Are Canadians destroying Cabarete?

[windeguy]

You are not alone

Protesters against overtourism take to the streets of southern Europe​

'Under the umbrella of the SET alliance - Sud d'Europa contra la Turistització, or Catalan for "Southern Europe against Overtourism" - protesters joined forces with groups in Portugal and Italy, arguing that uncontrolled tourism was sending housing prices soaring and forcing people out of their neighbourhoods.'

https://www.reuters.com/world/protesters-against-overtourism-take-streets-southern-europe-2025-06-15/

There are protests in various countries over Airbnb rentals squeezing out locals from renting. Airbnb's can get banned or highly restricted because of that.
Take NY city for example, please.

📉 Impact on Airbnb Listings​

The implementation of Local Law 18 led to a significant reduction in short-term rental listings:reddit.com+15wired.com+15nypost.com+15

• Listing Decline: Airbnb listings in NYC dropped from over 20,000 to approximately 4,600, a 77% decrease .
• Shift to Long-Term Rentals: Many hosts have transitioned to offering longer-term stays to comply with the new regulations.

There are protests in other countries that have made it harder for people to migrate there because they are buying up properties and driving prices up for the locals.

The DR has no such protests. Come and buy what you want and just stay forever and ever and that is a long time. The more the merrier.

 

[windeguy]

Rising housing prices are due to supply and demand and far higher building costs. Deporting cheap labor has its impacts on the buidling costs and materials are much higher now as well.

 

[M4kintosh]

According to long-time residents and expats in the area, the number of Canadians migrating to the north coast of the Dominican Republic has reached new highs in recent years.

Could this influx be contributing to the rising housing prices in Cabarete? Are Canadian buyers, accustomed to higher property values in their home country, bringing inflated price expectations into a previously stable market?

No.
In general, the DR is getting overpriced (even for us locals) in all aspects:

- Labor construction costs stagnated due to Gov migration policies

• The high demand on everything (living, food, services) in general has made prices increase
• DR Expats buying property nationwide for Airnbn purposes, is a huge contributor, too
• Small villages nationwide are now the center of attention because of high promotion, making everyone move there just because is cheap or is a paradise and get rid of the city. The "Sell everything, come to paradise" is also heavily promoted among middle class, DR expats and upper class Dominicans.

Examples:
- The boom of Terrenas just after International Living said that it was "one of the cheapest places to live" in '21

- When Andariego made the list of cheapest cities and regions in the DR using census data; that's been a huge factor even to locals move from Santo Domingo to other cities nationwide

- The boom of Miches after Forbes said it was the top 10 places to live in paradise

- When Bergantin was announced and just look how the whole surrounding areas (Montellano, Cupey, Muñoz, Star Hills) are flooded with new developments

 

[Manuel01]

I just hope they leave their woke BS in Canada before coming.

 

[lifeisgreat]

I just hope they leave their woke BS in Canada before coming.

We have a vaccine for that rest get deported to Haiti…

 

[Ecoman1949]

Cabarete and other North Coast destinations including Luperon were a draw for Canadians when Punta Cana was in its infancy.

There are multiple reasons Canadians may be buying more real estate along the North Coast. Canada has an increasingly aging population looking to rent for the winter or purchase real estate in warm climates. Many Canadians are selling off their properties in Florida and Arizona and are looking to purchase elsewhere due to the continuing strength of the US dollar against the Canadian dollar. Personally I know of ten families in my small area that sold their Florida homes in the past two years due to the low Canadian dollar, and a horrendous rise in HOA or condo fees.

The DR has been a favourite with people from Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada since the 1990’s. If the DR government made it easier for Canadian snowbirds to get six month visa you would see an even bigger influx of Canadian snowbirds and expats.

I can guarantee you DR real estate agents don’t discriminate. They will sell to Canadian clients as quickly as they will sell to US, UK, and EU clients. It’s all about the money, not the nationalities!

 

[Ecoman1949]

I just hope they leave their woke BS in Canada before coming.

Went downhill after Trudeau was turfed out. It’s Canada love it or leave it now Manuel! 🤣

 

[cavok]

I don't think Canadians are destroying Cabarete and there seems to be just as many Americans coming here. Real estate is expensive in the US, also, and prices here look cheap in comparison, especially for oceanfront condos.

Many countries that are popular retiree destinations are getting fed up with foreigners buying properties and driving up prices, rents, and making things unaffordable for the locals.

 

[keepcoming]

As a market investor, I understand that everything ultimately comes down to supply and demand.

In Cabarete, we're witnessing a surge of Canadian buyers who are pricing properties at a premium, often well above local market values. Many seem to base their pricing on what a similar home might cost in Canada, rather than considering the true value within the Dominican market.

I currently own two properties in the Dominican Republic—one in Santiago and another in Cabarete. Neither is available for rent. I simply don’t need the income, and I believe the stress and potential issues that come with renting outweigh any financial gain.

But you still have not explained how exactly "Canadians are destroying Cabarete". Singling out Canadians based on a TV show or stating an agent is supposedly adding $100-$200 to listing prices, possibly influenced by Canadians are just your opinions, not something based on facts. Also do you have any proof that the realtor is doing this (adding $100-$200)? Since you are posting their name, I would hope you have proof of this.

 

[cavok]

What difference does $100 to $200 make on condos and houses that are usually $250K and up?

 

[Independent Man]

As a market investor, I understand that everything ultimately comes down to supply and demand.


In Cabarete, we're witnessing a surge of Canadian buyers who are pricing properties at a premium, often well above local market values. Many seem to base their pricing on what a similar home might cost in Canada, rather than considering the true value within the Dominican market.


I currently own two properties in the Dominican Republic—one in Santiago and another in Cabarete. Neither is available for rent. I simply don’t need the income, and I believe the stress and potential issues that come with renting outweigh any financial gain.

Properties priced "well above the local market" will not sell because there is no such thing as a "local market". While there are certainly some local buyers, Cabarete's developer market is actually largely international. As for an agent adding $100-$200 to listing prices, what does that mean? With Canadians bailing on the US, I don't expect their interest in Cabarete to diminish anytime soon - regardless the rising prices.

 

[windeguy]

As a market investor, I understand that everything ultimately comes down to supply and demand.


In Cabarete, we're witnessing a surge of Canadian buyers who are pricing properties at a premium, often well above local market values. Many seem to base their pricing on what a similar home might cost in Canada, rather than considering the true value within the Dominican market.


I currently own two properties in the Dominican Republic—one in Santiago and another in Cabarete. Neither is available for rent. I simply don’t need the income, and I believe the stress and potential issues that come with renting outweigh any financial gain.

It would be nice to have an MLS system. That could help with understanding where prices should be. Instead it is everyone for themselves where everyone is a realtor with no way to properly guage prices.

 

[drstock]

As a market investor, I understand that everything ultimately comes down to supply and demand.


In Cabarete, we're witnessing a surge of Canadian buyers who are pricing properties at a premium, often well above local market values. Many seem to base their pricing on what a similar home might cost in Canada, rather than considering the true value within the Dominican market.


I currently own two properties in the Dominican Republic—one in Santiago and another in Cabarete. Neither is available for rent. I simply don’t need the income, and I believe the stress and potential issues that come with renting outweigh any financial gain.


Take, for example, some local real estate practices. I've noticed agents, like Joanne Hammonds, adding $100 to $200 to listing prices—possibly influenced by a Canadian pricing mindset rather than actual local demand. Shows like House Hunters International often feature Canadian buyers who enter the market with little understanding, paying inflated prices. This kind of behavior, amplified by realtors and YouTubers promoting moving to Cabarete, has led to unrealistic pricing becoming the new norm.
Rising housing prices are due to supply and demand and far higher building costs. Deporting cheap labor has its impacts on the buidling costs and materials are much higher now as well.

I don't understand why you keep basing your perceived increase in property prices as being entirely down to Canadian buyers. Why don't you refer to "international buyers" as they come from a variety of countries other than Canada, especially the USA. I sold my property in Cabarete quite recently - to a US resident Dominican.

 

[Ecoman1949]

Properties priced "well above the local market" will not sell because there is no such thing as a "local market". While there are certainly some local buyers, Cabarete's developer market is actually largely international. As for an agent adding $100-$200 to listing prices, what does that mean? With Canadians bailing on the US, I don't expect their interest in Cabarete to diminish anytime soon - regardless the rising prices.

Agreed. I keep an eye on the DR North Coast real estate listings. Prices are rising in Cabarete for the reasons posted and not due to an influx of Canadians. Asking prices vary greatly from actual purchase prices. I don’t know if real estate agencies in the DR post final sale prices
like they do in the US and Canada. That’s the only way to determine if the value of real estate is increasing.

There are still good deals to be had if you’re willing to look beyond Cabarete and check out properties in places like, Costambar, Luperon, Sabaneta, Rio San Juan, etc. Prices much lower than Cabarete and the small communities have a slower pace of life. For me the draw of small communities is the easy access to the local culture and the laid back lifestyle.

Paradise is what you make it and it doesn’t have to burn a big hole in your bank account. More to the point, if you’re coming to the DR to spend time in the company of your compatriots and expect to live the North American lifestyle in one of the gated communities, good luck with that. Spend your winters in the DR, rent instead of buying, and return home when the snow melts.

 

[johne]

It would be nice to have an MLS system. That could help with understanding where prices should be. Instead it is everyone for themselves where everyone is a realtor with no way to properly guage prices.

Yes. That hurts the seller more than the buyer. A buyer has more ways to search but not the seller without costing some serious time and money.

 

[windeguy]

I don't understand why you keep basing your perceived increase in property prices as being entirely down to Canadian buyers. Why don't you refer to "international buyers" as they come from a variety of countries other than Canada, especially the USA. I sold my property in Cabarete quite recently - to a US resident Dominican.

Well, Cabarete was "discovered", as was pointed out, by Canadian windsurfers back in the day. Sosua had a number of Europeans. Then some Americans started coming down in the early 2000s. Now Cabarete is a mix of all of them with some DomYorks thrown in. Some even have children here.

On my street are 2 Dom Yorks, then 2 Americans, then a Canadian, followed by a witch and her coven from France, 10 new townhouses to be built by someone from Indiana, subsequently a German from the embassy in Santo Domingo, two rentals owned by Europeans and a Canadian from Vancouver. Canadians are underrepresented on my street and in general in my development these days.

 

[RDKNIGHT]

I keep hearing this same dramatic story on repeat: "Rising real estate prices are destroying the market!" Destroying it for who? If you own land, this is your Super Bowl! It’s not a crisis—it’s called winning. That’s like complaining your lottery ticket cashed out too high. 🤷‍♂️

Now about the Canadians… oh boy. First they sold their snowblowers, packed up their maple syrup, and now they’re storming the beaches of Cabarete like it’s D-Day. 🇨🇦🌴 And let’s be honest—they’re not bad people. Just very Canadian. Friendly, polite, and as opinionated as Bob after two rums and a rant about Trudeau. 😂

And don’t get me started on the French Canadians. Lovely people—but cheap as hell. These folks can squeeze a peso so tight it’ll beg for mercy. They’ll haggle over a coconut and then leave a glowing TripAdvisor review. But hey, at least they’re friendly while doing it!

So yeah, maybe prices are rising—but if paradise is finally getting noticed by the frozen North, that’s not a market crash—it’s a glow-u

 

[Ecoman1949]

Well, Cabarete was "discovered", as was pointed out, by Canadian windsurfers back in the day. Sosua had a number of Europeans. Then some Americans started coming down in the early 2000s. Now Cabarete is a mix of all of them with some DomYorks thrown in. Some even have children here.

On my street are 2 Dom Yorks, then 2 Americans, then a Canadian, followed by a witch and her coven from France, 10 new townhouses to be built by someone from Indiana, subsequently a German from the embassy in Santo Domingo, two rentals owned by Europeans and a Canadian from Vancouver. Canadians are underrepresented on my street and in general in my development these days.

Witch and coven! Priceless Windy. 🤣 Your street demographic more or less confirms that Canadians are a small segment of the Cabarete community, as I suspected. Given the horrendous price of housing in Vancouver where a million gets you a fixer upper, no surprise to me the Vancouver resident bought in Cabarete.

 

[windeguy]

Witch and coven! Priceless Windy. 🤣 Your street demographic more or less confirms that Canadians are a small segment of the Cabarete community, as I suspected. Given the horrendous price of housing in Vancouver where a million gets you a fixer upper, no surprise to me the Vancouver resident bought in Cabarete.

Vancouver Canadian acatully has his latest home purchase on my street when some squatters from the British Isles were foced out (Ozzie is easier to understand than them) , and also has his Hotel/Music recording studio on the next street over. So he is here in triplicate.

 

[Independent Man]

It would be nice to have an MLS system. That could help with understanding where prices should be. Instead it is everyone for themselves where everyone is a realtor with no way to properly guage prices.

It's weird there is no MLS type system to provide sales comparable information in the DR. Most places in the Caribbean & Central America have had something similar for years. And, with technology's advances it should be quite easy to set up. Me thinks there's no overwhelming desire to do it.