The Dominican Republic: Easy Caribbean Living
The beaches in the Dominican Republic are long expanses of fine white sand that stretch out along the coast. The blue-green waters are excellent for diving, swimming, surfing, and wind surfing.
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Fast Facts
Population: 9,956,648 (July 2011 est.)
Capital City: Santo Domingo
Climate: Tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall
Time Zone: GMT-4
Dominican Republic Articles
Living by the Beach in the Dominican RepublicPosted on May 15, 2012 by Lindsay de Feliz
Just a few decades ago there were only two ways to reach the natural paradise of Las Terrenas, on the Dominican Republic’s Samana Peninsula. You could take a horse, or a boat. Then, word spread among Europeans about a place with stunning waterfalls cascading down from lush green mountains, and shady woodlands touching on miles of palm-fringed, white-sand beaches.
IL Readers at Home in Oceanfront HavensPosted on April 25, 2012 by International Living
Just a few decades ago there were only two ways to reach the natural paradise of Las Terrenas, on the Dominican Republic’s Samana Peninsula. You could take a horse, or a boat.
Fast Track Your Good Life in EcuadorPosted on April 25, 2012 by International Living
Winner of the 2012 Global Retirement Index, Ecuador offers sophisticated historical cities…miles of unspoiled, sun-kissed beaches…fertile farmland…and temperate mountain hideaways…and all of it for pennies on the dollar. You can live well for a fraction of the cost of living back in the U.S.
Eight “Off-Market” Real Estate Deals Regular Buyers Will Never SeePosted on April 3, 2012 by International Living
International Real Estate Investment Forum
June 7-9, 2012 – Casa de Campo, Dominican RepublicIn business, key deals are struck all the time over drinks or on the golf course. It’s no different with property transactions. Well-connected insiders can pay less… access preferential terms… and set themselves up for incredible profits…Like a 34.8% gain in 18 months… or 28.7% in less than a year…That’s how the folks we put on the inside last year are doing. This year, you could be the one getting in early with off-market deals.
- Eight “Off-Market” Real Estate Deals Regular Buyers Will Never See
Posted on April 2, 2012 by International Living
International Real Estate Investment Forum
June 7-9, 2012 – Casa de Campo, Dominican RepublicIn business, key deals are struck all the time over drinks or on the golf course. It’s no different with property transactions. Well-connected insiders can pay less… access preferential terms… and set themselves up for incredible profits…Like a 34.8% gain in 18 months… or 28.7% in less than a year…That’s how the folks we put on the inside last year are doing. This year, you could be the one getting in early with off-market deals.
The World’s Best Real Estate MarketsPosted on March 27, 2012 by Ronan McMahon
In pockets all across the planet, you’ll find amazing opportunities to make money from real estate. I’m talking about beautiful places tucked into lush jungle-clad hills, on white sandy coves, in bustling cities, and in small colonial towns. These are markets on the upswing. The mainstream hasn’t heard of them yet. And in them today you’ll get excellent bang for your buck as well as great profit potential.
Highlights from the Global Real Estate Index 2012Posted on March 27, 2012 by International Living
Some of the best properties up for grabs in the countries that topped IL’s Global Real Estate Index 2012.
The World’s Best Real Estate Markets in 2012Posted on March 27, 2012 by Ronan McMahon
In this Global Real Estate Index, you’ll find listed the 27 places in the world today that boast the most attractive, and potentially lucrative, real estate opportunities. Each of these places has something special to recommend it…some attribute you won’t find elsewhere. Those that top the list hold the most profit potential right now. Those at mid-table and below are ones to watch.
- Eight “Off-Market” Real Estate Deals Regular Buyers Will Never See
Posted on March 25, 2012 by International Living
International Real Estate Investment Forum
June 7-9, 2012 – Casa de Campo, Dominican RepublicIn business, key deals are struck all the time over drinks or on the golf course. It’s no different with property transactions. Well-connected insiders can pay less… access preferential terms… and set themselves up for incredible profits…Like a 34.8% gain in 18 months… or 28.7% in less than a year…That’s how the folks we put on the inside last year are doing. This year, you could be the one getting in early with off-market deals.
You Are InvitedPosted on March 18, 2012 by Ronan McMahon
I want you to be the first to receive my invitation. After all, the schedule is designed for you. And with only 150 places available, it’s important that you have the opportunity to consider dates and act before these few seats sell out.
Dominican Republic: Is This the Perfect Caribbean?Posted on March 16, 2012 by International Living
Chill in Las Terrenas
Las Terrenas in the Dominican Republic isn’t a cookie-cutter, mass-market kind of place. It oozes charm. It boasts palm-lined beaches, brightly-painted stores, and a beach lifestyle that’s enviably relaxed. It’s free from crowds, high-rise condos, and sprawling resorts. It’s chic and low-key. It’s a retreat for wealthy Dominicans and stylish Europeans.If you’d like to check out Las Terrenas for yourself…see the beaches, the town, and the best properties…why not try a custom chill weekend? It’s the easiest way to sample the laid-back lifestyle in Las Terrenas, and see if it’s right for you.
Find out more and register here.
A Caribbean Beach House That Pays for ItselfPosted on March 16, 2012 by Len Galvin
My friend Margaret just sent me details of the best property she found on her recent Caribbean scouting trip. She’s from Pathfinder, IL’s preferred real estate advertiser—and clocks up serious air miles on her scouting trips. When Margaret calls a property the “best” anything, it’s worth paying attention to. In the video below, she reveals an affordable beach house on a Caribbean island.
- Eight “Off-Market” Real Estate Deals Regular Buyers Will Never See
Posted on March 16, 2012 by International Living
In business, key deals are struck all the time over drinks or on the golf course. It’s no different with property transactions. Well-connected insiders can pay less… access preferential terms… and set themselves up for incredible profits…
Like a 34.8% gain in 18 months… or 28.7% in less than a year…
That’s how the folks we put on the inside last year are doing. This year, you could be the one getting in early with off-market deals.
Dominican Republic: Sea Views, White Sand, and a Secret BeachPosted on March 6, 2012 by Ronan McMahon
Las Terrenas on the Dominican Republic’s Samana peninsula is a little piece of paradise. The road south-east from Las Terrenas winds its way through hills clad with palm trees. This is how the first visitors found these hills. How nature intended. These aren’t farmed palms in tidy lines. After a 30-minute drive the bay opens up in front of us.
The Properties Everyone Wants – Near the Beaches Everyone VisitsPosted on February 25, 2012 by Ronan McMahon
On the Dominican Republic’s Samana peninsula, Las Terrenas is a little piece of paradise. Nineteen miles of walkable public beach, palm trees, warm breezes and stars so bright it feels like you could pluck them from the sky… I can’t think of a nicer place to have a beach home. You’ll find your dollars stretch here, too.
Events: The Most Attractive Retirement “Package” in the WorldPosted on February 21, 2012 by anon
Here’s a round-up of the events you should be keeping an eye on over the coming months. First up, the Fast Track Panama: Lifestyle and Opportunity Conference which is kicking off this April in Panama City. Panama is, arguably, the one country on our beat that offers something for everyone. Beaches. Big City. Colonial enclaves. Highland retreats. In this diverse place, the sun shines someplace, 365 days a year. You have hundreds of miles of sandy expanse…in the hills, green valleys are spring-like, even in January and August…and Panama City is genuinely cosmopolitan, with one of the world’s largest financial districts.
Mansions and Luxury LivingPosted on February 21, 2012 by anon
It’s the world’s most affordable retirement haven, but that doesn’t mean you can’t splash the cash on top-end luxury in Ecuador.
The Beach Home Rental Business in the D.R.Posted on February 17, 2012 by Ronan McMahon
The drive from La Romana to Las Terrenas brought me back toward Santo Domingo before joining the main highway from Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas. Studying the opportunity at Las Terrenas in the Dominican Republic is the primary purpose of this scouting trip.
Notes From the D.R. – “I’ve Never Seen Anything Like It!”Posted on February 16, 2012 by Ronan McMahon
The plans at the Gran Bahia Principe (the new resort I told you about in my last report from the Dominican Republic) call for a self-contained mini-town. Residents here will be able to go to school…get medical treatment…enjoy their leisure activities (like golf and tennis)…dock their boat…get dressed up for fine dining…dress down for cocktails and a snack on the beach…buy groceries in the supermarket…You get the idea.
What I Found on This Beach in the Dominican RepublicPosted on February 6, 2012 by Ronan McMahon
Brilliant bright white sand reflects the warm early afternoon sunshine. Fresh breezes mean it’s pleasant to eat outside. On a peninsula like this you can rely on these breezes almost year round. The water is flat, clear and turquoise. The sand a rich tan. If you have preconceptions about the Dominican Republic, put them to one side.
The Dominican Republic Scouting Trip, Part 1Posted on January 28, 2012 by Ronan McMahon
Santo Domingo is the capital city of the Dominican Republic and one of the largest cities in Latin America. I haven’t explored it yet. That will have to wait until the tail end of my scouting trip. Pulling out of the airport…across the bay her skyline glimmers. I’m most interested in the restored colonial center. Museums, restaurants and short-term rental market. My 11-day scouting trip will end in Santo Domingo.
Caribbean Island OpportunityPosted on January 27, 2012 by Ronan McMahon
White-sand beaches. Turquoise waters. Coconut palms. Brightly colored beachfront pizzerias. And hopefully a big opportunity for us… My bags are packed. I’m heading to the Dominican Republic (DR).
What Life Overseas Really Looks Like…Posted on January 19, 2012 by anon
What Life Overseas Really Looks Like…
Skeptics inquire: Are the opportunities overseas really as great as we at IL portray them to be? The short answer is “yes.” But don’t take my word for it… Listen, instead, to the many firsthand stories we’ve collected in this month’s issue—on-the-ground reports from folks who decided to answer the question for themselves…at the beach…in the hills…in cities…or on islands…
The D.R. Wants U.S. EntrepreneursPosted on January 19, 2012 by anon
If you’re an entrepreneur abroad, the key to your success is flexibility. If you have an open mind and a keen eye for opportunities and unmet needs, you’ll find your market niche. Just consider the variety of opportunities I uncovered in the Dominican Republic…
- Beaches, Caves, and Cane Fields: Five Surprises of the Caribbean DR
Posted on December 20, 2011 by Lindsay de Feliz
Only a two-hour flight from the U.S. and home to 1,015 miles of Caribbean …
- The Best-Value Real Estate
Posted on December 20, 2011 by Robert Carry
Ecuador, Scored 97/100 Ecuador topped the real estate category in this year’s Retirement Index—and …
Where to Look in the Year Ahead for the Best Property DealsPosted on November 9, 2011 by Ronan McMahon
Greetings from Quito, Ecuador. In a few moments, I leave for the north coast. This is Ecuador’s nicest stretch of coast. We have the opportunity to buy lots here with monthly payments of $500 or less. Because of the new highway we’ll reach the coast by 9.30 a.m. or so. In time for morning ceviche on the beach.
I’m looking forward to seeing the improvements in the coastal highway that runs south to Canoa since I last visited. I’ll send you my full report soon on the infrastructure developments and improvements at the Jama Campay project.
In fact, while the year is winding down…my travel schedule and deal pipeline is filling up. These are exciting times.
Where to Start a Business Abroad: Our 7 Top Picks for the Year AheadPosted on October 27, 2011 by International Living
It might be a palapa bar on a white-sand beach, deep-sea fishing tours, a restaurant, a surf shop, importing t-bone steaks, teaching English, making cheese, exporting art work…Whatever your idea, there’s a place overseas where you can make it a profitable reality. But readers ask us all the time: Where is best? That’s why we’ve put together International Living’s first-ever Business Index.
Property Picks: Dive Destination HomesPosted on October 27, 2011 by International Living
In this month’s Property Picks, we’re highlighting properties next to some of the world’s best dive destinations.
How to Buy a Beach Bargain in the Dominican RepublicPosted on October 22, 2011 by Margaret Summerfield
I have a couple of friends who would be the typical tourists who visit the Dominican Republic. They head to Punta Cana each winter to escape the cold and rainy weather back home.
Business Index 2011…What Our Experts Say…Posted on October 21, 2011 by Robert Carry
To evaluate our seven countries for our Business Index 2011 we consulted seasoned entrepreneurs who’ve made the move and learned the ropes, as well as worked through in-country attorneys. We asked them about visa requirements, financing, and how easy it was to set up a bank account. They told us about local taxes, business expenses, infrastructure and the local culture for doing business, Here is what they had to say…
Thinking of a Business Overseas? Here’s What the World NeedsPosted on October 21, 2011 by Robert Carry
For International Living’s first ever Business Index we asked our in-country correspondents and a host of expat entrepreneurs what opportunities they see around them in their new homes. These gaps in the market include everything from small guesthouses to dog grooming services… read on to spot your opportunity.
Caribbean Beach Bargains in the Dominican RepublicPosted on October 17, 2011 by Len Galvin
Columbus landed in the Dominican Republic in 1492—the same year he “discovered” some of the other Caribbean islands. Like those other islands, the Dominican Republic is ringed by white sand beaches and coconut palms. Unspoiled towns boast stone churches and candy-colored home facades.
Dominican Republic: Caribbean Island Life on $66 a DayPosted on October 1, 2011 by Yana Beranek
With some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, friendly locals, and a buzzing international expat community, the lifestyle we have in the Dominican Republic is incredible at the price. Our monthly budget is $2,000 (that’s $66 a day). It includes renting a luxury apartment, a maid, heath care…everything. And you could live here for even less.
Your IL Magazine – 5 Must-Read Stories This MonthPosted on October 1, 2011 by Eoin Bassett
“First-World infrastructure, an honest culture, a beach-strewn coast, and a heartland of small cities and towns with cobblestone streets and historic stone homes… a place where gauchos still tend their herds on the rolling pampas, as they have for centuries…”
In this month’s issue of International Living Lee Harrison takes us on a tour of Uruguay, a 21st-century safe haven, a place where you can live beachside for $1,424 a month, and where expats are now arriving in record numbers… Find out what he’s learned living in the “Europe of South America” on page 18 of your issue.
How a Couple Can Live the Caribbean Island Dream for $66 a DayPosted on September 16, 2011 by Yana Beranek
With some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, friendly locals, and a buzzing international expat community, the lifestyle we have in the Dominican Republic is incredible at the price. And you could live here for even less.
Nine Santiago Secrets from a Dominican Republic ExpatPosted on July 20, 2011 by Yana Beranek
Surrounded by a ring of mountains in the lush Cibao Valley, Santiago makes the ideal staging point for a visit to the Dominican Republic.
A Fun Nine-to-Five Job in the Dominican RepublicPosted on July 12, 2011 by Yana Beranek
Horseback treks to waterfalls, whale watching boat trips, ATV expeditions to the beach…high points of any vacation. For Terry Bandi, however, this is the nine-to-five.
One Expat’s Success Story in Samaná, Dominican RepublicPosted on June 20, 2011 by Yana Beranek
Whether it’s the action-filled fun of ATV excursions to remote beaches or horse-back riding to towering waterfalls, Terry Bandi enjoys running his business on the Samaná Peninsula in the Dominican Republic. His enthusiasm for life here is contagious as he explains local customs and points out things of interest all around.
Don’t Overlook the Dominican Republic: a Caribbean GemPosted on December 30, 2010 by Margaret Summerfield
The lemon-yellow beachside bar serves up fresh-grilled fish and ice-cold beer to the strains of merengue. From my perch there, I can see where the deep-blue sky meets the sun-dappled ocean.
