Sweet escape: Ron Barceló
Luxury meets nature for rum enthusiasts heading to Isla Ron Barceló.
Shimmering turquoise water, pristine white sand beaches and a palm-covered coastline to die for… factor in a plentiful supply of premium rum and it turns out paradise does exist.
Opened over the weekend of 17-19 May, Isla Ron Barceló is an island positioned on the eastern part of the Dominican Republic that offers a chance to experience the serene environment where the world’s most exported dark rum, Ron Barceló, calls home. If rum and secluded beaches are your idea of the ideal gateway then it fits the description.
“Ron Barceló Island was born as a tribute to the very best of Dominican spirit,” explains Ron Barceló’s global marketing director, Chiara Pennacchio. “The joy of living, the authenticity of the Caribbean, and the commitment to a Dominican brand that has built a legacy of character and flavour in over 90 countries – becoming the most awarded and exported Dominican rum in the world. According to the 2024 edition of The Spirits Business’s Brand Champions report, the brand is the globe’s seventh-biggest selling rum.
And now, the brand is giving groups of up to 30 fans the chance to tour the reserve for their own personal island escape, which is nestled in Bayahíbe and within the protected Cotubanamá National Park, and accessed via a charter boat. Once the boat sails to within swimming distance of shoreline, guests can dive right into the water and make their way to the island, which offers an abundance of idyllic activity, not least in the way of marine life and natural beauty, but also gastronomic pleasures for guests; such as a buffet spread of gourmet food and Caribbean cocktails slung from a beach bar.
Ron Barceló has a long history of making rum that dates back to 1929, but the opening of the island marks the first real opportunity for fans to experience its brand mantra ‘Vive Ahora’ in the paradise-like setting that gives the rum its unique flavour. It is the only rum made from the fermentation and direct distillation of 100% Dominican sugarcane juice.
The tours last for six hours, are arranged through Sky Tours and cost US$55 per person, with information found on islaronbarcelo.com and giving guests all the information they need to play their visit.
“Ron Barceló Island is more than just a destination,” Pennacchio adds. “For me – and for everyone involved in this project – it represents something much deeper: the power of believing in a brand, in its story, in its people, and in its ability to evolve and reinvent itself without losing its essence. It is a place where legacy and innovation meet, proudly celebrating our roots while projecting our identity to the world.”
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