Cap Cana is a private resort and residential community on the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, close to Punta Cana International Airport. This guide describes what it is, how to reach it and what it offers, using the sources we could find. We did not find published statistics on who buys there, and we say so below.

What Cap Cana is

Wikipedia describes Cap Cana as a privately developed resort and residential community in La Altagracia Province, covering about 123 km2. A hotel blog for Eden Roc Cap Cana gives 30,000 acres, which is consistent with that size. The project began in the early 2000s as a large tourism and real estate development with hotels, private residences, golf courses and a marina. The 2008 financial crisis slowed construction, and a debt restructuring in 2009 allowed work to resume.

Estimates of the resident population range from 9,000 to 12,000. The same source says Cap Cana produces and distributes its own electricity and runs its own water supply and wastewater treatment. Because these are summaries of a general encyclopedia entry, ask the community administration for current figures.

How to get there

Cap Cana's own website says Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is about 15 minutes by car. La Romana International Airport is about 40 minutes, and Las Americas International Airport near Santo Domingo is about 2 hours. Journey times depend on traffic and on the part of Cap Cana you are visiting. The site also names Marina Cap Cana as an authorized entry port for boats.

Amenities

  • Golf. Punta Espada Golf Club is an 18-hole course designed by Jack Nicklaus. It opened in 2006 and hosted a PGA Tour Champions event from 2008 to 2010.
  • Marina. Marina Cap Cana opened its first phase in 2007 and offers docking for yachts and other vessels.
  • Beach. Juanillo Beach is one of the coastal areas inside the development.
  • Hotels. They include Eden Roc Cap Cana, Sanctuary Cap Cana, Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana, and The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort, which opened in 2025.
  • Other attractions. An equestrian center (Los Establos), Scape Park, and the El Dorado Water Park, which opened in May 2024.

Who buys in Cap Cana

We did not find an official or independent source on the nationalities or profiles of buyers. The community serves both visitors and property owners, with residential areas next to tourism and recreation. If you want to know who owns around a property you are considering, ask the seller for sales data with a date, and ask the community administration how many units are owner-occupied and how many are rented out.

Points to check before you buy in Cap Cana

  • Community rules and fees. Ask for the governing documents, the current community and condominium fees and what they cover.
  • Rental rules. Check whether the community or building restricts short-term rental.
  • Utilities. Because Cap Cana provides its own utilities according to Wikipedia, ask who bills you, how tariffs are set and who is responsible for service quality.
  • Project status. Cap Cana includes many different developments. Check the permits, the developer and the delivery schedule of the specific project.
  • Taxes. The annual property tax and other taxes are described in our costs guide. A CONFOTUR benefit applies only where a document says so for that project.

What to confirm with a lawyer

  • Who owns the land under the unit, and is there any lien on it?
  • What community regulations bind me as an owner, and what fees and special assessments can be charged?
  • Do the community or building rules allow short-term rental?
  • Who provides and bills electricity, water and wastewater, and under what contract?
  • Does this project hold CONFOTUR classification, and does it cover my unit?
  • What is the registration route for my unit (title in my name, or through a trust)?