Dominican Republic (DO)
The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean's most visited destination — a lively Spanish-speaking nation sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.
Capital: Santo Domingo
Region: Americas
Language: Spanish
Currency: DOP (RD$)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 40)
Emergency: 911
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Dominican Republic — 2026 data in DOP.
40
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Very affordable compared to major global cities. Your money goes a long way here.
Food & Groceries
Rice (1kg) RD$60–90
Chicken breast (1kg) RD$160–220
Eggs (12) RD$130–170
Bread (pan de agua, local) RD$50–80
Milk (1L) RD$80–120
Presidente beer (355ml can) RD$70–120
Monthly groceries for 1 person RD$7,000–14,000
Monthly groceries for a couple RD$12,000–25,000
Dining Out
Comedor lunch (la bandera dominicana — iconic set meal) RD$150–280
Mid-range restaurant (per person) RD$600–1,500
Upscale restaurant (per person) RD$1,500–3,500
Café con leche (local café) RD$80–150
Pizza delivery (medium) RD$600–1,200
Beachside seafood meal (per person) RD$800–2,000
Rent
Studio / 1-bed apartment, Santo Domingo (local area) RD$12,000–22,000/month
1-bed apartment, Santo Domingo expat area (Piantini / Naco) RD$30,000–55,000/month
2-bed apartment, Santo Domingo expat area RD$45,000–90,000/month
3-bed house, gated community RD$70,000–150,000/month
2-bed condo, Punta Cana tourist zone RD$40,000–100,000/month
1-bed apartment, Las Terrenas (Samaná) RD$25,000–55,000/month
Transport
Metro single fare (Santo Domingo) RD$20
Guagua (local minibus) RD$25–50
Uber / InDriver short city trip (3–5km) RD$150–300
Taxi (30-min city journey) RD$400–700
Petrol (gasolina premium, 1L) RD$295–320
Car rental (per day, economy) RD$2,500–4,500
Health & Insurance
GP consultation (private clinic) RD$1,500–3,000
Specialist consultation (private) RD$2,500–5,000
Blood test panel (basic, private lab) RD$1,000–3,000
Dental cleaning and check-up RD$1,500–3,500
Emergency room visit (private hospital) RD$3,000–8,000
Private health insurance (international, monthly) RD$5,900–20,650
Utilities
Electricity (1-bed apartment with AC, monthly) RD$3,000–8,000
Generator fuel (diesel, during apagones) RD$2,000–6,000/month
Internet (home fibre, 100 Mbps) RD$1,800–3,500/month
Mobile plan (30GB data + calls) RD$800–1,500/month
Bottled water (20L garrafón, per month) RD$400–700
Propane gas (23kg tank refill) RD$700–1,100
Childcare
Daycare / nursery (monthly) RD$6,000–18,000
Bilingual private school (annual) RD$177,000–590,000
International school (annual, per child) RD$590,000–1,652,000
Spanish lessons / private tutor (per hour) RD$600–1,200
Leisure
Gym membership (monthly) RD$1,500–4,000
Cinema ticket RD$250–450
Beach club entry (Bávaro / Cabarete) RD$500–2,000
Domestic helper (part-time, monthly) RD$8,000–15,000
Haircut (men's, barbershop) RD$200–500
Haircut (women's, salon) RD$500–2,000
Domestic flight Santo Domingo–Puerto Plata (one way) RD$3,000–7,000
Merengue or bachata live music venue (entry + drinks) RD$500–2,000/person
Cost of Living
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