‘A multidisciplinary team that is always at the forefront of new methods of doing business’, the real estate and tourism group at Castillo y Castillo represents clients including major international hotel chains such as Best Hotels and Meliá Hotels International on a wide range of matters. Core areas of expertise include the financing, construction and development of hotels and condominiums, as well as licensing and permitting issues. Senior partner Práxedes J. Castillo Báez, a go-to name for transactions in the real estate and tourism sectors, and senior associate Maria Portes, who frequently advises on permits for project development, oversee the practice. Sebastián Jiménez is a key contact for real estate transactions, specifically sale and leaseback matters.
Real estate and tourism in Dominican Republic
Castillo y Castillo
Practice head(s):
Maria Portes; Práxedes J Castillo Báez
Testimonials
‘Extensive knowledge and effectiveness.‘
‘The firm has a multidisciplinary team that is always at the forefront of new methods of doing business.‘
‘María Portes is always willing to evaluate new options and see different angles to reach legal settlements, while at the same time protecting the interests of the parties involved.‘
Key clients
Siba Energy Corporation
British Airways
Soluciones Gas Natural (SGN)
Mac Hotels/Pure Salt Luxury Hotels
Riu Hotels Group
Meliá Hotels International
Iberostar Hotels Group
Tyche Group (Majestic Hotels)
Centro Cuesta Nacional (CCN)
Best Hotels Group
Work highlights
- Represented Spanish hotel chain Best Hotels in the development of three luxury hotels.
- Representing Suntrust Enterprises in the development of 92 luxury apartment condominiums.
- Advised Banco Popular Dominicano on a credit facility granted to an international hotel chain for financing the construction and development of a hotel in the Dominican Republic.
DMK Abogados
DMK Abogados has a strong track record of assisting leading leisure and tourism companies in the Dominican Republic, including hotels, airlines, tour operators, theme parks and restaurants. Clients instruct the group on a broad range of mandates, including the application of tax exemptions, franchise projects, establishing timeshare products and obtaining related licences, and significant disputes. Following the departure of former practice co-head Patricia Guzmán in March 2022, Enrique De Marchena leads the group, and utilises his extensive background in the tourism industry to assist local and foreign investors. Iván García Elsevyf, who is head of the firm’s litigation department, is an important contact for contentious matters in the real estate sector.
Practice head(s):
Enrique De Marchena
Key clients
Corporación Aeroportuaria Del Este (CAE)
Senator Hotels and Resort
Marriot International
Hyatt
Sol Meliá International
Aviation Group
BOC Aviation
Marriott Vacations Worldwide
Intercontinental Hotel Group
Work highlights
- Representing Corporacion Aeroportuaria del Este (CAE) in an administrative appeal against the construction project of the Bavaro International Airport (AIB).
- Advised Senator Hotels & Resorts on day-to-day issues.
- Assisted Marriott International (and associated brands) with its expansion in the Dominican Republic.
Guzmán Ariza
Guzmán Ariza is well known for advising on major real estate and tourism-related transactions in the Dominican Republic, while clients also benefit from its presence in the key locations of Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and Samaná. The firm stands out for its expertise in project financing and acquisitions, acting for prominent multinationals including Club Med. The sizeable team is led by experienced managing partner Fabio Guzmán Ariza, Alfredo Guzmán Saladín (an expert in corporate and commercial matters in the real estate and hospitality sectors), Julio Brea Guzmán (who plays a key role in real estate and condominium projects), Rubén García and César Calderón. The team was further strengthened at top level by the addition of senior counsel Patricia Guzmán from DMK Abogados in October 2022 and the promotion of Marianne Olivares in June 2023.
Practice head(s):
Fabio Guzmán Ariza; Alfredo Guzmán Saladín; Julio Brea Guzmán; Rubén García; César Calderón
Testimonials
‘Good communication and legal knowledge. They understand the country’s legal and political system.‘
‘What gives me the greatest peace of mind is that I can always count on the collaboration of Guzmán Ariza – my calls and emails are always answered. We have had experiences with other firms that simply do not answer or it is impossible to communicate with the lawyer in charge of our files or even know for sure which lawyer handles a file. With Guzmán Ariza that does not happen, it is quite the opposite.‘
‘I can say without fear of being wrong that Guzmán Ariza’s ethos is transmitted to all the lawyers and staff in general. Alfredo Guzmán and Marianne Olivares are our trusted advisers. As an in-house lawyer, it is reassuring for me to sit down and discuss a strategy with both of them because we work together to achieve an objective – that’s something you don’t get at other law offices.‘
Key clients
Club Mediterranée (Club Med)
Meliá Hotels International
Anex Tours
12Tree Finance
NOVAL Properties
Sunwing Travel Group (Nexus Tours, Royalton)
Viva Wyndham Resorts
Sosúa Ocean Village
Tierra del Sol Beach Hotel and Casino
Elof Hansson
Ani Villas
Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort
Dream City
Acun Medya
Althelia Blue Finance
Villas Infinity
Knauf GIPS
Blue Jack Tar
Dama Hoteles
Nader Enterprises
Grupo Roble/Real Hotel & Resorts/Grupo Poma
Hotels Association of Cap Cana
Vafiadis
Cap Cana
The Mosquito Hotels Group
Work highlights
- Assisting Club Med with obtaining and renewing all operating licences for hotel, restaurant and tourist activities.
- Assisted Melia Hotels with the amendment and renewal of a commercialisation agreement with one of its main tour operator partners (Manatí).
- Representing Althelia Blue Finance in the Althelia Sustainable Ocean Fund project in the Dominican Republic.
ECIJA DVMS
Standout work for the real estate and tourism group at international firm ECIJA DVMS, which has offices across Europe and Latin America, includes advising on a high-end tourism project considered the largest in the south of the Dominican Republic. In addition to project development, the team routinely advises on real estate acquisitions and lease agreements (most notably for Major League Baseball clients) and regulatory approvals. Gabriel Dejarden and Polibio Valenzuela are the duo heading up the team, while Christian Molina is also noted for his extensive experience of assisting real estate developers with M&A matters. Senior counsel Paola Checo and senior associate Deydania Comas provide key support with commercial contracting and procurement matters.
Practice head(s):
Gabriel Dejarden; Polibio Valenzuela
Testimonials
‘ECIJA lawyers are specialists in customer service, handling all my real estate issues with dedication. They are true professionals. I have worked with them exclusively for over 10 years, and I would not change them.‘
‘Customer service, sophistication, reasonable prices and a lot of attention to detail. They are international, and they really connect with the client’s business.‘
Key clients
Limburg Investment (Real Estate Holding for RCD Hotels)
Capital Crédito e Inversiones (CCI)
Texas Rangers
Qualita Constructora
Ministry of Housing and Construction
CCI Puesto de Bolsa
TC Latin America Partners
Vesta Consultants
Work highlights
- Assisted CCI Puesto de Bolsa with the structuring of a high-value corporate bond issuance by Panac Hotel Dominicana.
- Assisted Texas Rangers with all due diligence, title insurance and agreements necessary to complete the purchase of the land where the team is operating a new baseball academy.
- Assisted a major player in the oil and gas industry with the remediation of a potentially contaminated site.
Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernández
Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernández handles both contentious and non-contentious matters for tourism companies and developers, including real estate transactions, lease agreements, project development, financial transactions in the sector, and disputes. Founding partner Mary Fernández, Marisol Vicens, who assists with sophisticated investment projects, Sarah De León and Jaime Senior, a key figure for mandates related to tourism and industrial free zone investments, lead the team, and are proficient in M&A matters in the real estate and tourism industries. Senior associate César Ledesma is another standout practitioner for the development of real estate projects.
Practice head(s):
Mary Fernández; Marisol Vicens; Sarah De León; Jaime Senior
Key clients
McKinsey & Co
Nielsen
Digital Economy Group
Citibank
The Nature Conservancy
National Council of Private Enterprises (CONEP)
Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD)
Playa Grande Golf & Resort
One Park Dominicana
Grupo Puntacana
Grupo Campollo
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)
Work highlights
- Advised Advanced Asset Management on the investment, through one of its funds, in preferred equity for the construction, development and operation of a primary care medical centre.
- Advised Nicolas Papadopoulo on a real estate dispute involving the client’s property located within the luxury tourism complex Casa de Campo in La Romana.
- Representing La Cava Holdings in a wide range of real estate transactions involving both residential and commercial properties.
OMG
The diverse workload for OMG‘s real estate and tourism team includes advising on the full life cycle of mixed-use tourism projects, including planning, condominium development, construction issues, licences and permits, the retail of resort properties and timeshare matters. The team predominantly acts for developers, investment funds and hotel chains, utilising its office in the well-known resort town of Punta Cana. M&A expert Esperanza Cabral, who is also the firm’s legal strategy coordinator, heads up the team and has extensive experience in high-profile transactions in the real estate and tourism sectors. Strategic planning manager Patricia Losada also stands out for her expertise in real estate, zoning, regularisation and tourism matters.
Practice head(s):
Esperanza Cabral
Testimonials
‘What makes it unique is the added value of the team, who always present comprehensive legal alternatives that allow us to ensure the management of our tourism-real estate projects.‘
‘Their dedication, availability, and knowledge of the subject makes them stand out. Unlike other firms, they first listen to the requirements for the project, and then design a strategy and execute a plan that represents results and cost-effective solutions.‘
‘The team’s qualities: proactive, strategic, and focused on results. Esperanza Cabral and Patricia Losada are outstanding.‘
Key clients
Meliá Hotel International
Andares del Mirador Trust
Murales Trust
Grupo Aqua
Traza.Do
Lafe Development Company
Talbot – Grupo Velutini
Greincord
Work highlights
- Acting for the Murales Trust on all matters related to the development and execution of a mixed-use project.
- Acting for Park Adventure Group as project manager in the building and operation of the Korala theme park and hotel.
- Assisting Talbot with the design and execution of the legal strategy for the application of condominium laws to the master plan of its mixed-use “World Trade Center Santo Domingo” project.
Pellerano & Herrera
Pellerano & Herrera has wide-ranging expertise in the real estate and tourism sector, covering real estate finance, acquisitions, disposals and leasing, project development and disputes, with an impressive client base in the hotels and aviation spaces. The team is headed by managing partner Ricardo Pellerano, who is experienced in advising international clients on real estate transactions, senior counsel Ramón Luciano, who leads the real estate industry group and frequently handles the sale and purchase of commercial and residential real estate, and senior associate Stephanía Céspedes. Other key members of the practice include foreign investment specialist Carolina León and Alessandra Di Carlo, a name to note for advising hotel investors and developers.
Practice head(s):
Ricardo Pellerano; Ramón Luciano; Stephanía Céspedes
Key clients
Bayer
Caixabank
Avianca
DR Cruise Port
Servicios Turisticos Exclusivos Sad (Grupo Vidanta)
Amhsa Marina Hotels & Resorts
Expedia
Complete Property Services
Jet Blue
Sol Melia
Work highlights
- Assisted DR Cruise Port with all real estate issues in relation to its operations.
- Advised a group of private investors on the indirect sale of a property located in the exclusive Sea Horse Ranch project, located in Puerto Plata.
- Represented Servicios Turisticos Exclusivos in a land demarcation lawsuit worth $10m.
Alburquerque Abogados – Consultores
José Manuel Alburquerque Prieto, Laura Polanco Coste, and Gina Alexandra Hernández Vólquez lead the ‘innovative and capable‘ team at Alburquerque Abogados – Consultores, which advises on the full range of real estate and tourism matters, including foreign investments in the tourism sector, real estate and project finance, construction and environmental licensing, and tax issues. The practice was strengthened by the addition of senior associate Maycar Mejía Barros, whose work includes advising on permits for aviation and tour operations, from a role at the Constitutional Court in April 2022.
Practice head(s):
José Manuel Alburquerque Prieto; Laura Polanco Coste; Gina Alexandra Hernández Vólquez
Testimonials
‘The team is very innovative and capable. They are very reliable.‘
‘Working with Gina Alexandra Hernández Vólquez, we trust that the job will be done correctly and quickly.‘
‘The team is very competitive in relation to other firms and surpasses a lot of others in relation to the client service.‘
‘For me, the plus is the personalised attention the team offers and the professionalism with which they handle matters. The firm differentiates itself from other competitors through its quick responses to clients’ requests. José Manuel Alburquerque and Laura Polanco stand out.‘
‘The people at Alburquerque are very professional and in the face of any new situation they can quickly identify the legal path to take and come with a concrete and clear proposal.‘
‘All the people we are in contact with are very efficient. They never leave anything hanging in the air and are always very clear in their comments and proposals. I would like to highlight Gina Hernández, José Manuel Alburquerque and Maycar Johanna Mejía.‘
Key clients
World2 Fly
Hotel Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana
Catalonia Hotels and Resorts
Caliente Club & Resorts
Hotel Naco
Inversiones Latinas
Aristides Lazo
Alcentro
TUI
Carrefour
Morgame Capital
Robert Bruno
Teófilo Cruz
César Latrilla
Grupo Nolan
John Alfonso López
Work highlights
- Assisted World 2 Fly with obtaining permits from the Dominican authorities to establish a branch in the country and all the licences required to operate commercial flights from Spain and Portugal to the Dominican Republic.
- Representing Catalonia Hotels & Resorts in the negotiation and structuring of an agreement concerning hotel bookings.
- Assisted Grupo Nolan with drafting promissory sale agreements.
Jiménez Peña
Luis Julio Jiménez and Vilma Veras head up Jiménez Peña‘s team and combine expertise in real estate, corporate and tax matters to advise on issues ranging from the development and financing of commercial, infrastructure and tourism projects to hotel renovations, real estate acquisitions, sales and leasing, construction permits and tax exemptions. The firm stands out for its advice to large national and international hotel chains, such as Grupo Punta Cana, Marriott and Accor, as well as leading financial institutions and clients in the aviation sector (including advising on matters relating to Punta Cana International Airport).
Practice head(s):
Luis Julio Jiménez; Vilma Veras
Key clients
AIC
La Estancia Golf Resort
Grupo Punta Cana
Hola Tours & Travel
Sirenis Hotels
CCS Holding Group
Portblue Hotels
Celuisma
Marriott International
Excel Group
Work highlights
- Advised Marriott International on management agreements and due diligence for major hotel projects in different locations in the Dominican Republic.
- Advised Sirenis Hotels on all the corporate, tax and real estate aspects involved in a $90m remodelling and refurbishment of two of its hotels in the Dominican Republic.
- Assisted Grupo Punta Cana with the setting up of an export free zone around the Punta Cana International Airport for the operation of a logistics hub to provide all goods and services related to the operation of the airport.
Pellerano Nadal
Pellerano Nadal‘s multidisciplinary team, which has ‘deep knowledge of the real estate sector’ and is part of a ‘one-stop-shop firm which is able to solve any scale of legal challenge in the country’, leverages practitioners’ skill sets in corporate, M&A, finance and energy matters to advise on local and cross-border real estate transactions and regulatory issues. Managing partner Luis Rafael Pellerano leads the practice alongside Marielle Garrigó and Urania Paulino; all three are skilled in a wide variety of transactional matters, and Paulino has addition expertise in the aviation field.
Practice head(s):
Luis Rafael Pellerano; Marielle Garrigó; Urania Paulino
Testimonials
‘They have deep knowledge of the real estate sector.‘
‘They give options to their client and provide alternatives for possible conflict resolution.’
Key clients
Jetblue Airlines
MK Inc of the Palm Beaches
Apache
Barrick Gold
Gijon
Compañía de Electricidad San Pedro de Macorís (CESPM) – Energas
Ruffo
Inter-Development Bank
Work highlights
- Representing Jetblue Airways before the aeronautical authorities.
- Assisting Ruffo, a start-up focused on cross-border real estate transactions, with all its operations in the Dominican Republic, including the opening of a local office and assistance in local tax matters.
- Assisted Inter-Development Bank with the $180m financing of a new Four Seasons hotel development by Cisneros Real Estate.
Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti
According to clients, Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti‘s real estate practitioners ‘handle themselves with confidence and are able to reason with the other party and convince them of their arguments‘. The group advises on real estate transactions, due diligence and title searches, and frequently acts for individuals wishing to invest in the Dominican Republic. On the contentious side, the group handles evictions, fraud investigations and foreclosures. Román Medina Diplán, who is based in the tourist centre of Puerto Plata, oversees the group. Luis Heredia Valenzuela and Jose Maldonado Stark are also key team members.
Practice head(s):
Román Medina Diplán
Testimonials
‘Good teamwork.‘
‘Jose Maldonado Stark is very practical and effective.‘
‘They show great experience and knowledge, and they have been of great help to us in all negotiations with real estate aspects. They handle themselves with confidence and are able to reason with the other party and convince them of their arguments.‘
Key clients
LK Adviser
Tom and Adele Woods
Offix Systems Dominicana
Work highlights
- Assisting an individual with the purchase of real estate located in the province of María Trinidad Sánchez.
Squire Patton Boggs
Squire Patton Boggs‘ real estate and tourism group is particularly active in the aviation sector, leveraging group co-head Rhina Martínez Brea‘s more than 22 years of experience in the field. The team also advises on tourism development projects, real estate transactions and corporate deals with real estate aspects. Standout clients instructing the group range from prominent hotel and hospitality groups such as The Ritz Carlton to Major League Baseball teams and domestic banks. Office managing partner and co-head Alejandro Peña-Prieto offers a great deal of regulatory experience to clients in the real estate and hospitality sectors.
Practice head(s):
Alejandro Peña-Prieto; Rhina Martínez Brea
Testimonials
‘Squire Patton Boggs is an excellent, high-profile and professional firm, with amazing staff. This firm excels in diversity, teamwork and collaboration. Clients are not just a number, but viewed as part of their community.‘
Key clients
AraJet
Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (AERODOM)
DR Development Group
Parque Industrial & Zona Franca Santo Domingo
Vivial
Earthbound Holdings I
Gol Linhas Aéreas
Frontier Airlines
The Experience Hotels
Superintendence of Banks of the Dominican Republic
Work highlights
- Advised AraJet on regulatory matters related to the start of operations of the Dominican airline, including obtaining permits.
- Advised Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (AERODOM) on several regulatory, financial and contractual matters related to the expansion and development of airport facilities operated by AERODOM in the Dominican Republic.
- Acting for DR Development Group as legal counsel in the purchase of several real estate properties for the development of a Ritz Carlton Reserve.
Ulises Cabrera
Ulises Cabrera‘s real estate and tourism team ‘distinguishes itself by giving agile and well-founded responses’, according to clients. A core area of expertise for the group is advising on title and demarcation issues, often for private clients who have inherited land or property, including handling related disputes. The team also assists with real estate sales and acquisitions and project development. Leading the team are firm founder Ulises Cabrera, Leslie Cabrera, an expert in advising local and foreign clients on transactional matters, and senior associate Jeanny Aristy Santana, whose areas of expertise include environmental issues, permits and litigation.
Practice head(s):
Ulises Cabrera; Leslie Cabrera; Jeanny Aristy Santana
Testimonials
‘The real estate and tourism team at Ulises Cabrera is excellent. The team distinguishes itself by giving an agile and well-founded responses to our matters. Due diligence is complete and thorough, which makes the client feel secure when making a real estate transaction.’
‘In the case of Jeanny Aristy, what makes her stand out is excellent customer service. She is focused on resolving the queries and real estate procedures that are submitted to her in an agile manner. She is always available, and her response times are very good.’
‘Very confident. All the staff are extremely attentive and available.‘
‘Excellent theoretical and practical knowledge of the law, both nationally and internationally. Their responses are quick and efficient but also detailed and robust. Very good, grounded and conscientious advisers.‘
‘The team is accessible, well-prepared and available, and open to negotiations.‘
‘They work with a sense of urgency. They are willing to work together to develop an action plan and accept clients’ opinions, even when they are different. We would like to highlight Jeanny Aristy Santana for her equanimity, preparation and dedication.‘
Key clients
Bonita Village Residences
Plásticos del Caribe
Asociación Popular de Ahorros y Préstamos
Home Liquor
Sucesores Flérida Sánchez Maggiolo
Humano Seguros
Strategic Legal Services
Bienes & Productos
Rodríguez Sandoval & Asociados
Work highlights
- Assisted a major touristic developer in complex trespassing matter in a private beach area.
- Assisted a private client in a complex and ongoing $12m inheritance matter.
- Assisted a touristic developer with a $65m luxury beach project.
Pereyra & Asociados
Pereyra & Asociados is highlighted for its ‘exceptional service, professionalism and knowledge of the subject matter‘. Banks form an important part of the group’s client base, and real estate financing is a key part of the practice, as well as project development. The team is headed up by founding partner Luis Miguel Pereyra and Emma Mejía Batlle; the former has experience in dispute resolution, negotiations and transactions in the real estate and tourism space, and the latter is skilled in project finance.
Practice head(s):
Luis Miguel Pereyra; Emma Mejía Batlle
Testimonials
‘The quality of service and prompt responses sets them apart. Their service and knowledge are at a high level.‘
‘Their exceptional service, professionalism and knowledge of the subject matter makes us feel supported and confident when making decisions.‘
Santroni Parsons
Romina Santroni, Guily Shemer and Patricia Bengoa lead the team at specialist environmental firm Santroni Parsons, which is especially active in the tourism sector. The firm counts numerous leading hotel groups among its clients, and has a strong track record of advising on the development of projects, including environmental permits and tax incentives. Shemer focuses on environmental, sustainable development and land planning matters, and Bengoa directs the real estate and construction department and frequently handles real estate acquisitions.
Practice head(s):
Romina Santroni; Guily Shemer; Patricia Bengoa
Key clients
Moon Palace Resorts
Real Hotel Intercontinental Santo Domingo
Hotel Casas del XVI
Iberostar Hotels – Hotel Mercedes
Hacienda Samaná Bay
Hotel Quality Santo Domingo
Sanctuary Cap Cana
Hotel AC Santiago
Costa Blanca
Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Club
El Bosque
Hotel Temptation
Murales
Kaynoa Airpark
Anamuya Park
Tropics Golf Suites
Work highlights
- Advised Moon Palace Punta Cana on all aspects related to the development of an iconic touristic project in the Dominican Republic.
- Assisted Costa Blanca with a project in the development stage, located in the region of Boca Chica, regarding development permits, the handling of complex environment matters, tax exemptions, land use issues and daily corporate matters.
- Assisted Murales with one of the Inicia Group projects related to enhancing the tourist attraction of Malecón in Santo Domingo.