Health, Education, and Transport in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic’s year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches and stunning views, not to mention the tax-free status afforded to foreign investors, has made it one of the most lucrative destinations in the world for individuals looking to make money from tourism and property investments. This influx of money from overseas has helped to develop the health, transport, and education infrastructure to the point where the majority of the needs and desires of the expatriate community can now comfortably be met, and in many cases exceeded.

While the Dominican Republic is home to many world-class hospitals and GP surgeries, private health insurance is required for all but the most basic facilities and services. Don’t assume that your travel insurance will cover you for all eventualities – check with your insurance broker before you go, and if necessary take out extra cover. It is highly recommended that you are vaccinated against Typhoid and Hepatitis A at least a month before first arriving in the country, and a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever may also be required when arriving from certain destinations.

Thanks in no small part to the large number of American expatriates who have emigrated to the country over the years, international schools with a strong Western influence are relatively commonplace on the island. English is widely spoken, and is the predominant language spoken and taught in Dominican classrooms, so the transition from an education in a primarily English-speaking country such as the UK or the US should not involve much in the way of a language barrier.

Due to the phenomenal tourist trade, and world-class airport infrastructure, getting to the Dominican Republic from virtually anywhere in the world simply isn’t a problem. However, be prepared for a long, and quite possibly rather expensive flight. If you are planning regular visits to your island paradise, be sure to figure the cost of all these flights into your budget.

Probably the best way to get around once you’re there is to drive, although the public transport infrastructure is improving all the time. There are numerous car-hire firms operating in the Republic offering a wide variety of vehicle types, although if you are moving to the area permanently it may be more cost-effective in the long run to buy a car instead. If you are only going to be on the island for a short time, you will have to buy a temporary driving licence, which will be easily available from the vehicle rental agency. If you are planning a permanent stay, however, you will have to apply for a permanent driving licence, although if you already hold a valid licence in your own country this should not prove too difficult.