The Dominican Republic has quietly become one of the top golf destinations in the world. With over 30 championship courses, including Jack Nicklaus Signature designs at Cap Cana and Cana Bay, the DR offers golfers an unmatched combination of world-class design, year-round playability, and Caribbean beauty.
But for real estate investors and vacation home buyers, the question isn’t just about where to play golf. It’s about where golf course ownership makes the most financial sense.
Let’s compare the Dominican Republic to other popular golf destinations and break down why the DR is winning for investors who want lifestyle, ROI, and long-term value.
Dominican Republic vs. Florida: Lower Entry, Superior Tax Structure
Florida has long been the go-to for North American golfers looking to buy near the fairway. Communities like Naples, Jupiter, and Ponte Vedra offer iconic courses and established markets. However, in 2026, the “Sunshine State” faces a math problem that is increasingly difficult for investors to ignore.
| Metric | Florida Premium Hubs | Dominican Republic (Golf) |
|---|---|---|
| Condo Entry Price | $600,000 – $1M+ | $250,000 – $450,000 |
| Carrying Costs (Tax/Ins) | $15,000 – $25,000/yr | $0 (CONFOTUR) |
| Rental Yield (Gross) | 4% – 6% | 8% – 12% |
| Peak Demand | Seasonal (Winter) | Year-Round |
The Problem: Entry prices in Florida are steep and getting steeper. Beyond the purchase price, property taxes, HOA fees, and insurance costs—exacerbated by the 2025-2026 insurance crisis—continue to climb. Annual carrying costs in Florida golf communities now routinely hit $15k to $25k.
The CONFOTUR Advantage:
In the Dominican Republic, golf properties in world-class communities like Cap Cana or Cana Bay start significantly lower. More importantly, CONFOTUR-qualified properties offer a 15-year exemption from property taxes, income taxes on rental revenue, and transfer taxes.
The 15-Year Gap: Over 15 years, a Florida owner paying $15k annually in property taxes alone will spend $225,000. A DR owner with CONFOTUR pays zero. When you factor in Florida’s 2026 insurance premiums (averaging $8,000+ for many), the financial gap becomes an insurmountable lead for the Caribbean investor.
Rental Performance & Occupancy
Rental yields in the DR run 8-12% gross annually for managed properties. Florida golf communities typically generate 4-6% gross—before the heavy tax and insurance deductions. While Florida is heavily seasonal, the DR benefits from consistent 12-month demand, ensuring more predictable cash flow and higher annual occupancy rates.
Winner: Dominican Republic – Lower cost of entry, 15-year tax holiday, higher yields, and better year-round occupancy.
Dominican Republic vs. Arizona: Climate and Coastal Advantage
Arizona golf communities like Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Tucson offer excellent courses and dry desert beauty. However, they lack one critical element that drives both lifestyle appeal and property values: proximity to the ocean.
The Coastal Premium
The DR’s courses aren’t just near beaches; they are designed with ocean views. Coastal proximity drives property demand, commanding premium pricing and higher rental rates compared to landlocked desert courses.
- 🌊 Punta Espada: 8 holes along the sea.
- 🏝️ Las Iguanas: 3 oceanside holes.
- 🎸 Cana Bay: Exclusive coastline views.
The Arizona “Summer Gap”
Arizona faces a significant playability issue: extreme summer heat. June through August regularly hits 105°F to 115°F, making golf nearly unplayable during peak hours and forcing owners to discount summer rates heavily.
The DR enjoys year-round temperatures in the low 80s, keeping rental demand steady all 12 months.
Winner: Dominican Republic – Ocean proximity, year-round playability, and better long-term appreciation potential.
Dominican Republic vs. Mexico: Security, Accessibility, and Tax Incentives
Mexico’s golf communities in Los Cabos and the Riviera Maya are popular with North Americans, and for good reason. Courses like Cabo del Sol, Quivira, and El Camaleón at Mayakoba offer stunning designs and resort amenities.
But as we look at the 2026 investment landscape, there are three areas where the DR pulls ahead: security infrastructure, airport accessibility, and tax advantages.
🛡️ Security
The DR has invested heavily in private security for gated hubs like Cap Cana and Casa de Campo. Cap Cana operates 24/7 gated access and AI-powered surveillance, leading to statistically rare violent crime rates in these resort zones.
✈️ Accessibility
Punta Cana (PUJ) recorded over 11 million passengers in 2025. With 15-minute transfers to Cap Cana and 20 minutes to Cana Bay, it eliminates the long transfers or multi-hour drives common in Mexican golf corridors.
The Tax Incentive “Delta”
This is where the DR separates itself entirely. Mexico does not offer a comparable program to CONFOTUR. In the DR, qualified properties enjoy 15 years of exemptions on property taxes, income taxes on rental revenue, and transfer taxes.
Mexico vs. DR: The ROI Gap
- Mexico: Owners pay predial (property tax), annual fees, and rental income is subject to Mexican income tax (often withheld at 20-25% for non-residents).
- Dominican Republic: CONFOTUR eliminates these costs. You keep more cash flow, which typically results in a 2-3% higher net annual yield compared to a similar property in Mexico.
The DR also offers the same luxury resort hotel management programs Mexico is known for. Your golf course condo in Cap Cana can be professionally managed, generating income while you’re not using it—all while enjoying tax-free revenue for 15 years.
Winner: Dominican Republic – Superior security, easier airport access, and a structural tax advantage Mexico cannot match.
Why Golf Course Properties in the DR Make Sense for Investors
Golf course real estate is a premium niche. Buyers and renters are willing to pay more for proximity to championship courses, and the demographic skews toward higher-income travelers who book longer stays and generate higher nightly rates. In the Dominican Republic, golf communities offer several advantages that other destinations struggle to replicate:
CONFOTUR Tax Benefits
Properties in CONFOTUR-qualified developments like those in Cap Cana and Cana Bay enjoy up to 15 years of exemptions on property taxes, income taxes on rental income, and transfer taxes. This provides a massive financial advantage for investors looking to maximize cash flow.
The Math in Perspective:
If you net $28,000 annually from rentals, you’re keeping all of it for 15 years in the DR. In Florida or Mexico, you’re paying income tax on that revenue. Over the life of the exemption, that can equate to $60,000 to $100,000+ in tax savings depending on your bracket, plus another $150,000 to $225,000 in property tax savings.
Hotel Management Programs
Many golf course properties in the DR are eligible for professional hotel management, meaning your condo or villa is rented, cleaned, and maintained by resort operators. You get the income without the operational headache, and guests get a seamless resort experience with concierge service, daily housekeeping, and on-site support.
This is critical for absentee owners who don’t want to manage bookings, coordinate cleanings, or deal with maintenance issues from another country. Professional management handles everything—from dynamic pricing to marketing and guest hospitality—allowing you to simply collect a check.
Investor Advantage: Hotel-managed properties in prime hubs like Cap Cana often achieve occupancy rates between 80% and 82%, significantly higher than independent Airbnb-style rentals.
World-Class Courses, Caribbean Setting
Jack Nicklaus designed three courses in Cap Cana alone: Punta Espada (ranked #1 in the Caribbean and Mexico by Golfweek), Las Iguanas (opened in 2024 with oceanfront holes and nature preserve), and a third course in development. Add in courses by Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, and other legends at nearby destinations like Casa de Campo and La Romana, and the DR rivals any golf destination in the world for quality and variety.
Unlike Arizona or inland Florida communities, these courses are integrated into Caribbean resort ecosystems with beaches, marinas, spas, and luxury hotels. Your guests aren’t just there to golf; they’re there for the full vacation experience, which drives longer stays and higher satisfaction.
Global Profile: The DR continues to dominate the regional stage, set to host the 2026 PGA TOUR Americas Championship at Playa Nueva Romana.
Year-Round Demand
The DR doesn’t have an off-season. Temperatures stay consistent year-round, typically varying from 68°F to 89°F, while trade winds keep the climate comfortable and tourism infrastructure supports steady visitation throughout the calendar.
Golfers visit in winter to escape the cold, benefiting from the peak dry season between December and April. They visit in summer for Caribbean beaches and family vacations, while shoulder seasons remain busy thanks to destination weddings, corporate retreats, and international travelers.
This consistent demand translates to higher occupancy rates and more predictable rental income. While Florida and Arizona both have pronounced slow seasons due to extreme summer heat or winter cold, the DR maintains a robust and resilient tourism sector year-round.
2025 Milestone: The Dominican Republic welcomed a record 11.6 million international visitors, demonstrating sustained growth that bypasses traditional seasonal cycles.
Undervalued Market with Strong Upside
Compared to Florida, Arizona, or Mexico, the DR’s real estate market remains significantly more accessible. You can buy into a Jack Nicklaus golf community with resort amenities and beach access for $250K to $450K. Comparable properties in Naples, Scottsdale, or Cabo frequently command double that—minimum.
As Cap Cana’s master plan continues to build out—marked by the 2024 opening of Las Iguanas, a third Nicklaus course in development, and ongoing marina expansion—property values are adjusting upward to reflect a maturing amenity ecosystem. Prime Cap Cana segments are currently seeing annual appreciation rates of 10% to 13%.
Early investors are positioned to benefit from this steady capital appreciation while enjoying immediate, tax-free cash flow from the high-demand rental market.
Investment Note: Average prices per square meter in the DR range from $1,300 to $2,300, roughly 30%–50% lower than other luxury Caribbean islands while delivering identical high-end infrastructure.
Featured Golf Communities in the Dominican Republic
If you’re evaluating golf course properties in the DR, here are the communities generating the most investor and lifestyle buyer interest:
Cap Cana
Home to Punta Espada and Las Iguanas, both Jack Nicklaus Signature courses. Cap Cana is the ultra-premium golf and resort destination in the DR, with private beaches, a marina, luxury hotels, and gated residential developments. Properties range from condos to oceanfront villas, and most developments offer CONFOTUR benefits.
Punta Espada is consistently recognized as one of the top-tier, award-winning courses in the Caribbean, while La Cana at Puntacana Resort & Club remains a favorite for its challenging layout.
Featured projects: Sun Garden Bavaro, Moon Garden, Bonita Residences, Poseidonia, Secret Garden Bavaro, Wave Garden.
Property owners get access to preferential tee times, discounted green fees, and in many cases, full membership options or complimentary annual rounds at both Punta Espada and Las Iguanas. For preconstruction condo buyers in select developments, the Coral Golf Course offers an exceptional ownership perk: a $35 green fee that includes a golf cart—a significant discount compared to standard tourist rates. The first nine holes are scheduled for completion by the end of this year, with the full 18-hole course celebrating its grand opening in July of next year. This gives early buyers immediate golf access while their properties are under construction, plus long-term value as another championship course comes online in the Cap Cana ecosystem.
Cana Bay
Features the Hard Rock Golf Club at Cana Bay, a Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole course with Dominican landscape views. Cana Bay is a beach and golf resort community with private residences, beach clubs at Arena Gorda beach, and newer developments at slightly more accessible price points than Cap Cana.
Featured projects: Poseidonia, Riviera Bay, Cana Rock, Oasis Bay.
Owners in Cana Bay projects get priority booking at Hard Rock Golf Club, discounted rates, and access to the full amenity package including practice range, clubhouse, and pro shop.
What a Golf Course Investment Looks Like in Practice
Let’s walk through a real-world scenario to see how the numbers perform in the current market:
The Scenario: Sun Garden Bavaro (Cap Cana)
Purchase Price: $320,000 | Management: Enrolled in Hotel Rental Program
| Gross Annual Income (175 days @ $220/night) | $38,500 |
| Estimated Management & OpEx (Fees, HOA, Utils) | -$12,500 |
| Net Annual Cash Flow (TAX-FREE) | $26,000 |
*Cash-on-Cash Return: 8.1%. Because of CONFOTUR, this income is legally exempt from income tax for 15 years.
The Lifestyle Perk: You use the property 4–6 weeks a year. You play Punta Espada and Las Iguanas with your owner privileges, paying discounted rates instead of the $250–$300+ tourists pay. Your family enjoys the private beach club, marina, and resort amenities while the property pays for itself.
The 15-Year Horizon
- $390,000 in Total Tax-Free Rental Income collected.
- $150,000+ saved in Property Taxes compared to US/Mexico.
- 30–50% projected appreciation as the Cap Cana master plan fully matures.
That’s the model. And in the 2026 Dominican Republic market, it works.
Final Takeaway
If you’re comparing golf destinations for real estate investment, the Dominican Republic offers a combination of lower entry costs, superior tax incentives, year-round playability, ocean proximity, and world-class golf design that’s extremely difficult to beat.
Florida, Arizona, and Mexico all have their strengths, but when you factor in ROI, lifestyle quality, and long-term appreciation potential, the DR comes out ahead for most investors. The window to buy into Jack Nicklaus golf communities at current pricing won’t last indefinitely. As Las Iguanas matures and Cap Cana’s third Nicklaus course progresses, prices will adjust upward to reflect the full value of this elite ecosystem.
📺 Featured Insight
Discover why smart investors are cashing in on the hottest real estate market in the Caribbean.
Watch: Invest in Dominican RepublicWant to explore golf course properties in Cap Cana or Cana Bay?
Reach out to Connect.ca International. We specialize in helping investors and golfers find the right property in the Dominican Republic’s top golf communities, working directly with developers to secure the best available inventory.
Contact Our International Team
