The Skyscraper Resort That Simply Modified Punta Cana Without end

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It wasn’t only a vibe—it was the legislation. The federal government formally promised that no constructing on the shoreline would ever exceed 4 tales (the peak of a coconut tree).

This authorized assure is precisely what saved Punta Cana from turning into one other Cancun or Miami. It stored the skyline low, the vibe tropical, and the concrete hidden behind the palms.

However in case you drive north in direction of Macao Seashore at present, you will note one thing that stops visitors.

Rising out of the jungle is a large, 18-story tower that transforms the skyline. That is the brand new Moon Palace Punta Cana, and its existence has sparked a fierce debate about the way forward for the island.

How did it occur? In 2017, the federal government handed a brand new legislation, overturning their guidelines to permit this particular mega-project to go vertical.

Is that this the start of a contemporary, luxurious period for the DR? Or is it the top of the island allure all of us fell in love with?

Listed here are each side so you’ll be able to determine for your self.

Criticism: The Affect on Native Character

For the “Outdated Guard” of Punta Cana, the problem is not simply how the constructing appears to be like—it’s the way it feels to remain there.

1. The “Concrete Wall” Impact Whereas the rooms do have balconies, the design is a radical departure for the DR. In contrast to the hidden, thatch-roof bungalows of conventional Punta Cana, these towers rise like huge white cliffs above the tree line. Critics argue that seeing a 18-story concrete grid from the sand creates a “psychological disconnect”—as a substitute of feeling immersed in nature, you are feeling dominated by the structure. It’s the distinction between a seashore hut and a metropolis lodge.

2. Density and The “Vegas” Vibe Verticality means density. While you stack 2,000 folks right into a single tower footprint, you lose the “unfold out” feeling of a tropical resort. The pool decks really feel extra crowded, the foyer feels louder, and your complete vitality shifts from “laid-back island” to “high-energy Vegas.” It feels much less like a nature retreat and extra like a cruise ship that by no means leaves the port.

3. The Slippery Slope Now that the loophole has damaged the seal, what stops the subsequent developer from asking for 25 tales? Many concern that in 10 years, the Bavaro shoreline will appear like a wall of concrete, blocking the ocean breeze and the dawn for everybody else.

The Technique: Why Go Vertical?

On the opposite facet, the builders (The Chapur household) and authorities officers argue that the previous legal guidelines had been outdated and that going vertical is definitely higher for the setting.

1. The “Footprint” Logic
That is the strongest argument for the tower. If you wish to construct 2,171 rooms, you’ve gotten two selections:

• Choice A (Horizontal): You bulldoze 500 acres of jungle to unfold low-rise buildings out (city sprawl).
• Choice B (Vertical): You construct one tall tower on 10 acres and go away the opposite 490 acres as untouched mangrove and jungle. The builders argue that by build up, they’re truly preserving extra nature on the bottom degree.

2. Fashionable Vacationers Need Views Let’s be sincere: luxurious vacationers love a view. In a standard Punta Cana resort, solely the entrance row will get an ocean view. In an 18-story tower, everybody will get a panoramic view of the Caribbean. Proponents argue that to compete with Dubai, Mexico, and Hawaii, the DR wants to supply this sort of trendy “high-altitude” luxurious.

3. The Financial Actuality The Moon Palace undertaking is a large financial engine. It brings hundreds of jobs, high-end tourism {dollars}, and elevates the “Macao” area from a sleepy surf spot to a luxurious vacation spot. For a growing nation, saying “no” to a billion-dollar funding due to an previous zoning rule is a tricky promote.

One factor is for sure: whatever the debate, the tower goes to be full. Moon Palace has constructed one of the crucial loyal followings within the journey trade, with hundreds of devoted followers who refuse to trip anyplace else. For these vacationers, the “Palm Tree Rule” issues far lower than the constant, high-end luxurious service the model is known for in Mexico and Jamaica. If you’re certainly one of them, get your calendar prepared—reservations for this game-changing property formally open on June 1, 2026.

What Vacationers Can Anticipate

The tower is constructed. The controversy over whether or not it ought to exist is over. The truth is that Punta Cana is evolving.

It’s not only a sleepy village of thatch-roof bungalows. It’s a tourism superpower.

The existence of the Moon Palace would not essentially spoil the vacation spot; it simply provides a alternative.

• If you would like the traditional, low-rise, hidden-in-the-jungle vibe? You continue to have 95% of Punta Cana.
• If you would like a Miami-style mega-resort with 18th-floor sunsets and high-energy luxurious? Now, you’ve gotten Macao.

The skyline has modified eternally. Whether or not that is a scar or a badge of progress relies upon solely on whether or not you favor the sound of palm bushes or the hum of a high-rise.

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