Breathtaking Destination

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Miches' Coastline

Tropicalia is located in El Seibo province on the southern shores of the Samaná Bay, in the community of Miches. It boasts a uniquely diverse ecosystem of beaches, mountains, mangrove forests, jungle, lagoons and rivers. Miches’ natural attractions include the magnificent beaches of Costa Esmeralda and Playa Arriba, the majestic Cordillera Oriental, and lush prairie landscapes. Its marine-rich environment attracts more than 2,000 humpback whales migrating each year to the Samaná Bay to mate and give birth. Together with historical and cultural landmarks, like the Santa Cruz Church and the Battle of Palo Hincado Monument, these characteristics make Miches an incomparable coastal settlement.

Nearby, Los Haitises National Park exhibits magnificent limestone plateaus, conical hills, caverns and a large mangrove forest. The Wildlife Refuge Lagunas Redonda y Limón features two impressive lagoons, home to several regionally native plant and animal species. La Gina is a spectacular bay outlined by mangrove and coconut forests, currently preserved as a species and habitat management area. The Marine Mammal Sanctuary of the Dominican Republic is the largest marine protected area in the country, covering 25,000 km2 on the Atlantic Coast. It extends from the Banco de La Plata, in the northern limit of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone, to the coast of El Seibo province.

Miches Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

With a population of approximately 21,000, Miches has historically been an isolated community located in one of the poorest regions of the Dominican Republic. Its main industries include agriculture, cattle-raising, artisanal fishing, micro-business services and artisanal crafts. Despite its diverse and abundant resources, Miches faces many social and economic challenges including poverty, unemployment and delinquency, which arise from limited market access, low levels of education, and scarce economic opportunities.

Today, Miches is forging a more promising future. The Dominican government has invested in transportation and telecommunication infrastructure to expand Miches’ market access. In early 2015, the government completed a highway project from Miches to Punta Cana, removing one of the largest barriers to socioeconomic development. Now, this coastal community is just an hour away from the Punta Cana airport, which attracts more than 2 million tourists annually. In 2016, the government inaugurated the highway segment from Miches to Sabana de La Mar, adding 40 kilometers to the Punta Cana–Uvero Alto–Miches highway launched in 2015. Commitments have been made to conclude the Sabana de la Mar–Samaná highway segment, and to improve the ferry terminal, pier and sewage system.

“By providing stable jobs, establishing a local supply chain, and contributing towards community-based development, we join the government’s efforts of building a more prosperous future for Miches. Our goal is not only to favor economic growth and diversification in Miches and other nearby communities, but also to position the entire region as a sustainable tourism destination that favors social, ecological, and aesthetic preservation and enhancement.”

William R. Phelan, Vice President and General Manager, Tropicalia.

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