What We Wish We Knew Before Moving to DR 🇩🇴

Moving to the Dominican Republic has been one of the coolest things I’ve ever done, but it definitely came with its challenges—especially when it comes to healthcare.

If you’re thinking about making a similar move, or you’re already here, I wanted to share how we’ve navigated the healthcare system.

Here are three key things we’ve learned along the way.

#1: We Chose to Get Local Health Insurance

When we first moved to Punta Cana, we didn’t bother with health insurance. Doctor visits were so cheap that it didn’t seem necessary.

But after a GI issue led me through a series of tests, consultations, and a colonoscopy, we realized that insurance was a must.

We went with the Humano Max plan, which costs about $293 a month for our family of four.

If you’re considering whether to get insurance, my advice is to think about how much you’d want coverage in case of a real emergency.

For us, having that local insurance means we don’t have to worry about whether we’ll get treated—because we know we’ll be covered.

#2: Finding the Right Medical Facilities

With insurance in hand, the next step was figuring out where to go for care.

We’ve found that Punta Cana Doctors is our go-to clinic for pretty much everything—primary care, specialist visits, and even preventive tests.

It’s super convenient, and the care has been top-notch.

For more serious issues, like when our son got Dengue fever, we had to use a local hospital, Centro Medico Punta Cana.

We were blown away by how modern the facility was and how well our son was cared for. And thanks to our insurance, the total bill for a three-day hospital stay was next to nothing (more on that below).

It’s incredible what you can get here for a fraction of what it would cost in the States.

#3: Validating the Care We Received

I’ll be honest—when we first moved, I was a bit nervous about the quality of healthcare here.

But after my colonoscopy, I sent the results to a friend who’s a GI doctor in the U.S., and he confirmed that everything was in line with what he’d expect back home.

Similarly, when our son had Dengue, we were able to consult with a top tropical disease expert in Australia who validated the treatment he received.

These experiences really put my mind at ease.

If you’re like me and you’ve got some concerns about healthcare in another country, it might be worth getting a second opinion from a trusted source back home—just to confirm that the care you’re getting is as good as you hope.

This is just a quick overview of what we’ve experienced with healthcare in the Dominican Republic.

If you’re interested in diving deeper into the details, I cover everything from insurance options to specific hospitals and doctors in my latest video. Check it out below!

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