| May 17, 2005 |
- Casa Colonial makes Conde Nast hot list
- New exit fees for foreigners
- Canada and US rescind malaria prophylaxis
- Cap Cana opens new beach house
|
Casa Colonial makes Conde Nast hot list
Playa Dorada's newest hotel, the Casa Colonial Beach & Spa was included in the
Conde Nast Traveler 2005 Hot List. Casa Colonial was listed as 116th. Conde Nast
stated that the hotel "is the country's hottest address" in the Playa Dorada
resort complex. Developed by VH Hotels & Resorts that also operates the Victoria
Resort and Gran Ventana hotels, Casa Colonial is Playa Dorada's first boutique
hotel. The hotel features 50 luxury suites, two gourmet restaurants, and a world
class 12,440 square foot Bagua spa. Casa Colonial is the country's first and
only Small Luxury Hotels of the World member on the island. The hotel is
distinguished by its romantic, colonial architecture, designed by Puerto Plata
architect Sarah Garcia, that creates an elegant atmosphere of minimalist
Caribbean decor. Tasteful contemporary decor combines with details such as
coralline stonework, mahogany furniture, marble floors and dramatic cathedral
ceilings to create a fusion of old world charm and modern sensibilities.
http://www.dr1.com/directories/hotels/demo_gran_casa_colonial_VH.shtml |
New exit fees for foreigners
The Department of Migration has posted new rates for stays longer than 15 days
in the Dominican Republic. Tourists are admitted on a 15-day permit with the
payment of a US$10 tourist card or a visa. After the 15-day period expires,
additional fees apply. These range from RD$300 for staying up to 90 days, RD$500
for those staying up to nine months and RD$2,000 for those staying up to a year.
For more information and rates, see
http://www.migracion.gov.do/tarifas.htm |
Canada and US rescind malaria prophylaxis
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the Center for Disease Control of the
United States no longer recommend the use of anti-malarial medication for
travellers to resort destinations in the eastern province of La Altagracia
(Punta Cana-Bavaro). The recommendation had been instated in November after 21
visitors from Canada, the US and Europe were affected. The last reported case
occurred in early January.
The PHAC and CDC worked closely with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
and the Ministry of Public Health of the DR to assess the situation and measures
implemented by the local health authorities that have been effective in
controlling the outbreak, concluding in the rescinding of the anti-malarial
medication recommendation.
For travelers to tourist resort areas, the use of personal insect protective
measures against mosquito bites is still recommended.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2005/mal_dr0506_e.html
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/malaria_dr_2004.htm |
Cap Cana opens new beach house
President Leonel Fernandez and his guest, President Abel Pacheco of Costa Rica
(on his way back from the DR-CAFTA summit in Washington, D.C.) were in Cap Cana
on the east coast of the Dominican Republic yesterday for the first Cap Cana
inaugural. The Hazoury family and Cap Cana developers celebrated the completion
of the Caleton Beach Club (4,500 square meter construction), the largest in the
country. President Fernandez was accompanied by key cabinet members, including
Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez, Environment Minister Max Puig, Finance Minister
Vicente Bengoa, Armed Forces Minister Sigfrido Pared Perez, Education Minister
Alejandrina German, Tax Department director Juan Hernandez, among others. Over
1,500 persons traveled to Cap Cana to be present for Cap Cana's debut.
Coming later this year is the inaugural of the first of three Jack Nicklaus golf
courses, with 12 holes bordering the sea; the first phase of the marina with 175
slots (promoted as the largest in the Caribbean), the golf club house, and
several residential villa areas.
The Caleton Beach Club was designed by architects Oscar and Segundo Imbert, and
decorated by Patricia Reid in Caribbean style emphasizing touches of Taino
heritage all throughout. It features restaurant facilities to serve 200, a 500
square meter swimming pool for adults, and a 100 m2 pool for children.
Cap Cana is located a 10 minute drive from the Punta Cana International Airport
on the East Coast. Cap Cana boasts 25 million square meters and 8.5 kilometers
of coastline, including 5.5 kilometers of some of the best beaches in the world.
The developers envision the construction of 5,000 residential units and 3,000
hotel rooms within the next 10 years. |
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