Essentials
- City
- Bavaro, Punta Cana, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic
- Population
- Approximately 60,000 residents
- Internet Speed
- Average 50-100 Mbps via Claro Fiber or Altice
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 59 DOP; 1 EUR ≈ 64 DOP. Local banks: Banco Popular, Banreservas
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water (Botellón) for consumption and brushing teeth
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Claro or Altice; approx. $15 USD for 10GB data valid for 15 days
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Popular is nomad-friendly; Revolut/Wise work at Scotiabank ATMs (fee ~$5)
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local real estate groups like Punta Cana Real Estate
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes in malls and resorts; cash (pesos) required for motoconchos and local colmados
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO; average $1,200 - $1,800/month for a 1-bedroom near the beach
- Budget Accommodation
- GAVA Hostel (approx. $25/night) or Art Villa Dominicana ($45/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- El Cortecito or Los Corales for beach access and high density of restaurants
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Cocotal Golf & Country Club for security and tranquility, or Pueblo Bávaro for lower costs
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Coworking Punta Cana at Plaza Turquesa (approx. $20/day, $200/month)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Joy Nutritional Popsicle in Los Corales (Great Wi-Fi and healthy snacks)
- Networking Events
- Punta Cana Tech & Entrepreneurs monthly meetups at BlueMall Puntacana
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats Punta Cana Facebook Group weekly mixers at Onno’s Bávaro
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (widely available and cheaper than local tourist taxis)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Punta Cana Scooters; approx. $30/day or $400/month
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Corales for vibes, Playa Macao (20 min drive) for surfing
- Top Regional Airline
- Sky High Aviation or Air Century (Dominican carriers)
- Top International Airline
- Arajet (low cost), JetBlue, Delta, and American Airlines
- Highway Access
- Autovía del Este connects Bávaro to Santo Domingo (approx. 2.5 hours)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Expreso Bávaro Bus Station (Direct coach to Santo Domingo for $8 USD)
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal passes; local 'Guaguas' cost approx. 50-100 DOP per ride
- Regional Travel
- Guaguas to Higüey (45 mins) or private shuttle to Bayahibe (1 hour)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Centro Médico Punta Cana (International standards, English speaking staff)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Loft Punta Cana in Los Corales (Classes approx. $15)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gold's Gym at Coral Village (approx. $60/month)
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Bávaro; approx. $10 per large load washed and folded
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa (Very active with wide restaurant selection)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- La Bandera Dominicana (Rice, beans, stewed meat, and salad)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Pranama (Indian cuisine) or Kat’s Corner in El Cortecito
- Best Dessert Spots
- Breakers Boutique Bakery or Heladeria Valentino at San Juan Shopping Center
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Super Pola or Jumbo in San Juan Shopping Center/BlueMall
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (via freight forwarders like CPS or BM Cargo in Bavaro)
- Grocery Delivery
- Jumbo.com.do or PedidosYa Market
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Avenida España and Plaza Turquesa area
- Local Brewery
- Canita (Local craft beer found in most bars)
- Wine Bars
- Cava Alta at BlueMall Puntacana
- Street Food Stalls
- Picanha food trucks in the 'Food Truck Park' near Downtown Mall
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pastrata (Mexican) or Citrus (International fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Basilica of La Altagracia (Higuey) and Hoyo Azul cenote
- Museums & Art Venues
- ChocoMuseo (Chocolate museum and workshop)
- Historical Sites
- Punta Cana Village and the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park
- Religious Sites
- Parroquia Jesús Maestro in Bavaro
- Annual Events
- Punta Cana Carnival (held in February); Latin Music Tours (August)
- Cultural Districts
- Punta Cana Village (Uptown/Resort style culture)
- Theater Venues
- Coco Bongo (Show and disco experience)
- Local Markets
- Weekly farmers market at Puntacana Village on Saturdays
- Music Scene
- Drink Point (Bachata and Merengue live vibe)
- Street Art
- Mural cycle at San Juan Shopping Center
- Cooking Classes
- Taino Gourmet Cooking Lab (approx. $85 per class)
- Art Galleries
- Art Gallery at BlueMall Puntacana
- Historic Buildings
- Old Lighthouse at Cabo Engaño
- Local Heritage
- Taino heritage tours at Scape Park
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Los Haitises National Park (accessible via boat tour)
- National Parks Nearby
- Cotubanamá National Park (East National Park)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Puntacana Village bike paths and Cocotal walkway
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Montaña Redonda (1 hour drive) for swing views
- Birdwatching Locations
- Laguna Bavaro Reserve
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Rare; check Jellyfish Beach Club for special bonfire nights
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- BM Cargo Bavaro (Local address in Miami for US imports)
- Tech Repair Services
- Compulab at Plaza San Juan
- Table Tennis Spots
- Bavaro Adventure Park (recreational area)
- Language Classes
- IIC Spanish School Punta Cana
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Puntacana International School Library (Limited public access)
- Community Centers
- PUNTACANA Foundation center in Veron
- Gaming Lounges
- Downtown Mall arcade area
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Hard Rock Casino or Casino Dominic
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $112,000 in El Cortecito)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,900 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $76,000 in Veron)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $156,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,700 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $102,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $192,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $120,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 27%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Territorial (Only income from DR sources is generally taxed for residents)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% (on local income exceeding 900k DOP annually)
- VAT
- 18% (ITBIS)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Limited enforcement, focused on local residents with foreign offshore assets
- Property Tax
- 1% for values exceeding approx. $165,000 USD (IPI tax)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 3% Transfer Tax (often waived for Confotur-certified projects)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Territorial tax system means foreign-sourced remote income is often tax-free