Best conference venues in the Dominican Republic (with published capacities)

Punta Cana and Bávaro: the big convention resorts

Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort describes its convention center as the largest in the country: more than 124,323 sq ft in 13 multi-purpose rooms that divide into 24 halls, for up to 5,000 attendees, with advanced computer and audiovisual technology. Its Gran Salón Bávaro alone is 1,600 m² with an 8.5 m ceiling, and the Barceló Bávaro Palace Club House adds eight rooms that convert into 13.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana pairs ballrooms with the adjacent ICC Punta Cana. The hotel's Fillmore Ballroom has a 26 ft ceiling, 12 breakouts and takes receptions of up to 3,900; the Avalon Ballroom has 19,000 sq ft, seats up to 1,320 and has 1,200 lb rigging points. ICC Punta Cana itself lists 65,000 sq ft (6,083 m²) for congresses and exhibitions, up to 3,500 participants, 39 breakout rooms and Wi-Fi for up to 6,000 devices, 28 km from Punta Cana airport.

Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort lists a 3,900 m² convention center with 22 event rooms for up to 1,500 people, a Meeting Concierge and an interactive room with floor-to-ceiling projection and video mapping (extra charge). The Westin Puntacana, at Playa Blanca inside Puntacana Resort, is smaller: three event rooms, 695 m² in total and a renovated conference center for up to 400, plus oceanfront venues.

La Romana: Casa de Campo

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas publishes more than 24,000 sq ft of meeting space across two conference centers, six event rooms and a largest room for 800 people. The Marina Riverside Center, an indoor/outdoor tent-style structure with air conditioning and audiovisual technology, takes up to 1,360, and the Flamboyan Conference Center offers more than 10,000 sq ft. The resort also lists a 6,000-seat amphitheater, villa homes and plazas for events, and special villa rates for groups of 10 or more. Its own airport (LRM) is beside the resort.

Photo: Jonathan Valdes / Pexels

Santo Domingo: business hotels

The Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua on the Malecón lists 12 event rooms and 28,735 sq ft; its La Fiesta Theatre (11,000 sq ft) seats 1,152 theater-style and the Anacaona Grand Ballroom (7,741 sq ft, three sections) seats 900. The JW Marriott Santo Domingo in Piantini has five event rooms, 9,250 sq ft and seven breakout rooms, with the Piantini Grand Ballroom taking 350 theater-style, 400 for a reception or 250 for a banquet; it advertises video-conferencing and a group offer of one suite upgrade at group rate for every 50 paid rooms. For a board meeting or a small training, the Courtyard by Marriott Santo Domingo lists two rooms, 112 m² and a largest space for 96, with an executive boardroom for 10.

Both Marriott properties publish a special rate for blocks of ten or more rooms, which helps when out-of-town delegates stay in the same hotel as the meeting.

North coast and Samaná: smaller rooms, quieter settings

Outside the two hubs, meeting rooms are smaller and best for seminars or a single plenary. Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort in Playa Dorada lists Salón El Habichuela, 111 m², for up to 110 people (100 theater, 100 classroom, 90 banquet). In Samaná, Eurostars Grand Cayacoa lists a 93 m² mezzanine space for 80 banquet, 70 theater or 40 classroom, and its event form asks about catering and audiovisual needs. For bigger groups in Samaná, combine a hotel room block with a villa such as Villa Del Mar in Las Terrenas (up to 28 guests) for an executive track.

How to compare quotes

Ask each venue for the same three things: a capacity chart for the exact rooms you will hold, a list of what AV is included versus rented (Paradisus, for example, charges for its interactive room), and a group rate for the room block with the dates it is valid. Then add 18% ITBIS and the 10% legal tip on food and beverage where they apply, so you compare totals rather than base prices.

Matching venue size to your event

Over 1,500 delegates: Barceló Bávaro (up to 5,000), the Hard Rock Hotel with ICC Punta Cana (up to 3,500 at ICC, receptions of 3,900 in the Fillmore) and Casa de Campo's Marina Riverside Center (1,360) are the venues that publish that scale. 400 to 1,500: Paradisus Palma Real (up to 1,500), the Renaissance Jaragua's theater (1,152) and ballroom (900) and Casa de Campo's largest room (800). 100 to 400: the Westin Puntacana (400) and the JW Marriott Santo Domingo (350 theater). Under 100: the Courtyard Santo Domingo (96), Senator Puerto Plata (110) and Eurostars Grand Cayacoa (70 theater). For a leadership group, see the villas in our directory instead.

Plan breakouts at one room per parallel track plus one spare for speaker prep, and check ceiling height if you are bringing staging or LED walls: Barceló lists 8.5 m in its Gran Salón Bávaro and Hard Rock lists a 26 ft ceiling in the Fillmore Ballroom.