The Dominican Port Authority has declared intentions to construct a dedicated cruise terminal in Santo Domingo, initiating a US $400 million project sited near the Jaragua Hotel along the Malecón.
The proposed facility, planned for completion before 2028, will provide passengers with direct access to the Colonial Zone and is expected to stimulate adjacent tourism sectors, including hotels, restaurants, bars, and casinos.
Jean Luis Rodríguez, executive director of the Port Authority, also confirmed that expansions in other regions are underway: cruise facilities in Samaná are scheduled to open this year, Arroyo Barril is projected to welcome ships by 2026, and upgrades in Barahona remain in progress. These developments are being executed via private investment partnerships, with government bodies overseeing regulation and permit issuance.
Presently, Dominicana operates 16 principal ports—ten under private management and six under state control—a number maintained with rigorous oversight. Rodríguez emphasised that the current surge in investment, bolstered security, and rising revenues reflect institutional reforms rather than the efforts of specific leaders, indicating a deliberate move away from political interference that previously undermined the Authority’s credibility.
This shift signals a new chapter in the nation’s maritime infrastructure, leveraging enhanced public-private cooperation to transform its coastal gateways into integrated tourism hubs.