The Dominican Republic for years has been a popular retirement destination for Canadians looking for warm climate places to spend the winter or live year-long. Among the most popular places in the country are the cities of Santo Domingo and Santiago and the north coast beach communities of Puerto Plata, Sosua, Cabrera and Samana. Also Punta Cana in the east, the city of Santiago, and the mountain destinations, Jarabacoa and Constanza.
Joel Santos, president of the Association of Hotels & Tourism (Asonahores), explains that foreigners prefer this country to retire because of the cost of living, the tropical climate and the active social life. These are the findings of a recent study commissioned by Asonahores and the Association Of Housing Builders And Promoters (Asocoprovi) on the potential of the country as a retirement destination.
Among the plusses is the easy access to health services, as well as the culture and hospitable nature of Dominicans, the diversity of the terrain and good infrastructures connecting the entire country.
Santos noted that 17% of the Canadian population living in the country is over 65 years of age. He said there is great potential for the real estate market in the Dominican Republic.
The study also noted the benefits granted by Law 171-07 that grants specific incentives to persons who live on pensions from foreign countries.
According to statistics from the Central Bank, 827,700 Canadian tourists visited the DR in 2017.
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20 March 2018
