AlaPlaya
Canadian looking for information about Dominican Republic
Forum posts
66
Contacts
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About me
Canadian
Lives in Punta Cana
Registration: 07 January 2021
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
@AlaPlaya Hi, if I read what you said correctly we can apply online but pay when we leave instead of paying online? That sounds like the best option if that is what you mean! -@michael7014Yes, any time I have applied for the extension--I have had it ... Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
@michael7014 Yes, you can. They accept cash and credit cards as far as I am aware. Read More
Your best culinary memory in Dominican Republic by Mickael
Hello everyone, As you know, every country has its own flavours and tasting the local cuisine is a great way to discover the culture of a destination. Whether it's a small typical restaurant to taste local dishes, a traditional meal in a local's ...
Mofongo is my favourite dish...and probably the only one I'm confident enough to cook. Read More
Santo Domingo or Punta Cana? by Guest9467
Hi everyone!聽Looking to reside in DR for a few months. Just want to know if you have any advice on the infrastructure in SD vs PC? I work remotely so rely heavily on electricity and stable internet connections. Any advice is appreciated. ...
I'm probably biased, but I like the comforts of Punta Cana. Santo Domingo is a nice weekend getaway, but fast internet, reliable electricity, and general infrastructure are great in Punta Cana. Add in the beach, convenience of a well-serviced ... Read More
Motorcyclists to Wear ID Vests from 1st June. by Guest2022
[i][b]Abinader: From June 1 motorcyclists will have to wear vests with an identity ...
There is a great deal of confusion about the 'Plan Nacional De Registro de Motocicletas'. Social media is making it more confusing.The Plan has been generated to comply with Decree 581-21, Sistema Nacional de Seguridad Ciudana - Mi Pais Seguro - ... Read More
Recommendations for a digital nomad living in DR part-time by lesdk
I'm looking for suggestions on a good place in DR to invest and live part-time for my wife and I. We are in our 50's with kids all moved out.聽I want to move retirement money out of the US into safer real estate in other countries as I see hard ...
We find el burrito in Punta Cana village has good food all the time (last 8 years at least).聽 I am not a Mexican expert but I always enjoy their food.聽 The Burritos are huge and very tasty.聽 Great tacos etc.聽 also the best ... Read More
Airbnb to be Regularized in DR. by Guest2022
This article today in Arecoa may interest those planning to buy to rent here in DR. Note that the article says DGII are in a very advanced stage of ensuring Airbnb rentals contribute taxes here. In Europe a tourist tax is imposed on Airbnb rentals. ...
@DominicanadaMike聽Agree, there can be a lot of unintended consequences to these proposed changes. If the goal of the resorts is to fill up their expensive rooms, well that may or may not happen. But you could hamper foreign or domestic ... Read More
Opinions on your biggest fears about moving to DR by polo1club
So I decided to list my biggest fears about my upcoming relocation to DR. Hoping someone has a counter answer to alleviate some of my concerns? Here it goes and please tell it to me straight out聽I promise not to get offended lol. Mind you this ...
Very good feedback. I know it happens now and then. I was pulled over once on a visit in SD because the rental SUV was brand new with temp plates. But the police men was very nice checked the registration and car rental agreement and ended it with a ... Read More
Dentist recommendation by Alextrucking
I am planning a trip to the north coast in a few weeks. Probably between cabrera and luperon. Anyone can recommend a clinic for crowns and implants? Not looking for gringo target clinics I am from original from a Caribbean island so a decent ...
@Alaplaya: I understand there is a good dentist (speaks english and seems prices are quite reasonable based on major work) next to Scotia Bank in Punta Cana Village.聽 I don't know the name but if you are close its worth looking into.聽 I ... Read More
Marriage with Dominican citizen best route on visa/residency by DRVisitor
Gonna put up a few scenarios with Dominican citizen and non citizen (US or Canada Resident) for marriage and curious which is best way for Dominican citizen to get US or Canadavisa thru marriage and same with US or Canada citizen to get DR residency ...
Probably quicker for both parties to get married in the Dominican Republic unless the Dominican has a visa that enables him/her to travel to Canada/USA. No idea on current processing times for visas for Canada/USA, but I suspect, especially with the ... Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
As an FYI, my most recent request for an extension of my tourist visa was processed and approved within five hours. Read More
DR Real Estate Market by rlwoodz
I have watched the real estate market there and see a surge in new construction prices.聽 I've also talked to agents who say the same thing.聽 Driving prices are both demand and increased materials costs.聽 My focus has been on primarily ...
This thread is about real estate, and personally I do not think the middle and upper end sectors will be effected as people look to buy their home away from home and put their money into something solid during what have been and continue to be very ... Read More
HELP: Met someone in the DR and I don't know what his intentions are by travellinglady1429
Hello to everyone,This is my first time posting on a forum, desperate measures as I scour the internet to find out whether the intentions of the man I met in the DR are authentic or not.聽I vacationed to Punta Cana with a friend of mine about 3 ...
To judge someone as a resort worker is not right either as at least he is working rather than doing something which may get him in trouble. His motives may not be good but two wrongs don't make a right in judging him overall. - @DRVisitorI was ... Read More
HELP: Met someone in the DR and I don't know what his intentions are by travellinglady1429
Hello to everyone,This is my first time posting on a forum, desperate measures as I scour the internet to find out whether the intentions of the man I met in the DR are authentic or not.聽I vacationed to Punta Cana with a friend of mine about 3 ...
@planner聽I completely agree I have not changed his life nor can I change who he is, I do not have a saviour complex. I also would never judge someone for having sex in exchange for money to keep their life afloat within a difficult situation. ... Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
@2VPsoldier It uses passport scan and then facial recogntion - two swing doors right after each other. Although I am not sure if all countries are able to use it to exit. - @DRVisitorThe one in Punta Cana its only for foreigns聽 they can use it ... Read More
Tipping for Services / Propina by Stacy ST
What is the standard in DR for tipping on services (i.e. haircuts, massages, facials)? I know that tipping here is not like in the US, so was curious what is everyone's thoughts/experiences with tipping for these types of services.
For massages, I usually tip 300-500 pesos.Manicures and pedicures I usually tip 200 pesos.Waiters, I tip 200 pesos for every 1000 pesos I spend.If a gas station attendant cleans my windows and doesn't try to rip me off, I tip 50 pesos.Grocery store ... Read More
eTicket requirement being enforced! by ddmcghee
Looks like after months of planned deadlines, the eTicket is finally being required and its use is being enforced! I only have experience with American Airlines, but I know that they have been listing it as part of their flight readiness checklist ...
I'm having trouble finding the e-ticket online - and didn't see it listed above. Can anyone provide? I don't recall needing one last Aug when I came home from Canada into Santiago on American. Flying West Jet into POP this year in early Aug. Thanks ... Read More
Pre Construction In Vista Cana, Punta Cana by sweetapplecee
Hello All! My name is Renee. I visited Cap Cana last year and fell in love. I started looking into possible investing in a pre construction for rental and would be our vacation home a couple months out of the year and was told the new area of Vista ...
Correct, only God knows, but we鈥檙e all doing it 聽hoping for the best and yes better furniture and management will definitely help out.I just see so many new constructions everywhere in Punta Cana ( Vistacana, downtown, Los Corales, etc) ... Read More
Pre Construction In Vista Cana, Punta Cana by sweetapplecee
Hello All! My name is Renee. I visited Cap Cana last year and fell in love. I started looking into possible investing in a pre construction for rental and would be our vacation home a couple months out of the year and was told the new area of Vista ...
@planner聽having just spent 5 days on a real estate tour I am glad I made that investment of time and money. 聽I know 5 days does not make me an expert, probably more dangerous than anything. We looked at 12 properties in person, came with a ... Read More
Learning Spanish by Guest2022
The threads on this subject in this forum are very old and because of the importance of understanding Spanish to fully appreciate life to its fullest in a country聽 where relatively few Dominicans speak English, I though a new thread should be ...
The threads on this subject in this forum are very old and because of the importance of understanding Spanish to fully appreciate life to its fullest in a country聽 where relatively few Dominicans speak English, I though a new thread should be ... Read More
Inheritance Law by lspriggs0325
If someone finds out that a sibling is not the biological child of a parent who is deceased and there is DNA to prove it, how does this impact the inheritance of the deceased property in Dominican Republic? 聽I understand that the children of ...
So聽 to clarify,聽 not only is it聽 "different" it is based on聽 completely聽 different premises.聽聽The law in DR is based on Napoleanic code NOT on civil law as many many other countries are.聽 We are similar ... Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
Hello,today we had one of the most nervous situations in our life. We are from Poland, and we decided to move to DR for a few years. We bought here a car, thinking about buying/build house, and we are totally destroyed after today. We came to DR in ... Read More
Documents required to open bank account in Dominican Republic by pfaure
Hello Does anyone know a bank here that does not ask too many documents ? I went to Banco Popular and Scotiabank in Santo Domingo and both ask for a list of documents, including last taxes statement which is document that I don't have... Thanks ...
Questions. Is there a reason that the US don鈥檛 want us to open a bank account overseas? Besides tax purposes what else ?America is one of the few countries in the world that taxes Americans on their earnings worldwide. So they need to know ... Read More
The best age to move to the Dominican Republic by Cheryl
Hello everybody, No two people experience expatriation in Dominican Republic in the same way, depending on their age and personal situation. We would like to know more about you and ask you to share with us when you decided to move to the ...
They're currently working on implementing a digital nomad visa, so I suspect the perfect age will skew lower as soon as that comes into play@AlaPlaya - do you have any other info on this? I searched and can't find any articles mentioning ... Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
Thanks folks, please confirm they only accept payment for Overstays in US $$You can pay in pesos too. Or by credit card. Read More
The best age to move to the Dominican Republic by Cheryl
Hello everybody, No two people experience expatriation in Dominican Republic in the same way, depending on their age and personal situation. We would like to know more about you and ask you to share with us when you decided to move to the ...
They're currently working on implementing a digital nomad visa, so I suspect the perfect age will skew lower as soon as that comes into play Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
$2,500 pesos up to 90 days. Read More
Can I open a bank account in the DR without being a resident? by TomasDivertido
I would like to be able to wire money to myself from my USA checking account. I'm not a resident or citizen of the DR. Can I open up a checking account here in the DR to accomplish my objective?
I would like to be able to wire money to myself from my USA checking account. I'm not a resident or citizen of the DR. Can I open up a checking account here in the DR to accomplish my objective?Yes-you don't need to be citizen or resident to ... Read More
Currency exchange by Terryo
Hi , can anyone tell me the easiest way to exchange Canadian currency while on an extended stay in D.R. Don鈥檛 want to exchange twice into U. S. and then to Pesos , or can you just use a credit card when needed at an ATM machine, don鈥檛 ...
I am moving to Sosua in June or July. My wife and I are coming to Sosua Mar 1st. Would like to open a dominican bank account. Any suggestions?Banco Santa Cruz in Sosua is easy if you have all the necessary documents with you. It only took me about ... Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
What is required to do for the medical letter?A doctor to certify that you are healthy, and not currently suffering from COVID-19 or any other medical conditions. Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
Hello, I am here for 38 days this time. It means I am 8 days overstayed when I return home. Do I really need to pay $1500 for a medical certificate (why) since I am already paying for a PCR test before I leave which is about $80 usd. When I ... Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
Hello All, I am getting ready to buy a Condo in Punta Cana area, I would like to come for the winter months, Is it true you need to leave the county after 30 days or drive to the capitol and try to extend your time? Any updated info and links if ... Read More
Cabo Rojo Tourist Destination by Guest2022
Cabo Rojo - or Pedernales as people probably know it - is going to start this year and is an 11 year plan public/private ...
I'm so sad to see these plans for that area. I hope they do a better job preserving public beach access than they have in Punta Cana. On a somewhat related note-I thought there were plans to build an airport near Pedernales... this plan looks ... Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
Hello! We want to extend our tourist visa, but have small problems with 'Certificado M茅dico'. What is exactly and where we can get it? Is it certificate of covid vaccination or what is it?It's easy to get. Most doctors charge ... Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
If you live here or own property why not have residency? I have a cedula and residency its easy. This is one of the only or only country that allows this overstays. Most countries will not allow it. Its theur country and we are visitors. The ... Read More
Car Rental May 31-June 11 2022 by reneekirk
Hi I will be visiting the DR May 31-June 11 20222. I understand car rentals can be a little tricky with insurance ect. Could anyone recommend a reliable company to rent from at the Punta Cana airport? Any advise on insurance? Is it safe to drive in ...
I have used Avis and Europcar -- both were very easy to deal with and no problems. Read More
What was ur best Quotes in life? by -ibrahim-muhammed
What was ur best Quotes that makes u change for the better life u want or reflect your aspect on life!?
"If it is not okay, it is not yet the end." Read More
which bank? by marcste
Just asking if any tales of the best bank to open an account with and why -- presume a savings and checking acct -- tried scotia so far and precious little info from them but maybe thats the norm
Hi there! Will be in Sosua/Cabarete in 3 weeks and will also be needing to establish a bank account. I鈥檓 inquiring what documents exactly is needed. Looking for clarification. Also I鈥檝e been reading in other forums and chats that they ... Read More
What do you do when you want to feel happy? by MaryMoHunt
Hi there all! Since the last two months were super stressful for me, I took up some routines to lighten the mood. So, I started with a warm bath after a workday, adding essential oils, reading books. Then some skincare and physical exercises or a ...
Watch sunrise/sunset and breathe deeply. Focus on being in the moment and enjoying the beauty of life. Read More
Whatsapp information on this? by sberger50
Have not used Whatsapp before yesterday to text a pic. Worked great, when a text did not go through. Don't know anything about the app, but it seems to be used a lot in DR. I presently have the Verizon International Plan at over $100 per ...
Telegram is much better in my opinion, as WhatsApp is owned by FB and everything you do on it is automatically shared with the FB marketeers. However, hardly anyone I have ran into in LatAm or the Caribbean uses anything but WhatsApp. Heck, most ... Read More
When helping a little bit becomes dependency by cjkdm
I have visited the DR for over 30 years--mostly Cabarete area to kitesurf. I love the country and area. I have never looked for love here as i did not want a long distance relationship and the cultural/economic differences are too great. I am gay ...
I guess I've just been lucky with my friends/acquaintances--I don't get asked for money. And the couple of times I've offered after hearing certain situations where I thought I could help, I think I offended the people to whom I extended ... Read More
Don't meet minimum income for retirement visa. by Bob and Donna
We are considering buying a home and retiring to the DR.. My wife, brother-in-law and I are purchasing this together. (selling our homes in Canada and paying cash $500,000) Our problems is that neither my wife or I meet the minimum monthly ...
Most lawyers all over the world, like to be paid for their knowledge and services. Read More
Paying for car next week by SBalentine
Good morning all, We are flying over to close on our house next week and intended to purchase a car while there. We are running into an issue trying to figure out how to pay for it. We have the cash to pay, but don't want to travel with ...
Definitely don't travel with it. And don't travel with more than $10k without declaring it, or you could subject yourself to civil forfeiture issues, depending on which jurisdictions you travel through. Read More
Taxes for USA Retire by matt552
Can anyone please tell me the tax consequences for a retiree resident in the DR please. There is no treaty with Colombia, and it's ugly if there for more than half a year over any consecutive 365 day period. Thank you, and I appreciate being ...
I would love to read the actual tax code provision on this if anyone knows where to find it, because I don't think that is correct. Read More
Is driving from Santo Domingo to North coast safe?? by SayMen25
Hello, We are thinking about visiting in the summer and renting a car in Santo Domingo to travel to the North Coast. The idea is to drive there and stop at different towns and beaches to get to know the areas to see which one we like best to ...
I'm female, with limited Spanish, and have driven alone (from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo, to Sabaneta, and Las Terrenas) with no safety concerns (other than other erratic drivers/people on motos texting and not paying attention). I even ... Read More
Forwarding a Canadian phone number by Odie&CiCi
Morning All, I鈥檓 trying to find a way to forward my Canadian cell number to an internet-based app while we鈥檙e here. At first I thought Google Voice would be the no-brainer solution, but apparently you have to have a US cell or landline ...
You pick a number with Skype, and then you set call forwarding on your phone settings to send the call to the Skype number. In the Skype settings, you set the Skype number to display your caller ID as your carrier (AT&T/Bell/Telus) number. The ... Read More
Forwarding a Canadian phone number by Odie&CiCi
Morning All, I鈥檓 trying to find a way to forward my Canadian cell number to an internet-based app while we鈥檙e here. At first I thought Google Voice would be the no-brainer solution, but apparently you have to have a US cell or landline ...
Skype also works wonders--and you can set the Skype app to show that your Canadian number is the one making the calls, so no one knows you're calling from Skype and not using your carrier. Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
Having resided in numerous countries at this point, I have yet to see any that are particularly welcoming to foreigners. Kudos to the DR for working to enforce the laws on their books. A step towards a predictable legal system is necessary for a ... Read More
Criminal record and residency by Alextrucking
Maybe someone here can help. I will try to make it short but it鈥檚 a long history. After 20 years of an excellent conduct and clean record a year ago I was driving my semi truck in the estate of Ohio when the police stop me for going 5 miles ...
Ultimately it comes down to the reporting mechanisms of each state. There is no uniform reporting requirement, so each state has control about what offenses get reported by each county. Furthermore, the FBI used to exclude certain offenses that were ... Read More
Criminal record and residency by Alextrucking
Maybe someone here can help. I will try to make it short but it鈥檚 a long history. After 20 years of an excellent conduct and clean record a year ago I was driving my semi truck in the estate of Ohio when the police stop me for going 5 miles ...
Was it an FBI background check or an RCMP background check? Read More
Criminal record and residency by Alextrucking
Maybe someone here can help. I will try to make it short but it鈥檚 a long history. After 20 years of an excellent conduct and clean record a year ago I was driving my semi truck in the estate of Ohio when the police stop me for going 5 miles ...
It is my understanding that you include a copy of the FBI background check apostillized by the US State Department (and subsequently translated into Spanish) without ever answering additional questions on it. Unless you later commit a federal ... Read More
Criminal record and residency by Alextrucking
Maybe someone here can help. I will try to make it short but it鈥檚 a long history. After 20 years of an excellent conduct and clean record a year ago I was driving my semi truck in the estate of Ohio when the police stop me for going 5 miles ...
This is correct--an FBI background check only covers federal crimes. It does not cover state or local crimes. You may want to order a copy of your FBI background check to confirm that the offense is not listed on there. If you went to a State Court ... Read More
Dentist recommendation by Alextrucking
I am planning a trip to the north coast in a few weeks. Probably between cabrera and luperon. Anyone can recommend a clinic for crowns and implants? Not looking for gringo target clinics I am from original from a Caribbean island so a decent ...
Any recommendations for Punta Cana dentists? Read More
living in Dominican Republic: opening a bank account by sandmo
Hello, My name is Sandmo, I am thinking of visiting the Dominican Republic this coming April 2020 to look into staying long term. I have read many articles online about getting a bank account in the DR if a person is looking to buy land/home. ...
My post ended up under review. XE is the website/currency transfer service I referenced. Read More
living in Dominican Republic: opening a bank account by sandmo
Hello, My name is Sandmo, I am thinking of visiting the Dominican Republic this coming April 2020 to look into staying long term. I have read many articles online about getting a bank account in the DR if a person is looking to buy land/home. ...
Although I'm not the person you were asking, I regularly transfer money between my Canadian and American bank accounts, and have always found xe.com to be the best way to transfer without incurring wire fees. They also give decent Dominican Peso ... Read More