The areas to rent in the Dominican Republic, rents by area and what the 2025 rental law changes for the deposit and the lease.
To rent an apartment year-round in the Dominican Republic, five areas concentrate most of the demand: Santo Domingo (with Piantini and Naco for the upscale end, Gazcue and the Zona Colonial for gentler rents, Costa Verde for its French-speaking community), Punta Cana in the east, Las Terrenas on the Samaná peninsula, Cabarete and Sosúa on the north coast, and Santiago de los Caballeros, the country's second city. Rents range from about 300 dollars per month for a simple home in Santiago to 1,500 dollars for a two-room apartment in a gated residence in Punta Cana or in the smart neighbourhoods of the capital.
The market has two particularities to know before searching. Rents are most often set in US dollars, while utilities are paid in pesos. And since the promulgation of the new rental law in August 2025, the security deposit is capped at two months' rent. This guide goes through the areas, the budgets, the lease and the precautions to take.
These are the most sought-after residential neighbourhoods of the capital, close to offices, shops and restaurants. Expect 800 to 1,500 dollars per month for a furnished two-room apartment, often in a building with services (security, generator, parking). It is the choice of families and executives who work in the capital.
Gazcue, an old residential neighbourhood, and the Zona Colonial, the historic centre listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, offer better value for money: 400 to 700 dollars per month for a furnished apartment. The buildings there are older: check the condition of the electrical installation and the presence of a water tank.
A quiet residential area in the west of the capital, Costa Verde is known for its well-established French community. Rents there are intermediate, between those of Gazcue and those of Piantini.
In the east, Punta Cana lives first of all from tourism. Year-round homes are found mostly in gated residences, at 800 to 1,500 dollars per month for a two-room apartment. Competition from seasonal rentals reduces long-term supply and pushes prices up.
On the Samaná peninsula, Las Terrenas is the destination most popular with French speakers. Rents range from 500 to 1,000 dollars per month depending on the distance from the beach and the amenities.
On the north coast, these two towns attract an international population and water sports enthusiasts. Plan for 500 to 1,200 dollars per month. Outside these centres, a car quickly becomes indispensable.
The country's second city, less touristy, Santiago offers the most affordable rents on this list, from 300 dollars per month for a simple home. Spanish is indispensable there in daily life.
The ranges below apply to a year-round, furnished rental, excluding utilities and service charges:
Add 100 to 150 dollars per month for water, electricity and internet, to which building service charges may be added. A furnished home generally costs 20 to 30% more than an unfurnished one. Some landlords include the utilities in the rent: have this stated in writing in the lease.
Since the rent is often denominated in dollars, your real budget varies with the exchange rate if you are paid in euros. State the amount and the currency in the contract, and keep a margin for utilities paid in pesos.
The law on property rentals and evictions (Ley de Alquileres de Bienes Inmuebles y Desahucios), definitively passed on 5 August 2025 and promulgated in mid-August 2025, now governs relations between landlords and tenants for homes, businesses and associations. Four points directly concern a tenant:
In practice, the lease is most often concluded for twelve months, renewable. Require a written contract, in Spanish, specifying the rent and its currency, the utilities included, the duration, the amount of the deposit and the conditions for termination. If you do not read Spanish, have it reviewed by an independent local lawyer before signing.
Landlords generally ask for a valid passport and proof of income or employment: employment contract, bank statements or income certificate. A letter of recommendation from a former landlord can help. Prepare these documents in digital form before you start.
According to the Dominican Central Bank, 6,609,946 non-resident passengers arrived by air between January and August 2026, or 8.6% more than a year earlier. Punta Cana airport alone welcomed 71.5% of foreign visitors over the period. This traffic explains why long-term supply is rarer and more expensive in seaside areas than in the residential neighbourhoods of Santo Domingo or Santiago: in tourist areas, an owner may prefer weekly rentals. If you are looking for a year-round rental in Punta Cana or on the coast, start early and state the desired duration from the outset.
Visiting, reading a contract in Spanish and reacting quickly from Europe is not easy. A Remoters English-speaking property hunter based in the Dominican Republic can search for you according to your budget and the target area, view the homes, prepare your file and review the lease before signing. The first conversation and the quote are free.
Short answers to the questions our readers ask, written to stand on their own.
Sources cited in this article
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