The Dominican Port Authority’s executive director, Jean Luis Rodríguez, announced that Santo Domingo will soon have its own cruise port, with an estimated investment of US$400 million. The facility will be built near the Jaragua Hotel along the Malecón, offering easy access to the Colonial Zone and boosting local tourism-related businesses such as hotels, restaurants, bars, and casinos. The project is expected to be completed before 2028.
Rodríguez also highlighted ongoing port developments in other regions, including Samaná, set to open this year, Arroyo Barril projected for 2026, and improvements underway in Barahona. All cruise infrastructure is being built through private investment partnerships, with the government overseeing regulation and permitting.
Currently, the Dominican Republic has 16 key ports—10 privately operated and six public—managed under strict state oversight. Rodríguez noted that the sector is experiencing a period of transformation and unprecedented growth, with increased investment, improved security, and higher revenue. He emphasized that these results reflect institutional reforms rather than individual leadership, marking a shift from past political influences that once hindered the Port Authority’s credibility. (https://dominicantoday.com/dr/tourism/2025/06/06/santo-domingo-to-build-us400-million-cruise-port/)
