Santo Domingo or Punta Cana?

Guest9467Guest18 July 2022 22:03:47

Hi everyone!

Looking to reside in DR for a few months. Just want to know if you have any advice on the infrastructure in SD vs PC? I work remotely so rely heavily on electricity and stable internet connections. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert18 July 2022 22:30:24

17621

Welcome to the forums

Wow what a difference between these two places.

In both places you can find excellent internet and good stable electricity with back up!

One is more about tourism and expats and one is a giant dirty city with bad bad traffic.

What is it you want to do when not working?

Guest9467 Guest

Guest9467Guest18 July 2022 22:43:05

@planner Thank you for the response! I like to spend time in nature and practise plenty of fitness activities. So ideally, being close to training facilities is important to me. I also like to be near the water, but since I'm also working there I do need to be somewhere where I can do every day "living" things. Is Punta Cana sort of like Cancun in terms of being modern and developed with American franchises?

polo1club Serial expat

Member since 10 June 2022

polo1clubSerial expat18 July 2022 22:43:17

200

@planner LOL Sad but true Planner! I still love it! LOL

jeanchris101 Active member

Member since 01 June 2021

jeanchris101Active member19 July 2022 01:02:11

@Teresa Sisi

I recommend you finding a place in Cocotal in Bavaro (punta cana)

Nice modern gym 1m driving distance, your connecting with nature and 10m from the beach. It's the best place to live in Bavaro and if it fits your budget I recommend you to check it out.

Based on what you said... santo domingo is not the place your looking for

DRVisitor Serial expat

Member since 20 December 2019

DRVisitorSerial expat19 July 2022 02:18:46

763

Do you want city life and traffic or beach life...

Rajko85 Active member

Member since 22 May 2019

Rajko85Active member19 July 2022 08:02:27

Santo Domingo is pretty gross, couldn't pay me to live there. Punta Cana is a tourist trap. Santiago is definitely better in my opinion than Santo Domingo but is not close to the beach.

DRVisitor Serial expat

Member since 20 December 2019

DRVisitorSerial expat19 July 2022 13:37:53

763

Big difference staying in Punta Cana for vacation at hotel and living in Punta Cana for more than a vacation.

Guest9467 Guest

Guest9467Guest19 July 2022 21:14:01

@jeanchris101 Thank you for this information!

Guest9467 Guest

Guest9467Guest19 July 2022 21:15:00

#10

I'm looking into areas near greenery and the malecon such as Bella Vista. Thoughts?

Much appreciated.

jeanchris101 Active member

Member since 01 June 2021

jeanchris101Active member19 July 2022 21:49:12

#11

@Teresa Sisi

Los Cacicazgos is an area you might like in Santo Domingo, very close to bella vista.

You won't dodge traffic/noise/chaos by staying there tho (or any spot in S.D) but you will be right in front of "Mirador sur" wich is really nice.

polo1club Serial expat

Member since 10 June 2022

polo1clubSerial expat19 July 2022 21:51:49

#12

200

Every time I go to Santo Domingo I stay in Bella Vista. I really love the area especially Sarasota and Betancourt streets. Its very city like, with great restaurants. If you want to be near the water El Malecon its minutes away. You have the Mirador del Sur park that is like Central Park a block away! As a matter of fact that is where I will be looking when I make that move. Very convenient location I find!

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert19 July 2022 22:03:19

#13

17621

I live in Bella Vista. I work most of the time in or near Bella Vista.

I find it a very nice, comfortable area. It's not cheap to live in this area. Almost everything you may need is nearby!

When I have to go across town, I hate SD! I detest traffic every day except Sunday.

Riva31 Serial expat

Member since 03 February 2019

Riva31Serial expat20 July 2022 13:11:06

#14

264

@polo1club hahah she makes me laugh, I will add that its dirty depending the location hahaha. I think if she is City person may get bored in Punta Cana, so better be clear in what she really wants and spect before any sugestion.

LT American Active member

Member since 01 July 2021

LT AmericanActive member20 July 2022 13:20:37

#15

@planner Iived in Bella Vista for about 7 months. It made the capital tolerable for me

Guest9467 Guest

Guest9467Guest20 July 2022 13:36:29

#16

Your profile says you are currently living in Cancun, so Punta Cana is the equivalent. The infrastructure is growing and you are only 2.5 hours from Santo Domingo if you need a change. Plenty of members of this forum live there, so seek their opinions. One big advantage it does have, are close by beaches and an international airport at hand rather than perhaps an hour in traffic.

Santo Domingo grates ones soul and suffocates. I have also lived in Bella Vista for several years but growing terrible traffic has made even an escape to the Malecon and a breeze a longer trip depending on time of day. I relocated to Miramar to be next to the sea but even the direct route west along 30 de Mayo and out of the grime was not enough for me to free myself and get into the country.

Frankly living in either location does not appeal to me. They are both places to visit in short imo; enjoy what they have to offer and find your soul elsewhere.

DRVisitor Serial expat

Member since 20 December 2019

DRVisitorSerial expat20 July 2022 14:42:33

#17

763

Unless you are working in Santo Domingo or have family you need to be close to - It makes a hard case to support to live there.

Angelina Calderon New member

Member since 29 May 2022

Angelina CalderonNew member20 July 2022 17:50:48

#18

I'm a city woman and I really believe you would be very bored in Punta Cana. Santo Domingo is so much better and bigger. When I'm in Santo Domingo I feel like I'm in Toronto. You never get bored with so many things to do more movies Theater, clubs and Restaurants.

polo1club Serial expat

Member since 10 June 2022

polo1clubSerial expat20 July 2022 18:12:49

#19

200

@Riva31 Even in the most beautiful of cities there is going to be a dirty area. But overall Bella Vista is a nice area of the city with great food choices that always attracts people! But yes you are right some streets you want to pass and not look. But I can say that about some streets here in Las Vegas. There is no perfect big city.

polo1club Serial expat

Member since 10 June 2022

polo1clubSerial expat20 July 2022 18:52:06

#20

200

Can someone tell me how the drive is from LT to SD? Like road conditions and traffic report? Any interesting spots along the way?

Tippj Serial expat

Member since 12 February 2022

TippjSerial expat20 July 2022 18:55:41

#21

601

It doesn’t sound like your into the big city , me personally I would take the water and sand , be surrounded by peace and quiet this is a very important choice , like if you want to see a movie or a night out with

“ all “ the people you know here you can always do a weekend trip on Friday and return Sunday to the beach life and think , would you rather look out your apartment windows at a dirty city while your working or at a sandy beach with maybe a pool , good luck , and remember to enjoy your time here

Riva31 Serial expat

Member since 03 February 2019

Riva31Serial expat21 July 2022 14:23:04

#22

264

@polo1club the conditions of the road is good, recomendations not speed up over 80, and avoid drive late night because may find some cows in your way, if you drive at night better be very carefull. The road has like 3 or 4 tolls

ddmcghee Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 15 May 2017

ddmcgheeDominican Republic Expert21 July 2022 14:25:34

#23

1904

@polo1club It's about 2 to 2.5 hours, mostly on the tollway. The road is great and other than the major holiday weekends, the traffic isn't too bad. Total toll is about 800 DOP each way.

rlwoodz Active member

Member since 30 November 2021

rlwoodzActive member26 July 2022 21:59:39

#24

Unless you venture out early, everything and I mean everything, from supermarket to restaurant trips, is inconvenient in SD because of the terrible traffic. And while you may be able to walk, good luck with that overtime. Crime is rampant and going out daily to walk somewhere is rolling the dice far too often. You just do not see people going for a stroll in SD and there's a reason and it's not just the weather and there's virtually no one out at night on the streets even in Bella Vista.

carolmarchena Active member

Member since 17 April 2021

carolmarchenaActive member26 July 2022 22:31:52

#25

If you are only here for a few months, then Punta Cana is your place. My mother lives in Santo Domingo- Los Cacicazgos- which is near Bella Vistas as well. She lives across the park. I never walk in the park- is a crime infestation- I walk on the sidewalk- but not by myself. I walk to the nearest supermarket- only a 10 minute walk but- not by myself- there are a few restaurants - my mothers internet is good. I use it to work remotely as well when I visit.

Punta Cana has the infrastructure- you will get good internet and be near the water- for just a few months, my opinion- is your best choice.

polo1club Serial expat

Member since 10 June 2022

polo1clubSerial expat26 July 2022 22:54:57

#26

200

I have walked and run in that park which I think you mean the Mirador Del Sur and have never had an issue, even in the evenings. My mother who lived by there also went on an evening walk each day also and thank God never had a problem. Crime happens everywhere and if you look or act scare then you stand out. Do as the rest of the herd and no one will even notice you. Crime infested is pretty strong if you ask me.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert27 July 2022 10:10:29

#27

17621

I am in Bella Vista and I walk almost daily. Understand where you are going and be aware at all times.

I do not walk alone at night! That's not going to happen. I also rarely drive alone at night, I would rather use Uber.

polo1club Serial expat

Member since 10 June 2022

polo1clubSerial expat27 July 2022 16:15:04

#28

200

As with any major city or anywhere for that matter you are always aware of your surroundings and also not to walk in dark areas or near creepy people etc. But that goes in any major city I say! But you are correct not good to walk at night. I drive but I am more scare of being stopped by PN then anyone doing anything to me LOL

polo1club Serial expat

Member since 10 June 2022

polo1clubSerial expat27 July 2022 16:18:04

#29

200

Of course I am a big guy and I am the one that scares most people! I guess I look mean! Which works to my advantage! LOL Little do they know I am a big teddy bear!

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert27 July 2022 16:32:08

#30

17621

I am pretty small but I think I look mean too.......

AlaPlaya Active member

Member since 07 January 2021

AlaPlayaActive member29 July 2022 13:20:55

#31

I'm probably biased, but I like the comforts of Punta Cana. Santo Domingo is a nice weekend getaway, but fast internet, reliable electricity, and general infrastructure are great in Punta Cana. Add in the beach, convenience of a well-serviced international airport, supermarkets, a movie theatre, and lots of restaurants, and there is enough to keep you busy when you don't want to go to the beach.

Guest9467 Guest

Guest9467Guest18 August 2022 04:03:38

#32

@DRVisitor could you elaborate further?

Yralinoska New member

Member since 08 August 2020

YralinoskaNew member18 August 2022 04:24:49

#33

Can we add The North Coast to these comparisons please? I've never been to Punta Cana , Cap Cana, or The North Coast Sosua Cabarete. I've been told The North Coast is where is at. So I will be visiting in October. Santo Domingo is too busy for me. I come from Carlsbad a beach city of north county San Diego California. I'm looking to buy something on this trip.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert18 August 2022 10:05:05

#34

17621

@yralinoska. You are best to open a thread on your question. That way it doesn't get thrown into another thread! Make sure to clarify what you are looking for. "Where it's at" means different things to many.