Holiday eco-tourism, Oscar de la Renta style

by Annie Scott on

Puntacana Resort & Club has recently announced their very first voluntourism package, one which take ornithology to the next level.

Guests of the resort from December 28 to January 4 are invited to accompany Dr. André Dhondt from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology on a yearly census of the 27 indigenous bird species native only to the Dominican Republic. The good doctor will be offering tours of the resort’s grounds and lectures on different types of birds, and guests will receive exclusive access to the resort’s beautiful Ecological Reserve, as well as guides, binoculars and refreshments, as well as a basic lesson in Caribbean ornithology and an opportunity to “participate in scientific research of native, migratory, and endemic bird species,” including the rare Ridgway Hawk.

“People think of eco-tourism as tents and backpacks. The launch of these voluntourism packages means that guests can relax and enjoy their vacation while also helping us take care of a beautiful natural environment. The Oscar de la Renta designed villas at Tortuga Bay, new rooms at the Puntacana Hotel, Six Senses Spa or our golf courses are the perfect locations to unwind after the day’s activities,” says Puntacana Resort & Club Executive Director of Hospitality Alberto Abreu.

If you’re interested in a mid-holiday island getaway with a splash of goodness, visit the website for more information — and check out the Oscar de la Renta designed villas below (drool-worthy images courtesy of Puntacana Resort & Club)! Rates for this package start at $390 per night for a Deluxe, recently refurbished room at Puntacana Hotel. A portion of the rate will be donated to the Puntacana Ecological Foundation.
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RockResorts set to arrive in Dominican Republic

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The chill hasn’t quite crept into the air yet, but it’s coming. We know it’s coming. So, instead of waiting for the frost to form on your windshield, line up your next trip to the tropics now, and be ready to take off as soon as it starts to get cold. A new RockResort hotel is about to open in the Dominican Republic and is waiting for you to show up, kick back and soak in the sun.

The Balcones del Atlantico will be the second RockResort to open in the Caribbean, following the first, The Landings in St. Lucia. When it opens in February, the resort will boast 86 two- and three-bedroom villas that are integrated into the natural surroundings.

Paul Toner, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of RockResorts and Vail Resorts Hospitality, says, “Building on the tremendous success of The Landings St. Lucia, A RockResort, which opened two years ago, we were eager to expand in the Caribbean region.” He continues, “We look forward to managing this island resort and sharing with our guests the iconic beauty of the Dominican Republic, and the exceptional guest service that RockResorts is known for at all of our properties.”

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Gadlinks for Monday 9.28.09

by Brenda Yun on


Happy Monday! There’s a whole slew of great travel reads to jump start your week, so let’s get going!

  • Heading to the Dominican Republic? Here are a few things you can do that don’t involve the beach. [via CNN Travel]
  • Are you interested in heading somewhere that will lift your spirits? Check out these happy places. [via Brave New Traveler]
  • Summer may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be outside. These rooftop bars hit the sweet spot all year ’round. [via Sherman’s Travel]
  • If you’ve traveled to Argentina or other parts of South America you’ve likely discovered mate, an amazingly potent tea. This article gives you the historical points of how mate came to be and provide tips on how to best enjoy it. [via BootsNAll]
  • I just returned from a long trip and, fortunately, I haven’t yet experience the post-travel blues. But if you are sad that your travels have come to an end, these creative tips might help! [via Tripbase]

‘Til Monday, have a great weekend!

More Gadlinks HERE.

And the happiest place on Earth is …

by Tom Johansmeyer on

… not Disney World!

Despite the theme park’s claim, Costa Rica actually takes the top spot, according to the New Economics Foundation. This Britain-based independent research firm uses the “Happy Planet Index” to determine and rank the countries with the happiest people. The organization’s goal is to build a new economy that focuses on people and the environment.

This year’s survey covered 143 countries, with Latin American claiming nine of the top 10 positions in the study. The Dominican Republic took second, followed by Jamaica, Guatemala and Vietnam.

If you live in a developed nation, it seems, you’re probably unhappy. Great Britain took 74th, and the United States came in at 114. But, the latter is happier than it was 20 years ago. China and India are also fairly unhappy, but mostly because they are pursuing aggressive economic growth.

Now, the results are skewed because ecological implications account for a substantial portion of how happy a country is. The study assumes that the further you are from carbon-neutral, the unhappier you are. I’m down for going green, but I really struggle to see how it plays such a large role in a country’s happiness.

Tourist Dollars to Pay for Warplanes in Dominican Republic

by Josh Lew on

The Dominican Republic will use a $20 entry tax charged to foreign visitors to pay for 8 turbo-prop Super Tucano combat planes. Lawmakers in Santo Domingo have been working on a plan to fund their air force’s expansion for almost two years. However, it was not until this week that the plan was approved. The overall cost of the order is $93.7 million. Last year, 3 million tourists came to the Dominican Republic. Similar numbers in the coming year will mean $60 million in revenue from the entry tax.

The Super Tucano is used by many Caribbean and South American nations. It is used extensively in Brazil to patrol the Amazon rain forest and to train combat pilots.

What does this mean for tourists headed to resorts like Punta Cana or to Santo Domingo? Their wallets will be $20 lighter. As far as having any qualms about funding the military, don’t worry, unless you like your cocaine. The government has been struggling with drug smugglers who use the D.R. as a stopping off point on the way to more lucrative destinations in the US. The new planes will probably be used for anti-smuggling purposes and to patrol the border with Haiti.

[Via Dominican Today]