SANTO DOMINGO – While for years tourism real estate investment in the Dominican Republic was almost entirely concentrated in Punta Cana, by 2026 the landscape is beginning to broaden. This isn't because the East has lost its appeal—quite the opposite—but because tourism growth, hotel expansion, and cruise ship traffic are bringing new areas into the spotlight. Today, capital is no longer focused solely on the most famous beach, but rather on where tourists are arriving, how they are staying, and what kind of tourist city is developing around them.
The data confirms this shift. Daily reports from the Tourism Intelligence System (SITUR) show that demand is no longer concentrated solely in traditional hotels. As of January 8, 2026, for example, 18,236 tourists were staying in hotels, 5,836 in private accommodations, and 2,747 via platforms like Airbnb—a clear indication that tourist accommodations and short-term rentals are now a structural part of the ecosystem. This trend is beginning to shift the real estate landscape away from the traditional eastern region.
Destinations that are redefining the tourist real estate map
North Coast: Punta Bergantín and the return of the stopover
In the north of the country, the Punta Bergantín project has become the main indicator of change. Starting in 2026, earthmoving and infrastructure work signaled the beginning of a new phase of tourism and real estate development. The master plan includes approximately 4,000 hotel rooms, of which more than 1,800 have already been publicly confirmed, according to information from the sector itself.
The difference compared to previous models lies in the mix. It's not just about hotels, but about hotels integrated with residential properties. Among the announced projects are a Meliá Hotels International , a 100-apartment condo-hotel, and the confirmed Westin Puerto Plata, with 450 rooms. Together, these developments represent an estimated investment of over US$70 million, a figure that explains why the North is once again on the radar of the tourism real estate sector.
Southwest: Pedernales and the logic of anticipation
Further south, Pedernales is moving at a different pace, but with clear signs of progress. Cabo Rojo doesn't yet compete in terms of volume with the major tourist destinations, it's expected to become a key player in the regional scene by 2026. Its inclusion in the cruise line and the advancement of public infrastructure have transformed the area into a hub for advance investment, with real estate interest focused on land, supporting housing, tourism-related businesses, and low-density developments.
Here, the appeal lies not in immediate occupancy, but in the timing of the cycle: entering before the hotel industry reaches critical mass and the residential market becomes more expensive.
Northeast: Samaná and the highest value product
In the northeast, Samaná is reinforcing its position as a distinctive destination. Its strength lies not in large volumes, but in the type of visitor and the product they demand. The recurring arrival of cruise ships during peak seasons and the destination's positioning as a low-density, nature-based experience sustain an attractive market for tourist villas, premium residences, and boutique projects, where value is built more on exclusivity than scale.
Cruises: the flow that connects destinations and activates el inmobiliario
Beyond each individual destination, the factor shaping this new landscape is cruise tourism. In January 2026, the Dominican Port Authority reported 120 scheduled cruises, including the Star Seeker's first visit to the port of Taíno Bay in Puerto Plata. A month later, by February 2026, the schedule exceeded 100 cruises, with stops distributed among Amber Cove, Taíno Bay, La Romana, Samaná, and Cabo Rojo.
This movement not only generates day trips, but also creates micro-real estate markets . This translates into demand for short-term rental apartments, increased property values in areas near ports, complementary services, and small mixed-use developments that capture the spending of visitors who arrive for a few hours… and return for days. In terms of investment, the cruise ship acts as a gateway to the destination, and tourist residential developments as the second step.
A map that can no longer be explained from a single point
In 2026, Dominican tourism real estate investment is not shifting "outside" of Punta Cana, but rather expanding around it. The North is gaining traction with comprehensive projects, the Southwest is opening up as an early bet, and the Northeast is consolidating a higher-value product. All of this is happening while cruise ships redistribute tourist flows and demand is fragmenting among traditional hotels, condo-hotels, and short-term rentals.
That's the fundamental shift: tourism no longer drives a single destination, but rather a network of territories, and real estate is beginning to follow suit with projects that blend accommodation, residences, and tourist towns. It's at this intersection—more than on the iconic beach—that the new geography of investment is being shaped.
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