Moving Guide

Most expats ship only personal items, sentimental belongings, and specialty electronics. A 20-ft container from the US costs $2,500–$5,000 plus Dominican customs duties (variable, 20–30% of declared value). Furniture is affordable locally - La Sirena (department store chain), local furniture shops, and imported brands are widely available. Appliances: buy locally to ensure they match DR electrical standards (110V, same as US). The general advice: travel light and furnish locally.

In Santo Domingo, Uber and InDriver make car ownership optional for daily life - especially if you live in Piantini or Naco. The Santo Domingo Metro covers key routes for $0.35/ride. In beach towns (Las Terrenas, Cabarete), a motorbike or scooter is the preferred local transport ($50–$100/month rental). For island exploration and weekend trips, a car is valuable. Used Japanese models (Toyota, Honda, Hyundai) start at $5,000–$15,000. Import duties make bringing your own vehicle uneconomical.

Start with Airbnb for the first 1–3 months while you explore neighborhoods. Then: Corotos.com.do (Dominican Craigslist), Facebook groups ('Expats in Dominican Republic', 'Las Terrenas Rentals', 'Santo Domingo Apartments'), and local real estate agents. In-person visits are essential - photos can be misleading. Typical deposit: 1–2 months' rent. Many landlords in expat areas speak English. Negotiate - listed prices are often starting points, especially for longer leases.

Dominican driving is aggressive and unpredictable - motorbikes weave through traffic, road rules are loosely followed, and night driving on rural roads requires extreme caution. A foreign license is valid for 90 days; after that, get a Dominican license at INTRANT ($20–$40, straightforward with residency). The Santo Domingo–Samaná highway and Coral Highway (to Punta Cana) are modern toll roads. In cities, Uber is often preferable to driving yourself.

Large, diverse, and welcoming - over 150,000 foreign residents from the US, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, and across Latin America. Santo Domingo has professional expat networks and social clubs. Las Terrenas has a strong French and Italian community alongside Americans and Canadians. Cabarete attracts a younger, sports-oriented international crowd. Facebook groups, InterNations events, and local expat meetups provide instant social connections. The Dominican culture of warmth and hospitality makes integration smoother than many destinations.