Everything you need to plan your move to the DR
40 practical guides covering residency, cost of living, healthcare, where to live, daily life, and everything in between.
Before you move
Moving Checklist
Phase-by-phase checklist from 6 months out to your first month living in the DR.
First 90 Days in the DR
Week-by-week guide to getting set up: SIM card, bank account, insurance, and settling in.
Residency Timeline
Step-by-step guide to Pensionado, Rentista, and Investor residency routes with realistic timelines.
Visa and Residency Overview
Residency routes, documents, timelines and costs for moving to the DR legally.
Shipping and Bringing Pets
What to ship, what to leave, and how to bring your dog or cat through DR customs.
Expat Mistakes to Avoid
15 common mistakes expats make in the DR and how to avoid each one.
Where to live
Best Beach Towns for Expats
Cabarete, Las Terrenas, Sosua, Las Galeras, Punta Cana and Bayahibe compared for long-term living.
Best Cities in the DR
Santo Domingo, Santiago, Jarabacoa, La Romana, and Constanza for urban expat life.
Best Places to Live in the DR
A region-by-region comparison covering lifestyle, infrastructure, cost and safety.
Cost Breakdown by Region
What you actually spend each month in Santo Domingo, Cabarete, Las Terrenas, Santiago, and beyond.
Weather and Hurricane Season
Monthly climate breakdown, regional differences, and what hurricane season actually means for expat life.
Neighborhoods of Santo Domingo
Piantini, Naco, Zona Colonial, Bella Vista, and more. Where expats actually live in the capital.
Finances and property
Cost of Living in the DR
Monthly budgets, rental costs, food, utilities, and what your money actually goes on.
Banking in the DR
Opening accounts, sending money internationally, ATMs, and managing finances as a foreign resident.
Taxes in the Dominican Republic
Territorial tax system, income tax, property tax, ITBIS, and home country obligations.
Buying Property in the DR
The 6-step purchase process, title due diligence, closing costs, and what foreign buyers must know.
Renting in the DR
Rental prices by region, what to check before signing, contract terms, and finding a place.
Starting a Business in the DR
Legal structures, registration steps, taxes, labor law, and the most popular businesses for foreign owners.
Healthcare and wellbeing
Healthcare in the DR
Hospitals, private clinics, costs, and what to expect from the DR healthcare system.
Health Insurance Guide
Local vs international insurance plans, costs by age, and what to look for before you buy.
Family Life and Schools
International schools by region, pediatric healthcare, family costs, and raising kids in the DR.
Pet Healthcare and Vets
Vet access by region, tropical health risks for pets, costs, and monthly prevention routines.
Pharmacies and Medications
What is available OTC, how to source prescriptions, bringing medications from abroad, and finding a local doctor.
Emergency Preparedness
Power cuts, hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes, and medical emergencies. How to prepare and who to call.
Remote work and connectivity
Digital Nomad Guide to the DR
Best nomad regions, coworking, internet, visa options, and monthly costs for remote workers.
Internet and Remote Work Overview
Fiber availability, power backup, mobile data, and coworking options across the DR.
Internet Quality by Region
Which towns have fiber, where 4G is your backup, and the honest region-by-region connectivity guide.
Living day to day
Driving and Transportation
Transport types, buying a car, driving realities, and getting around the DR as an expat.
Types of Transport in the DR
Motos, guaguas, carros públicos, Uber, express coaches, and your own car explained.
Food in the Dominican Republic
Dominican dishes, where expats eat, grocery costs, and why the local markets are exceptional.
Dietary Requirements in the DR
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, and managing food allergies as an expat.
Learning Spanish in the DR
What makes DR Spanish unique, essential slang, how much you need, and the best ways to learn.
Dating and Social Life
How to build a social life, dating culture, Dominican social norms, and finding your community.
Churches and Faith Communities
Catholic, evangelical, Anglican, Jewish, Muslim communities and how religion shapes DR life.
Sports Clubs and Fitness
Kitesurfing, gyms, yoga, golf, hiking, CrossFit, and staying active in the DR.
Safety in the DR
Neighborhoods, driving, scams and practical habits for safe long-term living.
Dominican Culture and Etiquette
Core values, greetings, dos and donts, business norms, and how to show genuine respect.
Holidays and Festivals
All 12 public holidays, Carnival explained, Semana Santa, Merengue Festival, and the full DR calendar.
Hiring Domestic Help
Housekeepers, nannies, gardeners, and security guards. Costs, legal obligations, and how to find good people.
Living Without a Car
Which areas work car-free, scooter vs Uber vs moto, monthly costs, and who it actually suits.