The Dominican Republic is the most visited country in the Caribbean, and it’s popular with expats as well as holidaymakers. Most expats moving to the Dominican Republic come for the tropical climate and a relatively low cost of living.
If you plan to retire here or stay long term, you can buy property with the same rights as Dominican citizens. Prices are low by North American and Western European standards, although they’re far higher in resort areas such as Punta Cana and in upmarket parts of Santo Domingo.
Living in the Dominican Republic as an expat
If you’re living in the Dominican Republic as an expat, patience will be the most useful thing you’ve packed. Daily life is slower than most newcomers are used to, and bureaucratic delays are common. Power cuts are still frequent in many areas, so plenty of expats look for homes with an inverter or a backup generator. Roads are often in poor condition, and the country has one of the highest road death rates in the world.
Most expats feel these frustrations are a fair price for the scenery. You can swap the cool mountain air of Jarabacoa for a Caribbean beach within a few hours’ drive.
Retirees make up a large share of the expat community. The government has a special residency category for foreign pensioners, and those who qualify get tax breaks on their pension income. Working-age expats usually come for jobs at embassies, NGOs, international schools, factories in the free trade zones, or tourism companies. By law, employers must keep at least 80 percent of their workforce Dominican, so expats with specialist skills and fluent Spanish have the best chances.
Most expats settle in Santo Domingo or around Punta Cana. The north coast between Puerto Plata and Cabarete is also popular, as is the town of Las Terrenas on the Samaná Peninsula. Las Terrenas has a particularly large French and Italian community.
Many expats in the Dominican Republic live in gated complexes. Security is a big part of the appeal, since street crime is a concern in parts of Santo Domingo and other cities. Most complexes have guards and backup generators, and the larger developments around Punta Cana often have their own supermarkets, restaurants, sports facilities, and even schools.
Public transport in the Dominican Republic is reasonably accessible in the cities. The capital has a metro and cable car network, and the government has invested in a cable car and monorail system for Santiago. Elsewhere, most Dominicans get around by guagua (minibus) or concho (shared taxi). Motoconchos (motorcycle taxis) are everywhere, but they’re risky. Bus companies run air-conditioned coaches between the main towns, and taxi apps such as Uber are widely used in Santo Domingo and Santiago.
Public healthcare is available, but the quality of care is generally low, and public hospitals are often overcrowded. Most expats use private hospitals and clinics instead, as standards there are much closer to what they’re used to. The best facilities are in Santo Domingo and Santiago, and Punta Cana also has good private hospitals. You should take out a solid health insurance policy before you arrive and check that medical evacuation is part of the cover, in case you need treatment abroad.
Cost of living in the Dominican Republic
Expats usually find the cost of living in the Dominican Republic pleasantly low, especially if they shop and eat like locals. Staples such as rice, beans, plantains, and tropical fruit are cheap, and so are meals at neighbourhood comedores (casual eateries). Imported products are another story. A wedge of European cheese or a bottle of foreign wine is often far pricier than it would be back home, and cars and electronics are expensive because of high import duties.
Accommodation is affordable outside the expat bubble, but the cost of rent in gated complexes and upmarket Santo Domingo neighbourhoods such as Piantini and Naco is much higher. Electricity bills are often steeper than newcomers might expect, because most households are running air conditioning for much of the year. Parents with children should budget carefully for international school fees, which are usually among the biggest expenses.
Families and children in the Dominican Republic
The choice of school is usually the first big decision for families with children in the Dominican Republic. Public schools are free, but they’re often overcrowded and underfunded, and lessons are in Spanish. Most expat parents choose a bilingual private school or an international school instead. The majority of international schools are in Santo Domingo, although Punta Cana and Santiago have a few, as do Sosúa and Cabarete on the north coast. American curricula are the most common, but you’ll also find a few International Baccalaureate schools in Santo Domingo. The capital also has a French lycée, and Cambridge IGCSEs are available at some schools.
Dominican culture is strongly family-oriented, and children are welcome almost everywhere. Beaches are never far away, and Juan Dolio and Bayahíbe are both within easy reach of Santo Domingo for a day trip. From January to March, you can see humpback whales in Samaná Bay. The mountain town of Jarabacoa is the place to go for river rafting and waterfall hikes, and fit teenagers may be up for the multi-day trek to the summit of Pico Duarte. It’s the highest peak in the Caribbean. Back in the cities, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants where the whole family can try Dominican favourites such as mangú and sancocho.
Climate in the Dominican Republic
You’ll rarely need a jacket on the coast, since the climate in the Dominican Republic is tropical and warm all around the year. In Santo Domingo, daytime highs are around 86°F (30°C) in winter and about 90°F (32°C) in summer. Nights are between 68°F and 75°F (20°C and 24°C). Mountain towns such as Constanza are much cooler, and winter nights there can be surprisingly chilly.
The rainy season on the south and east coasts is from May to November, and the north coast has its heaviest rain in winter. Hurricane season is from June to November and is at its peak from August to October. You should keep an eye on local forecasts during these months, since flooding and long power cuts are common during tropical storms.
Moving to the Dominican Republic can be a challenge at first, especially if you don’t speak Spanish. If you learn the basics and keep an open mind, you’ll find Dominicans friendly and hospitable, and most expats settle in comfortably over time.
Fast facts
Official name: Dominican Republic
Population: Around 10.8 million
Capital city: Santo Domingo (also the largest city)
Other cities: Santiago de los Caballeros, Higüey (including Punta Cana), La Romana, and Puerto Plata
Neighbouring countries: Haiti is the Dominican Republic’s only land neighbour, and Hispaniola is split between the two countries. The Dominican Republic has the eastern two-thirds of the island. Puerto Rico is across the Mona Passage to the east.
Geography: The Dominican Republic is part of the Greater Antilles, and much of the country is mountainous. The Cordillera Central is the main range, and the fertile Cibao Valley is to the north of it. Lake Enriquillo in the southwest is the lowest point in the Caribbean. The Atlantic Ocean is to the north, and the Caribbean Sea is to the south.
Political system: Unitary presidential republic
Major religions: Christianity
Main language: Spanish (official). English is common in resort areas and international business, but much less so elsewhere.
Money: The Dominican Peso (DOP) is divided into 100 centavos. Expats can open a local bank account without residency, but banks usually ask for a reference letter from a bank back home. ATMs are easy to find in cities and tourist areas.
Tipping: By law, restaurants and bars add a 10 percent service charge (propina legal) to the bill. Many diners leave a little extra cash for good service.
Time: GMT-4 (no daylight saving time)
Electricity: 120V, 60Hz. North American Type A and B plugs are used.
Internet domain: .do
International dialling code: +1 (area codes 809, 829, and 849)
Emergency contacts: 911
Transport and driving: Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. Santo Domingo has a metro and cable car network, and bus companies run air-conditioned coaches between the main cities. Many expats drive, but road safety is a serious concern.