Punta Cana
Lifestyles SUMMER 2012 | Year 2 | Nยบ4
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Hidden Treasure in Bavaro
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Map inside! Ron Mi Amor Punta Cana on House Hunters International Beach Weddings in Punta Cana
Punta Cana Lifestyles Summer 2012 | Year 2 | Issue Nº4
Features Lifestyle REAL ESTATE 06
Dr. Christoph Sieger, How this German Expat made Punta Cana his home.
10 House Hunters International Karen Ann and Cory check out Bavaro´s best Real Estate options when House Hunters International Makes another visit to Punta Cana!
20 Hidden Treasure in Bavaro! One of the most complete resort residential projects in Bavaro, The “Residencial Esmeralda” offers sales and rental opportunities.
Lifesyle THE GOOD LIFE 26 Hole in One! How a new business venture, turned into a new life for Heather Hafner in Punta Cana! 28 Beach Weddings in Punta Cana Irina Avvakumova, a local destination wedding coordinator and General Director of Yacht Charter DR. 32 Ron Mi Amor In the center of Bavaro is a unique, historical and magical place. Take a trip to one of Bavaro’s best kept secrets! 32 Koldo’s Vegetarian Recipies Cold Cantaloup Soup.
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Welcome to Issue 4 of Punta Cana Lifestyles. We want to extend our thanks to our sponsors, who have made this issue a success. Punta Cana Lifestyles provides information on visitors and residents in Punta Cana, as well as introduce expats´ relevant services and products through editorials and advertisements. Bienvenidos a la edición Nº 4 de Punta Cana Lifestyles. Agradecemos a todos nuestros patrocinadores su participación en esta edición. Punta Cana Lifestyles ofrece información sobre visitar y vivir en Punta Cana, y también presentamos a extranjeros residentes con sus respectivas experiencias, negocios, y trabajos. Disfruten de cada página…ése es nuestro deseo. Koldo Mirena Ucedo
Map on Page 39 puntacanalifestyles.com Punta Cana Lifestyles Plaza Gran Caribe Nº 4, Bávaro, República Dominicana Email: info@puntacanalifestyles.com Web: www.puntacanalifestyles.com Advertising information (809) 552-0421
Lifestyle REAL ESTATE Dr. Christoph Sieger, how this German expat chose Punta Cana to start his new life –and a family! Following his passion for windsurfing, German expat Dr. Christoph Sieger landed on the beaches of Cabarete in 1994. He has felt the gamut of social and cultural challenges that expat life can bring, but continues to experience the positive aspects of living in the Dominican Republic. Dr. Sieger cites the healthy way of living, new friendships with locals and fellow expats, and the excellent career opportunities that the country has given him. “I was born in Western Germany in 1967. I grew up in Pirmasens, which is a small town on the border of France. At the age of 18, I moved to Kiel to study German law and pursue my great passion, windsurfing. I started visiting the Dominican Republic in 1992 and then moved to the Dominican Republic on August, 1994.” Dr. Sieger is the resident partner at the law firm of Guzmán Ariza in the Bavaro, Punta Cana office, located in at the Palma Real Shopping Center in Bavaro. He received his Doctorate in Law at the Christian Albrechts University in Kiel, Germany (magna cum laude, 1995), “I took the oral exam after I had moved to the Dominican Republic”.. Then he did postgraduate studies in International Tax Law at the Robert Kennedy University in Zurich, Switzerland (2002). “I obtained my degree in Dominican Law at UAPA University in Santiago, Dominican Republic (magna cum laude, 2005) where I had studied Dominican law for 5 years. I was registered at the Dominican Bar Association (Colegio de Abogados) in 2006 under number 32774-304-06.”
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Dr. Christoph Sieger “We opened our office in Punta Cana in 2004. Punta Cana was a natural step in the expansion of our firm to cover all tourist areas of the Dominican Republic. I personally liked the area because of its potential and its natural beauty.” Dr. Sieger explains. “I became a part of Guzman Ariza in December of 1997. My initial role was to help the firm with their German and North American clientele.” According to Dr. Sieger Punta Cana still has an enormous potential and is also at the crossroads, with both very positive area projects like the new highway to La Romana, and very negative examples like Roco Ki . In order to maintain its position and to continue to attract tourists and investors, the infrastructure and the entire business climate need continued improvement.
Lifestyle REAL ESTATE When asked about the challenges he has had to cope with, he replies; “The main challenge is the entirely different culture. It requires a constant evolution and openness to understand and adjust while maintaining one’s values and integrity. It is a daily practice and I do not always succeed in doing so.” Successfully overcoming the cultural challenges that expat life can bring, Dr. Sieger has managed to establish himself as a top notch lawyer in the area, specializing in Real Estate and International Tax Law. He’s known to have a great understanding for these fields and is especially adept at negotiations. “The first thing that comes to mind is patience. The clock ticks differently in the DR. Furthermore being confronted and challenged by an entirely different culture is always a humbling experience that ex-
pands one’s horizon “Before moving to the DR, I could never really see myself getting married and starting a family. There is much to be said about the family values in the Dominican Republic. Moving to Punta Cana implied giving up windsurfing on the beaches of Cabarete, my passion that had initially brought me to the Dominican Republic.” Guzmán Ariza was founded in 1927 and has become the leading real estate firm in the Dominican Republic. It is the first and only national law firm in the Dominican Republic with eight offices located in every major business and tourism center in the Dominican Republic. The firm is devoted to representing international clients in the Dominican Republic.◘
Versión español siguiente página.
Lifestyle REAL ESTATE Dr. Christoph Sieger elije Punta Cana y empieza su nueva vida. Siguiendo su pasión por el Windsurfing, el alemán Dr. Christoph Sieger, llegó a las playas de Cabarete en 1994. Él ha sentido el reto social y cultural que a cualquier extranjero le puede atraer, aunque continua experimentando los aspectos positivos de vivir en la República Dominicana. El Dr. Sieger cita aspectos como la manera saludable de vida, calidad de vida, nuevas relaciones de amistad, con residentes locales y otros extranjeros residentes, y las oportunidades excelentes de desarrollar su carrera profesional que el país le ha brindado. “Nací en el Oeste de Alemania en 1967. Crecí en Pirmasens, un pequeño pueblo al lado de la frontera con Francia. A los 18 años de edad, me fui a Kiel a estudiar Derecho, y a disfrutar de mi pasión por el windsurfing. Empecé a visitar la República Dominicana en 1992, y finalmente me mudé a ella en Agosto de 1994. Él es socio de la Firma de Abogados “Guzmán Ariza” en la oficina de BávaroPunta Cana, situada en el Centro Comercial Palma Real en Bávaro. Se Doctoró en Derecho en la Universidad Christian Albrechts de Kiel, Alemania (magna cum laude, 1995),” Pasé mi examen oral después de mudarme a la República Dominicana”. Después Chris cursó estudios de Postgrado en Derecho Fiscal Internacionales en la Universidad Robert Kennedy en Zurich, Suiza(2002).”Obtuve mi título de abogado dominicano en la UAPA-Universidad de Santiago, República Dominicana(magna cum laude, 2006) donde estudié Derecho durante 5 años, y me registré en el Colegio de 08 Abogados en 2006 con el nº de
asociado 32774-304-06.” “Abrimos nuestra oficina en Punta Cana en 2004. Punta Cana era un paso necesario dentro de la expansión de nuestra Firma con el objetivo de cubrir todas las áreas turísticas importantes de la República Dominicana. A mí personalmente me encanta la zona debido a su potencial y a su belleza natural. Chris Sieger explica:”“Me convertí en parte de Guzmán Ariza en Diciembre de 1996. Mi primera ocupación fue ayudar a la Firma con clientes de Alemania y Norte América.” Según el Dr. Sieger, Punta Cana todavía posee un enorme potencial de crecimiento y está en un cruce de caminos tanto con proyectos de área muy positivos como la nueva carretera a La Romana, como con ejemplos muy negativos como Roco Ki. Para mantener su posición actual y seguir atrayendo a turistas e inversionistas, la infraestructura y el ambiente de negocio necesitan una mejora continuada. Cuando le preguntamos sobre los retos en el cambió que dio a su vida, él nos contesta:”el desafío principal es la cultura completamente diferente. Esto requiere una constante evolución y la franqueza para entender y adaptarse manteniendo los valores y la integridad. Es una práctica diaria y no siempre tengo éxito en alcanzarla.” A pesar de los desafíos culturales para un extranjero, Dr. Sieger ha conseguido establecerse como persona como un gran abogado de primera categoría en la zona especializado en Derecho de Inmobiliaria y en Impuestos Fiscales Internacionales. Es conocido por su gran capacidad de entendimiento en esas áreas y especialmente fiel a las negocia-
Lifestyle REAL ESTATE ciones. “La primera cosa que me viene a la cabeza es la paciencia. El paso del tiempo es diferente aquí en la República Dominicana. Estar siempre expuesto a adaptarse y a retos culturales diferentes es una experiencia que amplía el horizonte de cualquier persona con humildad. Antes de mudarme a la República Dominicana, nunca pensé en casarme ni formar una familia. Hay muchas cosas que decir sobre los valores familiares en República Dominicana. Mudarme a Punta Cana implicó tener que dejar apartado el windsurfing en las playas de Cabarete, mi pasión que inicialmente me trajo a República Dominicana.” La Firma de Abogados Guzmán Ariza fue fundada en 1927 y se ha convertido en la
Firma principal especializada en Inmobiliaria en República Dominicana. Es la primera y única Firma de Abogados en la República Dominicana con 8 oficinas y presencia en las principales zonas turísticas del país. La firma está dedicada a representar clientes internacionales en República Dominicana.◘
Dr. Christoph Sieger Attorney, Senior Partner Guzmán Ariza, Attorneys-at-Law Palma Real Shoping Village. Business Center. 2nd Floor. Suites 8, 9 and 10 Bávaro (Punta Cana), Dominican Republic Tel: (809) 552-8900 | Fax: (809) 552-8894 CSieger@drlawyer.com | www.drlawyer.com
Lifestyle REAL ESTATE House Hunters International, back in Punta Cana! Punta Cana's newfound popularity as a place to live has landed the town on Hollywood's radar, once again! HGTV's House Hunters International recently followed Indiana native Cory St. Clair and his fiancée, Karen-Ann Peterson, former Miss Aruba and current managing director of an international multiservice company, 7 Incorporated (www.7incorp.com), as they worked with Jocelyn Hernandez at Punta Cana Lifestyle Real Estate to find their dream home in Punta Cana. House Hunters International, episode HHINT-3508H, "Choosing Between Sand Traps and Sandy Beaches as a Young Couple Plans a Wedding," features an appearance by celebrated golf course designer P.B. Dye and first aired on April 5, 2012, on HGTV. "Punta Cana is not just for vacations anymore," said Hernandez. "There is a nice expat community, and young entrepreneurs are increasingly looking to invest and take advantage of the business opportunities available in the area." Hernandez, a New York City expat of Puerto Rican descent, moved to Punta Cana in 2006 and works at Punta Cana Lifestyle Real Estate shortly after. The agency offers real estate for sale and rent and has earned a solid reputation among colleagues and clients as one of the few fully staffed, truly full-service agencies in the Bavaro-Punta Cana area to sell only properties with clear title deeds. "This is an exciting time to start a brandnew life in Punta Cana," Hernandez said. "Real estate prices are still affordable, the community is safe and increasingly family -oriented, and the market is wide-open for people wanting to start their own businesses." Those interested in Punta Cana can see videos of Punta Cana Lifestyle Real Estate's exclusive properties on the 10 agency's YouTube channel at
“puntacanalifestyle” and learn more about the area at www.puntacanalife.com.◘ Next air dates: July 04, 2012 at 10:30 PM and 1:30 AM e/p. House Hunters International, el programa internacional inmobiliario de la cadena Americana HGTV, se traslada a Punta Cana nuevamente, y sigue a Cory St. Clair de Indiana, EEUU y su novia, Karen Peterson-Ann, la ex-Miss Aruba y actual directora ejecutiva de la empresa multiservicios 7 Incorporated (www.7incorp.com). Junto a Jocelyn Hernández, de Punta Cana Lifestyle Real Estate lanzan la búsqueda de su residencia permanente en Punta Cana. El episodio de House Hunters Internacional (HHINT-3508H) cuenta con un aspecto por el famoso diseñador de campos de golf PB Dye y salió al aire el 5 de Abril 2012, en HGTV. "Punta Cana ya no es sólo para vacaciones", dijo Hernández. "Hay una comunidad de expatriados, y jóvenes empresarios que llegan a invertir y aprovechar las oportunidades de negocios disponibles en la zona." Hernández, de origen puertorriqueño, se trasladó a Punta Cana en el 2006, y trabaja en Punta Cana Lifestyle Real Estate, una Agencia Inmobiliaria que ofrece inmuebles en venta y alquiler y se ha ganado una sólida reputación entre sus colegas y clientes como una de las pocas agencias del área de Bávaro-Punta Cana especializada en vender sólo propiedades con títulos. Los interesados en Punta Cana pueden ver videos de propiedades en el canal de YouTube de la Agencia en "puntacanalifestyle" y aprender más sobre la zona en www.puntacanalife.com ◘ Próxima emisión del programa 4 de Julio del 2012, a las 10:30 PM /1:30 AM
As seen on
Lebron & Jiménez Consultoría Legal & Fiscal Legal & Tax Consulting Av. Barceló, Res. Miramar C-4, Bavaro (809) 466-0009 www.lebronjimenez.com
Full of luxury amenities, including marble floors, air-conditioned living space, spacious interiors, and a gorgeous outdoor environment, no detail has been spared in this beautiful golf resort condo. This 2 Bedroom condo has 110m2 (1185 sq ft) and is located at Cocotal Golf & Country Club, Bavaro’s leading gated community, built around a 27 hole golf course, offering 24 hour security and exclusive Owner Benefits such as access to 5 star hotels, use of pools, sports facilities & private beach club. Ref Nº 01-121 MIL
Vila Birdie Unit Milo A
USD$ 160,000
Paola Gil Fernandez (809) 552-0421 Office paola@puntacanalife.com
Only Properties with Titles! Plaza Gran Caribe Nº4, Bavaro | (809) 552-0421 | www.puntacanalife.com
FOR SALE by OWNER Amazing Golf Estate
6 Bedrooms | 500 m2 | Golf Views | Asking price USD 1,300,000.00 This picturesque setting overlooking the carpeted fairways of the course is alluring. This golf villa comes fully furnished and offers very comfortable living space to lounge, entertain or watch the scenery. Spacious rooms, private pool, gazebo‌ a solid investment and even more attractive proposition for those wishing to reside within a beautiful and secure, Caribbean Golf Resort Community! Francisco Lorenzo at (809) 754-6654 at francisco.lorenzo@hospiten.com
FOR SALE by OWNER Villa Mare Beach Condo
2 Bedrooms | 112 m2 | Beach Views | Asking price USD 329,000 This beach condo is just steps to all area restaurants, bars and to the beach! Gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops, Italian custom cabinets, water purification systems, washer/dryer, air conditioning, cathedral ceilings with crown molding throughout, all furniture from very high end stored or custom made, 2 queen sized beds, completely equipped kitchen and most decorative accents will remain.
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Contact Rita Fox at ritasfox@hotmail.com
Apartamentos de 2 habitaciones desde USD 160,000 CONSTRUCTORA E INMOBILIARIA ING. CARLOS J. MONTILLA C X A
Ing. Carlos J. Montilla Chevalier Plaza NaĂştica, Local # 13, Bavaro 829-552-6847 / 809-222-3388
Only Properties with Titles!
Palma Cana 3EA, Cocotal USD 160,000 1 BR/ 99m2/ Furnished/ Golf View
Golf Suites 7095, Cocotal USD 125,000 2 BR/ 94m2/ Furnished/ Garden View
Gema Lodge 38, Cocotal USD 180,000 2 BR/ 91m2/ Furnished/ Golf View
Ocean Bavaretto 4, Cortecito USD 130,000 2 BR/ 118m2/ Furnished/ Pool View
Jocelyn Hernandez Irizarry Condo Sales (809) 552-0421 Office jocelyn@puntacanalife.com
¡Sólo Propiedades con Títulos!
Golf & Beach Resort Condos Beach Access, Security & Solid Rental Income Potential
Gema Bahia B1, Cocotal USD 190,000 2 BR/ 138m2/ Furnished/ Golf View
Vila Birdie Mag A, Cocotal USD 195,000 2 BR/ 110m2/ Furnished/ Golf View
Gema Bahia B8, Cocotal USD 200,000 2 BR/ 138m2/ Furnished/ Golf View
Stanza Mare 406G USD 285,000 2 BR/ 105m2/ Furnished/ Beach View
Punta Cana Lifestyle Real Estate, SRL Plaza Gran Caribe Nº 4, Bavaro Dominican Republic (809) 552-0421 United States (305) 600-4852 www.puntacanalife.com
Only Properties with Titles!
Villa Bonita,124, Cocotal USD 550,000 3 BR/ 400m2/ Partially Furnished/ Golf View/ Single family home on 2 Levels.
Koldo Mirena Ucedo Sales 809) 552-0421 Office koldo@puntacanalife.com
Villas Alba 509B, Cocotal USD 299,000 3 BR/ 215m2/ Furnished/ Golf View/ Duplex Villa on 2 Levels.
¡Sólo Propiedades con Títulos!
Villas & Duplex Villas Beach Access, 24 Hour Security & On-Site Golf.
Villas Alba 506A, Cocotal USD 275,000 3 BR/ 215m2/ Furnished/ Golf View/ Duplex Villa on 2 Levels.
Villa Duplex 57, Cocotal USD 275,000 2 BR/ 200m2/ Un-furnished/ Golf View/ Duplex Villa built on 2 Levels.
Punta Cana Lifestyle Real Estate, SRL Plaza Gran Caribe Nº 4, Bavaro Dominican Republic (809) 552-0421 United States (305) 600-4852 www.puntacanalife.com
Hidden Treasure in Bavaro
On-site amenities include bar, restaurant with room service, wireless internet, maid service,...
Lifestyle REAL ESTATE
Hidden Treasure in Bavaro
There is a hidden treasure in Bavaro, located on at the White Sands Golf & Beach Resort. Residencial La Esmeralda (Known also as KARIBO PUNTA CANA) is a luxurious 66 unit residential property , featuring spacious common areas, adult and children pools, lush tropical gardens, private parking, and 24 hour security. An elegant Lobby Lounge Bar sets it apart from any other project in Bavaro. The Esmeralda team gladly offers its tenants and visitors all the services they need. On-site amenities include bar, restaurant with room service, wireless internet, maid service, linen services and other maintenance related services. Residents and visitors enjoy a spectacular white sandy beach just a 5 minute golf cart ride away! Esmeralda residents also enjoy preferential arrangements with 6 different on-site resorts that include Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and access to sports facilities, a gym, spa, and water activities at Bavaro Princess, Punta Cana Princess, Caribe Club Princess, Melia Paradisus 22 Punta Cana, Ocean Blue & Sand,
and VIK Hotel. All apartments feature similar layouts with 145m2, that offer cross ventilation and lots of light. These fully air-conditioned units are built with quality materials, and all units are tastefully furnished with high end pieces made of solid wood. All units have two bedrooms with en-suite baths, a large open living/dining area, fully equipped kitchen with European appliances and some units feature private terraces with Jacuzzi for 2 people. Residencial La Esmeralda, where the pampering by their staff will ensure you'll never want to leave! ◘ For Sales and Rental Information contact (829) 761-4549 or rainsa@atobi.es ——— Hay un Tesoro escondido en Bávaro, situado en White Sands Golf & Beach Resort. El Residencial "La Esmeralda", -conocido también como KARIBO PUNTA CANAcon 66 apartamentos de lujo, cuenta con
Lifestyle REAL ESTATE
áreas comunes espaciosas, con piscina para adultos y niños, jardines tropicales, parking privado y servicio de seguridad 24 horas todos los días. Dispone de un elegante Bar-Recepción siendo un lugar de reunión del Residencial que lo diferencia de cualquier otro proyecto en Bávaro. El equipo de "La Esmeralda" están encantados de ofrecer todos sus servicios tanto a visitantes como a residentes habituales. Ofrece los Servicios de Bar, Restaurante con servicio de habitaciones, limpieza de habitaciones, cambio de sabanas, internet wifi y mantenimiento integral. Los residentes y visitantes pueden disfrutar de una espectacular playa de arena blanca a tan sólo cinco minutos en carro de golf! Los residentes habituales pueden disfrutar del acuerdo exclusivo de diferentes servicios con 6 Resorts que incluyen servicios de desayuno, almuerzo, cena, acceso a las facilidades deportivas, gimnasio, spa, y actividades de agua en los Hoteles Bávaro Princess, Punta Cana Princess, Caribe Club Princess, Meliá
An elegant Lobby Lounge Bar is the heart of residential and sets it apart from any other project in Bavaro. The Esmeralda team gladly offers its tenants and visitors all the services they need.
Paradisus Punta Cana, Ocean Blue & Sand, y el VIK. Todos los Apartamentos están distribuidos de una manera similar con una superficie de 145m2, ofreciendo una gran ventilación y mucha luz natural. Están construidos con excelentes calidades y amueblados con mucho gusto con muebles de madera maciza. Todos los Apartamentos tienen dos habitaciones con sus baños en-suite, un gran salóncomedor, y cocinas totalmente equipadas con electrodomésticos de marcas europeas. Algunos Apartamentos, disponen en su terraza de Jacuzzi privados para 2 personas. "Residencial La Esmeralda" te invita a disfrutar de nuestro equipo, quienes te atenderán haciéndote sentir como si estuvieses en tu propia casa.◘ Para información de Ventas y Alquileres, podéis contactar al (829) 761-4549 o por correo rainsa@atobi.es
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Palma Cana, Cocotal 1 BR Furnished Apartments from us$650.
Vila Birdie, Cocotal 2 BR Furnished Apartments from us$750.
3 Bedroom Condos +maid room, Cocotal 3 BR Unfurnished Apartments from us$800.
Villas del Eden II, Cocotal 2 BR Unfurnished Apartments from us$800.
Emma Espinal Inoa Sales and Rentals (809) 552-0421 Office emma@puntacanalife.com
Great Rental Properties, Great Service! Plaza Gran Caribe Nยบ4, Bavaro | (809) 552-0421 | www.puntacanalife.com
Lifestyle THE GOOD LIFE A Hole in One!
How a new business venture, turned into a new life! Heather Hafner’s journey began almost 6 years ago, when she moved from the United States to the Caribbean after coming across a business opportunity at one of most popular Golf Courses in the Dominican Republic. “We were seeking a winter hideaway to get away from the Chicago winters and stumbled across GO GOLF TOURS. We had never been to Punta Cana before, but knew the weather was great. We did a lot of due diligence on the business before the purchase with visits, meetings, etc. as we love to golf and thought it would be a fun business to own.” These days dynamic Heather lives with her husband and their two children in Punta Cana, where Heather juggles her roles of wife, mother and entrepreneur. “The biggest challenge 6 years ago, aside from being away from friends and family, was the lack of resources -grocery stores of magnitude, things to do in terms of entertainment outside of
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golfing, not knowing too many people and certainly not knowing the dominant language.” A lot has changed in Punta Cana since then, “Over the past 6 years the grocery shopping has changed significantly, we have met a lot of interesting people, and have had 2 children who were born in Centro Medico Punta Cana. Movie theaters, shopping and a great wine shop have all opened. It takes time to get used to it, but Punta Cana is very much a tourist destination so you will find that many people are bi-lingual or multi-lingual.” She ads, “One of the biggest challenges is that all binding contracts (legal) need to be in Spanish. You learn to adapt to another culture, this is not the U.S., nor should you ever think it is. Being an expat has it challenges from time to time, but for the most part it has been quite rewarding!” White sandy beaches and great weather aren’t the only things Punta Cana has to
Lifestyle THE GOOD LIFE ¡Cómo un nuevo negocio, se convirtió en una nueva vida! offer. With new schools, family activities, and affordable housing, Punta Cana is increasingly attracting families to this growing tourist community. A beautiful international airport is 15 minutes away as are Cap Cana and Punta Cana Village, which offer beautiful shops and excellent restaurants. Within a two hours drive are La Romana and Higuey when you want a change of scenery. With the Coral Highway expected to be opened before the end of 2012, driving to the capital, Santo Domingo, will only take two hours and it’s a great day trip whenever the call of the big city is beckoning! There are many cultural events including theatre, concerts, ice skating shows, and the country offers everything from the beaches of the Atlantic to the Caribbean sea, waterfalls, mountains, lakes, communities founded by Germans, Spaniards and even French and Italian influences abound. A rich history, a democratic government and the natural beauty make this a place to consider investing in and moving to. Go Golf Tours, located at the Cocotal Golf & Country Club's club house, is a 12 years incoming Golf Tour Operator managing golf tee time reservations and transportation for over 40,000 rounds of golf per year.◘ ______ El viaje de Heather Hafner comienza hace 6 años, cuando viajó desde Estados Unidos al Caribe con una oportunidad de negocio, a uno de los más significativos Campos de Golf de la República Dominicana. “Estábamos buscando un refugio de invierno para escapar de los inviernos de Chicago y nos encontramos con la venta de un negocio de viajes organiza-
dos ‘GO GOLF’… y como nos gusta el Golf, pensé que sería un negocio divertido.” Nunca habían estado en Punta Cana antes, pero les atraía el buen clima”. Heather, vive con su esposo y sus 2 hijos en Punta Cana, donde Heather hace el papel de esposa, madre y empresaria. "El mayor desafío de hace 6 años, además de estar lejos de familiares y amigos, fue la falta de recursos supermercados, y actividades que hacer en términos de entretenimiento fuera del Golf, sin conocer mucha gente y, desde luego sin saber el idioma. " Desde entonces, han cambiado muchas cosas en Punta Cana, "En los últimos 6 años las cosas han cambiado de manera significativa, hemos conocido mucha gente interesante, y he tenido 2 hijos que nacieron aquí en el Centro Médico Punta Cana.” Con una mejor infraestructura de todo tipo, Punta Cana se convierte en una comunidad turística con entidad propia, destacando la oferta de escuelas, actividades familiares, aeropuerto internacional, centros comerciales, tiendas internacionales, y excelentes restaurantes. Sin olvidar que con la Autovía del Coral llegaremos a Santo Domingo, la capital, en aproximadamente dos horas. GO GOLF TOURS se encuentra ubicado en el residencial Cocotal Golf &Country Club House, lugar que cuenta con doce años de experiencia y servicio al Golf, donde se dan más de cuarenta mil vueltas-rounds por año a su campo de Golf.◘
This stunning location really fulfills the dream. Pledge your vows to each other surrounded by the ocean.
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Photo by Katya Nova
Lifestyle THE GOOD LIFE
Luxury Wedding Ceremony in Punta Cana
Photo by Katya Nova
The popularity for destination weddings has been growing every year. Couples choose a destination wedding which means they’re getting married in a place where neither the bride nor the groom are originally from or where they don’t currently live. There is a big demand for unique, intimate, luxury weddings, with a romantic Caribbean flavor. The main advantage of using one of the local destination wedding coordinators, as opposed to those services provided by the hotels, is privacy on the beach and exclusive attention to client needs. These local companies offer services to custom-
ize every aspect of your wedding and fulfill the needs and dreams of each couple. Their expertise and local knowledge to ensure that your dream wedding will be a success. “We don’t do huge weddings for 50-70 people like the Canadians and Americans seem to prefer.” Says Irina Avvakumova, a local destination wedding coordinator and General Director of Yacht Charter DR. “The demand for the exclusive wedding we offer is consistently growing. It’s becoming more and more popular in Russia to have
Irina claims her personal achievement is learning Spanish. “We are very proud and happy that our son who is 6 years old speaks three languages fluently- Russian, Spanish and English. It’s very important for us to embrace our new country without forgetting our roots.”
Photo by Dmitriy Filippov
Lifestyle THE GOOD LIFE
a destination wedding in exotic places with the Dominican Republic being in high demand.” With a cabin cruiser in the Marina at Cap Cana and a sailboat docked in Bayahibe, Yacht Charter DR offers a variety of options to arrange private, romantic trips to Saona Island, and Cap Cana, where she organizes symbolic and official wedding ceremonies on the beach at Cap Cana, where she works in cooperation with their partners Scape2CapCana.” Prior moving to Punta Cana, Irina had established herself with a graphic design company in Cabarete, providing web and print design services, which publishes the well known ‘Lagoon Magazine’, a Russian and English publication about the Dominican Republic, with distribution at the Punta Cana International Airport. “We relocated to 30 Punta Cana because we felt there
would be a greater demand for our services here.” ◘ For more information about their services, you can write to info@caribbeanwedding.ru ________ Las bodas exóticas en el Caribe son un destino que ha crecido en popularidad en los últimos años, con una gran demanda, con la característica que el novio y la novia son de otra parte del mundo. La mayor ventaja de usar los servicios de un coordinador local de bodas en relación a esos mismos servicios que ofrecen los hoteles, es la privacidad en la playa y la atención exclusiva a las necesidades del cliente. Estas compañías locales ofrecen servicios a la medida de cada cliente, cumpliendo con todas las necesidades y sueños de pareja. Su experiencia y conocimiento local aseguran que la boda sea todo un éxito.
Lifestyle THE GOOD LIFE “No hacemos bodas para 50 -70 personas” comenta Irina Avvakumova, coordinadora local de bodas y directora general Yacht Charter DR. “La demanda para bodas exclusivas que ofrecemos está en constante crecimiento. En Rusia, se está convirtiendo en algo muy popular en casarse en lugares exóticos del Caribe siendo la República Dominicana un destino muy solicitado. Con un yate en la Marina en Cap Cana y un barco de vela en Bayahibe, Yacht Charter DR ofrece una amplia variedad de viajes románticos a Isla Saona, y a la playa de Cap Cana donde organiza ceremonias de boda privadas y simbólicas , trabajando junto a sus socios Scape2CapCana”. Antes de venir a Punta Cana, Irina se estableció en Cabarete estableciendo una compañía de diseño gráfico, ofreciendo a través de su web servicios de
diseño gráfico, publicando la popular Revista ´Lagoon Magazine´, una publicación en idioma ruso y en inglés sobre la República Dominicana, contando con distribución en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana. “ Nos vinimos a Punta Cana porque considerábamos que aquí, había una gran demanda de nuestros servicios.”◘ Para más información sobre sus servicios, podéis contactar vía correo a info@caribbean-wedding.ru
Lifestyle THE GOOD LIFE
Ron Mi Amor In the center of Bavaro is a unique, historical and magical place It is a natural cave, several thousand of years old, which was the habitat of the Tainos Indians, the first people to live in this area. This magnificent cave preserves the rites and the everyday life of these pre-Colombian people before the arrival of the Conquistadores who decimated them. The period in which Christopher Columbus and the Tainos existed will first be explained to you, then you will be taken inside the cave to discover it's luxuriant vegetation, the waterfall and the everyday objects used by the Tainos, along with the sound, lights, stalactites and stalagmites which will amaze and delight you. On the side of the of Tainos’ cave entrance, is a home-made factory of pirates rum. This factory, named Recetas Mi Amor, uses old recipes of rum blended with tropical fruits, created in the Caribbean islands during the 17th centu-
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ry. It offers eight flavors :Punch Coconut, liqueur of Coconut, Chinola (Passion Fruit), Pineapple Banana, Coffee, Mamajuana, and Lemon, which are created in both white and dark rums. The process of distillation of these rums is explained to you and a free tasting is offered. Haitian painters decorate the various bottles by hand in front of you and they will even paint a name on the bottle if you wish to give a very special, personalized gift or to keep one for yourself! Unlike many prodcts offered for sale on this island, you will have no problem taking these bottles of Rum home with you because these products are considered part of the small business sector known as Crafts. You can also visit the small Rum bar as well as the shop of the statues of the Tainos from the GuillĂŠn brothers. Courtesy of this magazine, a 10 % dis-
Lifestyle THE GOOD LIFE count will gracefully be offered to you by Wilson, the manager of Recetas Mi Amor. ◘ For more information contact: MI AMOR RUM Avenida Barcelo/Coco Loco Tel: (809) 466-1102 www.miamorrum.com En el centro de Bávaro, se encuentra un lugar único, mágico, y cultural. Una cueva natural, con varios miles de años de antigüedad, que servía de refugio a los primeros habitantes de la isla, los Indios Tainos. Este magnífico lugar, preserva los ritos y costumbres de la vida cotidiana de este pueblo preColombino antes de la llegada de los conquistadores que los exterminó. Le explicaremos el encuentro entre Cristóbal Colón y los Tainos, le llevaremos dentro de la cueva donde descubrirá su preciosa vegetación, su cascada de agua, sus objetos de uso habitual, estatuas tainas, junto a sonidos, luces, estalactitas y estalagmitas, y muchas sorpresas más que le encantarán y le harán retroceder en el tiempo…. A lado de la entrada de esta cueva Taina, se encuentra otro lugar único que usted puede visitar, una fábrica artesanal de Ron de los Piratas. Esta fábrica, llamada Recetas Mi Amor, utiliza las viejas recetas de ron combinadas con frutas tropicales, creada en la isla del Caribe, durante el siglo XVII. Ofrecemos ocho sabores: Punch
Get a 10% Discount When you bring this Magazine!
Coco, Licor de Coco, Chinola, Piña, Banana, Café, Mamajuana, y Limón, que son elaborados en nuestro laboratorio , a base de los mejores rones blancos y morenos. Le explicaremos todo el proceso de destilación del Ron, y se le ofrecerá una degustación gratuita del mismo. Nuestros pintores haitianos, están especializados en decorar y pintar a mano las botellas de ron, delante suyo y a su gusto, aquellas botellas que le guste, y quiera comprar para regalar, o como recuerdo personal de su visita a nuestra Cueva Taina. Es importante que sepa que una vez comprada cualquier botella de Ron mi Amor, podrá llevarla a su país, ya que nuestros productos son considerados y catalogados como productos Artesanales llamados Crafts. Puede también visitar nuestro pequeño Bar de Ron, y nuestra excelente tienda de Estatuas Tainas de los artistas hermanos Guillén, donde descubrirá sus variedades. Por cortesía de esta Revista, le ofrecemos un descuento del 10 %, presentando esta revista a Wilson el gerente de Recetas Mi Amor.◘ Para más información contacte con: RON MI AMOR Avenida Barceló/Coco Loco Tel: (809) 466-1102 www.miamorrum.com
Un 10% Descuento Presentando esta Revista!
Lifestyle THE GOOD LIFE
Delicias Vegetarianas d’Koldo Koldo’s Delicious Vegetarian Recipies
Sopa Fría de Melón Cold Cantaloupe Soup The Caribbean is an emporium of fruits and vegetables, which add flavor and distinction to the Caribbean table.
spoon salt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and 2 pieces of green pepper.
This delicious and beautiful recipe is perfect for hot summer days in Punta Cana!
To prepare, cut melon in half horizontally and remove the pulp with a spoon from the center of the melon, leaving the edge uncovered, put the leftover pulp in a bowl, in a food processor, grind the cardamom seeds, basil, chile, garlic, and dill. With the leftover pulp, oil, and salt make a mixture, and pour lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce.
This Cold Cantaloupe Melon Soup can be prepared in 20 minutes and kept in the refrigerator for an hour before serving. Ingredients include: 1 cantaloupe, 2 chopped basil leaves, 6 cardamom seeds, 1 small seedless chile finely chopped, 1 garlic clove, 1 small pinch of fresh dill herbs finely chopped, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tea-
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We all in the shell of the melon, add two chopped green pepper, and cool it in the fridge for an hour before serving. ◘
Lifestyle THE GOOD LIFE Sopa Fría de Melón El Caribe es una Isla llena de variedad de frutas y vegetales, naturales y únicos, que llenan de sabor y color la gastronomía caribeña. Esta maravillosa y deliciosa receta vegetariana, es perfecta y refrescante para los días de calor en Punta Cana! Se prepara en 20 minutos y se mantiene 1 hora en la nevera antes de servirlo en la mesa. Ingredientes: 1 melón, 2 hojas de albahaca troceadas, 6 semillas de cardamomos, 1 chile pequeño sin semillas finamente cortado,1 diente de ajo, un puñado de eneldo finamente cortado,1 cucharada de aceite de oliva extra virgen,1/2 cucharada de sal, 1 cucharada de limón exprimido, 1 cucharada de salsa inglesa, y 2 trozos de pimiento verde.
Preparación: Cortar el melón horizontalmente por la mitad. Guardamos la cáscara del melón. Sacamos con una cuchara la pulpa del centro del melón, dejando el borde cubierto. Colocamos la pulpa sobrante en un tazón. Ponemos en un procesador de alimentos a moler las semillas de cardamomo, la albahaca, el chile, el ajo, y el eneldo. Añadimos la pulpa del melón sobrante, con aceite, y sal haciendo una mezcla, y echamos el limón y la salsa inglesa haciendo una mezcla final. Servimos todo ello en la cáscara del melón, añadimos dos trocitos de pimiento verde, y lo enfriamos en la nevera durante una hora antes de consumirlo.◘
Fresh Dill Herbs
Now in Cortecito! Relax and let Info Reservacion Bavaro make your holiday easy, breezy and fun! I.R.B. is new and it's the quickest, easiest and most informative way to stay and save in the the Bavaro/Punta Cana area. We will help you reserve lodging and find fun wherever you'd like! From Inclusive Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, Vacation Rentals, Car Rentals, we get it done, and we love to share info about the best restaurants, beach clubs, and events our area has to offer to make your stay unforgettable! We'll help you with booking excursions too! Whether it be educational, adventurous like Zip-lining, relaxing sea escapes, dune buggy drives, horseback riding on the beach or helicopter rides for an aerial view of the most visited beach in the Caribbean, we can make your dreams a reality. We also offer special prices for residents because we want to save everyone time and money! We have a free-exchange library and a free classified bulletin board and we invite YOU to visit us soon. We speak French, English, Spanish and our smiles are understood by all!
Plaza Gran Caribe (Globalia) - El Cortecito 809 552 6719 / 849 352 6719 www.info-reservacion-bavaro.com Relájate y deja que Info Reservación Bávaro haga que tus vacaciones sean felices y divertidas ! I.R.B. es un nuevo punto de Información, rápido y eficaz, sobre la zona de Bávaro y Punta Cana. Nosotros te ayudaremos a reservar de forma fácil y rápida cualquier actividad cultural y de ocio que necesites o quieras participar ! Disponemos de información y reserva de hoteles todo incluido, b&b-habitaciones con desayuno incluido-, alquileres vacacionales, alquileres de coches… y una amplia lista de los mejores restaurantes, playas, discotecas, centros comerciales, y eventos especiales en nuestra zona que harán que tus vacaciones aquí sean inolvidables ! Y por supuesto, le ayudamos también a reservar sus excursiones ! ya sea una excursión cultural, de aventura como Zip-lining, excursión de playa, en barco, en buggy, montar a caballo en la playa, o viajar en helicóptero para ver las playas más visitadas del Caribe, podemos hacer de tus sueños una realidad. También ofrecemos precios especiales a los residentes de la Zona, para ahorrarles dinero y tiempo ! Contamos con un servicio de Librería, intercambio gratuito de libros, y un boletín de anuncios clasificados a disposición de todo el mundo, así que esperamos tú visita pronto. Hablamos diversos idiomas, francés, inglés, y español, pero sobre todo nuestras sonrisas son entendidas por todos !
Numbers of Interest
Teléfonos de Interés
Hospitals | Hospitales Hospiten Verón-Punta Cana Centro Médico Punta Cana Av. Espana
(809) 686-1414 (809) 552-1506
Emergency AMET/ Politur Marina de Guerra National Police Bus Stop Punta Cana Airport Fire Fighters
| Emergencias
Policia Nacional Estación de Autobuses Aeropuerto Punta Cana Bomberos
(809) 552-1303 (809) 593-5900 (809) 455-1097 (809) 552-1678 (809) 959-2376 (809) 682-2000
Consulate & Embassies Canada United States France Spain Italy
| Consulados & Embajadas Canadá Estados Unidos Francia España Italia
(809) 685-1136 (809) 221-2171 (809) 687-5270 (809) 535-6500 (809) 682-0830
Free Delivery in Cocotal Servicio a Domicilio 7:00am - 12:00 am 38
(809) 552-6233
Café, Internet
7:00 am a 8:00 pm Plaza el Dorado A107
(809) 552-1524