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The Caribbean may be perfect for a holiday, with its warm weather, impeccable service in all hotels and year-round tropical atmosphere, but its established status as a global resort tourism capital does not necessarily equate to success in other areas.
For example, digital nomads are known to avoid high prices at all costs, and while it is undeniably beautiful, the Caribbean is. not exactly known for its affordable prices and cheap accommodation, at least when it comes to American or European visitors.
Tulum in Mexico and Nassau in the Bahamas are among the most expensive hubs for nomads in the world because they cater almost exclusively to big spenders, and young nomads earning up to $3,000 a month are unlikely to find the low cost of living that they’re searching. That.
Of course, there are some exceptions to the rule, and perhaps not surprisingly, the… number one nomadic city in the Caribbean is a vibrant capital often ignored by beachgoers as it is neither their traditional holiday resort nor their own country’s main tourist attraction.
According to Nomad list, Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic (commonly abbreviated to DR), nomads gather land hopping around the turquoise sea.
Has Santo Domingo found its calling as a nomadic center?
The Dominican capital is the number one Caribbean city for remote workers in the most popular platform for digital nomads, beating the tried-and-tested ‘workcation’ centers of the Yucatan and Jamaica’s villa-studded, rural hinterland to the number one spot.
Santo Domingo (SD) does not the main destination of the DRBut: the status resort of Punta Cana has stood its ground for decades and other up-and-coming beach areas – La Romana and Puerto Plata to name a few – are strong contenders for second place.
So why has SD suddenly found its calling as a digital nomad base, when it is usually overlooked by regular tourists? Some of it has to do with it the infrastructure it provides and more entertainment options for residents, especially for social home workers.
As beautiful as Punta Cana’s beaches may be, there’s no abundance of coworking stations nor affordable month-long Airbnb listings, especially since, again, it’s best known for its impressive selection of luxury resorts and beachside cocktail bars beach.
SD, on the other hand, is a cosmopolitan center a combination of picturesque coastal views, culture and city life: With miles of sandy beaches, a colonial core and clusters of skyscrapers stretching in all directions, it is by far the most exciting place in the DR for nomads.
Beautiful Caribbean beaches and a fascinating culture
The Dominican capital is within driving distance of some of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Hispaniola.
If you are looking for a more secluded, natural setting, the beaches of Boca Chica, only half an hour far away by car from Santo Domingo, are considered part of the wider urban region and are increasingly popular alternatives to overpriced Punta Cana.
There are Airbnb listings in the residential part of Boca Chica for as low as $549 per month. It’s a stone’s throw from the capital proper and you can always take the local bus or your rental car into town when you need a change of scenery.
Downtown Santo Domingo is all about the hustle and bustle of the streets, the enticing smells emanating from the food stalls along the colorful colonial zoneand green city parks:
It is the oldest European-built city in America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site dotted with 16th-century structures, including a monumental cathedral, the first built this side of the pond, a series of impressive city walls erected by the Spanish, and a European-style fortified castle.
Living here, nomads will experience five centuries of living tradition, a multicultural scene that combines elements of both indigenous and Iberian nature, and an abundance of history not found anywhere else on the sunny island or even to some extent in the wider Caribbean subgroup is easy to find.
Santo Domingo is cheap to live in
And it is literally digital nomad heaven
Airbnbs and guesthouses in Santo Domingo do quite cheapand costs between $530.49 for a studio apartment with a dedicated workspace on the busy Calle El Conde to $1,369.52 for a sea view apartment: it all depends on the location, amenities and comfort level.
When it comes to food, Santo Domingo fits every budgetWhile budget-conscious backpackers are expected to spend an average of $11 per day on meals, average travelers $24, and high-budget tourists will still be charged an acceptable $41.
A strong café culture and wide availability of coworking centers are as important as they are charming for nomads considering a move abroad SD does not disappointwhether it’s relaxed, ‘more local’ coffee shops on the historic Plaza de España or office-like spaces.
Nomad list counts as much as 66 coworking options in Santo Domingo, giving ‘workcationers’ plenty of choice. Compared to Mexico’s haven for digital nomads, this is significantly more than Tulum’s 46 and Playa Del Carmen’s 50.
In short, nomads Participate in Nomad list define the quality of life and safety in Santo Domingo as ‘okay’, they consider it ‘affordable’who spend an average of $1,938 per month, most would say the internet is “good,” the city is “great” fun, and food safety levels are “good.”
That said, the US State Department is urging Americans exercise greater caution when visiting Santo Domingo, as petty crime is common in tourist neighborhoods, while violence and gang activity can be widespread in suburban zones.
If you live in Santo Domingo, you should familiarize yourself with local guidelines to reduce the risks of being affected by urban crime.
The Dominican Republic has introduced simple visa rules
The fact that the Dominican Republic has that simple visa policy introduced Santo Domingo also helps Santo Domingo to be in the good graces of the nomadic community, as they have a clear aversion to strict entry and residence guidelines and visa-required destinations.
Citizens of the United States and most European countries can enter the DR visa-free for an initial period of 30 days, but it is possible to extend the stay up to 120 days for an amount.
There is no specific homeworker visa for the Dominican Republic, which means you can only stay in Santo Domingo under the tourist visa rules as defined above.
Alternatively, you can apply for a regular residence permit, usually if you meet certain financial requirements.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
