After two days of immersive celebrations blending culinary craft, cultural heritage, and lively entertainment that drew thousands of local residents and international travelers alike, the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism has officially closed the doors of the highly anticipated “Taste Paradise” festival, held in the coastal municipality of Sánchez in the Samaná province.
Centered on spotlighting the region’s unrivaled coastal culinary identity, the festival turned the spotlight on Sánchez’s world-renowned seafood-focused menu, highlighting a wide range of signature dishes that draw on both local fishing traditions and centuries of Dominican culinary culture. Attendees sampled everything from fresh-caught shrimp and whole grilled fish to zesty citrus ceviche, chilled seafood cocktails, and creamy coconut-infused specialties that reflect the region’s tropical agricultural roots. Standout signature creations created specifically for the event included the fan-favorite “Bocaito Sanchero” and the innovative “Ceviche Mango y Mar,” which paired fresh local seafood with ripe tropical mango for a bright, unique flavor profile.
Speaking on the sidelines of the closing celebrations, Carlos Peguero, the Dominican Republic’s Vice Minister of Tourism for International Cooperation, emphasized the strategic purpose behind the popular festival. Peguero walked attendees and attendees through Sánchez’s rich mix of historical, cultural, and natural draws, framing the food festival as a core part of the government’s ongoing campaign to position this quiet coastal town as a must-visit world-class tourism destination. He also teased upcoming growth for the region, noting that the upcoming inauguration of the Arroyo Barril port will open the region up to thousands of additional cruise ship passengers, creating new jobs and driving sustained expansion of the local tourism-driven economy.
One of the most interactive elements of this year’s festival was a public fan vote for the best dish, which allowed attendees to cast their ballot quickly via a scannable QR code. When the votes were counted, Anabel Coplin of the local food brand Food Yummy took home the top prize for her signature creation “La Paila Costera.” As a reward for her win, Coplin will travel next to the ANATO international tourism fair in Colombia, where she will represent the Dominican Republic’s thriving culinary tourism sector on a global stage. Organizers also announced that all of the standout recipes featured at the festival will be compiled into a dedicated printed cookbook, which will serve as a permanent celebration of Sánchez’s unique gastronomic identity.
Long known as the Dominican Republic’s “shrimp capital” and the primary gateway to the idyllic Samaná Peninsula, Sánchez has quietly emerged as one of the country’s most promising emerging tourism destinations. The municipality blends its centuries-old seafood heritage with well-preserved Victorian-era architecture, a rich railway history, world-class ecotourism trails, and easy access to the iconic Los Haitises National Park, giving it a unique mix of attractions that appeals to a wide range of international and domestic travelers. With growing investment in tourism infrastructure and events like “Taste Paradise” driving global attention, local leaders expect the region to see steady growth in visitor arrivals and economic opportunity in the coming years.