The Island and Its Invisible Walls

Punta Cana and Bávaro, while being among the top tourist destinations in the Dominican Republic, face certain invisible barriers that have slowed their development. Limited efficient infrastructure, a lack of functional public transportation, and scarce recreational spaces such as plazas or public parks are some of the challenges that have caused these areas to lag behind compared to other cities worldwide.

These limitations stem from a development model primarily focused on tourism. In the beginning, this was justified as the area was largely hotel-centric, where everything a visitor needed could be found within the hotel premises.

However, Punta Cana and Bávaro are no longer just hotel zones. Every day, real estate development is catching up to tourism. New residential projects are constantly being launched, and each new “open house” signals an influx of more residents—leading to increased traffic and greater demand for entertainment options outside hotel premises.

While I enjoy writing about the many wonderful aspects of this city, I believe it’s essential, as an architect and engineer, to provide an objective perspective on the challenges that are evident. From this standpoint, I want to offer my opinion on how improvements could be made to position Punta Cana and Bávaro not only as tourist powerhouses but also as drivers of exponential growth in social infrastructure.

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Urban and Comprehensive Planning

Uncontrolled growth without comprehensive planning has left many areas lacking structured designs for public spaces such as plazas, parks, and recreational areas. Much of the land has been occupied by hotels, golf courses, and residential complexes, all of which are privately owned. Partnerships between private sectors and local authorities are necessary to improve public spaces by creating sidewalks and pathways that can be used by both tourists and locals.

A Hybrid Approach Between Tourism and Local Needs

Relying on tourism and having well-functioning city infrastructure are not mutually exclusive. Cities worldwide provide examples of how they can cater to tourists while also meeting the needs of their residents. In the construction sector—which is experiencing explosive growth and generating employment opportunities—many new residents have moved to the area, fostering uninterrupted growth in the real estate market. However, the focus has been solely on residential development, neglecting recreational and leisure spaces for use outside housing complexes and hotel chains.

Addressing Public Transportation

Tourist taxis and private transportation services dominate the area, creating a system heavily reliant on private vehicles due to the lack of regulation or incentives for collective transportation. Adding to this issue is the absence of public bus stops, sidewalks, and other road safety elements that would allow people to move around the city safely.

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Increasing Value-Added Amenities

Current residential complexes are designed with a “resort-style” approach, offering all amenities within the same project. While this reduces the pressure to create public amenities, it highlights a key gap. Unlike other cities, Punta Cana and Bávaro lack a distinctive “landmark.”

We’ve seen attempts to create “open-to-the-public” amenities, such as amusement parks. However, projects like the short-lived “Katmandu” park, which promised entertainment for tourists and locals alike, failed due to high prices and limited appeal, resulting in its closure just months after opening. Similarly, the Verón “Wonderland” amusement park project evoked more fear and pity than excitement and joy.

The goal is not to create attractions with Disney-level pricing but the quality of a local fair. Instead, amenities should be designed with the idea of being accessible to people of all ages and revisitable to ensure a return on investment while maintaining their quality over time.

A Long-Term Vision for the City

Lastly, and most importantly, is the need for a long-term vision for Punta Cana and Bávaro. The current development model has not fully addressed the needs of the growing local population working in the area. Balancing tourism with urban development is essential for Punta Cana and Bávaro to evolve into not just world-class tourist destinations but also functional and enjoyable places for residents.

Starting today to think about tomorrow and breaking through these invisible barriers will ensure that Punta Cana and Bávaro become cities recognized not just for their tourism but also for their social and infrastructural well-being.

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