Healthcare in the Dominican Republic | Quality, Insurance, and Costs

Public vs. Private Healthcare

The Dominican healthcare system is two-tiered: a public network and a private sector. While public hospitals offer low-cost services, foreign retirees almost always opt for the comfort and high quality of the private sector.

What you should know:

Public Sector: May lack modern equipment and have long waiting times. Patients often have to bring their own basic supplies.
Private Sector: Offers state-of-the-art facilities and highly trained staff, comparable to North American and European standards. It is the preferred choice for the vast majority of expatriates.

Health Insurance Options and Costs

Having private insurance is crucial for expats, and fortunately, the options are accessible and affordable. A routine doctor's visit can cost as little as $40 USD.

Local Insurance (ARS): Very affordable plans, often starting from a few hundred dollars a year. They cover care in private clinics and hospitals.
International Insurance: Offer broader protection, including coverage for treatments abroad and medical evacuation if necessary, for premiums of $100 to $200 USD per month.

Key fact: U.S. Medicare insurance does not cover medical care outside of the United States. It is vital that American retirees purchase their own policy in the DR.

Healthcare in Popular Expat Areas

Access to healthcare is a key factor when choosing a place to retire. Here is a look at what you can expect in the main retirement destinations.

Santo Domingo & Santiago (Major Cities) 🏙️

The capital, Santo Domingo, and the second largest city, Santiago, have the best medical care in the country. Both cities have multiple state-of-the-art private hospitals and specialized clinics, with cutting-edge technology and highly trained professionals. Expats living near these urban centers have access to a full range of world-class medical services.

Punta Cana (East Coast) 🌴

This major tourist and expat hub has developed a modern and reliable healthcare infrastructure. The area has reputable private hospitals, such as Hospital IMG and Hospiten Bávaro, which offer a wide range of services and English-speaking staff. For highly specialized treatments, residents can travel to Santo Domingo (about 2 hours away).

North Coast (Puerto Plata, Sosúa, Cabarete) 🏖️

This region, with long-standing expat communities, has private clinics and a well-equipped hospital such as the Centro Médico Bournigal in Puerto Plata. For routine medical needs and many emergencies, local facilities are sufficient. For more complex surgeries or specialists, expats often travel to Santiago, which is only an hour away.

Las Terrenas & Samaná Peninsula 🌊

In smaller towns like Las Terrenas, healthcare options are more limited. Although there are private clinics for routine care, serious medical cases often require a trip to a larger city. Most expats in this region travel to Santo Domingo (about 2.5 hours by highway) for major hospital services.

Jarabacoa and Other Rural Areas 🏞️

Mountain retirement spots like Jarabacoa offer an excellent quality of life, but medical care is more basic. Residents have access to small clinics and hospitals for general medicine, but for advanced care, it is necessary to travel to Santiago (about a 45-minute drive).

Quality Healthcare for Your Retirement