From this area, the island moves to a prominent point from Bayibe to Punta Cana. Punta Cana has become the new “in” place to go. There are Mega Resorts along every part of the area. The outstanding feature of most of these resorts is size. It is not uncommon to enter a resort from the highway, and drive for 20 minutes before getting to the resort buildings and the beach. Along this beach area, stretching to Puerto Plata, there are no less than 250 resorts. Family resorts with famous names like Iberostar are interspersed with Adults Only Resorts like Excellence. Many Resorts have PGA level golf courses on the premises, while others have fabulous Water Parks for the child in all of us.

More weddings and Honeymoons take place here than most anywhere else in the Caribbean. This is somewhat due to a very open minded government that keeps rules to a minimum, and even more due to a population that respects Life, Love, and Family. Here you will find all inclusive spelled out every way possible. Where unlimited drinks and food used to be the magic attraction, now “More Inclusive” includes gourmet dining, top shelf liquors, and even gourmet coffees. Butlers and Concierge are no longer “Exclusive”, but now are becoming “Inclusive”. It is not uncommon for resorts to have Free Wedding offers, or Free Honeymoon Nights offers. One resort chain has so many Extras in the Wedding and Honeymoon packages, the brochure describing them is 12 pages long. Resorts such as the Don Pablo Collection, Zoetry, and Excellence, have taken “Best Romance” titles year after year.

Check back next week for part 3 on the Dominican Republic.