SANTO DOMINGO. – Juan Dolio and Guayacanes, in San Pedro de Macorís, are positioning themselves as complementary tourist destinations to the traditional centers, while preserving the relaxed charm of their natural environment, adopting a development model based on entertainment, sports and sustainability that distinguishes them throughout the Caribbean.
These two tourist communities have found new drivers of growth in film and baseball, consolidating this coastal area as one of the destinations where the beaches remain the main natural attraction, complemented by film studios and sports academies, which generate a constant flow of visitors and foreign investment.
Francisco Bonilla, executive director of the Juan Dolio-Guayacanes Hotel Association, said that both sectors attract baseball players, actors, actresses, and production teams from different parts of the world, who not only stay in hotels and condominiums in the area, but also enjoy its beaches and restaurants, generating economic dynamism throughout the year.
“We are seeing a gradual but steady transformation. Film and baseball are helping to diversify the offerings and generate quality jobs. It’s no longer just about sun and sand, but about complete experiences that connect culture, talent, and community,” said a spokesperson for the Eastern Hotels and Restaurants Association.
Bonilla highlighted, in an interview with the website “Recorriendo con Salvador” (Exploring with Salvador), that the area generates more than two thousand jobs and has around 2,500 tourist rooms, including high-end hotels and condominiums, which maintain an average annual occupancy rate of 80%, thanks also to the steady influx of Canadian and European visitors.
The hotelier emphasized the need to continue expanding lodging capacity and strengthening destination promotion, citing the recent expansion of the Casa Hemingway boutique hotel as an example. He also endorsed initiatives to regulate short-term rentals, stating that “anything that contributes to improving and organizing tourist services benefits not only the area but the entire country.”
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of the Juan Dolio film studios, now known as Lantica Studios, dates back to 2010, when the prestigious Pinewood Group signed a consulting, branding, and marketing agreement to develop a world-class complex in the Dominican Republic.
A year later, construction began on a 35-acre site, including the first phases of the so-called North Lot and the iconic outdoor water tank, considered one of the most sophisticated in the region and was inaugurated in mid-2014, with complete facilities for both land and water filming, immediately attracting international productions.
With over 2,000 local jobs generated annually and a growing network of more than 100 Dominican suppliers, it maintains training alliances with Infotep and AIRD, reinforcing its commitment to the development of local talent.
The ball
Meanwhile, baseball continues to leave a deep mark. In addition to its natural production of baseball players, such as Fernando Tatis Jr., Enyel de los Santos, Sammy Sosa, and George Bell, San Pedro de Macorís is home to at least eight active academies, including Hiroshima Toyo Carp, Arias & Goodman, RC22 DREAM School, and Towers Baseball Complex. These facilities not only train high-performance athletes but also attract scouts, coaches, and family members, who contribute to tourism and the local economy.
In terms of tourism infrastructure, the area boasts chains like Coral Costa Caribe and Emotions by Hodelpa, as well as residential complexes such as Metro Country Club and Guavaberry. There are also short-stay accommodations and more than 35 restaurants, including Salitre, Octopus Bay, D'Orestes, El Mesón Español, and La Playa by Nopal, offering international, local, and fusion cuisine.
This combination of infrastructure, ties to the film industry, and prominence in professional baseball gives Juan Dolio and Guayacanes a very distinctive profile that is difficult to replicate in other Caribbean destinations. This unique characteristic contributes to its economic and cultural dynamism, making it one of a kind in the region.
