Trip report to the Dominican Republic

[MiamiBeachwvum]

In my search for a future place to semi-retire or retire I decided to check out the Dominican Republic. Spent only 5 days there but I think I have some good info for those like me looking to compare the DR to Colombia. My first mistake was flying into Santo Domingo on the South coast instead of Puerto Plata on the North Coast. From the airport I took an overpriced cab to Boca Chica. The 20 minute drive cost $22. I didn’t like Boca Chica, dirty, overcrowded beach filled with locals and scores of overweight prostitutes. The hotels were cheap only about 30-$40 just off the beach. I decided get out of Boca Chica quickly and go North. I took a local bus to Santo Domingo and then took one of the excellent express buses (Caribe tours) for the 4 hr trip to Santiago. The Bus was safe, comfortable, air-conditioned and only about $3. Santiago was cleaner and less crowded than Downtown Santo Domingo. Stayed at an excellent Hotel Aloha Sol for $70 but decided to go even further North to ck out the beach towns of Puerto Plata and Sosua. A nice Metro Express bus trip for $2 took me to Sousa in about 2 hrs. I found a number of nice hotels for $35 a night, even one on the beach, the Waterfront. I hear it is $55 a night during the busy season. I liked Sosua, cleaner with a nicer beach. I found the nearby beach town of Cabarete the best living prospect. A beautiful beach. The whole northern coast is undergoing alot of beach property development. Some things in the D.R. are relatively cheap. Real estate and rentals appear to be at least 50% less than here in Miami Beach/Miami. Plenty of realtors are looking to sell properties and a nice 2 bedroom condo on the beach will cost about $155-250k and rent for maybe $600-750. Good prices for the beach but I know you can get cheaper elsewhere. Other prices are high ie food and taxis are slightly more expensive as here in Miami. Labor is cheap and there are hundreds of unemployed young guys on the streets. Despite this I felt very safe in the DR. I took the local buses frequently and walked all over town without problems. Women… lots of available women and I saw plenty of beauties in the D.R. but the obesity crisis has hit the D.R. big time (too much food cooked in lard). Overall I would rate the D.R. a “B.” I don’t know if I will return or find it a better long term living prospect than Colombia. If only the weather in Cartagena was cooler like that in Medellin I would be heading back there. Will probably be cking out Ecuador, Argentina or Uruguay next. Any suggestions?

[El Capitan]

Nice report Miami! And welcome aboard!!!

Thanks for the input and the heads up!!!

As for your next stop...I'm a bit biased, but it would be between Argentina, and Chile.

Tinto has some really good insight as to the possibilities in Bariloche, and I'm sure that one of these days he'll do that trip report he promised us last year...and I'll add to my Chile collection!

Good to have you with us...and it looks as if the Super-Size me epidemic follows the Golden Arches.

[LastLion]

Yaa welcome aboard Mr. Miami, or should I say mr. DR. I always want to hear more about that place. It aint all about colombia here, believe me!!!

[HonkyTonk]

Bienviendos Miami! Thanks for the report. Where else have you been SOTB?

[Ciza29]

I have also thought of vacationing in DR and the possibities of retiring there some day. Your report helped alot.

I am from Texas which seems to be the cheapest place to live in the US so other countries don't seem as cheap as the would to someone from Miami.

I also liked Argentina but didn't get out to Mendosa where a lot of Americans have retired.

Good luck with your search and keep us informed.

[Ricardo]

Miamibeachwvum:

I had dinner a few weeks ago with a Peruviana who lives here in the US. She was headed to a beach area near Ica (south of Lima) with her family for a vacation this summer. She said the beaches in this area are very nice. She also said the coastal areas north of Lima are even nicer. You might want to do some research on the Peruvian coast. Best of luck.

[Charlie640]

I've been to DR a few times.
If your into lighter skinned gals stick to Santiago.
I stayed for a few days in Sosua and from what I can tell... that area has ALOT of foreigners living in private gated developments.
Personally... I think I would go ape **** with boredom if I lived their full time. Prices might be LOW but I don't think you will be able to get a mortgage... I think its cash and carry.

[Cubafro]

Hey Miami,
I've been to DR few times and to be honest that would not be the place I would establish myself as retire...I hate Boca chica for all the reasons you mentionned on top and there's nothing to do instead of fuc***g those FAT ASS PUERCAS on te beach and you're getting bored after a while, TRUST ME!!!
Sosua y CABARETE are two nice small cities too but as I said it's just not for me...Depending on what you're looking for...and be aware that if you want to buy a house or anything as real estate , try to have a good dominican friend who will negociate for you because as soon as they know you're not dominican they will try to rip you off ...I did a prospection a wahile ago because I wanted to buy a condo there and my ex-girlfriend told me to do the experience...Listen this!!! I went there and they could hear I wasn't dominican, and they knew I was cuban but livin in CANADA so =MONEY!!!
They told me for a condo 350 000$ because I was latino( ya right!!!!!!!)
and when she went there all by herself it was about 75 000$ maximum if I remember the price (it's been a while)
As everywhere watch yourself and your pocket
If you want any more info or insight drop me a pm It will be my pleasure

CUBA

[Micky10]

Miami,

Nice report. Thank you. You can check out Salinas in Ecuador. There are a crap load of beaches next to and south of Lima. I am a poor ******* so my own options are limited, if I had the do-ra-me - Brazil has beaches up the ass and very nice. Brazil's requirement for legal retirement visa is min 2000 per month. Between - El Cap - Bueller - Ray - Nuno(missing in action) these guys have mucho knowledge of the areas down in SA. Surfs up my brother.

Love - Micky

[RXD]

It is a land of contrasts with number of attractions. There is a seasonal variation in rainfall. There are number of national parks and beaches to entertain yourself. There are number of hotels, villas and other sorts of accommodation also easily available there.