"The Fairest Land Under Heaven…"

Lush, green mountains…long beaches with turquoise
waters…and lively little towns in between. Samana
is a destination for nature lovers.

International Living Postcards--your daily escape

Monday, May 8, 2006

Dear International Living Reader,

When Columbus spotted the coral-rimmed Dominican Republic, he proclaimed, "This is the fairest land under Heaven." We have to agree. The Dominican Republic is home to the highest mountain range in the entire Caribbean and offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Yet it may be the least-expensive island in the Caribbean when it comes to real estate and cost of living.

For just that reason, we're busily planning our next trip. We'll start out in Puerto Plata. On our last trip to the D.R., I bought several pieces of amber jewelry at the amber museum in Puerto Plata…and I can't wait to go back--this is one of the best places in the world for amber.

We'll spend a few days beachside at Puerto Plata, and probably go for dinner at least one night in nearby Cabarete, a small funky little beach town where musicians, artists, and beach bums hang out. Every year, an international windsurfing competition is held here, and there's nothing better than to watch the colorful sails surf the waves to shore at sunset.

After Puerto Plata and Cabarete, we're heading for the Samana Peninsula. Samana is a destination for nature lovers and adventurers. Lush, green mountains…long beaches with turquoise waters…and lively little towns in between. If you're a scuba diver…or if whale-watching is high on your agenda…this is your place. The only problem with Samana is how to get here.

You need to first fly into Santo Domingo or Puerto Plata, overnight there, and then take a long, arduous bus ride or catch a commuter flight to Samana. But that's exactly why Samana is, as yet, not highly ranked on the tourist trail…making it a perfect destination for bargain hunters. (Though Brad Pitt was spotted in Samana hunting for real estate deals…so watch out, this place may not be a secret for long.) And that's why you need to go to the D.R….and Samana…now.

In Las Terrenas, the largest town on the Samana Peninsula, you can get a new one-bedroom condo with a terrace overlooking the beach for $80,000. A three-bedroom Bahamas-style house near the ocean with a pool and Jacuzzi is on sale right now for $175,000. Always dreamed of running a dive shop? We know of one that sold here recently for $130,000--building, boats, engines, equipment and all. That's why we're excited about the Dominican Republic, and particularly about Samana.

Our upcoming trip to the Dominican Republic is part business…and all pleasure. We'll be in Puerto Plata May 15 - 16 where my husband, Dan Prescher, is participating in International Living's Global Real Estate Forum. After the event, we're going on a real estate scouting mission of our own. We promise to report back about what we find…

Suzan Haskins
Latin America Insider, International Living

P.S. If you'd like to join me, Dan, International Living's real estate editor Lief Simon, and a host of other property experts, gurus, and champions, there are still a few seats left for the Global Real Estate Forum in Puerto Plata. Tel. 1-866-381-8446 toll-free or e-mail: events@internationalliving.com to reserve your place. Visit http://www.il-ireland.com/il/promos/gref_dr/eletter.html for the full line-up.

P.P.S. Yes, I know the Dominican Republic is not, strictly speaking, an island, but rather occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean (Haiti taking up the remaining third). But I've been on Caribbean islands, and in every way that matters--climate, privacy, beaches--the D.R. feels like an island…with one exception: real estate prices. On the D.R., they're lower than other Caribbean islands. Join us next week to see for yourself.