The Dominican Republic is striving to be considered a world class wellness destination. Located in the heart of the Caribbean with an average temperature of 86° F, this beautiful island offers vast natural diversity for guests to enjoy; from rivers, mountains, waterfalls to beautiful beaches, thus making it a privileged destination for wellness and health.
On October 17-19, the 6th International Wellness and Spa Congress will be held at the Barceló Punta Cana Hotel, where leaders of the wellness industry will be presenting the latest wellness trends and spa management strategies. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness industry was valued at $4.4 trillion in 2020, globally, and will reach $7 trillion in 2025.
The Dominican Republic is home to a variety of wellness offerings and hotels featuring wellness retreats, some notable properties and spas are:
• Natura Cabana (Cabarete)
• Bahia Principe (Samana)
• Tree House (Samana)
• Unique Exotic Hotel (Samana)
• El Valle Lodge (Samana)
• Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge (Barahona)
• Ki-Ra Holistic Living (Bayahibe)
• Meliá (Punta Cana)
• Eden Roc Cap Cana (Cap Cana)
• Toque Holistico (Punta Cana)
• Spa Natural Center (Punta Cana, Costanza, Saona)
• Saona Beach House (Saona)
The retreats offer some of the most exclusive activities you can find in the Dominican Republic, such as medicinal plant workshops and mud therapy. The Dominican Republic has over 13,000 medicinal plants, of which 412 are native to the La Española island. Medicinal plant workshops can teach guests the properties, benefits, contraindications and methods of use for each plant.
Using mud therapeutically can provide healing due to its medicinal properties such as antiseptic, anti inflammatory and wound healing; it is commonly used in holistic healing and layered body and facial treatments, to regenerate the skin, restoring its shine and tone.
By Flavio Acuña
Founder, CEO of Spa Natural Center
www.spa-puntacana.com