Mmr986
Canadian expat in Dominican Republic
Forum posts
44
Contacts
4
About me
Canadian
Lives in Sos煤a, Puerto Plata
Speaks English
Registration: 23 August 2017
Remitly issue by wondering9
I'm trying to transfer money from a US bank to Banco Santa Cruz via Remitly. It's not going smoothly, and I thought I'd check here to see if anyone has had a similar experience or otherwise has light to shed on this.The transfer has been kicked back ...
I gave up on transferring with Remitly to BSC. The first few went smoothly but after that , they started requiring source of funds documention. All of this was provided and it still didn鈥檛 go through. Calls, more documentation and then ... Read More
Residency Renewal 2025 by UncleBuck
I have successfully completed the online renewal application for Temporary Residency. My Residency and C茅dula both expire mid-November this year. The date being offered to pick up my card is end of January 2026.I know they are changing the ...
We just renewed on Wednesday, luckily just before storm hit SD. Thanks to Lishali and Melissa we were on our way home after just 2 hours Read More
Anti Sex Tourism Raids in Sosua - will they work? Who knows by windeguy
By now most everyone in the DR has heard about the Attorney General trying to eradicate sex tourism in the DR. With a focus first and foremost on Sosua which has had more than a few days of raids by up to 600 police. Even the POTDR has mentioned ...
Sosua has so much potential and could be so much nicer, A section of Pedro Clisante could be blocked off to cars, motos and ATVs and whatever else that has a motor and turn that area into a pedestrian friendly walkable area with shops and ... Read More
Edenorte North Coast - Updates Anyone?
Does anyone have any information at all on upgrades to the infrastructure on the North Coast (Sosua/Cabarete) with regards to Edenorte and the power supply or lack of it? I have noticed a marked decrease in the reliability the past 2-3 months. Read More
Propane Generator Installation
Can anyone recommend someone to install a propane generator in Sosua? Read More
Generators by Mmr986
We live on the North Coast and are in the market for a Generator. Any recommendations are much appreciated. In an effort to minimize cost we don鈥檛 feel we need backup power to run the entire house but rather just bare essentials such as a ...
Thank you Papito, from your experience and from what I鈥檝e read is a 8000 watt generator large enough to get through disruptions? Also, you mention manually switching off appliances you don't need on the system, does this mean unplugging ... Read More
Generators
We live on the North Coast and are in the market for a Generator. Any recommendations are much appreciated. In an effort to minimize cost we don鈥檛 feel we need backup power to run the entire house but rather just bare essentials such as a ... Read More
Bank Transfer by thezuber
I am trying to transfer money from Scotiabank Canada to Banco Santa cruz but Scotiabank wont accept the Swift #SCRZDOSD. They require numerical only. Any help would be appreciated
I have been using Remitly for transfers from my Canadian bank to BANCO Santa Cruz for 2 years. The first year, no issues at all. For some reason the last few transfers were nothing but problems. Remitly has changes the intermediary bank and as ... Read More
Exchange canadian dollars by joieval52
Is it possible or worthwhile to exchange Canadian dollars while in the Dominican Republic? vs exchanging Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars (here in Canada) and then exchanging it into pesos when in DR. Does anyone have experience with this..? Thank ...
If you have an account here in DR you can easily transfer Pesos to that account from your Canadian Branch, usually takes 1 - 2 days to arrive. As a comparison $1000 Canadian transfers to $40,000 RD using REMITLY. The same $1000 exchanged at a TD ... Read More
Buying a car in the Dominican Republic... by ppauley
I'm new to the 鈥渆xpat.com鈥� Dominican Republic forum, so please forgive me if my post鈥檚 question has been previously answered. My partner, Michelle, and I have recently purchased a villa near Sosu谩. We plan to arrive in ...
Just wanted to give a shout out to Cruffman. Gave him a budget and a few preferences and he did all the leg work and located a nice clean vehicle in Santo Domingo. (I might add that he steered me away from another good looking vehicle that had ... Read More
Tropical Storm Fiona by planner
I am starting a thread for all of us to be aware. Currently she is off the east of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. She dipped a little south and has slowed her speed down.It is projected she could be near Hurricane strength when she ...
Snowinpalm鈥� that was a little harsh. What鈥檚 wrong with a little warning and a bit of sage advice鈥� Read More
Route 5 delays because of Bridge Closure west of Puerto Plata Airport by windeguy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5188gq4Tmm0&t=498s
Just drove through the detour today(Tuesday). 30 minutes to Puerto Plata at 6 am. 90 minutes on return trip at 9:30 am. A lot more traffic at that time as well as an ambulance trying to get through with its lights and siren.The road itself was in ... Read More
Rio Camu Bridge in Cangrejo POP Out by Tripp789
Yesterday a support of this key bridge broke and Route 5 is now closed in both directions. 聽This blocks traffic between the POP airport and Puerto Plata.聽Apparently a smaller bridge over the same river later collapsed after large trucks ...
Apparently there are 2 routes through Montellano that can bypass the bridge. One, I鈥檓 assuming that has been mentioned by TRIPP789 that is no longer functional. Has anyone managed to get through this area 聽using the other? Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
Hopefully Abinader and his Finance Minister updates the Country鈥檚 projectIons including this $4000RD windfall. 馃槼 Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
In my opinion as an investor in this country you have to simply do some long range planning. Whether you are a property owner or simply driving on a regular basis you benefit greatly from having some sort of legal standing. For us getting our ... Read More
Living with Covid19 by Guest2022
I wonder how may people have now accepted they need to change the way they live in the future now that covid19 looks a certainty to be here to stay globally for a long time? Social distancing and use of face masks seems inevitable when out and ...
Abinader has certainly said the rights things as far as eliminating corruption and increasing transparency, time will tell if he will be much different from past regimes. As far as Covid is concerned what would he try that will be markedly different ... Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
We left on July 7th, paid the usual overstay fee but no copy of passport. There already is an electronic record of your stay Read More
COVID-19 by Guest2022
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51611422 https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/la-organizacion-mundial-de-la-salud-alerta-sobre-riesgo-de-pandemia-IC17269212 [b]Coronavirus: World should prepare for pandemic, says WHO[/b] Worrying signs, with ...
Has anyone heard of a 鈥� Sworn Health Form鈥� that is required prior to flying? Is this available at the airport or is a Doctor examination required. Apparently this is required under the new Airport Travel Protocol Read More
COVID-19 by Guest2022
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51611422 https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/la-organizacion-mundial-de-la-salud-alerta-sobre-riesgo-de-pandemia-IC17269212 [b]Coronavirus: World should prepare for pandemic, says WHO[/b] Worrying signs, with ...
This was the manner in which Ontario, the largest province in Canada staged openings. Toronto, in particular lagged behind other areas in opening up different stages. Read More
Flight Cancelled by Mark and Al
Just as a note to anyone wondering about getting to the DR.... Our flight to Punta Cana on May 20 (from the US) was cancelled by the airline. I was fortunate that they gave me a refund instead of forcing me to take a voucher\credit. Next I get to ...
What is the appeal for a visitor here when the positivity of tests is so high and the number of active cases continue to grow? Unless there is some control on where you stay and limitations on movement while you are here the risk seems to far ... Read More
Price for fresh fish per pound by Meleger
Hello. Do you guys approximately how much one should pay for fresh mahi mahi? There is a guy around cabarete beach that sells his fish at $200 pesos per pound uncut. What do you think, is this gringo price? Thanks mel
Fresh fish usually weighed and priced prior to cleaning and cutting into fillets. Currently paying $170 rd for fresh Mahi Mahi and Tuna in Charamicos Read More
COVID-19 by Guest2022
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51611422 https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/la-organizacion-mundial-de-la-salud-alerta-sobre-riesgo-de-pandemia-IC17269212 [b]Coronavirus: World should prepare for pandemic, says WHO[/b] Worrying signs, with ...
Extraordinary is certainly one way to describe it! Ludicrous is probably more accurate Read More
Temporary Resdidencia - first steps! by planner
As a regular person, not applying for work visa or a retirement special status recidencia, you can apply for the temporary residencia. The principal difference is that you will require a local sponsor to vouch for you and your family when applying ...
We are on our way back from Santo Domingo after filing our Residency Application. The entire process was a breeze largely in part to our Lawyer Lishali B谩ez Mejia. She is extremely professional, organized and saved us countless hours if we ... Read More
Storing Items in the DR by ryan_mccredie
Knowing the climate I am curious to know any and all storage tips. I am talking about clothing, linens, silverware (prob not real silver lol), cloth furniture, electronics, beach equipment, appliances, etc. Just buying first home in the DR North ...
Last time we left for 6 months and had stored all our clothes and bed linens in large vacuum sealable bags. No issues at all upon our return Read More
Residencia renewal - actual process by planner
I am reposting this with permission, it was originally posted on FB and has great information! Temp to Permanent Residency - a tale of 220 days! For whomever it may help, here's the process with timeline that I followed to change from ...
Can anyone comment on what I just read in a tourism article 鈥淢uch of the credit for rising retirement tourism goes to the government of this country who has released a special residential program for pensioners receiving a minimum $1500 per ... Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
For what it鈥檚 worth I went to the DR Consulate in Toronto today. I was told that a 30 day extension to your initial visa could only be done in Santo Domingo and that you could no longer apply at the airport. Further to that I was also told ... Read More
pesos/cnd dollar by soozie
Hi Folks, Can someone please advise me the best way to handle money during my stay in Caberete? Do I bring pesos, do I go to bank and do withdrawals daily, do I use credit card. Any suggestions on handling my money in the cheapest and safest ...
The conversion from CDN to RD while in DR is very poor, below market rates, so even with the extra service charge. I have found it beneficial to convert to US $ first. If you are familiar with Norbert鈥檚 Gambit you can covert to US$ without ... Read More
pesos/cnd dollar by soozie
Hi Folks, Can someone please advise me the best way to handle money during my stay in Caberete? Do I bring pesos, do I go to bank and do withdrawals daily, do I use credit card. Any suggestions on handling my money in the cheapest and safest ...
As a Canadian I agree with DominicanadaMike. Bringing US $ I am further ahead because the exchange rates in DR are much better than if I were converting from CDN $, including all the fees involved. I also wire myself money directly through my ... Read More
Buying a car by jcrenshaw
I'm To DR trying buy me a used car any advice are help
I too can recommend Cruffman. He streamlined the entire process, minimized the endless searching for a suitable vehicle and was a pleasure to deal with. Read More
Buying a car by jcrenshaw
I'm To DR trying buy me a used car any advice are help
I had a very positive experience dealing with someone who does all the legwork for you. He is independent from the car dealer and can recommend a vehicle to suit your needs are find anything you may want specifically. He will view and test the car ... Read More
Dining on the North Coast - Sosua/Caberete
Thank you Astray, Bob and Tinker for the recommendations. We will endeavour to try them all in the coming months! Read More
Dining on the North Coast - Sosua/Caberete
Hello Everyone I would like a few recommendations in the Sosua and Caberete area for favourite dining spots. We love all types of food and have enjoyed Arsenio's, Vagamundo, Gorditos and Caberete Surf camp. It would be great to get few fav ... Read More
Purchasing PaddleBoards (SUP), Kiteboarding Equipment
Residing on the North Coast and looking to purchase a couple of inflatable Stand up PaddleBoards as well as kiteboarding equipment. Can anyone recommend a dealer, new or used. Thank you Read More
Moving to Sosua/Cabarete
Thank you Planner That is a great start! We will need 3 A/C units for bedrooms and the living area and having them installed. Any referral you have would be appreciated. Marty Read More
Moving to Sosua/Cabarete
Hello Everyone My name is Marty. Myself and Heather are moving from Toronto to a condo near Laguna Beach. We plan to stay 6 months of the year. I have found Expat to be a great resource and wanted to thank you all for your contributions. We are so ... Read More