Dominican Republic Meeting & Incentive Planner 2011/2012 - (Page 17)

Left: Bavaro Beach ManatI ParK Just a few minutes’ drive away from the bulk of beachfront hotels, Manati Park is an expansive eco-themed attraction that examines the early history of the island and some of its most colorful animal species in a lush exotic setting. The wildlife here is the main attraction, including: dolphins, flamingos, crocodiles, parrots, sea lions, turtles and iguanas. Some of the flamingos in Manati are the first ever on-island to be raised in captivity. Planners can organize private functions to swim with the dolphins, or arrange exclusive educational tours behind the scenes to see how the exotic plants and animals are nurtured. There’s also a re-created Taino Village offering insight into life before European settlement. Resident staff in native Taino garb practice the handicrafts of their ancestors, and onlookers can purchase wooden jewelry and small decorative household items that the Taino people created over 1,000 years ago. aDvEnturE tourS Local tour companies such as Bavaro Runners offer a wide stable of high-adrenaline adventures off the beaten path. The most popular land activity is the half-day Zipline Tour high up in the Taino Anamuya Mountains. Groups up to 70 pax make the 45minute trip via massive, open-air 4x4 safari trucks. The experience consists of 16 platforms connected by 12 zip lines, including the two longest in the Caribbean. While flying over the rugged landscape, tree canopy and winding river far below, participants are treated with jaw-dropping views. Following that, everyone gathers at the Bavaro Runners Ranch set atop a mountain ridge overlooking the verdant chasm. It’s a great way to relax with your colleagues while enjoying fresh fruit, juices and pastries in the light mountain breeze. Another popular group tour is a full-day Culture Tour to explore all of Punta Cana’s cultural richness. Starting early in the day, groups will drive through the sugarcane and tobacco fields to visit both a sugar processing factory and a cigar-making facility. Both of these are an intriguing look into daily Dominican agricultural life as it’s existed for centuries. The tour also passes by local schools where groups can interact with the children and school teachers. Often times, the tour companies can help meeting and incentive planners organize some type of volunteer event or donation program at the schools. After that, groups always enjoy visiting a country home for a long leisurely homemade lunch with the locals. Guides are present to translate, and this is another opportunity to give back to the local community. Finally at day’s end, everyone jumps out of the safari trucks for a dip in the crystalline waters of beautiful Macao Beach, followed by a short siesta on the sand. snorkeling, banana boating, glass-bottom boating, kayaking, kiteboarding, parasailing and sailing. How does this sound? Groups can climb aboard four large catamarans seating up to 100 people each for a sail out to the Marinarium Marine Park. Upon arrival, everyone slips into the warm water to snorkel and swim with friendly stingrays flitting about the brilliantly colored reef. Add some fresh pina coladas and lively merengue lessons onboard for the sail back, and the networking among the group will flow as naturally as the gentle waves washing ashore. Due to the confluence of the Atlantic and Caribbean, there is great deep sea fishing out past the reefs. Charter a fleet of boats and issue a team challenge before they set out to hunt for Atlantic blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, wahoo, white marlin and a host of other big game fish. Dominican Republic Meeting & Incentive Planner 17 

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dominican Republic Meeting & Incentive Planner 2011/2012

Planning Points
Meeting Hotels
Punta Cana & Bavaro
La Romana, Bayahibe & More
Cruise
Puerto Plata
Samana
Santo Domingo
Santiago & Central Region
Food & Music
DMC List
Tourism Offices

Dominican Republic Meeting & Incentive Planner 2011/2012

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