Introduction
Bávaro is most likely the most popular town in the Dominican Republic. It is located in the eastern part of the island, which most tourists simply refer to as Punta Cana. The origins of Bávaro are not entirely known. It is said that the town was founded many years ago by German settlers. This is why the main street of the town is German Avenue (Avenida Alemania), and one of the cross streets was named Grunwald. The name Bávaro is thought-provoking, as it means Bavaria. These are, of course, rumors, but let us remember that there is a grain of truth in every rumor.
Initially, the town was founded as a “bedroom community” for employees of the Punta Cana Resort and Punta Cana Village tourist complex. However, with the expansion of the resort, Bávaro became a center of tourism and one of the most important tourist areas in the country. In recent years, the town has been visited by approximately 3 million tourists annually.
It is worth clarifying one point here. Punta Cana consists of three parts: Punta Cana Village, Punta Cana Airport, and Punta Cana Resort. The majority shareholder of Grupo Punta Cana is Frank Rainieri. Together with Theodore Khell, they are the founding fathers of tourism in this region. They purchased 58 million square meters of land, after which they began building hotels, but more on that in a moment.
Geography and Climate of the Region
The eastern coast region and Bávaro are a plain. It resembles Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. There are many hidden caves and water reservoirs in the area, commonly known as cenotes. Bávaro is characterized by a beautiful beach with sand as white as flour, stretching for many kilometers from the Barcelo Bávaro Hotel to the Barlovento cape or, for most, the more well-known town of Macao.
Bávaro is located on the Atlantic Ocean side, on the eastern tip of the island, which is swept by the northeast trade winds. Trade winds are warm and dry constant winds that result from the pressure difference between the equator and the tropics. This is important because it helps maintain warmth and humidity on the island. Therefore, Bávaro is characterized by winds always blowing from the same direction (northeast) and palm trees “combed” towards the town.
The average annual temperature is around 27-28 degrees Celsius. The water temperature will range between 26-27 degrees Celsius. Rainfall here is rather rare, and air humidity is moderate. When flying to the Dominican Republic, one should not rely on weather forecasts, as they simply do not prove accurate. Ideal conditions for a vacation prevail here. When winter begins in Poland, the high season begins in the Caribbean, and this is the best time to visit the country.
Near Bávaro, in nearby Cabeza del Toro, lies Laguna Bávaro. This place, though close to hotels, is often unknown to visitors to the Dominican Republic. Entry to the lagoon area is free. Kayaks can be rented on site. A narrow but picturesque path leads to the lagoon, along which one can admire the tropical vegetation of the Dominican Republic. Here you will find noni fruit, mangroves, pineapples, and starfruit. A large population of pelicans, which have settled in this very spot, can be observed here.
Infrastructure
Bávaro’s infrastructure is very well developed. From the airport to the town, you can take Highway 105, which is a dual carriageway. There are numerous restaurants in the town. Highly recommended are certainly Dolce Italia, with Italian food, Citrus with fusion cuisine, Capitan Cook with seafood by the ocean, and Dalias with delicious breakfasts. If you would like to go to a disco, many people will recommend Coco Bongo. However, I much prefer the Soles club located on the beach. They play great music here.
Just 10 minutes from Bávaro, towards the airport, is the shopping center – San Juan Lake with two large supermarkets Jumbo and La Sirena. A smaller supermarket in town is Plaza Lama. At Plaza San Juan, there is also IKEA, many smaller shops where you can buy sports equipment, home appliances, banks, and even a small Honda showroom.
Along the Bávaro bypass, there is an industrial area. Here you can purchase furniture, tiles, paints, and tires. The private IMG hospital and the Punta Cana medical center are also located by the bypass.
There are many hotels in Bávaro. The most popular and worth visiting are:
- Bahia Principe Luxury Ambar – Adults Only All Inclusive
- TRS Cap Cana Hotel – Adults Only
- Majestic Elegance Punta Cana all Inclusive
- Majestic Colonial Punta Cana – All Inclusive
- Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda – All Inclusive
- Royalton Bavaro, An Autograph Collection All Inclusive Resort&Casino
- Hard Rock Hotel&Casino Punta Cana – All Inclusive
- Hilton La Romana All-Inclusive Resort & Water Park Punta Cana
When choosing a hotel in the Dominican Republic, it is important to ensure it is five-star and has many reviews above 8 on booking sites. This makes it practically a sure bet. It must be remembered that mainly Americans and Canadians fly here, and they are simply much more demanding than European tourists. An important factor is also the number of themed restaurants. This also illustrates the versatility of the hotel and its adaptation to demanding clients if it has several restaurants, not just a large buffet.
Last year, the Katmandu theme park opened in the Dominican Republic. It is the only attraction of its kind in the region that draws tourists. It is an excellent place for the whole family.
Most Popular Neighborhoods in Bávaro
Bávaro is a developed city. There are several places here that we always recommend to our clients if they plan to purchase property for wintering.
Undoubtedly, Palma Real Cocotal, commonly known as Cocotal, comes first. This is a residential complex that was developed through the efforts of the Melia Group. Therefore, every person owning property in the complex can use the infrastructure of the hotel located across the street. In the middle of the complex is a golf course. The first line is surrounded by luxury villas. The second line features small apartment complexes. In Cocotal, our potential neighbors will be foreigners or Dominicans of higher social status. The complex is usually inhabited by people who spend several months in the Dominican Republic. Within the complex, there is a community club where one can sit and use a small restaurant. Further amenities include a padel court, an outdoor gym, and a swimming pool. Cocotal offers excellent conditions for jogging and walking. It is a very green complex where one can relax from the bustling city. The entire area is fenced, and entry to the complex is controlled.
The second well-known complex is White Sands. It is a relatively new place that has recently gained popularity. The area resembles the aforementioned Cocotal. In White Sands, we also have a golf course, and the property is guarded. The complex is located about a 20-minute walk from the city center, but this is not a problem. A bus departs from the gate, taking us to the beaches and nearby restaurants. The complex is also located near the bypass, which guarantees quick access out of the city and to the airport or the aforementioned San Juan Lakes shopping center.
Another well-known complex in Dominican Bávaro is Cana Bay, commonly known as Hard Rock. This is because the place was founded by the globally renowned brand. Numerous complexes are being built there, and the area offers many amenities. There is, of course, access to the beach, a beach club, a gym, a golf course, and a swimming pool. Entry, like to all complexes, is guarded. However, it is located away from the center, in the western part of the city. In this case, getting to the center without a car becomes problematic.
An unguarded, yet popular, complex in Bávaro is Los Corales. This is one of the first areas where the initial apartment complexes were built. The location of Los Corales is excellent. The city center and the beach are just a few minutes’ walk from the apartment, and there are many themed restaurants nearby. Owning an apartment here guarantees an attractive return on investment. It can undoubtedly be said that the area is Airbnb friendly. I would not recommend living in this area, as it can be noisy, with parties lasting until late in the evening.
The second popular and unguarded complex in Bávaro is El Cortecito. There are many complexes in the region that are also suitable for rent. The beach is less than a 10-minute walk away, and restaurants are also close by. It will certainly be quieter and more peaceful here.
Summary
First impressions of Bávaro can be varied. Especially when one has jet lag and is sleep-deprived. However, it is a very convenient place to spend a vacation or live. Everything needed for life can be found here.
Bávaro is an ideal place for a first visit to Hispaniola (as the Spanish previously called the island). Excellent tourist and investment conditions prevail here. Although the town is located in the eastern part of the island, it is a good base for exploring the rest of the country. In the Dominican Republic, as you probably already know, the highway network is well developed. In Bávaro, you can easily rent a car, find an excursion for yourself, go shopping, or relax.
It is interesting to note that many Americans who fly to the Dominican Republic are not fully aware of where they are going, later claiming they were in Punta Cana, not the Dominican Republic.
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Jędrzej Pacak
