Destinations The Caribbean A New Theme Park Is Coming to the Caribbean — and We Got Exclusive Details About the Rides Katmandu Park Punta Cana will be the Caribbean’s first world-class theme park. By Elizabeth Rhodes Elizabeth Rhodes Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure, covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on October 12, 2022 With white-sand beaches, all-inclusive hotels, and turquoise waters, the Dominican Republic is already a top vacation destination, but an upcoming resort complex is bringing new, innovative entertainment to the nation. Katmandu Park Punta Cana will be the Caribbean’s first world-class theme park, complete with exciting rides and attractions, when it opens to the public in early 2023. Global entertainment development company Falcon’s Beyond and Meliá Hotels International have joined forces to create Falcon’s Beyond Destination Punta Cana, a $350 million destination in the Dominican Republic. Courtesy of Falcon's Beyond The expansive new property capitalizes on “resortainment,” combining a new hotel, an entertainment and dining district, and Katmandu Park into one family-friendly destination. Falcon’s Central will incorporate dining, retail, and entertainment in one convenient complex, and Falcon’s Resort by Meliá, opening in December 2022, is an all-inclusive, all-suite resort with a slew of amenities such as a spa, pool, beach club, water park, and kids club — plus access to Katmandu Park. Courtesy of Falcon's Beyond and Meliá Hotels International Katmandu Park Punta Cana will have several state-of-the-art rides that promise to immerse guests in the fantasy storytelling of The Hidden Realms of Katmandu, according to a statement Falcon’s Beyond shared with Travel + Leisure. Courtesy of Falcon's Beyond “Katmandu Park Punta Cana will deliver an unprecedented theme park experience based on the popular characters of our very own Katmandu fantastical universe,” Cecil D. Magpuri, CEO of Falcon’s Beyond, said in a statement shared with T+L. “Through innovative rides and attractions that deliver unmatched and immersive storytelling, guests will truly lose themselves in The Hidden Realms of Katmandu. Combined with other day and night entertainment, dining and shopping, Katmandu Park will offer an extraordinary experience for families and theme park lovers in the premier resort location of Punta Cana.” According to the statement, the venue aims to offer an alternative to the “mega park” experiences found elsewhere with its “Big Experience, Small Footprint” concept that offers “world-class experiences in a smaller landscape.” There are four major attractions that create an overarching Katmandu storyline, and T+L received exclusive details about the Caribbean theme park’s signature experiences. Courtesy of Falcon's Beyond Voyage of the Fathom Wanderer is a suspended theater attraction that will take guests on an underwater adventure with a surprising ride element, making for a unique experience. Challenge of the Mad Mage is an interactive, multisensory, 4-D theater attraction where guests will battle through the Hidden Realms with their own blasters. Courtesy of Falcon's Beyond Legend of the Desirata is a 4-D dark ride combining scenic elements, projection screens, and audio and lighting effects so guests get immersed in the Katmandu origin story. And finally, EtherQuest is an interactive, walk-through attraction for a gamelike experience with projections, scenic elements, and more. Other attractions will include a mini golf course, an outdoor ropes course, indoor climbing courses, and a carousel. Courtesy of Falcon's Beyond and Meliá Hotels International Katmandu Park Punta Cana will open exclusively to guests of Falcon’s Resort by Meliá this December before it welcomes the public in early 2023. This is just the first of many Katmandu Park locations set to open across the world, with destinations in Tenerife, Canary Islands; Playa del Carmen, Mexico; and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico coming in the future, joining the original park in Mallorca.