Tripp789
American expat in Dominican Republic
Forum posts
176
Contacts
14
About me
American
Lives in Sosúa, Puerto Plata
Speaks English. Committed to learning spanish
Registration: 28 April 2018
Best Bank for US Expats by brodies2013
We are finally in the planning stages of our move to DR! (We've been members here since 2014 and purchased a fixer upper on the north coast in 2015!) We are also shopping for a new bank...what bank would US Expat.com members recommend?
@Alfonso Ayala Last spring I attempted to use Banco Populars remote deposit on the app with a US check and was denied. Hopefully that has changed. BP does allow depositing a physical US check directly. Usually it clears in a few days. Read More
Can you deposit a US check into a Dominican bank account? by wondering9
I'm hoping it won't come to this, but I might end up receiving a paper check at the last minute before I leave the US. Is a Dominican bank likely to accept it as a deposit?I imagine there would be a long hold on the funds, which would be OK in this ...
@wondering9 I have regularly deposited US checks into my DR USD account. Read More
Most common scams in Dominican Republic by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Dominican Republic as an expat implies navigating into a new and unfamiliar environment and habits, making you potentially vulnerable to scammers. Whether it’s immigration or finance advice, housing scam, online ...
A few years ago, driving on Highway 5 to SD, we heard a big bang as if something had hit our car. Shortly afterwards, two men pulled alongside us, motioning frantically towards the back of the vehicle. We pulled over, and they followed us.One of ... Read More
Residency - updates and changes 2024 by planner
We are seeing changes in processes here and it's time for a new thread with updates.LIshali had agreed to update us here on those changes and to clarify a number of issues as we go along!First let's talk the basics: how you start and which type you ...
@walter1107bDarlene is right! There is a lot of work that has to be done at home before you can get residency. If you are serious, start now. Read More
Mortages In DR by NMoose
Hi All and Good Morning, New to the forum but joined due to the energy and great quality of conversations-responses! We live in Ontario but plan to make DR a place to hang our hats in winter and eventually spend all the time there. Sosua, ...
We never got approved by Scotia because they fiddled around so long (3-4 months) and then BP stepped up and approved us. Scotia only reacted at that point asking for us to reconsider them!BP wasn’t all that speedy either, taking about 2 ... Read More
Saona Island Excursion by riactovi
I leave in Santo Domingo (3 month ago only) and I still have plenty of places to dicover in the DR. I have been said Saona Island is awesome. I am in touch with an agency proposing the tour with transportation from Santo Domingo included: [link ...
I advise you to book the higher priced cruise that includes cocktails on board and a private dining lunch area on Saona with private beach..... -@Steverino7777I agree with Steverino. We took the ”regular” tour from Bayahibe ... Read More
Phone Service by sueh234
Looking for some help regarding phones. I want to keep my Canadian phone number to receive and make calls for business purposes.I will also have a local phone for use in the DR.VOIP service for phones seems to be the best option. Does anyone have ...
We get a Claro Esim on our phones at 1800 RD / mo and a US Verizon international plan at $100/mo for our US numbers Works well for us. hopefully your provider has somet similar Read More
Mortages In DR by NMoose
Hi All and Good Morning, New to the forum but joined due to the energy and great quality of conversations-responses! We live in Ontario but plan to make DR a place to hang our hats in winter and eventually spend all the time there. Sosua, ...
@ondamiVery simple process, exactly the same as in the USA I deposit a personal USA check made out to myself and deposit it into my DR USD account. it usually clears within a few days.easiest and cheapest way to transfer money. The only catch is ... Read More
VPN information needed by GuestPoster671
What company offers the best VPN for the Dominican Republic?
@CHRISTOPHER DAVID56Just left Cabarete last week, but was using Express VPN without issue. i do have it sideloaded onto a separate router.everytime i did have an issue i called into their helpline and they straightend it out in short order. Have ... Read More
KEEPING US CELL PHONE NUMBER by alvarez7361
Hello everyone, I am planning a permanent move from Florida to Puerto Plata. Will be looking for a house or apartment to rent and hope to get residency as a pensioner in the near future. I plan on maintaining a physical address in Florida, so I can ...
Verizon has a $100 usd/month international plan that gives you 20gb / mo and calls as well You have to call them to start it and then to stop it as well. we also have postpaid RD cell numbers through Claro at cost of 1700rds/mo To get that ... Read More
Long term stay in Cabarate by bevgrandy
I have never posted on a forum before so lets see what response I get.My husband and I are thinking of spending 3 months in this area starting in Jan 2025 Looking for suggestions on rentals { something close to the beach } , info on medical ...
The local hospital is Centro Medico Cabarete (CMC) and is located in Sosua there are a few differ diagnostic labs in both Cabarete and Sosua Very reasonable in cost Tons of rentals available Many can be seen on AirBNB and doing a web search Read More
Immigration Translation Documents by ncetienne
How much do certified translation companies charge per page for immigration documents in Santo Domingo? I would like to know because our lawyer sent us a quote from a translation company (that they have been using) that charges $35 per page plus $15 ...
i was told by the US dominican consulate that all papers had to be translated by a dominican. Read More
Chartering flights for dogs relocation to Cabarete by DeeJeeKing
Hello to all. We will be relocating to Cabarete from Raleigh, NC. We have 2 dogs, 1 American Staffordshire Terrier and 1 Shih Tzu mix. We are looking for information on chartering a flight to transport our fur babies this winter. Has anyone ...
Let me first assure you that I love animals. However , I feel it necessary to say something about those who refuse to consider cargoing their pets, and I know many.There is an old truism: ”If you put your wife and your wife into the trunk of ... Read More
Parking for La Romana Cruises by Tripp789
We just signed up for a cruise leaving from La Romana. We will be driving to meet the ship and are wondering where we can securely leave our car while gone. we appreciate any ideas!
Im the OP of this thread and glad to say i found a solution to the lack of parking at LR cruise terminal Following a lead from another post, i contacted a local LR) taxi company (Dino Taxi). They and the phone can be found on google maps.They ... Read More
Buying a clothes washer by crabelramble
Our clothes washer died, and we need to buy a new one. Unsurprisingly, the clothes washer market here differs from the US. The big difference is that I can not find any "data" on the reliability of the different makes and models sold here. Does ...
Huh, I never realiized that “Pretentious Ass” was sprlled F- r-e-d Read More
Restaurants near Nuevo Romama
Good morning my wife and i are traveling there today to spend a few days golfing any suggestions for decent res in the area or in La Romana appreciated! Read More
Mortages In DR by NMoose
Hi All and Good Morning, New to the forum but joined due to the energy and great quality of conversations-responses! We live in Ontario but plan to make DR a place to hang our hats in winter and eventually spend all the time there. Sosua, ...
A note about wire transfers and attendant fees: I use Banco Popular. I am able to write a personal check to myself and deposit to my USA account without any charges Funds clear in a couple of days. Read More
drivers license in DR by terrywilson3010
Okay, I am receiving several different answers to a simple question, coming from Canada, what are the rules and regulations regarding driving here eg we were to;d to get an international license and then were informed that an international license ...
If you have become a legal resident here, does your home country (USA) license remain valid here? Read More
FEDOGOLF now requires legal residency to play golf by windeguy
I just saw this on DR1: https://dr1.com/forums/threads/fedogolf-and-residency.401273/ Apparently residency is a new requirement for Fedogolf membership. There are many Fedogolf members ( and have been for many years ) that are not residents, and ...
Frdogolf will not work for you without legal residency. Great deal if you have it. I believe you can join on the website or the app Read More
Best International Shipping Options? by auburnallycelucas
Hey everyone. I ship many materials from the US to the DR for my company. The latest shipment through CPS was 30lbs and costs almost 10,000 DOP. I have also tried Vimenpaq. Does anyone have suggestions for more affordable shipping companies? If you ...
@auburnallycelucasI seem to recall another forum topic within the last month that referred to business shipping from USA to DR duty free if your legally registered Spend some time searching, or perhaps a poster from that thread can jump in Read More
Verizon Unlimited Ultimate Plan by ondami
Good morning allI keep reading forum posts about cell phones in DR. I have checked into the Verizon Unlimited Ultimate plan which, according to the company, allows one to use their current smartphone while in DR to make calls, text, and stream (plus ...
@DRCultureVerizon has two international plans 1) TravelPass: For $5/day in Canada and Mexico* and $10/day in other countries, you can use your domestic plan's talk, text and data allowances just like you do at home. And you're only charged for ... Read More
Personal Update by planner
Many of you know me in person as well as on here. I am active pretty much every single day. I will be away starting Monday December 11 as I am having surgery in Santo Domingo.Some weeks ago I damaged my left shoulder and it just kept getting worse. ...
My wife fell and broke her left shoulder in Cabarete two years ago. The surgery went well! keep in mind that immobilizing your arm and shoulder for that long is going to cause your muscles to atrophy. our advice to you is to aggressively follow ... Read More
Verizon Unlimited Ultimate Plan by ondami
Good morning allI keep reading forum posts about cell phones in DR. I have checked into the Verizon Unlimited Ultimate plan which, according to the company, allows one to use their current smartphone while in DR to make calls, text, and stream (plus ...
My understanding (after chatting with Verizon) is that that plan only gives you International calling, text and Data for Mexico and Canada. For the DR you'd still have to pay for an international daily ($10) or Monthly ($100) plan. i ... Read More
Bringing electronics for gifts at CHRISTMAS by Kaym-g
Hello. just wondering if total amount of electronic gifts is under $500 USD will we have to pay anything at the airport in Punta Cana. is the value actual based on proof of purchase or attributed by customs based on local value?
Is that citizens or do residents qualify as well? Read More
If so many ex-pats are complaining about… by ondami
If ex-pats are complaining about: the driving in DR, the bottled water in DR, the intent device in Dr, the slower pace of life in DR, etc., etc., etc., then how come they moved there in the first place and how come they stay?I am confused by these ...
@birdltFor a bit there i thought you were describing the Democratic Party Read More
Driving in the Dominican Republic by CourtneyY
My family and I are planning a trip to the Dominican Republic at the end of February 2024. We will be arriving in Santo Domingo, renting a car and driving to Bayahibe for a few days and then to the Samana Peninsula for a few days before we fly back ...
FYI, I did have a minor fender bender in my complex on the NC My fault, backed into a mans car in the parking lot. ADVICE? Carry cash. I crunched the guys rear quarter panel pretty well .In the States-$2500+ Here? Autobody shops here paint ... Read More
Driving in the Dominican Republic by CourtneyY
My family and I are planning a trip to the Dominican Republic at the end of February 2024. We will be arriving in Santo Domingo, renting a car and driving to Bayahibe for a few days and then to the Samana Peninsula for a few days before we fly back ...
I agree with the above posts We drive often there and throughout the country. Dominicans are wonderfu people until they get behind the wheel at which time they release their inner Hulk Be careful, and make sure you get good insurance with Casa ... Read More
Evolution of banking services in Dominican Republic by Cheryl
Hello everyone, With rapid technological advancements, banking services are digitizing at lightning speed. Expats are thus propelled into a new era of options and payment methods, disrupting the traditional banking services of local ...
I often use both Banco Populars App and website both in the DR and at home. While basic functions work well, advanced features like recurring payments, do not. It is common for future payments to fail.Fortunately, the system always ... Read More
Retirement Visas by Pat Kitchen
My wife and I are in the process of obtaining retirement visas for the DR. We have been in contact with a couple of Dominican law firms. We are a bit taken aback with the fees they are charging. Also, we know there are going to be ...
My wife and I went through the process with Lishali. My thought is that if you’re not fluent in Spanish, the lawyer is worth it. I’m sure you could get it done on your own, but expect delays and bumps. Remember, nothing ... Read More
New look at illegal foreigners by planner
Article today stating Haitian foreign nationals purchased more real estate here in the 1st quarter than Americans or Canadians. Now the govt calling for analysis of illegal foreigners purchasing here!
I agree Planner. Since purchasing our home on the NC I have met many wealthy Dominicans and have been told that the DR has the largest % of middle class in the carribean. Overall this is a healthy indicator for the growth of the economy and the ... Read More
Claro bill assistance
I have two postpaid cell phone accounts. Can anyone explain what the Rentas balance is for on the invoice? It keeps growing, so I’m sure it can be applied for something, but can’t find anything on the app or website that explains ... Read More
Pre-construction V. Resale by FatCarib
Greetings all,i am new to this forum & am very pleased that such a resource is available. My wife and I (from US) plan on purchasing a villa in CL within the next 9 months that could be mainly used as Airbnb for the a few years until we move ...
@planner CL is Casa Linda, a development located in the hills near Sosua. Very well known on the North Coast. Read More
Is driving from Santo Domingo to North coast safe?? by SayMen25
Hello, We are thinking about visiting in the summer and renting a car in Santo Domingo to travel to the North Coast. The idea is to drive there and stop at different towns and beaches to get to know the areas to see which one we like best to ...
Many businesses in tourist/expat areas do, but I’ve never tried at tolls. I recommend you find a Cambio storefront anywhere and get some local currency. Read More
Prescript Meds Question: Ozempic? by ExpatRusher
Hey, everyone. Hope everybody is having good days/week/months/life!I'm a Type 2 Diabetic, previously only on Metformin, which I know is available in the DR. However, I've just been prescribed the add-on Ozempic drug. I did a search on ...
@john-schroder without a prescription in the US it would be 1,000 USD! Read More
Parking for La Romana Cruises
We just signed up for a cruise leaving from La Romana. We will be driving to meet the ship and are wondering where we can securely leave our car while gone. we appreciate any ideas! Read More
How does mail work in the DR? by TheWaifuWarrior
Hello, I am moving to the Dominican Republic in less than a month and I would appreciate it if someone would be kind enough to explain to me exactly how receiving mail like packages works? Do I need to set up a USPS box and have it sent there then ...
Generally the postal system does not work. Use UPS. Read More
Medical Story, a bit long! by planner
While we can find good medical care here sometimes it is hit and miss. My story is about more misses than hits for over 3 years. What I did not do was stop looking for the right doctor to help me. I went through 5 gastroenterologists! ...
Thats fantastic! Thanks for sharing the information. That is truly one of the greatest benefits of Expat.com Read More
Furniture and meeting new people 😊 by couldbecool
Hi there my name is Carla and I’m from Canada. I am wanting to furnish an apartment that I bought here. I know there is IKEA, Ilumel and Ashley’s here but I am having a hard time finding what I like at a reasonable price. Not really ...
There are many furniture makers in the Puerto Plata area as well, and probably in Nagua as well!If you’re interested in “live-edge” tables, I have a Canadian friend who makes them. DM me for his info. as always, be careful how much ... Read More
Furniture and meeting new people 😊
@planner ive read this several times recently. Why has this policy been made? One of the most useful benefits of this site has been getting referrals from other expats. Read More
Carry (Flowers) / Ship (Treadmill) from USA to DR? by GuestPoster1126
Hello to one and all on expat.com!I will soon be traveling back to the DR.I would much appreciate any help that can be provided. I am wondering if I can carry boxed flowers from the USA to DR without any issues?Also I have a need to get a piece of ...
Flowers may be difficult. Many countries do not want agricultural items brought in due to disease and hidden pests. You should reach out to one of the DR consulates. Washington DC is probably closest to you. Shipping can be pretty easy, but ... Read More
Rust & Corrosion of Metal by DRCulture
Hola Everyone!What do you do to decrease rust and corrosion that can be caused by the salt water and air? I don't expect to prevent it forever, but certainly would like to put some preventative measures in place. I have stayed a few Airbnb's and ...
Wiping metal surfaces with WD-40 occasionally will help to slow down corrosion. Read More
Dominican Currency by Mark and Al
What actual currency denominations should we carry while in Sosua/Cabarete? I hope to use our credit card as much as possible, but I'm assuming there will be a lot of places that only accept cash and apparently getting change back (at smaller ...
There are plenty of places to exchange money at better than home country rates. 2-3 in Cabarete alone. No reason to stop at the airport. Read More
Prescript Meds Question: Ozempic? by ExpatRusher
Hey, everyone. Hope everybody is having good days/week/months/life!I'm a Type 2 Diabetic, previously only on Metformin, which I know is available in the DR. However, I've just been prescribed the add-on Ozempic drug. I did a search on ...
Carol Farmicia shows Ozempic as available in two doses. Cost is 200-300 usd for a month Read More
Bringing a parrot by strongstar
So I am an owner of a Blackheaded Pionites parrot (Pionites melanocephalus) and a Pitbull. Since they are both family members the only option is to bring them both with me. DR does not have a breed ban as far as I've found out and as I've ...
@Lenaemomar Not trying to be a wise ass, but perhaps this is something you should have researched before deciding to move here?There is a high probability that they are not going to allow it unless they are birds native to the island. Read More
Mail Forwarding companies? by crabelramble
I'm looking for current info on mail-forwarding companies and a primer on what needs to be done to use them. I've searched but came up empty. Is there already a topic that has that info?
@drlover1962 I have never seen an MBE here in the POP area. We use EPS Cabarete with no issues. Read More
Furniture Packages in Punta cana by Ethen Royal
Hello, I am trying to get some solid answers on furniture packages in Punta Cana. I just purchased a villa that hasn't been fully completed yet, but in the meantime I am trying to locate places that have furniture and appliance packages. On the site ...
When we purchased our condo we hired an interior decorator. She had extensive contacts here on the Costa Norte with local furniture makers and artisans. Purchasing from them was very affordable, of high quality and using local woods that ... Read More
Mortgage in Puerto Plata by cynthymon
My husband and I am trying to buy a condo in Puerto Plata. In June 2022, we approached Scotiabank about a loan as they advertised they offer mortgages for Foreigners wanting a vacation home. We were told that we have to have a "Offer to Sale" to ...
Planner is correct. Talk to the developer and get referred to the bank they are using. Start now as these don’t happen quickly here. Read More
Laguna City by flygirlsue1
Has anyone bought into or had any contact with a realtor selling in Laguna City, DR? Praying it's a great investment!
@flygirlsue1 As far as I know construction has just started. This is assuming it’s the proposed project in Sosua Ocean Village (SOV), and the only thing I see happening there currently is near the entrance to SOV and we’ll away from the ... Read More
My Spinal Surgery Experience in the DR by RockyM
As indicated in another thread I had spinal surgery on January 5, 2023, in Santo Domingo. I promised to write up my experience so hopefully others may benefit, if considering a major surgery here in the DR. The following is a brief recounting of my ...
On the topic of surgery, but off on spinal. I found the information on insurance interesting and thought I’d like to quickly review our experience. While we now have Humano Max, at that time we only had our US insurance. Two years ago my ... Read More
Mortgage in Puerto Plata by cynthymon
My husband and I am trying to buy a condo in Puerto Plata. In June 2022, we approached Scotiabank about a loan as they advertised they offer mortgages for Foreigners wanting a vacation home. We were told that we have to have a "Offer to Sale" to ...
I was approved by Scotia and Banco Popular. BP was approved and signed within a couple of months. Scotia was started 3 months before BO and still hadn’t approved… until they found out BP had! SMH. In all fairness,the BP process was ... Read More
Coming to Juan Dolio by chrystias
Hello! I'm snowbirding to the DR for the winter, flying into Punta Cana and have to make my way to Juan Dolio on Sunday. Just wanting to say hi, meet some people and possibly get advice on transit options :)
I use Destopo, but there are several brands. This is the “good stuff”. All available at your local hardware store. Read More
Considering moving to the DR from Canada by dored1220
Hi all, My wife and I are considering making the move from frigid Canada to the DR. We are trying to decide where to take up residence and will be visiting to stay in Air BnB;s to get a lay of the land. We are looking at either Punta Cana or the ...
Two very different parts of the country in a lot of ways. From your post you seem to have golf high on your priorities. If that is so, then stay in PC. As Planner mentioned, there is only one accessible course in POP. Playa Dorado is a Robert ... Read More
Real Estate Commission rate by Nickel Capital
Quick question, in the north coast (Sosua/Cabarete) what fee or % is typically charged to the seller of a villa etc.?
Reputation means everything, so ask around and don't sign any agreements until you are comfortable with everything. -@UncleBuckMost important part. Read More
Your year 2022 by Mickael
Hello everyone, Every year, our lives are punctuated by events, twists and turns and all sorts of unexpected things. Local and international news has inevitably had an impact on your life and your projects in Dominican Republic in one way or ...
@giloconnor4044 good morning and welcome to the forums. While I appreciate your offer, I think you need to need to understand a few basic things about the DR and it’s people. While I love the country and it’s peoples, the people here ... Read More
Transferring money via bank transfer by jhgoodwin
My bank, when setting up a recipient for a direct transfer is asking for the equivalent to the social security number of the receiving party.Is this the correct number to use for that?
@Tippj took a few weeks, mostly because I waited a week or more to see if it would finally show up. Once I finally cancelled it, it took about a week to be refunded. Read More
Transferring money via bank transfer by jhgoodwin
My bank, when setting up a recipient for a direct transfer is asking for the equivalent to the social security number of the receiving party.Is this the correct number to use for that?
I attempted to use Remitly after some recommendations found on this forum. Long story short, it didn’t work. Eventually Remitly refunded the money to my US acct. i believe the issue was caused by the names format used here vs the US. First ... Read More
Shipping by mutantbee
Curious about recent experiences people have had with package forwarding companies. My buddy who is from Santiago says he's been using Transexpress for years and his family is happy with it. Any other company recommendations for getting my ...
Excuse me if this is a repeat message. I went to an EPS store just now. They say they will ship from both Walmart and Target. We had a problem with Beall’s who refused to ship to Miami, presumably due to fraud or theft? Read More
Shipping by mutantbee
Curious about recent experiences people have had with package forwarding companies. My buddy who is from Santiago says he's been using Transexpress for years and his family is happy with it. Any other company recommendations for getting my ...
I was just in an EPS store. They say they will ship stuff received from either. we have had issues in the past with Beall’s, a Florida store that will not ship to Miami presumably because of theft issues? So it may be the store? Read More
Inheritance by lspriggs0325
Hello, Not sure if this message is posting so I am resending. My father passed away last week. He did not have a will but left a house. My mother is alive and there are 4 siblings including me. I understand that she will receive 50% of his ...
I don’t have the answer to that question Rafael, but getting a Dominican Will to distribute the property as desired is fairly cheap. Read More
Your best culinary memory in Dominican Republic by Mickael
Hello everyone, As you know, every country has its own flavours and tasting the local cuisine is a great way to discover the culture of a destination. Whether it's a small typical restaurant to taste local dishes, a traditional meal in a local's ...
Me? Sancocho! My wife? desayuno los tres golpes! Read More
Solar energy by jmorac
I just got a house in Punta Cana And I will like to install solar Pannels And batteries . My estimated daily consumption will be 60 KW per day . Any sugestion on who can provide it and install it?
I too live in POP. My understanding is that it is still possible there but you do have to apply for a permit to feed the electric back into the system for credit. Read More
Electricity in the DR by planner
This needs its own thread. We whine and complain about electricity in this country all the time. Its expensive, its inefficient and bloody corrupt. Lets hope the gov't takes a look at it soon! From Dominican Today: [b]Electricity Distributors ...
Anyone having trouble getting on to Edenorte.com? I can get to the main page at times but can’t get to the virtual office to see my bill. Wondering if it’s down or if I’m having issues because in in the States. Read More
Living in Puerto Plata by polo1club
Was wondering if anyone can tell us about living in Puerto Plata vs Santo Domingo, Pros and Cons?
We live in Cabarete, a beach town east of POP and Sosua. We’ve spent some time in SD, but only a week at a time.I’ll disagree a bit with the previous poster. While POP may not have any Michelin Star restaurants, there are quite a ... Read More
Prostate reduction medications by staggpaul
Hi all I'm trying to find finasteride 5mg in a pharmacy here in Santiago, Dominican Republic but the pharmacies I have visited do not know what it is. It's this under a different name like acetometophen and paracetamol? Thanks!
Farmacia Carol offers Propecia Read More
Some fun - Dominican SLANG by planner
Something a little more fun to lighten things up.DOMINICAN SLANGWe joke here often that we do not speak Spanish, we speak Dominican. It's true. One of the hardest things to get a handle on is slang. After more than 19 years here, I still get ...
@brodies2013 Perhaps a good looking grump? 🤡 Read More
Live News Channels by Argentina Rodriguez
How can I watch LIVE News Channels like ABC, MSNBC, CNN in Dominican Republic?
Claro does have a few English language channels but we find them spotty at best. We use a fire stick as well most of the time. The VPN does allow you to get US choices. We use ExpressVPN with no problems. Read More
Shopping in Puerto Plata by ddmcghee
We're making our first trip to Puerto Plata next week. I know Jumbo and Sirena have stores there but are there other stores that have a good selection of housewares? We're looking for a vacuum cleaner, and it looks like all those two have online are ...
If you have a car, La Catalina restaurant is located in the hills above Playa Dorada/ Palm Hills. Perhaps a 20 -30 minute drive from the port on good roads.beautiful setting with a great ocean view and very good food, it also has an interesting ... Read More
Current Conditions in the Bavaro region -- OKAY TO VISIT?? by ExpatRusher
Hi, all. Lisa and I were setting up for our annual Jan-Feb excursion to the DR...but our long-reserved Airbnb canceled on us "due to hurricane flooding, cannot be occupied" until the owner fixes it. So, we're now without a place to ...
Try the North Coast! Puerto Plata’s beaches are beautiful! Read More
Cell phone providers by SFP203
Who is the best cell phone service provider and is it easy to get a cell phone contract? What does one need to do/show to get a contract. Thanks
@Liam H if you don’t have residency then you can only get a pre-paid phone that you’ll have to “recharge” to keep active. With residency you can move to a post-paid account much like in the states. You may still have to ... Read More
Renting a private car in the DR by drb136
I'm looking to rent a car in the DR. I have looked at companies and the different insurance policies they offer, but a Dominican friend offered for me to rent his car while I'm in in the country. He says he has "seguro full" and I trust him, but I ...
I have both DR property and DR health insurance here. My rental car company tells me it has insurance, but I would love to have a separate policy as mentioned above. Especially to assure that i have casa de conductor. I asked my property insurance ... Read More
Full time cleaner salary range by DRVisitor
Can someone give me a range of salary of hiring full time cleaner for an apartment and expectations/hours etc. Thanks.
Just some thoughts:Wages are determined by a lot of factors, the most important being the cost of living in the area you live. The DR has an exceptionally low COL compared to most places in the world, although it is being hit by inflation like ... Read More
Info for first visit by jas1962
I am planning to visit DR in October. I have a few questions and am open to any advise. How are the beaches in Santo Domingo? Are there any food stalls to buy food on the streets? How expensive are these places to eat? Examples? I would like to have ...
@jas1962 depending on your phone and provider at home, you may be able to get an e-sim for your US or CA phone and insert a DR phone into your physical sim. We’ve done that and it works pretty well. Read More
Mortgage in Puerto Plata by cynthymon
My husband and I am trying to buy a condo in Puerto Plata. In June 2022, we approached Scotiabank about a loan as they advertised they offer mortgages for Foreigners wanting a vacation home. We were told that we have to have a "Offer to Sale" to ...
We did get one in late 2020 from Banco Popular. However we had to have 50% down. We first applied at ScotiaBank thinking their Canadian roots would help. it took forever and we went to BP with the help of our Condo developer. Eventually we pounded ... Read More
Sosua Beach closing for renovations - the vendors have to go now by windeguy
Danny owns Malibu Beach Bar, or I should say owned since all the vendors now have to leave for the renovations:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPElF3zgyLA
Sosua Beach is beautiful and because it’s calm it offers snorkeling and kayaking rare in this area. The current condition puts off a lot of people. Due to the number of shacks there, tourists are nearly assaulted upon entering the beach by ... Read More
Spanish Language - some help! by planner
Oscar has posted on another thread and I suggested he open a new one. So here you - this was his comments from another thread! Lets expand this! I am - Yo soy you are - tu eres he\she - el \ella es we are - ...
My wife and I took in person lessons in Sosua for a couple of months. While we’re back in the states we’re using the Duoling app. The strong parts of Duo are ease of use and easily mapped progression. I’m just now ... Read More
Cell phone providers by SFP203
Who is the best cell phone service provider and is it easy to get a cell phone contract? What does one need to do/show to get a contract. Thanks
@Profe Agayu I’ve had this travel card linked back when I had a prepaid sim and it worked then. I may have to get an account at another bank as you did! Lol!I guess the other alternative is to use one of the pay services ... Read More
Cell phone providers by SFP203
Who is the best cell phone service provider and is it easy to get a cell phone contract? What does one need to do/show to get a contract. Thanks
@DominicanadaMike Thanks. The problem is that when I go there I can’t see anyway to enter anything. There is an alert telling me the card is pending validation, but “Editar tarjeta” only allows me to change the ... Read More
Cell phone providers by SFP203
Who is the best cell phone service provider and is it easy to get a cell phone contract? What does one need to do/show to get a contract. Thanks
Related question about linking Credit cards to Claro:We have Claro SIM cards and MiClaro accounts (postpaid accounts) for them. Despite Claros claim the local bank cards hook up immediately for payment, I have been unable to do so. I ... Read More
Does the DR recycle like in North America ? by Ian1272
Yesterday was garbage day, here where I live in Ontario Canada. Every Monday in addition to putting out our garbage, I put two blue boxes out for recycling. One blue box for cardboard and paper, and a second blue box for cans, tins and ...
The major benefit of recycling in most of the world is the feeling it gives people that they are doing something good for the environment. Economically it makes little sense and the actual positive effect on the environment is minuscule. ... Read More
Ebike /bicycle safety by renzom667
How safe are bicycles riders in Dominicana? I want to bring my ebike to Dominicana, it's better to purchase one there? Can you provide me with a Name of a store where I can inquire about a purchase? Please! Gracias
@Tippj You can buy them (in the USA) from $1500 to $5000+. Read More
Ebike /bicycle safety by renzom667
How safe are bicycles riders in Dominicana? I want to bring my ebike to Dominicana, it's better to purchase one there? Can you provide me with a Name of a store where I can inquire about a purchase? Please! Gracias
My wife and I have thought of bringing ebikes to use on the beaches in Cabarete. I doubt we’d ride on the roadways for all the reasons above. However, I’ve never seen an ebike on any beach ever. Does anyone know if If it ... Read More
DR Real Estate Market by rlwoodz
I have watched the real estate market there and see a surge in new construction prices. I've also talked to agents who say the same thing. Driving prices are both demand and increased materials costs. My focus has been on primarily ...
And why am I thinking of that old joke about boat owners......"the two best days in a boat owner's life are the day they buy a boat and the day they sell it".The same goes for real estate here. - @RockyMLOL! We waited a long time an ... Read More
Car Insurance by Guest2022
Thought that we ought to have a topic on vehicle insurance cover because DIGISETT agents are now always asking to see proof of cover when you get stopped. Most insurance companies in DR offer various car insurance cover options but they basically ...
Up until now we have always rented a car. While we are considering purchase, current prices mean we’ll probably rent again this winter. Is it possible to buy separate insurance here for a rental car to make sure we’re properly ... Read More
Getting a Dominican Driver's License by LZoe
Hi all: I'm looking for information about getting a dominican driver's license. I understand the process is different depending on what country you are from. I am from the U.S. My questions are: 1) I am here on a work visa. Can I get a ...
Your US or international license is only valid if your status here is valid. Overstay a tourist visa and those licenses are not valid. If you are on a residency visa then it appears your status is legal. - @plannerMy wife and I ... Read More
Tourism - An Ongoing Dominican Success Story by Guest2022
The appointment of David Collado as Minister for Tourism by President Luis Abinader is being proven to be a very smart move indeed.Tourism is growing and tourism projects all around the country are happening in greater amounts.Arrivals in the first ...
Many cruise ships are not full….yet. We just finished a cruise to Alaska and my guess was 60%. However, we booked a cruise in December and it is almost full. I believe many are still covid shy but getting over it. It will be ... Read More
Dentist recommendation by Alextrucking
I am planning a trip to the north coast in a few weeks. Probably between cabrera and luperon. Anyone can recommend a clinic for crowns and implants? Not looking for gringo target clinics I am from original from a Caribbean island so a decent ...
@Alextrucking My wife and I had them recently at Dental Cibao Spa in STI. My wife, bottom molar 1800.00 US totalMine (top molar) was 300-400 more as it needed an extraction and a bone graft. DCS is a medical tourism place, but very ... Read More
Opinions on your biggest fears about moving to DR by polo1club
So I decided to list my biggest fears about my upcoming relocation to DR. Hoping someone has a counter answer to alleviate some of my concerns? Here it goes and please tell it to me straight out I promise not to get offended lol. Mind you this ...
We were pulled over twice three years ago going and leaving SD. Our lack of Spanish saved us the first time as the frustrated officer just gave up, but the second one (PN) on the toll road to LT got us for 20 USD. Honestly we were over the ... Read More
HELP: Met someone in the DR and I don't know what his intentions are by travellinglady1429
Hello to everyone,This is my first time posting on a forum, desperate measures as I scour the internet to find out whether the intentions of the man I met in the DR are authentic or not. I vacationed to Punta Cana with a friend of mine about 3 ...
Wow. Run away quickly. I don’t care what country you’re in, but especially this one. I haven’t heard this many danger sirens sounding in years. Read More
Down payment options by rosariojenn
Does buying land in Las Terrenas require a 30% down payment? Anyway room for lower down payment?
We were able to finance our condo in Cabarete with roughly 50% down. that was the amount we determined we wanted, so I'm not sure what they would have accepted.Even with that the process took a long time (6 months), but we got a decent rate ... Read More
Residencia - 2020 - How to get it done. by planner
Its time for a new thread laying out how to apply for residencia! Our resident lawyer, Lishali, will assist us. Lets break it down into sections: 1. Who qualifies 2. First step in your home country. 3. What you need and how to apply for your ...
Not that she needs another good reference, but my wife and I used Lishali as well with success. She helped and directed us from the beginning to the end including determining the best residency for us, a list of the required documents and ... Read More
Should I get residency by jperryjr1
I know this subject has been covered but I'm wondering if I should get one now. My wife and I will own a house in Cabarete and will be spending the winters there only, for a few more years (as we still have to work) We are still unsure if we will ...
We too applied and received residency, picking up our Cédulas in January. Yes, it is a bit of a pain in the butt and a bit pricey, but we believe that your host country deserves to know that you’re there legally. It would be ... Read More
Route 5 delays because of Bridge Closure west of Puerto Plata Airport by windeguy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5188gq4Tmm0&t=498s
Made the trip again today from Cabarete to PLaya Dorada. The detour was very short early this morning (6:45) and only 10-15 minutes longer coming back around 12:30. There are fewer police assisting even though they are still pushing a lot ... Read More
Route 5 delays because of Bridge Closure west of Puerto Plata Airport by windeguy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5188gq4Tmm0&t=498s
We traveled from Sosua to POP Saturday and returned Sunday, staying overnight as we were unsure of what we would find!They are making good progress on the new road, widening it in many areas and actually building a bridge/dam in one area at almost ... Read More
Property Management Recommendations in Punta Cana by smm_cad
Hi all, I have purchased some pre-construction condos in the Punta Cana area. One in Los Corales and one near downtown Punta Cana. I intend to use these for short term rental for much of the year and reside in them part of the year. At least ...
We live in the North Coast, so no referrals. We changed from Dominican to American PM’s who live here, primarily for the ease of communication, but there were rumors of undisclosed rentals from other clients as well. This is fairly ... Read More
Rio Camu Bridge in Cangrejo POP Out by Tripp789
Yesterday a support of this key bridge broke and Route 5 is now closed in both directions. This blocks traffic between the POP airport and Puerto Plata. Apparently a smaller bridge over the same river later collapsed after large trucks ...
Locally we’re hearing that a route is available and that it or another is being improved with Planners mentioned equipment. Traffic does seem heavy from shared videos, but it’s moving. Read More
Rio Camu Bridge in Cangrejo POP Out
Yesterday a support of this key bridge broke and Route 5 is now closed in both directions. This blocks traffic between the POP airport and Puerto Plata. Apparently a smaller bridge over the same river later collapsed after large trucks ... Read More
DR Real Estate Market by rlwoodz
I have watched the real estate market there and see a surge in new construction prices. I've also talked to agents who say the same thing. Driving prices are both demand and increased materials costs. My focus has been on primarily ...
Construction does seem to be booming in the Puerto Plata to Cabarete area. As planner stated, most seems to be in the upscale range with new housing developments in the hills, new shopping plazas and the announcement of a hotel/shopping/ residential ... Read More
SEMANA SANTA IN LAS TERRENAS by goinforit
I have heard to expect a crazy week in LT over the week of Easter. Would be interested in hearing from longer term expats on what things will be like around town that week.
@ftmenard It is quite involved. Much work needs to be done in the USA, and then you have to visit a DR consulate in the US to begin the process. You will also have to visit the DR within a certain time period after submittal and then ... Read More
Golfing in Punta Cana by DrKF
Canadian Snowbird here. Considering wintering in the DR. My wife and golf a lot and can’t afford resort prices for thrice weekly golf. If we rent for a number of months are there any golf courses that offer snowbird memberships?
Does anyone know if the discounted rates with a FEDOGOLF membership are better if you have a cedula, or does that matter? - @colmcb This year it seems that some courses do require Cédulas for the Fedogolf discount. The new ... Read More
Moving to Puerto Plata by Steverino7777
Hello , I currently spemd my winters in La Romana but there are few expats here. After working on the Spanish language for 5 winters, i am realizing i will always have difficulties communicating. I will be exploring Puerto Plata for a week in March ...
@Tippj We too looked at Casa Linda. At one point you were allowed to install your own solar panels, but we have since heard that CL management have installed their own and are restricting them to keep their cash flow. CL has developed a ... Read More