Top 7 Reasons to Live in Santo Domingo (and 3 Reasons You Might Not Want To)
- Jessica Vides
- 7 hours ago
- 6 min read
Santo Domingo is an evolving city, alive with culture, history, and food scenes that are always expanding. Even though we recently relocated to Santo Domingo, my heart (and this blog) will always stay rooted in the south—with its rock beaches, deserts and larimar-colored sea. But Santo Domingo is where you can catch a bus to anywhere on the island, try fusion dishes at midnight, and stumble into history on every corner. Here’s why it might just be the most exciting place to live in the Dominican Republic right now (and a few reasons it might not be).
1. The Hub of the Country
Living in Santo Domingo means you’re at the center of Dominican Republic's travel system. Caribe Tours, the country’s main bus company (think of it like the Greyhound of the U.S.), has its central station in the city, connecting you to almost every region. From here you can ride north to Sosúa or Puerto Plata, west to Barahona, or east to La Romana for under $10 USD. With Expreso Bavaro bus service, you can get to Punta Cana in a few hour. One of the stops will drop you off directly at the Punta Cana (PUJ) airport terminal.
If you drive, major highways make day or weekend trips easy. In three to four hours you can reach some of the country’s most beautiful areas—Samaná’s beaches, Barahona’s coastline, or the smaller northern towns like Cabrera. Living in the capital gives you the benefits of a busy city while still keeping the rest of the country within reach.
2. Endless Food & Dining Options
Santo Domingo is the place to live if you love to eat. The city has everything—from casual street food on every corner to fine dining in neighborhoods like Zona Colonial, Naco, and Piantini. If you want upscale, you can sit down to a tasting menu in Piantini, then grab late-night empanadas or chimis (the Dominican-style burger) on your way home.
International food is everywhere. You’ll find Korean restaurants ranging from casual barbecue spots where you cook at the table to more formal dining experiences. Japanese sushi bars are tucked into almost every neighborhood, Italian trattorias serve wood-fired pizza, and Lebanese restaurants offer shawarma and meze plates that feel straight from the Middle East. Of course, Dominican food is still at the heart of it all—mangu, mofongo, and fresh seafood are always nearby.
Eating out here is part of the culture. It’s normal to meet friends for dinner at 9:00 p.m., linger for hours, and sometimes end up ordering pizza or street food again before the night is over. Whether you’re into fine dining or hole-in-the-wall discoveries, Santo Domingo makes eating well way too easy.
3. Cultural Calendar is Always Full
Santo Domingo always has something happening. The Isle of Light Festival every March brings international headliners to the capital’s waterfront, while the Bocao Food Fest is a must for food lovers with dozens of local chefs and vendors showing off the country’s flavors. There’s also a jazz festival, beer festivals, and smaller cultural events throughout the year that make it easy to stumble onto live music, art, or street food on any given weekend.
OK To Beer Festival | 2023
On top of festivals, the city’s big venues—like Estadio Olímpico, Estadio Quisqueya, and Teatro Nacional—regularly host concerts, theater, and dance at ticket prices far cheaper than what you’d pay in the U.S. Shakira, Marc Anthony, and Bad Bunny have all performed here, and local favorites pack the stadiums too. And if you want something that feels truly Dominican, nothing beats baseball game—complete with roaring fans, live music between innings, and a stadium snack in hand.
Marc Anthony Concert | 2024
4. Modern Conveniences
Santo Domingo makes everyday life surprisingly easy. You’ll find large supermarkets stocked with both local and imported goods, modern shopping malls, coworking spaces, and reliable internet. Getting around is simple with Uber and other ride-share apps, so you don’t always need a car. The city also has excellent private medical clinics, many with English-speaking doctors, which is a huge plus for expats. Families appreciate the variety of international schools, and anyone coming from abroad will feel right at home with conveniences that smaller towns just don’t offer.
5. City Living Energy
Santo Domingo is a city that never slows down. From colmados where friends gather for a cold beer, to bars with live music and spots for dancing to típico rhythms, the capital has a vibe for every mood. Each neighborhood carries its own personality — some more local, others more polished, and even hipster corners popping up. Like any big city, it’s all about finding your scene.
For an evening of live music and fun with a Dominican vibe, check out these spots in Zona Colonial:
Jalao | Dominican restaurant with live music Wednesday-Sunday night. There is a small cover charge after 7pm
Onno's | Taco Tuesday at its finest! Enjoy happy hour, specials and music at this fun bar
Hasta la Tambora | Live music Wednesday-Sunday. There is a minimum consumption but no cover!
Grupo Bonye | Live music in the San Francisco Ruins in the Colonial Zone from 6-9pm
Grupo Bonye | Live Music in Zona Colonial
6. History Meets Modern
In Santo Domingo, the past and present exist side by side. The Colonial Zone is the heart of it, where cobblestone streets and centuries-old squares meet modern cafes, boutique shops, and amazing architecture. You can sip coffee in a 500-year-old plaza, explore Fort Ozama—where after dark they show an outdoor movie about the history of the island—and then browse the fun gift shops on El Conde (a pedestrian street that goes through the heart of Zona Colonial).
For museum lovers, there’s plenty to keep you busy. The Maritime Museum showcases the country’s naval history, while the Kahkow Experience dives into one of the island’s most famous exports, chocolate. Art, culture, and history blend seamlessly here, and every corner tells a story. For a full day of exploration, check out our post on how to spend a day in the Zona Colonial, where history meets modern city energy in the best way.
Ozama Fort, The Colonial Zone
7. Affordable City Living
Santo Domingo is by far the most affordable place to live in the country, especially compared with U.S. cities. You can rent a luxury apartment downtown—close to nightlife, restaurants, and business hubs—for a fraction of the cost it would be in America. Even if you want extra comfort, it’s easy to hire someone to cook and clean for you at a reasonable price, which makes city living feel effortless.
Private medical care is excellent, with English-speaking doctors at many clinics, and health insurance is both affordable and reliable—you just need your passport to apply. Between modern conveniences, entertainment, and cost-effective living, Santo Domingo lets you enjoy city life without the high prices you’d expect elsewhere.
⚠️ 3 Reasons Santo Domingo Might Not Be for Everyone
1. Traffic is Real
Getting across Santo Domingo can take longer than you expect, especially during peak hours. What would be a15 minute drive on a Sunday, may take 1.5 hours in rush hour during the week. The city offers multiple ways to get around—Uber, the Metro, and cable cars in certain neighborhoods. There’s also an extensive public transit system of buses and shared public cars, but if you’re not familiar with it, it’s best to go with someone who knows the routes and local tips. Whether you’re driving or taking transit, patience (or a good podcast) is essential when navigating the capital.
Photo credit: Dominican Today
2. Noise & Hustle
Santo Domingo is a bustling city, which means there’s less green space and quiet than in smaller towns or coastal villages. If you’re someone who thrives on nature, you may miss having trees, trails, and wide-open spaces just outside your door. Living in any big city comes with an increased risk of petty crime, like pickpocketing or occasional muggings, so it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas or at night.
3. Less Nature, More Concrete
If you crave greenery and quiet, Santo Domingo can feel more urban than smaller coastal towns or mountain areas. That said, the city has its beautiful spots and sits right by the ocean along the Malecón, a cliffside waterfront where people gather in the evenings to hang out or exercise before the sun gets too strong.
There are also several parks scattered throughout the city, and one of our favorite escapes is the Botanical Gardens—an immense garden in the middle of the city where, for a small entrance fee, you can enjoy lush paths and a peaceful break from the urban hustle. Living here means trading wide-open nature for convenience and city energy, but there are still plenty of places to enjoy fresh air and outdoor life.
So, yes—Santo Domingo has its quirks (and traffic that tests your emotional intelligence ), but it’s also a city that won’t let you settle into monotony. We have just moved to Santo Domingo, but trust me—we'll still be chasing remote beaches, and mountain secrets as much as ever. Santo Domingo will add a new chapter to Cliff & Cove: one where the city’s story meets the sea, where your urban discoveries and southern escapes meet in the middle. Stick around—it’s going to be an exciting ride.