Estancia Natura: The Underrated Gem in the Caribbean Real Estate Landscape


In many U.S. real estate markets today, high entry prices, rising borrowing costs, andcompressed cap rates make new investments difficult to justify. In contrast, the DominicanRepublic (DR) offers a compelling counterpoint: a stable investment climate, strong tourismtailwinds, favorable tax incentives for development, and real project execution paths. Nestled inthe highlandsabove Jarabacoa in Angostura deManabao,Estancia Natura has the potential tobecome one of the most attractive deals in the Caribbean—combining climate, access,sustainability,adventureand operating readiness.

Tourism and Investment Momentum in the Dominican Republic

  • The DR recorded more than 11.1 million visitors in 2024—a 9 % increase over 2023and a 48 % rise relative to2019.“Dominican tourism grew by 9 % in 2024; most come from the U.S.”
  • From January to July 2025, the DR welcomed 7,197,844 visitors, the strongestfirst-seven-month record on file.“Tourism in the Dominican Republic Is Reaching New Heights”
  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the DR is also accelerating. In Q12024, the nationposted a record US $1,280.9 million in FDI inflows, fueled in part by real estate andtourism projects.“Foreign Direct Investment Reaches a Record of …–ProDominicana”
  • Over the period 2020–2024, the tourism sector accounted for 29 % of total FDI, whilereal estate captured 15.6 %—showing the structural alignment of capital flows withlifestyle and resort development.“Tourism and Energy with More Foreign Investment–DMK Abogados”
  • These trends underpin a robust macro environment: tourism is deepening, capital is targetingtourism-adjacent assets, and investorconfidence remains high.

The Highland Location Advantage: Jarabacoa / Manabao

Climate & lifestyle.

Unlike many Caribbean coastal zones struggling with heat, humidity, storms, and sargassum,Estancia Naturasits around1,400meters of elevation. The result iscool, temperate conditions,often described as “eternal spring,” which appeals to buyers seeking comfort without coastalvolatility.

Proximity & accessibility.

Estancia Natura is approximately 90minutes from Santiago’s Cibao International Airport (STI),and3hours from Santo Domingo’s Las Américas (SDQ).Cibao International Airport–WikipediaDominican Republic: investing–Lloyds Bank

Experiential diversity.

Jarabacoa is already well established as the DR’s mountain-ecotourism hub. From rivers,waterfalls,rafting,hiking,mountain biking, horseback riding,coffee farms, and proximity toPico Duarte, it offers a counterbalance to purely coastal resort zones—reducing seasonality risks.

What Sets Estancia Natura Apart

Live, operate, invest–not just sell a lot.Estancia Natura (seeestancianatura-rd.com) is builtwithinSpirit Mountain, a working coffee-agricultural ecosystem. The development is not in pre-marketing alone; it already hasmore than20 years ofbrandrecognition, landscaping, operations, and visitor experience infrastructure inplace.

Transparent legal, permitting, and construction process.OurFAQsoutline clear workflows for permitting, fee structure, titling, milestone payments, andowner support. This reduces execution risk for buyers.

On-site management & rental infrastructure.Rather than expecting owners to assemble local service providers, Estancia Natura offers in-house short-term rental and property management, integrating with major platforms. This createsa turnkey income pathway.

Amenity and community design.The project plans focus on sustainability, wellness, trails, co-working, gardens, private preserves,24/7 security, and a family-friendly community ethos.

Brand & identity synergy.The development also emphasizes narrative: the farm, the residence, hospitality—unitinglifestyle and ecological purpose (seeInstagram feedfor visual context).

Comparative Value vs. U.S./Coastal Caribbean Assets

  • Entry pricing for lots or small residences in Estancia Natura is far lower than coastalresort zones in Florida, theBahamas, or Cayman, especially after adjusting forconstruction costs and amenities.
  • Risk externalities—storm damage, sea-level rise, coastal erosion, sargassum, hurricaneinsurance—are materially lower in a highland site.
  • Carrying costs and tax drag in U.S. markets are often higher; in the DR, many tourism-linked projects are eligible for tax and import duty incentives under national frameworks(e.g. CONFOTUR).
  • The Dominican government’s consistent support for tourism, infrastructure, and FDImeans regulatory continuity is more reliable than in many less mature Caribbeanjurisdictions

AtEstancia Natura, we believe real estate can be more than a transaction—it can be a story ofstewardship, community, and meaningful legacy. If this vision resonates with you, I would be honored to share more personally.Let’s talk about how your next chapter might begin in thehighlands of the Dominican Republic.

Written by

Chad Wallace

Our founder and lead architect, Chad is at his best when he’s bringing people together.