The Dominican Republic is one of the fastest-growing destinations for expats, having issued almost 44,000 residence permits in 2024. Though this tropical island nation is small, it continually has some of the highest rates of happiness and contentment in the world. With warm, sunny weather, gorgeous beaches, and a welcoming culture, how could you not be in high spirits?
If you’re considering taking the leap and moving to call paradise home, here are a few lifestyle tips you should know. Keep reading and learn more about living in Cabarete with Casa Linda.
Summer Watersports Competitions
Cabarete is home to a global watersports community, with multiple tournaments taking place annually. It comes as no shock, given the oceanfront town’s proximity to several breathtaking beaches, including Cabarete Beach, Encuentro Beach and Sosúa Beach. If you travel to any of these beaches, you’ll be bound to see boarders embracing the waves. While Cabarete is a dream come true year-round for watersports enthusiasts, June to September is known as the popular season with the most consistent winds.
Annual tournaments, such as Master of the Ocean, attract talent from all over the world to showcase their wave-shredding skills! This international tournament contains five specialty watersport competitions, including surfing, kitesurfing, standup paddleboarding, windboarding, and wind foiling!
Internationally Recognized Schools
Moving your entire family over can be nerve-wracking, let alone if you have children and teens. But rest assured: Just a six-minute drive from Casa Linda is the International School of Sosúa (ISS), a highly recognized private educational institution for the children of Dominican Republic expats.
ISS is fully US-accredited, so your children can attend any US or international university afterward. This Pre-K-12 school has over 10 acres of lush outdoor space and boasts multiple facilities, including a large multi-use outdoor complex, an engineering centre, and a martial arts dojo. At ISS, students will be taught entirely in English while still learning about the local culture with Spanish language and Dominican history classes.
Check out our video for more information on the International School of Sousa!
Driving & Transportation
Once in the Dominican Republic, expats will need a way to get around. After all, how else will you get to the beach to sip mimosas? In the Dominican Republic, expats and foreigners can drive for up to 30 days with a legal foreign driver's license. But after 30 days, expats must obtain their own DR license.
Before cruisin’ and groovin’, expats can convert their foreign licence to DR one by submitting the following documents to INTRANT:
- Permanent residency card
- Foreign driver's license (original and copy)
- Proof of comprehensive eye examination
- Diplomatic certification (obtained from an embassy or consulate)
- Valid passport
- Affidavit of income
- Proof of license conversion payment
If you don’t want to worry about driving around, we have you covered! Casa Linda has a daily shuttle service that runs multiple times a day, taking residents to local spots. Explore downtown Sosúa Centre, Sosúa Beach, Cabarete Beach, and other local spots easily!
Coastal Living with Casa Linda
Ready to take the leap? We’re excited to help! We offer luxury villas in a modern, tranquil community on the Dominican Republic’s northern coast. Live like a local in an island paradise with Casa Linda. Contact us today to learn more about our vibrant expat community.
