Long Stay
Healthcare & Internet in the DR
Two of the most common concerns for people moving to the Dominican Republic are healthcare quality and internet reliability. The honest answer: private healthcare is good and affordable, and internet has improved substantially — though power outages remain a factor in some areas.
Healthcare
Overview
Public healthcare (SENASA) in the DR is limited in quality and capacity — most expats and middle-class Dominicans rely entirely on private healthcare. Private clinics and hospitals in Santo Domingo, Santiago, and Punta Cana offer modern facilities, trained specialists, and reasonable costs by North American and European standards.
For routine care — a GP visit, bloodwork, minor procedures — private clinics are accessible and affordable. For serious conditions or surgery, the top private hospitals in Santo Domingo are the best option in-country, though some expats choose to travel to their home country for complex procedures.
Approximate healthcare costs
Health insurance
Most expats in the DR carry either a local Dominican private plan or an international plan. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is popular with digital nomads and remote workers for its low cost (~$50–$80/month) and worldwide coverage. For longer-term residents, local Dominican plans from providers like ARS Humano or ARS Palic offer broader in-country hospital coverage at $60–$150/month.
Make sure your plan covers emergency hospitalization and medical evacuation if you are living outside a major city.
Recommended private hospitals
CEDIMAT
Santo DomingoMulti-specialty; strong cardiac and oncology
Clínica Abreu
Santo DomingoLong-established private hospital; popular with expats
Hospiten Santo Domingo
Santo DomingoSpanish chain; international standards
Centro Médico UCE
SantiagoMain private hospital in the Cibao region
Hospiten Bávaro
Punta CanaServes the resort zone; English-speaking staff
Pharmacies (Farmacias)
Most common medications — including many that require a prescription in North America — are available over the counter at Dominican farmacias at low cost. Chain pharmacies like Carol, Farmacia Nacional, and San Pablo operate in major cities. Bring any important prescription or medication information from home, and learn basic Spanish terms for your conditions and medications.
Internet
Internet infrastructure in the DR has improved significantly over the past decade. Fiber connections are now widely available in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Punta Cana, Las Terrenas, and Cabarete. Rural areas and smaller towns may still have limited options and slower speeds.
Internet providers
Claro
Fiber + mobile100–300 Mbps (fiber)
$35–$60
Widest coverage nationwide; strong 4G LTE network
Altice (Trilogy)
Fiber + mobile100–200 Mbps (fiber)
$30–$55
Good urban coverage; competitive pricing on fiber bundles
Mobile data
Both Claro and Altice offer strong 4G LTE coverage across the DR. Purchase a local SIM card on arrival for $5–$10, then top up with data packages as needed. A generous data plan (10–20 GB) typically costs $10–$20. Mobile data is a reliable backup during power outages or fiber interruptions.
Power outages (apagones)
Rolling blackouts — locally called apagones — still occur in parts of the DR, particularly outside of the largest cities and upscale neighborhoods. Frequency varies significantly by area: some upscale Santo Domingo neighborhoods have stable power; rural towns may see several hours of outages daily.
Most expat homes and apartments include an inverter or generator system to maintain power during outages. When renting, ask specifically about backup power. In areas with frequent apagones, a good fiber modem with a UPS (battery backup) keeps your internet running during short outages.
Co-working spaces
Co-working spaces are available in the main expat cities. Santo Domingo has the largest selection with multiple professional co-working facilities. Las Terrenas and Cabarete both have smaller but active co-working and digital nomad communities. Search locally on arrival as options change — but expect to pay $10–$25/day or $150–$300/month for a dedicated desk.