The history of Miches is intrinsically linked to exploration, adaptation and the gradual growth of a community that today stands out as one of the Dominican Republic’s most promising tourism destinations.

Professor Ceferino Moni Reyes, in his work “Miches; Historia y Tradición,” provides a detailed account of the origins of this coastal town. Although an exact founding date cannot be established, the settlement of Miches resulted from a natural and progressive process that began long after Santa Cruz de Hicayagua—present-day El Seibo—was founded by Spanish captain Juan de Esquivel in 1506.

In search of fishing grounds, residents of El Seibo began exploring the coastal area now known as Miches. What started as short fishing trips gradually became longer stays, with fishermen building makeshift shelters from yagua palm material to protect themselves from the weather. Over time, some decided to settle permanently, raising animals and cultivating the land, forming a small community.

Initially known as “El Primo,” “El Morro,” and “Jovero,” the area adopted the name Miches in 1936 in honor of General Eugenio Miches, a prominent military figure who fought alongside President General Pedro Santana.

Tourism development in Miches began in the 1980s with its first recorded lodging property, a modest three-story hotel owned by Marcobina Rodríguez. The hotel hosted Swiss tourists who, captivated by the area’s natural beauty, became Miches’ first international promoters. Their efforts helped attract the first foreign tourism investments to the region, including cabins on what is now the renowned Playa Esmeralda.

Originally owned by Swiss investors Peter and Leo, those cabins were later acquired by the Cisneros Organization, laying the groundwork for the development of Four Seasons Dominican Republic at Tropicalia.

In 2017, Jason Carlyle Sees, representing the Sees family, negotiated the land on which Viva Miches was developed. The resort began operations on December 22, 2024. The land formed part of 424 hectares acquired in 1948 from the Bancalari family by Carlyle Sees and his wife Aurora, both originally from Puerto Rico, after he retired as chief chemist at Central Romana. They dedicated the property to coconut farming and cattle ranching.

More recently, Fernando Rainieri “Colorao,” together with his son Fernandito Rainieri, founded Development Sicuani, a company that would play a key role in the tourism history of Miches.

The company, made up of multiple partners and owner of land acquired from the Suárez family in Punta Hicaco, sold its shares to the Pioneer Development Fund. This transaction not only marked a milestone in the history of the Dominican tourism industry, but also established Miches as a destination of major institutional investment significance.

For the first time, Dominican pension funds participated actively in the tourism sector, with the dual purpose of generating value for their members and contributing to positive social and economic impact in Miches. This milestone reinforced Miches as a hub for sustainable development and an attractive long-term investment destination, enabling the development of Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda in 2019, the destination’s first major all-inclusive resort.

As the hotel sector expanded rapidly in Miches, a coordinated approach became necessary to ensure sustainable development. In August 2020, the leading tourism stakeholders joined forces to create the El Seibo-Miches Hotels and Tourism Association—Promiches—and establish a joint work plan based on the principle of applying lessons learned in other destinations and doing things right from the beginning.

This effort culminated in the March 2021 signing of the Public-Private Agreement for the Tourism Development of Miches, a commitment that establishes the foundation for responsible growth that respects the region’s natural and cultural environment.