CAP CANA, DR (December, 2011) - New Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine is in the Dominican Republic this weekend to meet with David Ortiz, who said he hasn't decided whether he'd accept arbitration from the Red Sox.

Ortiz, who is in Cap Cana for his annual charity Cap Cana golf event at Punta Espada a Nicklaus Signature course there, said there have been several teams reach out to him, but wouldn't name those teams.

"When you're a good player, everybody knows what you're capable to do. If you don't reach out to the player, that's going to put in jeopardy the player coming back to your place", Ortiz said.

"There are 30 teams that would want David Ortiz in the lineup and we're one of them and I'm one of the guys who would definitely like to have him there," Valentine said.

Source: palmscollection.com

Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana has announced the opening of the new Secrets Spa by Pevonia at the luxury resort in the Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The 20,000-square-feet facility offers a complete spa experience with nine treatments rooms, a thermal hydrotherapy circuit, fitness center, yoga and pilates studio, full-service salon, beauty boutique, juice bar, outdoor relaxation garden and locker rooms.

The design of the spa sets a restful tone with the use of rich materials like natural stone and wood and hand-made blown glass chandeliers. Treatment highlights include the Myoxy-Caviar High Performance Facial with pure caviar pearl and a blend of phyto extracts; the Tropical Oasis Body Wrap which uses mango and passion fruit extracts for smoother, firmed and vividly brighter skin; and Sabai Mineral Therapy that blends micronized minerals of malachite and zincite with the guest's choice of neroli, lavender and rosemary essential oils to stimulate blood and lymphatic circulation.

The nine treatment rooms, inclusive of 13 massage tables and two treatment tubs, are divided between the main spa building (three) and exterior private spa suites (six). The spa's thermal hydrotherapy circuit consists of a sauna and steam bath, cold rain showers, whirlpool bath, cold plunge bath, swimming pool with cascading waterfalls and a tubular air lounger.

Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana offers guests 14 different suite categories, an array of dining options, 24-hour room and concierge services, pool and beach wait service, activities and live evening entertainment. The resort has a variety of amazing amenities as well as some of the Caribbean's best luxury real estate. They also have special offers including girlfriend getaways and golf packages.

Source: Luxist

JUANILLO, Dominican Republic, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Cap Cana, S.A. ("Cap Cana") today announced that Golfweek Magazine, the most authentic, authoritative and independent name in golf, has selected Punta Espada as the best golf course of the Caribbean and Mexico for 2010. The recognition, which appeared in the November 2009 edition, marks the second consecutive year that Cap Cana's Punta Espada Golf Course has earned the top spot in Golfweek's annual ranking of golf courses in the region.

The 18-hole, par-72, 7,396 yard Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, operated by Troon Golf, incorporates the stunning natural beauty of Cap Cana, stretching along an arresting coastline where golfers on each hole can look into the blue expanse of the Caribbean Sea. Golfweek's course evaluation of Punta Espada took into account a number of factors including the routing of the course, feature shaping, greens, variety and memorable holes, conditioning, maintenance, and landscape management.

"We are very honored to have the Punta Espada course once again make the top of Golfweek's prestigious list of best Caribbean and Mexican golf courses," said Ricardo Hazoury, Cap Cana's Chairman and President. "This recognition is a testament to our commitment to provide our golfing guests with the best and most memorable experience available and further solidifies our efforts to position Cap Cana as the premier golf resort destination in the region."

Opened in 2006, Punta Espada has the distinction of being the first golf course in the Dominican Republic to host a PGA TOUR sanctioned event, having been the site of The Cap Cana Championship, a golf tournament on the PGA TOUR's Champions Tour, since 2008. The third annual Cap Cana Championship golf tournament is scheduled for March 22-28, 2010.

Punta Espada is the first of what is expected to be three Jack Nicklaus Signature courses located within Cap Cana. Las Iguanas, the second Nicklaus Signature golf course, currently under construction, is due to open next year.

About Cap Cana

Cap Cana is a 30,000 acre, master-planned luxury resort and real estate community located on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. The community is fully operational with championship golf and yachting facilities, a world class hotel, pristine beaches, a variety of dining and retail establishments and numerous other amenities. Since breaking ground in 2002, Cap Cana has invested approximately US$800 million in infrastructure and other improvements and has entered into contracts with aggregate value of approximately US$1.4 billion for the sale of approximately 1,500 units of real estate properties. Throughout this period, Cap Cana has delivered approximately 700 real estate properties to buyers, including retail and developer hotel lots, condominiums and villas. For additional information, visit www.capcana.com or call 1-809-227-2262.

Source: PRNewswire

The groundbreaking ceremony was headed by Dominican President Leonel Fernandez Reyna, Tourism Minister Francisco Javier Garcia, and other dignitaries, and featured addresses by Luis Emilio Velutini, President of Grupo Velutini, and Ricardo Hazoury, Cap Cana's Chairman and President.

The 35,200 square meter (378,890 square feet) residential marina project being developed within Cap Cana by Grupo Velutini is to be built in four phases at an estimated total construction cost of approximately US$110 million. The luxury residential community will consist of approximately 300 units, including large waterfront residences and two, three and four-bedroom villas, townhomes and condominiums. In addition, the development will feature approximately 70 private docks for boats and yachts from which sport fishermen have ready access to world-class fishing. Full-scale construction of the first phase of the project, which includes land-leveling work and the building of 11 large, stately waterfront residences and 11 luxury villas, in addition to the development's basic infrastructure, has already commenced and is expected to be completed in 2011.

"We are very pleased to be associated with Grupo Velutini as we continue to further our efforts of developing our property," said Ricardo Hazoury. "Cap Cana is synonymous with the finest in world-class hospitality experience, and we are certain that this new real estate development will only enhance that reputation. This announcement serves to strengthen our ongoing efforts of enhancing the overall value of the project by attracting well-respected private developers that bring their own development capabilities, sales distribution networks and capital."

Puerto Marina at Cap Cana represents the newest addition to Grupo Velutini's portfolio of master planned community and commercial developments in the Caribbean and Latin America and the luxury project will serve to expand on Cap Cana's vision of providing real estate products that would appeal to the upper end residential and tourism markets.

"We are very excited to announce the commencement of construction for the first phase of this landmark property. Our announcement is a clear indication of our commitment and confidence in the success of this project," said Luis Emilio Velutini. "It is the first of its kind within the Cap Cana property and will serve as a building block for other future real estate investment projects within the Dominican Republic."

About Cap Cana

Cap Cana is a 30,000 acre master-planned luxury resort and real estate community located on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. The community is fully operational with championship golf and yachting facilities, a world class hotel, pristine beaches, a variety of dining and retail establishments and numerous other amenities. Since breaking ground in 2002, Cap Cana has invested approximately US$800 million in infrastructure and other improvements and has entered into contracts with aggregate value of approximately US$1.4 billion for the sale of approximately 1,500 units of real estate properties. Throughout this period, Cap Cana has delivered approximately 700 real estate properties to buyers, including retail and developer hotel lots, condominiums and villas. For additional information contact: Three Palms DR at www.threepalmsdr.com.

Source: PRNewswire

Santo Domingo.- IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, will provide $20 million to Corporación Aeroportuaria del Este, SA to expand the Punta Cana International Airport and support the Dominican Republic's tourism sector.

CAE, which owns and operates the airport, will build a new runway and taxiway suitable for larger aircraft and expand the passenger terminal. The expansion will enable increased passenger capacity, improve services, and diversify destination markets. It also will benefit the local economy by supporting tourism, a key source of foreign exchange and fiscal revenues.

The airport serves top-tourist destinations of the Punta Cana and Bavaro regions and is the country's busiest and fastest-growing airport. During the first 10 months of 2009, it handled about 3.2 million passengers and accounted for roughly 43.2 percent of total air passengers in the Dominican Republic.

"In 1984, we opened the Punta Cana International Airport, an essential infrastructure project for the Dominican Republic's economic and social growth," said Frank Rainieri, President and CEO of Grupo Punta Cana SA, CAE's shareholding company. "We welcome IFC's financial support and expertise in this project that will help enhance regional development."

Salem Rohana, IFC Representative in the Dominican Republic, said, "IFC's support of the Punta Cana International Airport project shows our commitment to helping develop the local infrastructure and tourism sectors, a cornerstone of our strategy in the Caribbean. It also reiterates our continued support of the region in the aftermath of the global financial crisis."

Banco BHD, a leading commercial bank in the Dominican Republic and IFC investment bank provided an additional $10 million in co-financing for the expansion. "With this financing, BHD once again demonstrates its commitment to supporting the development of its corporate clients, while also partaking in the social and economic progress of the Punta Cana region and the country," said Carmina Pellerano, Banco BHD Vice President of Corporate Banking, Large Corporations, and Multinationals.

IFC's committed investment portfolio in the Dominican Republic is $183 million. Over the past 10 years, IFC's investment in the Caribbean totaled $1.2 billion, including $268 million in syndications, for 61 projects. IFC is expanding operations in the Caribbean, with special focus on diversifying economies and strengthening private sector competitiveness to stimulate economic growth and job creation. Priority sectors are infrastructure, health, education, tourism, and the financial sector to promote access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises.

IFC is the only international financial institution focused exclusively on the private sector, the engine of sustainable development in emerging markets. Along with IBRD, it is currently seeking a capital increase to strengthen its ability to create opportunity for the poor in developing countries-including by supporting infrastructure projects in the Caribbean.

Source: threepalmsdr.com

Luxury Living International Magazine well known in international real estate circles, as a real estate and lifestyle magazine covering popular and up and coming luxury vacation and second home markets and the lifestyles associated with living in the Caribbean, Latin and Central America. Luxury Living International just included two Dominican Republic beaches, one being Juanillo Beach, among their top ten beaches to live on. LLI (www.luxurylivingint.com) has featured Cana Resort and Cap Cana. Here is what they had to say about Playa Juanillo.

White sand, bright turquoise water, green palms-the colors synonymous with an amazing beach seem turned up just a little brighter at Juanillo Beach in Punta Cana, D.R. Protected by a coral reef, the calm waters of Juanillo Beach can soothe even the most frazzled of nerves. Found within the gates of the massive Cap Cana luxury community-which features beach villas, resorts, Trump estates, a full-service marina, and many fine dining options-Juanillo beach remains pleasantly undeveloped, a reminder to why we love coming to paradise in the first place. Owning a villa in Cap Cana gives you access to Juanillo Beach, which is revered by locals, travel experts and editors alike as one of the best beaches in not just the D.R. or the Caribbean, but the entire world. www.classicalcapcana.com

Source: Luxury Living Magazine

"Witnessing the film screenings during the two nights in the beautiful Caletón Beach, surrounded by palm trees with a sky full of stars, has been an experience that I will never forget," said Abril.

Also, Claudia Cardinale, one of the icons of the European cinema who had a very significant role during the 60's, expressed "Cap Cana is a haven. I feel really pampered with all the attention. It is a paradise full of lush natural beauty. I still have not left and I want to return with my daughter Claudia."

Similarly, many special guests summarized their stay at Cap Cana as memorable and as the first one of many visits in the future."Cap Cana is first class, a very high level and well designed place. One of the things I enjoyed most is the warmth of the people that strives to provide the best care, "said Benicio del Toro.

Blessed with the perfect climate and location, Cap Cana has emerged as a popular real estate and tourism destination, becoming the favorite haunt of celebrities from Hollywood and Europe, which has been recognized not only by athletes and legendary golfers who participated in "The Cap Cana Championship 2009," an official event of the PGA TOUR's Champions Tour but also by the participating stars in "The David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Classic", charity tournament.

Source: LT Staff

In beautiful Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic, it's easy to while-away the day at the beach with a rum drink in hand, but for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, take a break from the sand and head to sea for an up-close look at the annual humpback whale migration. The Samana Peninsula is a prime place whale watching-in fact, the World Wildlife Fund recognizes Samana Bay as one of the best places in the world to watch whales. A bevy of tour operators will take you right to the action. Enjoy the amazing sights and sounds of whale mating season-hear the longing mating cry of the male humpback, see aggressive males compete for females, and have your camera ready as whales lob their tails and burst from the water.

Perhaps the original snowbirds, these majestic creatures have been wintering in the D.R. long before travelers discovered this spot in the sun-cave drawings made by the aboriginal inhabitants of Los Haitises National Park depict the spouting whales and Columbus noted them in a log of his travels in 1493. Each winter, thousands of humpback whales from the North Atlantic migrate to the Dominican Republic to mate. One of the most popular gathering places is in Samana Bay, which draws more than 1,500 whales annually with as many 300 said to present at any given time.

Sure to top any D.R. to-do list, whale watching in Las Terrenas presents a unique opportunity to see humpback whales in their natural mating and nursing habitat. Whale watching season runs January 15 through March 15, though tours will continue to operate as long as the whales stick around. While you vacation in Las Terrenas this year, be sure to don some splash-proof clothing and take to sea for the experience of a lifetime.

Source: LT Staff

Guests and VIPs at the Beach Polo World Cup in February on the white sands of the Cap Cana Resort & Marina. This is the second time Cap Cana has played host to this fast beach action. Beautiful white sand, amazing ponies and beautiful people will all be on hand to see who will capture the 2011 World Cup.
www.capcanapolo.com

Source: LT Staff

Couples put on a display of golf worthy of a Renoir, painting broad brushstrokes of artistry over the 7,170-yard, par-72 course and winning in stunning fashion. Couples broke the one-day-old course record with an 11-birdie, one-bogey 62 and became the first Champions Tour player to win three straight tournaments with sub-200 totals for 54 holes.

It was Couples' third consecutive win in a row, tying Jay Haas's 2006 record and it also made him the first player to win three times in his first four starts, passing the previous best-start record held by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Even more remarkably Couples is averaging 18.25 strokes under par per start with a final round scoring average is 63.75.

Couples began the day two strokes behind Corey Pavin and one back of Nick Price and turned the final round of this $1.6 million event into a shootout of epic proportions. Pavin would eventually finish second at a sparkling 66 and 197 total, the victim of a bad break when his second shot at the par 4 14th hole hit a greenside sprinkler-head and bounced 60 yards over the green into a waste area. He was unable to recover and made a bogey, losing the lead for the first time since the seventh hole. "I did a lot of things that were very good out there today," said Pavin, who made an eagle via a chip-in at the par-5 sixth hole to tie for the lead, five birdies and one bogey, "and one bad break does not make a tournament, but it doesn't help any."

Lefty Russ Cochran, never a factor in the chase for first place, finished with 67 and 202, good enough for solo third. Price, who shot himself out of contention with a watery approach shot and double bogey at the 15th hole, shot 71 and finished tied for fourth at 13-under-par 203 with Tom Pernice Jr. (67) and Bernhard Langer (67).

"It was an unbelievable day," said Couples who made five birdies in a row from the second through sixth hole. "The first six or seven holes, there was an eagle, birdies and putts going in from everywhere." Couples ran off five more birdies in a row from the 11th through 15th holes and maintained a one-shot lead over Pavin when both birdied the par-5 15th. Of his 11 birdies only one came from outside 30 feet and eight came from inside 15 or less. A final birdie at the par-4 17th, coupled with three Pavin pars to end the round, signaled a two-stroke victory for Couples.

"I had a great stretch of golf in 1992," said Couples who won three tournaments, including the Masters, in a two month period then, "but I must say that these four weeks on the Champions Tour I'm not missing many shots." This week the course really suited my game," added Couples. "I was able to use my length off the tee to advantage and I really like the style of approach shots these green require.

"The Cap Cana Championship is one of our top three tournaments of the year and to win at Punta Espada, on one of Jack Nicklaus' best golf courses ever, really makes it special. Some prime caribbean real estate for sure. For the past two months everyone has been telling me that this is an extraordinarily beautiful place and now I've seen what they mean. "A great course in great condition with the big galleries we had for the last round, it all made for a fun day."

Source: LT Staff

The team forecasts a growth rate of at least 3% for this year. The IMF forecasts growth of 2.5% for next year with the creation of some 10,000 jobs following the injection of money from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank.

According to Listin Diario, the economic team says that the economy is responding to recent funds injections and results will be seen in less than a month and a half. The best demonstration of that, they say, is the fact that banks have increased loans by RD$29 billion, in contrast to the situation at the end of 2008 and during the first months of this year. Real Estate and and tourism outlook for 2010 looks better than the rest of the Caribbean.

The authorities say that the amount of money being moved by the entire banking community, both public and private is setting the pace, with banks lending money at between 10% and 14%, a low in banking credit in the DR. They mentioned that commerce had received loans for more than RD$9.5 billion, which they expect will make 2010 a take-off year. The entire agricultural sector has received around RD$4 billion, including fishing and forestry products, says the government. Perhaps more importantly, the housing and construction sector is showing signs of reactivation, with banks lending out RD$4.5 billion for mortgages at a "privileged rate" of 11%. Finally, for the first time in the history of private lending, micro-businesses received RD$1.4 billion worth of financing.

As part of the IMF agreement, the injection of more than a billion dollars into the local market over the next 12 months will permit an acceleration of the economy. The economic authorities say that the drop in imports had compensated for the drop in export revenues.

The bottom line; while most other Caribbean nations are dropping or staying flat, the Dominican's healthy tourism and new or continued construction projects seem to be fueling this Caribbean jewel's continued healthy growth. North Americans where slow to find jewel but that is beginning to change. Nice to see paradise on the move again.

Source: LT Staff