Samaná, Dominican Republic

Cost Of Living In Samaná

While it offers many amenities that other Latin American destinations don’t, don’t make the mistake of thinking that living here will be at all like living back home. It won’t.

And, if you’re up for an adventure, want to get your hands a little dirty, but still like some imported wine and cheese at the end of the day, then this is the perfect spot for you.

A couple can enjoy the lifestyle here for less than 50,838 Dominican pesos per month.

Las Terrenas, on the Samaná Peninsula, offers the best lifestyle in the Dominican Republic.

What sets Las Terrenas apart in the DR—and from any other beach town in the region—is its sophisticated lifestyle. The French settled Las Terrenas generations ago, and their mark is clear. People greet each other with kisses on both cheeks, signs are in French, and baguette is de rigueur.

Monthly Budget For A Couple

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Infrastructure In Samaná

The lack of infrastructure that greeted the intrepid expats that first found Las Terrenas is a thing of the past.

The most significant change to the region came in 2009 with the Samaná-Santo Domingo highway.

It used to take anywhere from four to six hours to drive to Las Terrenas from the capital, depending on the condition of the meandering dirt road.

Now though, the drive is a pleasant two hours on a smooth four-lane highway.

With improved access, costs came down in Las Terrenas as goods were easier to bring into town.

In the five years since the advent of the Samaná-Santo Domingo highway, new businesses offering varied services and products have come to Las Terrenas, giving residents more choice and more competitive prices.

The easy trip to capital city Santo Domingo means you’re never too far from a real city and its shopping, museums, theaters, and stadiums.

Santo Domingo used to be home to the only nearby international airport. The opening of El Catey airport in Las Terrenas changed that with regular flights to Canada and the U.S. East Coast, offering plenty of national flights too.

Another of the most recent First World improvements for Las Terrenas was the opening of its brand new hospital Centro Galeno Integral—full service and complete with ICU. This place does it all.

Climate In Samaná

Samaná boasts miles of sandy beaches and balmy temperatures, with a yearly tropical maritime climate. The weather is fairly consistent all year, with an average temperature of 86°F.

The hot and humid season lasts from May to October. And, during the day, temperatures can reach 95°F.

From November to March, temperatures in Samaná during the evening are around 68°F.

Little rain falls around the area, primarily because of the mostly flat landscape, a combination of savanna and mountains.

Expats In Samaná, Dominican Republic

Once a hamlet and still unknown to North Americans, Las Terrenas, Samaná, was founded by Europeans looking for a Caribbean getaway in the 1970s.

It’s now a vibrant international community with residents hailing from all over the globe, including French, German, Polish, Swiss, Italian, Dutch, and British expats.

The eclectic population means you can find exotic imports from Europe in the supermarkets, freshly made Swiss cheese and German sausage at the local shops, excellent international restaurants, and an active and mixed group of folks to welcome you to their well-established community.