Is This the Perfect Caribbean? | Pathfinder International

Sunday, October 02, 2011

Playa Punta Popy, Dominican Republic

Dear Reader,

It's the perfect Caribbean getaway. It's got warm weather year-round, blue skies and tropical sunshine. It's got endless beaches. It's got clear Caribbean water. It's got palm trees. It's got little cafes and bars painted in rainbow colors. It's got the laid-back, relaxed, easy-going lifestyle.

About the only thing this perfect Caribbean destination doesn't have is sticker shock property prices.

You can buy a condo close to the beach for less than $100,000 in this location. Or you can splurge and get a dream home for a fraction of the cost on other Caribbean islands...

You don't have to take my word for it. Today, we're inviting you to visit Las Terrenas in the Dominican Republic on an exclusive chill weekend. Numbers are strictly limited on this trip, so read on to find out how you can reserve your place...

Caribbean Island Charm

The Dominican Republic is easy to get to. It's just a short 2 hour 10 minute flight from Miami, or 3 hours and 41 minutes from New York. It's popular with tourists from Europe and North America. The problem is, most of those tourists head to Punta Cana. This spot is the Dominican Republic's #1 tourist destination.

The government developed this coast in the same way the Mexican government developed Cancun. They started with an empty stretch of sand studded with coconut palms. No towns, no fishing villages, no infrastructure. Today, all-inclusive resorts line the beach, running for miles.

It's nice...in a sterile, bland sort of way. But it doesn't feel authentic or quaint or charming.

For charming, quaint and low-key, you need to look to Las Terrenas, in the Samana peninsula.

The Quintessential Caribbean

Las Terrenas is my favorite spot in the Dominican Republic. (You can see it on this map here.) It's a true getaway, with golden sands, bright blue sea, and graceful coconut palms. There's plenty of space to spread out and relax on the gorgeous beaches. It's a good spot for snorkeling, swimming, and soaking up the tropical sun...

Thirty years ago, this was a rustic fishing village. Twenty-two years ago, it didn't have electricity. But it did have a distinctive Caribbean charm that drew increasing numbers of Italian and French expats. Today, this little beach town combines a Caribbean feel and flavor with European style and elegance.

The town's hotels are small and family-run rather than big-brand chains. The stores, in shades of tropical orange, ice-cream pink and lemon yellow, are a mix of art galleries, small grocery stores, a French bakery and an Italian deli. You won't see high rises or sprawling malls in Las Terrenas...

Las Terrenas restaurants
The little fishing huts on the beach are now chic eateries

You'll enjoy eating out here. The tiny wooden buildings lining the beach look quirky. But step inside and you're in gourmet heaven. You might find a local bar serving chilled beer, fresh shrimp and lobster....or a fancy place with snowy napkins, soft music and candles.

You can walk to cafes, restaurants, the beach, stores, supermarkets, and nightclubs in Las Terrenas. Or you can try one of the crazy motorcycle taxis that whizz past, loaded with goods and passengers.

Outside the town, you'll discover beaches that run for miles.

Off the Beaten Track

Las Terrenas was tough to get to. Two years back, a new road opened, connecting Las Terrenas with Santo Domingo. It cut the drive time to two hours. But the last part of the journey...a mere 19 kilometers...took at least 45 minutes.

It took that long because it involved a steep climb into the hills, on a curving, narrow road. The road was in bad shape. It had no street lighting. It had no barriers. The sheer hills dropped down to panoramic views of Samana Bay and the peninsula on clear days. But it wasn't a comfortable drive. You wouldn't want to try it in heavy rain or in the dark. And it was very, very slow.

But a new highway is almost complete. It cuts out the mountain route. It will also cut the drive time from Santo Domingo to ninety minutes. That will make Terrenas more popular as a weekend and vacation spot for locals.

It will help bring in more foreign tourists, too. Once complete, the new road will place Las Terrenas only 20 minutes from El Catey airport. El Catey receives direct flights from the US, Canada and the UK.

For now, Las Terrenas remains low-key, charming...and affordable.

Own Here From $85,000

Sample properties currently for sale in Las Terrenas include:

A one-bed, one-bath condo in a small Mediterranean-style complex in the heart of Las Terrenas for $99,000. The condo is a short walk from the beach, stores, cafes and restaurants.
A one-bed, one-bath condo only 100 meters from the beach for $85,000. An outside terrace overlooks the community pool and social area.
Town homes (3 beds, 2.5 baths) close to Playa Bonita beach from $165,000.
A 3-bed 3-bath house in a small community of 7 villas for $285,000 with a track record of strong rental income (it could generate 9% net).
Luxury homes in the same community as the villa you'll stay in for the chill weekend, with prices from $275,000.

You'll see the best properties available on this chill weekend. You'll see a range of styles, location and pricing. And you'll get the lowdown on Las Terrenas...the upsides of living and buying here...price history and rental income potential...from your host, local real estate agent Toni Green.

Toni relocated to Las Terrenas from the UK seven years ago with her young family. She came on vacation, fell in love with the area, and decided to start a new life in this Caribbean town. Once you spend some time here, you'll understand why.

A Luxury Chill Weekend You Can't Afford to Miss

On this exclusive chill weekend, you'll stay in a luxury home on Playa Coson.

Playa Coson is a sweeping stretch of deserted beach, palms, and aquamarine ocean. You won't have to guard your spot here...you can have a whole chunk of the sand to yourself.

Playa Coson, Las Terrenas
The beach at Playa Coson

Luxury Living magazine voted Playa Coson one of their top 10 "Beaches to live on in Paradise" last year. Coson attracts wealthy, discreet owners, seeking peace and privacy.

Your villa for this weekend is truly upscale. It has 50 meters of beachfront...a huge terrace with a swimming pool, barbeque and Jacuzzi...a steam room, fitness room and billiards room...and quality finishes.

Las Terrenas luxury home
You'll stay in this luxury villa for the chill weekend...

You'll truly relax in this amazing Caribbean setting. You'll also explore the surrounding area...and see a range of properties with prices and styles to suit all budgets...

The chill weekend runs November 18th-20th. It costs $325 per person, including transport, accommodation, breakfasts and some other meals.

Numbers for the chill are limited. The villa only has 13 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms. Bookings are on a strict first-come, first-served basis.

I don't want you to miss out on this trip. I know you'll love this place as much as I do. Contact local broker Toni Green here to snap up your spot.

Margaret Summerfield

P.S. This is the first chill weekend we've offered in the Dominican Republic. I'm sure it'll fill up fast. Don't delay. Contact Toni today to start planning your trip.