Dominican Republic expands culinary tourism with major festivals

The Dominican Republic is expanding its culinary tourism offerings through major gastronomic events in Punta Cana and Casa de Campo.

Punta Cana will host the fifth edition of Culinary Weekend on November 20 and 21, 2026, at Tortuga Bay Puntacana. The event will feature Brazilian chef Tássia Magalhães, recognized as the best female chef in Latin America in 2025. Her restaurant, Nelita, focuses on a Brazilian reinterpretation of Italian traditions. This initiative aims to diversify the region's tourism beyond beach activities and increase the daily expenditure of visitors.

Meanwhile, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas is holding the fourth annual Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival. The lineup includes Michelin-starred chef Michael Mina, Hubert Keller, Joe Isidori, Adam Pawlak, and Dominican chef Gabriel Tejada. The festival distinguishes itself through a high-service model where tastings are plated and served by waiters in a private resort setting, rather than through traditional tasting lines.