Why Did a Cancún Developer Build Andara in Punta Cana?

As a developer with deep roots in Cancún, Onix Living could have built its next project anywhere. The decision to build Andara in Cap Cana, Punta Cana, was a deliberate choice based on a unique combination of lifestyle, security, and clear investor advantages that set this corner of the Dominican Republic apart. This page explores the key factors that made Cap Cana the undeniable answer.

How does the fundamental living experience differ?

The most significant difference between Cancún and Punta Cana lies in their core design. Cancún's famed Hotel Zone is a vibrant, high-energy public strip of resorts, restaurants, and nightlife lining a world-class beach. It's an energetic, largely open destination built for tourism.

Cap Cana, where Andara is located, represents a different philosophy. It is a vast, private, gated master-planned community. Life here is not centered on a single public boulevard but on a network of exclusive neighborhoods, golf courses, a marina, and private beaches. For residents, this means a quieter, more controlled environment. The focus is less on nightlife and more on personal wellness, sport, and relaxation within a secure enclave. It's a choice between a city that hosts a resort and a resort that functions like a city.

What are the property ownership and tax laws for foreigners?

For any international buyer, how the purchase is structured matters as much as the view. This page does not attempt to summarise Dominican or Mexican ownership law — the rules differ by jurisdiction and by buyer, they change, and any comparison worth acting on comes from your own attorney, not from a developer's website. What we can point to is the specific incentive Andara holds.

Furthermore, the Dominican government actively encourages foreign investment in tourism zones through Law 158-01, known as CONFOTUR. As a CONFOTUR-approved project, Andara offers its first buyers significant tax advantages. This includes an exemption from the 3% property transfer tax at the time of purchase and an exemption from the annual 1% property tax (IPI) for a period defined by the law. This legal framework provides a clear, predictable, and highly favorable financial structure for investors—a crucial factor in our developer's decision-making process.

How does the vision for daily life at Andara compare?

A home is more than its location; it's the life you live in it. While Cancún offers incredible amenities, the vision for Andara was to create a self-contained resort lifestyle within the broader Cap Cana master plan. This means residents have exclusive access to a suite of amenities that foster community and wellness without needing to leave the grounds.

Andara features seven distinct pools, including a rooftop infinity pool for adults, a full fitness center and yoga lounge, coworking spaces, a golf simulator, and pickleball courts. The project itself fronts the Las Iguanas Golf Course. This contrasts with the typical model in many resort cities where amenities are spread out and often public. At Andara, from a one-bedroom 926 square foot residence to a sprawling penthouse, the resort experience is integrated into the fabric of your home.

What about travel and getting around?

Both destinations are served by major international airports. However, the experience on the ground for a resident or property owner is what truly matters. Andara is located just a 15-minute drive from Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), one of the best-connected airports in the Caribbean.

The journey from the airport to your residence at Andara is entirely within the secure, well-maintained and uncongested private boulevards of Cap Cana. This stress-free arrival and departure process, free from city traffic, is a significant lifestyle advantage. It means less time in transit and more time enjoying your home, whether you're arriving for a weekend or welcoming guests.

Why does Andara represent the best of the Punta Cana choice?

Ultimately, Onix Living chose Cap Cana because it allowed them to build a project like Andara—a community that offers the security and cohesion of a private club with the amenities of a luxury hotel. It's a model that thrives in a master-planned environment where every detail is curated for the resident experience.

With residences starting from $280,600 and a projected delivery in Q4 2028, Andara is the culmination of this strategic choice. It offers investors and future residents the clarity of Dominican property law, the tax benefits of CONFOTUR, and a lifestyle centered on privacy and world-class amenities, all within the gated Cap Cana master plan. For a Cancún-based developer, the choice was clear: the future is here.

Common questions

Is it better to buy property in Punta Cana or Cancun?

The better choice depends on your lifestyle preference. Cancun offers a high-energy, public city environment, while Punta Cana, particularly within communities like Cap Cana, provides a more private, secure, and tranquil resort-style living experience. For our developer, the master-planned security and clear tax incentives of Cap Cana were decisive.

Can a foreigner buy beachfront property in Punta Cana?

Yes. In the Dominican Republic, foreigners can directly own beachfront or any other property with full title rights, just like a Dominican citizen. This is a key advantage over other jurisdictions like Mexico where a 'fideicomiso' (bank trust) is typically required for foreign ownership of coastal land.

Is Punta Cana a good place for real estate investment?

Punta Cana, and specifically Cap Cana, is considered a prime location for real estate investment due to strong tourism demand, straightforward foreign ownership laws, and significant tax incentives under the CONFOTUR law. Projects like Andara, with a projected 11-15% net ROI, are designed to capitalize on these advantages.