CloseThe Dominican Republic is making a decisive play for the world’s most discerning high-net-worth guests combining the launch of an exclusive new superyacht rendezvous with a transformative pipeline of luxury hotel openings.
Introducing 1970: The Dominican Republic Superyacht Rendezvous
Running from 17 to 20 December 2026, the inaugural 1970 Dominican Republic Superyacht Rendezvous is an invitation-only gathering of superyacht owners, charterers and their guests, set at Marina Casa de Campo in La Romana. Organised by Superyachts.com and named after the marina’s coordinates (19°N / 70°W), the event is strictly capped at 20 superyachts, making it one of the Caribbean’s most exclusive UHNW gatherings.
The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism is the event’s Principle Partner, a clear signal that the country is actively and strategically positioning itself within the superyacht market, a segment traditionally dominated by the French Riviera, the Balearics and a handful of established Caribbean destinations such as St Barts and Antigua.
A Four-Day Programme Built Around Discovery
Across four nights and three days, guests will experience the full breadth of the Dominican Republic through a programme combining sport, exploration, culture and celebration. Daytime activities will see a blend of activities showcasing the Dominican Republic’s incredible product and include:
- Golf Tournament — played across two courses from renowned creator, Pete Dye’s, most celebrated Caribbean courses: Dye Fore (Friday 18 December) and the legendary Teeth of the Dog (Sunday 20 December), widely regarded as the finest course in the Caribbean.
- Destination Experiences — nine curated full and half-day experiences spanning the country, from the UNESCO-listed Colonial Zone of the capital Santo Domingo, a helicopter-accessed whitewater rafting adventure in Jarabacoa, to a private island escape at Catalina Island and a wildlife encounter in Los Haitises National Park, Samaná.
The evenings will see guests grouping together across four distinct activities; an illuminated nighttime golf event, a superyacht hop around the marina, a world-class concert in the iconic Altos de Chavón amphitheatre, and a black-tie gala dinner to close the whole event.
Passes go on public sale from 1st August 2026, with early access available to registered superyachts from 1st July 2026. The first ten vessels to purchase passes receive complimentary berthing at Marina Casa de Campo for the duration of the event.
A New Era of Ultra-Luxury Accommodation
The Superyacht Rendezvous arrives as the Dominican Republic undergoes a profound transformation in its luxury accommodation landscape. A wave of flagship hotel openings, spanning some of the world’s most renowned hospitality brands, is rapidly elevating the destination’s appeal for UHNW travellers who expect world-class experiences.
The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort
One of the most significant luxury openings in the Caribbean, The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort opened in May 2025, the iconic brand’s first property in the Dominican Republic. Located within the exclusive Cap Cana enclave, the five-star resort features 200 guestrooms and suites, private residences, signature dining and direct access to the Jack Nicklaus-designed Punta Espada Golf Course — one of the best courses in the world. Rates from approximately £450 per night.
Banyan Group Arrives in 2027
Singapore’s Banyan Group, one of the world’s leading experiential luxury hospitality companies, will debut in the Dominican Republic in January 2027 with two Cap Cana properties in partnership with Dominican developer Gesproin: Angsana Cap Cana (296 residences with a wellness and gastronomy focus) and Cassia Punta Cana (a hybrid hotel-residence concept designed for longer-stay travellers seeking authentic local connection).
Rosewood Punta Cana — Opening 2029
Among the most anticipated luxury openings in the Caribbean, Rosewood Punta Cana is scheduled to open in 2029 as the brand’s first Dominican Republic property. Developed with Grupo Puntacana, the resort will occupy 50 acres of prime beachfront and feature 78 suites alongside the country’s first collection of overwater villas — a genuine first for the Dominican luxury market. Eight dining venues, a signature Asaya wellness centre and Rosewood’s celebrated A Sense of Place® philosophy complete an offer that will place the Dominican Republic firmly on the itinerary of the world’s most discerning guests.
A Destination Whose Moment Has Arrived
Taken together, the launch of the 1970 rendezvous and the arrival of St Regis, Banyan Group and Rosewood represent a coordinated shift in the Dominican Republic’s positioning at the ultra-luxury end of the market. For superyacht owners and luxury land-based guests the country now offers a compelling and still relatively undiscovered alternative to more established premium Caribbean destinations. With a world-class marina infrastructure, multiple Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus golf courses, a UNESCO World Heritage capital city, extraordinary natural landscapes and, from December 2026, a purpose-built gathering designed specifically for the superyacht community.
For further information on the Dominican Republic visit https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/
