Relocating to the DR North Coast: Residency, Costs and Buying
Sosúa, Cabarete and Puerto Plata, explained by people who live here. Our relocation guide covers the residency steps, real monthly costs and how buying works for foreigners.
Inside the guide:
- Residency: the steps and who helps
- Real monthly costs: housing, power, internet
- Buying as a foreigner: title, lawyer, closing
- Sosúa vs Cabarete vs Puerto Plata
The North Coast Relocation Guide
No MLS in the DR
We do the pricing and developer homework for you.Agents with 5+ years
Every agent has sold on the north coast for at least 5 years.20 years in real estate
Our broker has worked in Toronto, Miami and the DR.
What the guide covers
Each chapter links to the full article on our site.
Residency
The steps, the paperwork and the local lawyers who handle it.
Cost of living
Housing, power, internet and groceries, with real monthly figures.
The buying process
Title checks, the role of your lawyer and what happens at closing.
Internet and remote work
Fiber, backup power and coworking: what to check before you buy.
Schools
International and bilingual schools near Sosúa and Cabarete.
Healthcare
Clinics, hospitals in Puerto Plata and health insurance options.
Which town fits?
Sosúa
The widest choice of homes and everyday services, on a calm swimming bay.
About 10 minutes from POP
Cabarete
A beach town with water sports, restaurants on the sand and many newer projects.
About 25 minutes from POP
Puerto Plata
City services, hospitals and the Malecón, with the Playa Dorada resort next door.
About 20 minutes from POP
Questions we get asked
Should I rent before I buy?
For most people relocating, yes. Renting for a few months shows you what the guidebooks can’t: which town fits your routine, how the power and internet hold up, and what daily life costs. Pre-construction is the exception. Many projects take one to two years to build, so you can reserve your unit now and rent locally while it’s under construction. We can help with both.
Do I need residency to buy?
No. You can buy property in the Dominican Republic with your passport, with the same ownership rights as a Dominican citizen. Residency is a separate process, and buying can help with it. A property purchase of US$200,000 or more can qualify you for residency by investment. A local immigration lawyer handles the application, and we can introduce you to the lawyers our clients use.
Is the internet good enough for remote work?
In most of Sosúa, Cabarete and Puerto Plata, yes. Claro and Altice offer fiber in many neighbourhoods and newer buildings. Starlink is available where fiber isn’t, and it also works as a backup. Coverage still varies street by street, and power outages happen. Before you buy, check that fiber reaches that specific building and that the property has backup power. We confirm both for every property we show remote workers.
Can you help me plan a scouting trip?
Yes. Tell us your budget, timeline and how you’ll live here, and we’ll build the trip around you. That means a shortlist of properties, time in each town that fits, and a schedule that covers Sosúa, Cabarete and Puerto Plata in a few days. All three are within about 25 minutes of Puerto Plata airport (POP). You’ll leave knowing which town fits and what your budget buys there.