance | | | | beautiful spot in the Caribbean, referred to by |
| carriers from Europe and The Americas are now | | | | many as The Land of Dreams. Las Terrenas |
| bringing tourists directly in the Samana Peninsula. | | | | boasts a magical strip of 15 kilometers of virgin |
| In May 2005 construction began on the new | | | | beach, and a town with more than 40 international |
| Santo Domingo - Samana Highway that will | | | | restaurants including everything from Italian, |
| reduce the drive time from 5 hours to less than | | | | French, and Swiss cuisine to Japanese sushi bars. |
| 90 minutes. | | | | It offers as well a broad selection of available |
| In the past year alone, 4 all-inclusive, 5 star Bahia | | | | activities including horseback riding, golf, scuba |
| Principe resorts have opened in the peninsula, with | | | | diving, windsurfing, tennis and many more within |
| a total of 1,600 rooms. The major project Las | | | | just minutes of town. |
| Terrenas Country Club is already under | | | | Bruce, who has made the Las Terrenas his own, |
| construction and selling its villas and condos on the | | | | sees the area as an unspoiled paradise where the |
| golf course, designed by the world renowned Dye | | | | inhabitants ride motorcycles instead of cars, and |
| family. | | | | all share a sense of community that makes it a |
| A marina project, called Puerto Bonito, with 150 | | | | magical place to raise a family. Bruce, who spent |
| slips, is also under construction near Las Terrenas | | | | time with the Peace Corps and has traveled a |
| Chains such as Wyndham and Melia have acquired | | | | majority of the world is not hesitant to pronounce |
| properties and options on several of the available | | | | Las Terrenas one of the most magical places I've |
| land plots, narrowing the window of available real | | | | been to. |
| estate in the area. | | | | And as others come to see the same unique |
| We believe that there is a 3 to 6 year window of | | | | qualities that Bruce has, you cant help but to |
| opportunity to purchase land for development in | | | | realize that there is a premium to be paid for |
| the area of Las Terrenas, and, the sooner the | | | | paradises like this. You should keep up to date on |
| better. It is likely that 2 to 3 years after | | | | the trends of Dominican real estate and be ready |
| completion of the new international airport and | | | | to buy. |