Internet quality in the DR has improved significantly over the last three years. Starlink changed the picture in previously weak areas. Fibre is available in more towns than most guides acknowledge. But the gap between the best and worst regions is still large, and choosing the wrong base without checking first is an expensive mistake.
Here’s what each region actually offers.
Santo Domingo: best in country
The capital has the most developed internet infrastructure in the DR. Multiple ISPs compete (Claro, Altice, Tricom), fibre is widely available in the expat zones, and speeds of 100-200 Mbps on a dedicated line are standard in a well-connected apartment.
Co-working spaces in Piantini and Naco have reliable business-grade connections. Power outages are less frequent than other regions, and UPS backup is standard in most commercial buildings.
If reliable internet is your absolute priority and you’re prepared to live in a city, Santo Domingo removes most of the variables.
Cabarete: best for remote workers outside the capital
Cabarete has the strongest co-working infrastructure outside Santo Domingo. Agora Cowork offers business-grade fibre, air conditioning, and meeting rooms. A cluster of cafes near the kite beach have workable connections for lighter days.
Fibre from Claro and Altice runs along the main strip. Starlink is widespread at quality expat rentals, offering 100-200 Mbps download with low enough latency for video calls. Mobile data (Claro and Altice 4G) covers most of the town as a backup.
Away from the main strip, connectivity drops. Test before you commit to an apartment away from the centre.
What to ask before renting: provider name, whether it’s a dedicated or shared line, and whether the property has Starlink.
Las Terrenas: good and improving
Las Terrenas has fibre available in the main residential areas. It’s not as dense as Cabarete’s coverage but is workable for most remote work needs. Starlink is spreading quickly among landlords who cater to expats.
The main limitation is co-working infrastructure. Las Terrenas doesn’t have an established co-working space comparable to Agora. Most remote workers there build a reliable home office setup.
Power outages are a factor. Most quality rentals have inverter backup, but this is worth confirming before signing.
On a good connection in a well-set-up property, Las Terrenas is fine for remote work. Don’t assume this without checking.
Santiago: solid city infrastructure
The DR’s second city has decent internet infrastructure. Fibre is available across the main residential areas. It’s not as developed as Santo Domingo but it’s reliable enough for remote work in most locations.
Santiago doesn’t have a dedicated co-working scene for expats, but business centres and cafes fill some of that gap. For remote workers who don’t need the social co-working element and just want a reliable home connection at lower cost than the capital, Santiago works.
Punta Cana: variable
The resort zones have good connectivity. Infrastructure in the gated communities is maintained to a higher standard than most of the DR.
Outside the resort zones and in the more residential areas of Punta Cana, quality drops significantly and is less consistent. If you’re renting in a gated community designed for long-stay expats, you’re likely fine. If you’re in a standard residential rental, test it.
Samaná (Las Galeras, town of Samaná): improving
Starlink has made a significant difference here. Before it, Samaná was one of the weaker regions for internet. Now, properties with Starlink offer the same 100-200 Mbps you’d get in Cabarete.
Without Starlink, you’re largely on mobile data (Claro performs better in this area) and local fibre that is slower and less consistent than on the north coast.
Ask specifically about Starlink when looking at rentals in this area. It’s the difference between a viable remote work base and a frustrating one.
Jarabacoa: Starlink changed everything
Jarabacoa used to be the weakest of the major expat areas for internet. Fixed-line connections were slow and unreliable. Mobile coverage in the mountains was inconsistent.
Starlink is now available and widely used by the expat community there. If you’re renting a property with Starlink, Jarabacoa is viable for remote work. Without it, it’s not.
This is the area where asking about Starlink is most important. Don’t assume.
Barahona and rural areas: weakest overall
Barahona has the least developed internet infrastructure of any area expats consider. Mobile data is the main option. Starlink reaches here, but penetration is lower and the expat community to ask about connectivity is smaller.
If you’re considering Barahona for the lifestyle rather than as a remote work base, factor this in. It’s not a reliable remote work location without significant setup effort.
The Starlink factor
Starlink has changed the calculus for the whole country. A few things to know:
Hardware costs approximately $599 USD (the dish and router). Monthly service is around $120 USD. Speeds run 100-200 Mbps download, 10-20 Mbps upload, with latency good enough for video calls.
Many landlords who cater to expats have already installed Starlink and include it in the rent or charge a small monthly add-on. This is the quickest way to access it without the upfront hardware cost.
The setup takes about 30 minutes. The dish needs a clear view of the sky with no obstructions. In apartments this occasionally means roof access.
What to check before renting anywhere in the DR
- Ask for the ISP name and whether the connection is dedicated or shared
- Ask directly: does the property have Starlink?
- Request a speed test during a call before signing anything remote
- Check whether the router is on inverter backup or goes down with the power
The DR internet landscape rewards people who ask the right questions upfront. Use the Compare page to see full infrastructure scores across all 10 regions.
