Why move to Dominican Republic? Everything you need to know about traveling,
living, retiring and moving to Dominican Republic

About the Dominican Republic 

Welcome to the beautiful Caribbean as it once was and priced as it used to be. The Dominican Republic offers you a diverse, serene, and truly rich lifestyle on a pensioner’s budget. And there is more as with recent infrastructure developments and government policies it has never been safer and easier for US retirees and digital nomads to make their move. 

A white sand island paradise surrounded by warm and clear turquoise and blue waters that enjoys year-round sunshine. This affordable island heaven is not just sunshine and beaches, but also a lush jungle full of  mountain hideaways and ecolodges.

The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean island melting pot with rich and diverse history infused by African, European, North American, and Latin cultures. This stunning not so little island has a plenty to offer and a long history of welcoming foreigners.

The Dominican Republic is an increasingly popular destination for US retirees and it is really easy to see why. Tropical climate, laid-back lifestyle and pristine beaches coupled with an easy and straightforward residency process and affordable property. All this in only a two-hour flight from Miami. 

• Best Countries for Retirees and Expats

The Dominican Republic was the first place Christopher Columbus set foot in the New World in 1492 after sailing from Spain. It is also the site of the earliest known colonial settlement in the Americas. This city is packed with history and depth. 

Climate 

The Dominican Republic has a tropical climate with an average temperature of 78.8°F (26°C) and biological diversity ranging from tropical rainforests to tropical savannas, this is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Throughout the year, the country has sunny days. Still, bouts of rainfall occur during the rainy season, usually from November to January on the North Coast and May to November in the other parts. 

Hurricanes are relatively common in the Dominican Republic and are more frequent during the rainy season from June to November.

Safety and Security

The Dominican Republic may not be the safest country in the world (Ranked at number 81 by the Global Peace Index), but they ensure strict security is provided in hotels, resorts, and tourist zones. The security provided is mostly enough to keep visitors safe while they enjoy the city.

Areas like the state capital are generally considered safe, but living in remote areas could pose more risks. You need to ensure that your doors are kept locked at night and only visit places with significant security.

Cost of Living 

One of the most affordable spots in the Caribbean where you can leave comfortably for around $1,500 a month. An island where you can embrace a white-sand retirement even with nothing more than your monthly Social Security check. If you can add a small travel budget on top of that then the Dominican Republic and be your base for island-hopping around the Caribbean can easily become your new retirement hobby.

Taxes

Like many other countries, several taxes exist in the Dominican Republic. However, they are much lower than in the US. Residents pay income tax at different rates based on their income. They also pay corporation tax, capital gains tax, and sales tax.

As a foreign pensioner, you are exempt from paying taxes for up to 183 days, after which you are liable for taxes. You don’t need to worry. The taxes are relatively affordable, except for the capital gains tax. This tax ensures that you pay 27% of any profits you make on capital goods. You can, however, use these taxes to offset due taxes in the US.  

Visas & Residency 

The Dominican Republic makes establishing residency easy, and the country embraces—even rewards through incentives—foreign investors. In addition, residents can and do work here.

The Dominican Republic residency program is as good as you can find anywhere. The process is simple and fast. The pensionado visa can be obtained in under two months and comes with tax benefits and other perks. It’s affordable too. If you can prove an income of more than $1,500 per month, plus another$250 per dependent, you qualify.

There is also a clear path to permanent residency and even citizenship. The Dominican Republic allows you to hold two other additional citizenships. This is another reason why the Dominican Republic is becoming a very popular option for people looking to diversify their lifestyle.

Healthcare

With significant improvement over the years, the health sector in this Caribbean country has become a destination for tourists who want to get laser surgery and dental healthcare. Overall the country’s healthcare is good. The World Health Organization ranked DR’s Healthcare system at number 67 in its global rankings. The country offers government-sponsored healthcare where citizens can access free healthcare services.

Private healthcare also exists with state-of-the-art medical facilities and highly skilled US-trained doctors who are great at what they do. Staff in private clinics are mostly bilingual. If you are a retiree from the US who speaks only English, you may want to use private clinics even though they are pretty expensive; however, foreign health insurance from the US works in the Dominican Republic, and you can use them while enjoying your retirement.

Real estate

You’ve probably heard a few negative news about real estate in the Dominican Republic. Well, not anymore. Real estate in the Dominican Republic has now become much safer than it was before. It is also considerably cheap due to a 2008 market crash awaiting recovery. This could be an excellent opportunity to own a property in this lovely country before prices rise again.

Getting properties in the Dominican Republic also qualifies you for citizenship after two years which is excellent value for your money as you’ll get to enjoy the benefits of being a citizen while on your retirement.

If you are not up for a significant investment, you can also rent a property, probably one facing the sea. Make sure you ask around and make the best choice, as you’ll likely be unable to renovate a rented apartment to your taste. 

Best Places in the Country 

The Dominican Republic tops the list of tourist destinations in the Caribbean, and this is also true for retirees, especially from the US, who want to enjoy a quiet and classy life at a lower cost. This Caribbean country offers lots of tourist sites and entertainment.

As someone who is retired, you want to live in the best parts of town where the housing is excellent, the healthcare is good, and there are enough entertainment spots to have a nice time. 

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, the country’s capital, is one of the best places for this. This is the largest city in the Dominican Republic and offers some of the best services in housing, health, and lifestyle. It is also located along the coast, so you can access beach games and resorts when you need to have fun. The capital also has lots of vibrant cultural and art events that you can enjoy.

Punta Cana

There are other areas, such as Punta Cana, where the best resorts are situated, and Samana, where whale enthusiasts can go to watch them. 

Proximity to the US 

The Dominican Republic is relatively close to the US. The shortest distance between both countries is 3,216km. Flights are available from several international airports in the US, and getting to the Dominican Republic from the US takes only about 4 hours or less and around two and half hours from Mexico. 

You can visit family and attend events quickly while enjoying your retirement in the Dominican Republic. If you want, you can even have friends and extended family come over to visit you without sitting on a long flight.

Activities & Recreation

Tourist destinations always have several activities lined up, and the Dominican Republic is a champion of that. Since you are on retirement, you may want to enjoy the country slowly by visiting a few recreational sites every other week and engaging in fun activities. Well, you are in for a ride.

The Dominican Republic has many beaches and resorts where you can relax and watch the sunrise and sunset. Additionally, you can go deep sea fishing or scuba diving and watersports when you are in for an adventure. So long as you have health insurance, be assured that you don’t have to worry about your health as qualified health professionals abound in case of an emergency.  

If you are looking more towards getting active, golfing, canyoning, and ATV tours may be best for you, or you can hike the Pico Duarte to feel young again. Make sure you see your doctor before embarking on this one.   

You can cap the fun with whale watching and a nice yoga session to calm your nerves as you think about the next fun thing you’ll love to do in your new country.  

Bottom Line

Retirees have many reasons to come to the Dominican Republic. This Caribbean country is safe and secure, has a warm climate, is easy and cheap to travel to, and has great services in housing, health, lifestyle, and recreation.

If you want to retire in this lovely country where you can live comfortably in a rustic cabana surrounded by tropical flowers without spending a fortune on rent or on healthcare costs and love scenic beaches, you can now take that step towards getting a visa.

Here is a list of the Pros and Cons of traveling, living, moving and retiring in the Dominican Republic