CloseDominican Republic Embraces the Rise of Mindful Drinking with a New Wave of Alcohol-Free Wellness Experiences
As sun-and-sand destinations compete for a new generation of health-conscious travellers, the Dominican Republic is tapping into one of travel’s fastest-growing movements – mindful drinking. From zero-proof cocktail programmes at its all-inclusive resorts to Ayurvedic wellness retreats on its southeast coast, the destination is broadening its appeal well beyond the traditional rum punch, offering visitors ways to unwind without the hangover.
The shift mirrors a wider change in traveller habits. In the UK, a January 2026 survey by the Portman Group and YouGov found that 36% of adults who drink alcohol now consume low and no-alcohol alternatives regularly or occasionally, rising to 43% among 18 to 24-year-olds, while an estimated 17.5 million Britons took part in Dry January 2026. Now the Dominican Republic’s growing menu of alcohol-free options positions it firmly within this fast-moving ‘sober-curious’ trend.
Zero Proof, Full Experience: W Punta Cana Adult All-Inclusive
At the forefront of the trend is W Punta Cana Adult All-Inclusive, the first all-inclusive resort from the W Hotels brand globally. The property has introduced a dedicated Zero Proof Package, allowing guests to enjoy the full all-inclusive experience, including dining, entertainment and activities, alongside unlimited alcohol-free cocktails and a thoughtfully crafted non-alcoholic beverage program. The package is available via the website www.wpuntacanahotel.com with variable pricing depending on the booking dates.
Ayurvedic Reset on the Southeast Coast
For a deeper wellness reset, Ki-Ra, a holistic retreat on the Dominican Republic’s tranquil southeastern coast just 20 minutes from the country’s national parks and caves, has launched a four-day Ayurvedic cleanse package. The programme blends daily yoga and meditation, morning hip baths and a three-day treatment package of Abhyanga (four-hand Ayurvedic oil massage), Shirodhara (oil-pouring therapy) and Swedana (herbal steam therapy), alongside tailored Ayurvedic meals designed to balance the doshas that Ayurvedic practitioners believe govern all physical, mental, and emotional functions in the body.
Pricing starts from $1,550pp for groups sharing rooms, $1,750pp for groups in private rooms, and $1,850pp for individual guests, with optional add-ons including boat trips to Saona and Catalina islands, hikes through Padre Nuestro National Park, and further spa treatments such as reflexology.
For more information visit Ayurvedic Cleanse Package
Luxury Wellness Package on the Cap Cana
Further along the coast, Eden Roc Cap Cana, the Dominican Republic’s only Relais & Châteaux property offers its ‘Endless Wellbeing’ package as part of its wider Lifestyle & Wellness programme. Guests receive a personal wellness concierge, a daily spa treatment, a private class such as yoga or meditation inside the resort’s oceanfront cenote, and meals from a redesigned wellness menu across its restaurants. The resort’s Beach Club bar serves mocktails alongside its cocktail list, giving health-conscious guests a considered, non-alcoholic option. For more information visit Endless Wellbeing
A Homegrown, Non-Alcoholic Spirit
The trend extends to the bottle itself. Havaniets N°1, from craft non-alcoholic spirits brand Niets, is distilled from Dominican sugarcane molasses and aged for five months in medium-charred oak barrels to produce a verified 0.0% ABV dark spirit with notes of vanilla, coffee, cinnamon and nutmeg and designed to be mixed into classic rum-style serves without the alcohol. Alongside it, ‘morir soñando’ – a chilled, creamy blend of orange juice and evaporated milk whose name translates as ‘to die dreaming’ remains a beloved non-alcoholic staple on the island, alongside fresh tropical juices and the country’s celebrated coffee. Together, they offer visitors an authentic, homegrown complement to the new wave of resort-led wellness programming.
A Growing Wellness Offer
Together, these developments reflect the Dominican Republic’s ongoing growth, as a destination promoting itself not just as a beach escape, but as a place for genuine rest and recalibration, whether that means a zero-proof cocktail by the pool or a multi-day Ayurvedic reset.
