Moving to the Dominican Republic

As the most visited country in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is popular among tourists and expats alike. Many expats are moving to the Dominican Republic to enjoy the idyllic tropical climate and an affordable cost of living.

If you’re a retiree or looking to move to the island long-term, you’ll be pleased to find that properties in the Dominican Republic are inexpensive while investments often yield high returns.

Living in the Dominican Republic as an expat

When moving to the Dominican Republic, you should prepare yourself for a slower pace of life and bureaucratic delays. Power cuts are frequent, and road conditions are not always good. That said, foreigners can’t help but be captivated by the beauty of this geographically diverse country.

A popular retirement destination, the Dominican Republic is frequently chosen by expats looking to live out their golden years in the sunshine. That said, the island also has plenty of employment opportunities. Those who come to the island for work often take up jobs at embassies, NGOs, international schools and Free-Zone factories. Most expats are based in the capital, Santo Domingo, or close to the coastal towns of Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete.

You’ll find that many expats in the Dominican Republic frequently stay in gated housing complexes. These self-contained communities offer certain home comforts, such as international supermarkets stocking imported goods and restaurant chains. Thanks to abundant land and relaxed building regulations, housing on the island is also cheap.

Public transport in the Dominican Republic is reasonably accessible. The island offers a metro system, taxis, shared taxis (called ‘carrito-conchos’), motorcycle transport, ‘guaguas’ (minibuses or vans), and cross-country buses.

Public healthcare is available on the island, but the quality of care is generally fairly low. Good private hospitals are available and tend to be the first choice for most expats, as standards are likely to be closer to what they’d be used to. It’s also essential that you take out a good health insurance policy for emergencies, especially if evacuation is necessary.

Cost of living in the Dominican Republic

Living in the Dominican Republic is relatively cheap, with Santo Domingo ranking 167th out of 226 destinations in Mercer’s 2024 Cost of Living Survey. With cheap housing and cheap food, you can live comfortably here.

Naturally, if you choose to live in more luxury housing, your rental costs will be higher, but fortunately, utilities remain affordable. As an expat parent moving to the island with children, international school fees will likely be your biggest expense while living in the Dominican Republic.

Families and children in the Dominican Republic

Although cheap public schooling is an option in the Dominican Republic, the quality of education is often low, with overcrowded and underfunded schools. Many expats send their children to either a bilingual private school or one of the country’s few international schools.

From the white sandy beaches and Caribbean seas to the rolling green hills of Pico Duarte, the scenery in the Dominican Republic is breathtaking and offers perfect weekend getaways. The cities also offer countless cafés and restaurants to tempt your taste buds with the local flavours.

Climate in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic enjoys a typical tropical climate, with temperatures ranging between 68˚F and 77˚F (20˚C and 25˚C) in the winter months (December to February). The warmer months from June to August and again from September to November typically bring temperatures ranging from 77˚F to 80˚F (25˚C to 27˚C).

If you’re moving to the Dominican Republic, you might find it challenging at first. That said, with an open mind and a sense of adventure, you’ll discover a welcoming country with warm locals and numerous opportunities. You’ll enjoy a low cost of living, explore stunning sights, and likely settle in comfortably over time.

Fast facts

Population: 11.4 million

Capital city: Santo Domingo

Neighbouring countries: Located in the Greater Antilles archipelago, the Dominican Republic occupies most of the island of Hispaniola, with Haiti occupying a section of the island’s western side. Puerto Rico is across the Caribbean Sea to the east of the Dominican Republic.

Geography: The Dominican Republic is a mountainous island with multiple major mountain ranges interspersed with various plains and valleys. The Atlantic Ocean binds the island to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south.

Political system: Unitary presidential republic

Major religions: Christianity

Main languages: Spanish

Money: The local currency is the Dominican Peso (DOP), which is subdivided into 100 centavos . ATMs can be easily found across the island, and opening a local bank account is simple.

Tipping: 10 percent

Time: GMT-4

Electricity: 110V, 50Hz. Plugs are Type A and B, as used in the United States.

Internet domain: .do

International dialling code: +1 809

Emergency contacts: 911

Transport and driving: Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. Santo Domingo has a metro system, and buses are available throughout the country, but most expats prefer driving.