Internet and Remote Work on the DR North Coast

Remote Work on the DR North Coast with ocean views and a laptop workspace

Can you remote work on the DR north coast?

Yes. Most of Sosúa, Cabarete and Puerto Plata have fiber internet from Claro or Altice, and Starlink fills the gaps where fiber doesn’t reach. The bigger risk isn’t the internet. It’s the power. Grid outages still happen on the north coast, and when the power drops, so does your router.

Before you buy, confirm three things for the specific property: fiber to the building, backup power that covers your workday, and a second connection for the days the first one fails. This guide walks through each one.

How good is fiber internet in Sosúa, Cabarete and Puerto Plata?

Good enough for video calls and large uploads, if the building has it. Claro and Altice are the two main home internet providers, and both sell fiber plans up to 1 Gbps. Fiber is common along Cabarete’s main strip and in newer condo buildings across the north coast. Some older buildings still run on coaxial cable, which is slower and less stable.

As of April 2026, a 100 Mbps fiber plan lists at RD$2,299 (Altice) to RD$2,395 (Claro) a month. The 18% ITBIS tax brings the bill to roughly RD$2,713 to RD$2,826 (CuantoMeCuesta). Some condo buildings include internet in the HOA fee, so ask before you compare costs.

Plan for real speeds below the advertised number, especially in the evening. Pick a plan with headroom, and check the upload speed, not just the download. Upload is what carries your side of a video call.

How to confirm a building has fiber:

  1. Ask the building administrator which providers serve the building and whether the service is fiber (fibra óptica) or coaxial.
  2. Check the provider’s coverage for the exact address, not just the neighborhood.
  3. Run a speed test inside the unit, ideally in the evening, and note the upload speed.
  4. Ask owners in the building who work from home how the connection holds up.

Do you need a backup connection?

If your income depends on being online, yes. Plan for two connections, plus a phone hotspot as a last resort.

Starlink has operated in the Dominican Republic since 2022 and works anywhere with a clear view of the sky. It costs more per month than fiber, and you buy the equipment up front, so check starlink.com for current local pricing. In a condo, ask the HOA whether you can mount a dish on the roof or balcony before you order one.

Mobile data from Claro or Altice is the cheapest backup. Check the 4G or 5G signal inside the unit, not just on the street, before you count on it.
Remember that every backup connection needs power too. That brings us to the bigger issue.

What happens when the power goes out?

You keep working only if the property has backup power. EDENORTE distributes electricity across the north coast, and outages still happen, both planned maintenance and unplanned failures. In July 2026, residents of several Sosúa neighborhoods reported outages of up to four hours (Dominican Today). EDENORTE publishes its planned maintenance schedule on edenorte.com.do.

Backup power on the north coast comes in three forms. Many properties combine two of them.

Backup type What it usually covers Ask before you buy
Building generator (planta eléctrica) The whole unit, or only common areas Does it cover 100% of each unit, including air conditioning? Who pays for fuel? How long is the switchover?
Inverter with batteries Lights, fans, router and laptop; usually not air conditioning How many hours does it run? How old are the batteries?
Solar with batteries Depends on system size What size is the system? Who installed it? Is it under warranty?

A generator can take several seconds to kick in, which is enough to drop a video call. A small UPS (battery backup unit) on your modem and router keeps you online through the switchover.

Where can you cowork on the north coast?

Cabarete has the deepest remote-work scene on the north coast. It has a few dedicated coworking spaces and beachfront cafes with Wi-Fi, mostly on day passes or monthly memberships. Sosúa and Puerto Plata have fewer dedicated spaces, so most remote workers there work from home or from cafes.

Coworking is a good backup and a good way to meet people, but don’t make it your plan A. Spaces open, close and change hours. A reliable home office with backup power is what keeps you working. Ask us for the current list of spaces when you plan your visit.

Which north coast town works best for remote work?

All three towns can work. The right one depends on how you want to spend the hours after work.

Town Remote-work picture Drive to Puerto Plata airport (POP)
Cabarete Most coworking and cafe options; fiber common on the main strip About 25 minutes
Sosúa Widest choice of homes and everyday services; served by the same providers as Cabarete About 10 minutes
Puerto Plata City services and hospitals; Playa Dorada resort next door About 20 minutes

See the Sosúa, Cabarete and Puerto Plata listings for what each budget buys.

What should a remote worker check before buying?

Get these answered for the specific unit, in writing where you can, before you make an offer.

  • ☐ Which providers serve the building, and is it fiber or coaxial?
  • ☐ Speed test inside the unit in the evening, with the upload speed noted
  • ☐ What the backup power covers: the whole unit or common areas only, with or without air conditioning
  • ☐ How long the generator takes to switch over, and who pays for fuel
  • ☐ Whether the HOA allows a Starlink dish
  • ☐ 4G or 5G signal strength inside the unit
  • ☐ Whether internet is included in the HOA fee
  • ☐ A room you can work in with the door closed, with air conditioning on backup power
  • ☐ What owners who work from home say about outages

Buying pre-construction? Ask the developer to put the fiber provider and the generator coverage in the purchase agreement. A promise in a brochure isn’t a specification.

Frequently asked questions

Is the internet in the Dominican Republic fast enough for video calls?

Yes, on fiber. Claro and Altice fiber plans handle video calls and large uploads in most of Sosúa, Cabarete and Puerto Plata. Coverage varies by building, so confirm fiber and test the upload speed in the unit before you buy.

How much does home internet cost on the north coast?

As of April 2026, a 100 Mbps fiber plan lists at about RD$2,300 to RD$2,400 a month, or roughly RD$2,700 to RD$2,830 with the 18% ITBIS tax. Some condo buildings include internet in the HOA fee.

Does Starlink work in the Dominican Republic?

Yes. Starlink has offered service in the Dominican Republic since 2022. It costs more per month than fiber, so most remote workers use it as a backup or where fiber doesn’t reach.

How often does the power go out?

It depends on the neighborhood and the season. Outages of several hours still happen, which is why backup power matters more than internet speed. Ask owners in the building how often they lose power, and check what the backup covers.

Can you check the internet and power for a property before I buy?

Yes. We confirm the internet provider and the backup power for every property we show remote workers. You get the answers before you make an offer, not after you move in.

Planning a move to work from the north coast?

Book a 20-minute call with an agent who lives here, or message us on WhatsApp. We’ll shortlist properties with confirmed fiber and backup power, and plan a scouting trip around your flights.