Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 🇩🇴
#940
,
Nomad Score:
62%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Santo Domingo is the capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic, known for its rich history and vibrant culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1,000,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of 20-30 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 56 DOP (Dominican Peso), international credit cards widely accepted. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Popular providers include Claro and Altice. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Most international cards accepted, with local banks offering services like Scotiabank and Banreservas. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and serviced apartments. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted in urban areas. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb is prevalent, with prices ranging from $25 to $150 per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Casa del Parque, starting at around $15 per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Colonial Zone, known for its historical architecture and tourist attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Piantini and Naco, where you will find coworking spaces and modern amenities. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Distrito Cero, offering high-speed internet and flexible working hours. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Cacao, a cozy spot with reliable Wi-Fi and great coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Regular meetups organized by Digital Nomads Santo Domingo on platforms like Meetup.com. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Meetup groups and communities active on Facebook, such as Santo Domingo Expats. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Cabify are popular for safe and convenient rides. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Scooter rentals available through local providers; check with local shops. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Boca Chica Beach, approximately 30 minutes from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air Century offers domestic flights within the Caribbean. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | JetBlue and American Airlines offer several routes to and from Santo Domingo. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways include the Autopista 6 de Noviembre leading to other parts of the island. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Metro de Santo Domingo; the metro system is affordable and efficient. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Rechargeable Metro cards are available for easy access to the metro system. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Bus services like Caribe Tours connect Santo Domingo with major cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital General de la Plaza de la Salud, known for its quality care. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Studio Santo Domingo offers classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gold's Gym and Power Club are among the top fitness facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lava Express offers wash and fold services throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | PedidosYa is the most popular food delivery service. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Sancocho, a traditional meat stew, is a must-try. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Healthy By Nature offers a great range of plant-based dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Helados Bon serves delicious and local ice cream. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado Modelo for local produce and crafts. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and local platforms like Mercado Libre for general shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermercado Nacional offers online shopping and delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Zona Colonial and Piantini are the hotspots for nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cerveza Presidente is the most famous local beer brand. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine Bar Santo Domingo offers a great selection of local and imported wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Diverse options available at street markets, including empanadas and fried plantains. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Area Code 809 for various international dining options. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Colonial Zone, Alcázar de Colón, and Catedral Primada de América. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museum of Modern Art and the National Museum of History and Geography. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Colonial Zone is full of beautiful historic buildings. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Templo de las Mercedes exemplifies the colonial architecture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Carnaval de Santo Domingo in February celebrates Dominican culture. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Zona Colonial, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its colonial architecture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Nacional is home to various performances and shows. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado Nuevo for local crafts and goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Casa de la Música is known for live merengue and bachata performances. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Colorful murals can be found throughout Zona Colonial and surrounding neighborhoods. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes at Dominican Cooking School to learn local recipes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Centro Cultural Mirador, showcasing local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | El Faro a Colón, a landmark built to honor Christopher Columbus. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The emblematic Dominican people and culture are well represented in local communities. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Parque Nacional Los Tres Ojos is a national park featuring beautiful lagoons. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Jaragua National Park, known for its biodiversity and coastline. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Pathways along the Malecon for a scenic coastal ride or walk. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Malecon offers great views of the Caribbean Sea. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Los Haitises National Park is rich in wildlife and offers birdwatching opportunities. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Playa Juan Dolio allows bonfires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and UPS provide reliable shipping services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Several tech repair shops are available, including Quick Phone Repair. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Various community centers have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto Cultural Dominicano offers both Spanish and local dialect classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Pedro Mir is the prominent library for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro de la Cultura offers various cultural and community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamer's Paradise offers a space for video games and related events. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Joy and Bellagio Casino are popular gaming venues. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $100,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $72,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $132,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $96,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $152,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $112,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 27% for corporations. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 10% withholding on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Dominican residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 25%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate is 18%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are CFC rules in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approx. 3% tax applied during property purchases. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Income tax exemptions apply for temporary residents working remotely. |