Is maybe Boca Chica a next kind of South Beach?

[STEVE G.]

Originally Posted by drcaycu

I have been reading on the forum that Juan Dolio is being promoted as a next South Beach. South Beach is somewhat of a party zone. With Night Clubs, Strip Clubs, lots of restaurants, gay clubs. I mean everything. Could it be that Boca Chica in the long run has more of that potential despite its reputation now. And that Juan Dolio becomes more recidencial like North Miami, Brickel etc.. South beach is full of Botique Hotels and Boca Chica has around 60 small hotels.

Originally Posted by STEVE G.

The secretary of Tourism, Felix Jiménez, announced that within the goals to diversify the tourist supply of the country contemplates to turn Juan Dolio to “South Beach” of the Caribbean or prepared zone to receive the visits of important personalities, specially of the jet-set international . In addition, he informed that two Marinas in the area will be constructed, and the one between Juan Dolio and the Higüano river, which will attract a greater number of tourists of high consumption. Jiménez offered the details during the Breakfast of DAILY newspaper LISTÍN Diario... Jiménez announced that in this period of government the construction of towers of up to 15 and 20 floors will be authorized in Juan Dolio. Nevertheless, it informed that they have unified the development norms, and consequently, buildings one next to the other will not be able to be constructed. It indicated that there will be a minimum of meters to allow people to walk by the inner streets, to see the sea and the gardens of the area... The new projects that would be developed in the zone will be of between 10 and 20 floors. Transformation From the past year in Juan Dolio the real estate tourism is being developed and many foreigners are doing of this country his second house, as far as investing in houses and apartments, explained Jiménez. It needed that due to the natural wealth in this zone and its enormous potential as destiny, has conquered to a segment of the tourist sector of high spending power…

How you can see the tread about Juan Dolio has started from the announcement of the Secretary of Tourism and the only comparison to SoBe was made about the developments and not about quantity of the Night / Strip / Gay Clubs. I don't think it was ever in the agenda

[NALs]

Wait a minute.

I think this is the first time ever I have seen the words Boca Chica and South Beach in one sentence.

Boca Chica the next South Beach? Oh my, yeah sure; it will be the South Beach of the gutter!

Juan Dolio and Boca Chica are world's apart. The former is developing an infrastructure that is more architecturally "chic", the beach is more "South Beach like", actually its better than South Beach. The only thing the beaches of JD needs is more people, but with time they will come.

In terms of clubs, restaurants and the like, give Juan Dolio a few more years and it will be the Caribbean version of South Beach.

As for the latter (ie. Boca Chica), the place is a dump. It could still be saved, but... and its such a shame because Boca Chica beach is one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere, but the town ruins it.

Overall, Juan Dolio is more "refined" than Boca Chica. Its less crowded, cleaner, its just better in any way that it can be compared to BC.

My 2cents.

-NALs

[ExtremeR]

Boca Chica for me is one of the best beaches of the country, the drawback is the people who goes there... it definitely rests to the experience but the beach itself is georgeous.

[liam1]

Originally Posted by ExtremeR

Boca Chica for me is one of the best beaches of the country, the drawback is the people who goes there... it definitely rests to the experience but the beach itself is georgeous.

I'm not sure how can anyone call the BC beach one of the best, or gorgeous?

BC is a dump. too dirty, too run down, too many hustlers chasing the same dollar, too many crackheads...

[Tamborista]

I have to admit the view of Puerto Caucedo @ sunset is breathtaking, it almost makes you feel like you are in the Port of Newark on a hot summer day.

tambo'

[drcaycu]

I certainly agree that Juan Dolio is a very interesting place for the future. It is right now a sleeping giant. The projects for the place and current developments deserves the description the New South Beach. It is going to be interesting to follow what happens there the next few years. Both Juan Dolio and Boca Chica has the advantage of being close to Santo Domingo. As the capital does not have a beach it will always be popular for people from the capital to go to either Juan Dolio of Boca Chica. The point I was mainly trying to make was that both areas could become very interesting in the near future. The two areas are very different. I agree that Boca Chica has some deeper problems socially and that the beach is overrun by hustlers etc. But the beach from natural point of view is one of the best in the country. It is shallow and calm and thereby more protected. It is a small quaint beach town. I still think it has a lot of potential. Maybe be less so for foreigners to have a vacation home. More for hollidaymakers who want to be at the beach but close to the captital. Maybe it supplements Juan Dolio more than it competes with Juan Dolio.

[jrzyguy]

I agree with drcayo. Sure..there are more pristine beaches elsewhere...but i actually like the beach better than juan dolio (except for the anoying vendors).

B.C. has great potential if things just got cleaned up a bit more and if it offered more to do at night. If they moved the hooker discos to the other side of central parque...and developed those few blocks on duarte with some quality nightlife it could be really become much more of a draw for toursists and perhaps locals as well.

I did notice a lot of reconstruction on duarte and around town on my last trip...so perhaps something will develop.

It will never be a S.B. tho...for many of the reasons already discussed. For a SB buzz it would have to be closer to the capital. It is a shame that the Capital was not blessed with a beach...that would rock!

Could B.C. use some improvement and and does it have potential...heck yes! BUt i like the fact that its an easy flight for me..close to the airport...close enough to the capital...i like the calm waters and limited snorkeling out by the reef, and I have made some really great friends there.

Of course i would like to see BC get spruced up a bit...but SB...no way.

I've been to Juan Dolio...and while the beach is much larger...and quiter (very few vendors)...i just find it boring. I kinda enjoy the beach scene in BC...everyone checking eacother out...the people watching can be very entertaining.

[mike l]

Originally Posted by jrzyguy

I agree with drcayo. Sure..there are more pristine beaches elsewhere...but i actually like the beach better than juan dolio (except for the anoying vendors).

B.C. has great potential if things just got cleaned up a bit more and if it offered more to do at night. If they moved the hooker discos to the other side of central parque...and developed those few blocks on duarte with some quality nightlife it could be really become much more of a draw for toursists and perhaps locals as well.

I did notice a lot of reconstruction on duarte and around town on my last trip...so perhaps something will develop.

It will never be a S.B. tho...for many of the reasons already discussed. For a SB buzz it would have to be closer to the capital. It is a shame that the Capital was not blessed with a beach...that would rock!

Could B.C. use some improvement and and does it have potential...heck yes! BUt i like the fact that its an easy flight for me..close to the airport...close enough to the capital...i like the calm waters and limited snorkeling out by the reef, and I have made some really great friends there.

Of course i would like to see BC get spruced up a bit...but SB...no way.

I've been to Juan Dolio...and while the beach is much larger...and quiter (very few vendors)...i just find it boring. I kinda enjoy the beach scene in BC...everyone checking eacother out...the people watching can be very entertaining.

Tambo just posted and you have 3 red flags.....what's she going to do to us now??

Astro wacked me as well..no biggy !