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Welcome to the forums. Great introduction and some good questions.

If you are getting residency you can take advantage of the ability to ship a container including a vehicle. There are rules so be aware!  I do not believe it includes your Harley but I am not positive.

Welcome!

For money transfers, the Scotia Bank here is a separate entity with just a loose affiliation to the Canadian bank. Transferring funds will be an international wire - with no advantage, that I'm aware of, over transferring between any two other international banks. You can withdraw cash at a Dominican Scotia Bank ATM from your Canadian Scotia account without fees.

Altice and Claro are the two big cell phone providers. Not much difference between the companies in general, but coverage can be spotty in certain areas. I would suggest finding out which has better coverage where you plan to live.

Internet will depend on what is available in your area. I'm in Las Terrenas, so I don't know what options you will have in La Romana, and specifically in your residencia. We've recently switched to Starlink and are very happy! Other than delays once the kit arrived in DR and DHL not knowing exactly where it was for about a week, it's been great! Installation was quick and easy and I've now helped another friend install his.

We shipped our car in, but we did so with our residency so we got a discount on the import duty. If the car you currently own fits the criteria (V6 or smaller engine, less than 5 years old, owned for at least a year, etc.) and is an appropriate car to have here (availability of parts and knowledgable mechanics, practical for terrain, etc.), and you are applying for residency, then definitely consider importing. We found that replacing our car here would cost more than the shipping and import fees. We had purchased a Toyota 4Runner about a year before our planned move because it is the perfect car for us (living in LT with rough roads and living up in the hills where 4WD is needed when roads are wet).

Very good post, senorita.....excellent

I too, imported my vehicle... long time ago..... well worth it -- still going strong since Jan 2009

Bring a bank check……… and you deposit it

Welcome!
For money transfers, the Scotia Bank here is a separate entity with just a loose affiliation to the Canadian bank. Transferring funds will be an international wire - with no advantage, that I'm aware of, over transferring between any two other international banks. You can withdraw cash at a Dominican Scotia Bank ATM from your Canadian Scotia account without fees.

Altice and Claro are the two big cell phone providers. Not much difference between the companies in general, but coverage can be spotty in certain areas. I would suggest finding out which has better coverage where you plan to live.

Internet will depend on what is available in your area. I'm in Las Terrenas, so I don't know what options you will have in La Romana, and specifically in your residencia. We've recently switched to Starlink and are very happy! Other than delays once the kit arrived in DR and DHL not knowing exactly where it was for about a week, it's been great! Installation was quick and easy and I've now helped another friend install his.

We shipped our car in, but we did so with our residency so we got a discount on the import duty. If the car you currently own fits the criteria (V6 or smaller engine, less than 5 years old, owned for at least a year, etc.) and is an appropriate car to have here (availability of parts and knowledgable mechanics, practical for terrain, etc.), and you are applying for residency, then definitely consider importing. We found that replacing our car here would cost more than the shipping and import fees. We had purchased a Toyota 4Runner about a year before our planned move because it is the perfect car for us (living in LT with rough roads and living up in the hills where 4WD is needed when roads are wet).
-@ddmcghee

I will add that if plan to stay more time here than in Canada, Claro post pay plans let you use your internet and minutes up to 3 months in a row in Canada, all incoming and outgoing callas are free within Canada and to the Dominican Republic.

Most newbies don't qualify for post pay plans.  But, this is great info for others. Thanks

@Tippj  depositing Canadian checks here is not an option at any bank I know of.  US checks?  Yes, but it takes about a month to clear and have the funds released.

Exactly!  Depositing even local checks are a huge pain in the you know...

Scotia banks is clearing my USA checks in 12 days now,  before it was 30 days or more

We transfer funds from our CIBC account in Canada to our Scotiabank account in Las Terrenas with no problem. Usually happens within 48 hours.

That's a wire transfer and not a check. Two different things.

In case of a wire it can take up to 10 days especially the first time. And large amounts take longer due to money laundering rules.

Checks are ridiculous and can take 30 days. 

I have never had to wait 10 days for a wire transfer... NEVER

Usually 24 hrs or less..... no, not from NoAmerica

So you have been lucky.  I have had them take 8 to 10 days on several occasions.  Almost always its the first wire from someone but not always.

Hahaha

Been lucky for looong time...... and I never hit a red light when driving.

My record must be cleaner than most

Try Wise (ex Transfer Wise,) they have an app in the App Store.

A US$ account is recommended. The transfer is done in US$. Transfers via this company take less than a week.

One can also find information about Wise in YouTube.

It is always strongly recommended to rent a place for a few months in the area where one desires to make a significant residential investment, in order to get a first hand experience of the area. Might not be what you expect.

If commuting to Newfoundland is a priority, you might want to consider living in an area closer to PUJ. There are many issues to take into consideration when planning to commute from LRM to YYT.

Starlink is the best and most costly advance communication vía satélite. The next and considerably less costly second choice would be Claro monthly payment package with 5G and fiber optic. Now connected to services in Canada and the USA.

Happy New Year and Welcome to Paradise!

Trust but verify. Local Legal counseling is always recommended when planning to settle in a foreign country.

There is a Canadian Consulate in Palma Real shopping center in Bavaro, Punta Cana. They are always willing to help Canadians with orientation matters.

There is a Medical Group in Bavaro that accepts Canadian Health Insurance.

Good points are being made. There is a lot to consider!

What is the name of the medical group in Bavaro that accepts Canadian medical insurance? Can someone reply please.

I have a friend that send himself money using xoom, and if he do it early most of the time he can pick up the money same day at Caribe Express. They also give the option to pick up the money in US Dollars or Dominican Pesos.

Money transfering

• Xoom
• Western Union
• Bank wires ( you can open a scotia account here )
• Direct deposit
• 
  

Phones:

bring your own unlocked phone here do not buy something down here with missing parts it's more expensive and just not worth it in many ways. Claro, Altice. I find Altice better for North coast.

Internet Claro. Depends what you use it for if you use the internet all day just get starlink and pay the 120 a month, if you dont and all you care about is calling home and reading online with some lag then use the local service which will be about 2000 pesos for something usable.

Again we have beat this to death!