The Skyscraper Resort That Just Changed Punta Cana Forever

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It wasn’t only a vibe—it was the regulation. 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 changing into one other Cancun or Miami. It stored the skyline low, the vibe tropical, and the concrete hidden behind the palms.

However if you happen to drive north in direction of Macao Seashore immediately, you will notice 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 regulation, 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 attraction all of us fell in love with?

Listed below are either side so you possibly can resolve for your self.

Criticism: The Impression on Native Character

For the “Outdated Guard” of Punta Cana, the difficulty is not simply how the constructing seems—it’s the way it feels to remain there.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. Not like 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’re feeling dominated by the structure. It’s the distinction between a seashore hut and a metropolis resort.

2. Density and The “Vegas” Vibe Verticality means density. If 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 the whole power 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 following developer from asking for 25 tales? Many worry that in 10 years, the Bavaro shoreline will seem 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 outdated legal guidelines had been outdated and that going vertical is definitely higher for the surroundings.

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

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

2. Fashionable Vacationers Need Views Let’s be trustworthy: luxurious vacationers love a view. In a conventional 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 type of trendy “high-altitude” luxurious.

3. The Financial Actuality The Moon Palace challenge is a large financial engine. It brings 1000’s of jobs, high-end tourism {dollars}, and elevates the “Macao” area from a sleepy surf spot to a luxurious vacation spot. For a creating nation, saying “no” to a billion-dollar funding due to an outdated zoning rule is a troublesome promote.

One factor is for sure: whatever the debate, the tower goes to be full. Moon Palace has constructed some of the loyal followings within the journey business, with 1000’s of devoted followers who refuse to trip wherever 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 officially open on June 1, 2026.

What Vacationers Can Count on

The tower is constructed. The talk over whether or not it ought to exist is over. The fact 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.

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

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