SpanishSpeakingPractice🇩🇴 Dominican Republic guide

Renting an apartment in the Dominican Republic

Find your apartment in Santo Domingo or the beach towns — in Spanish.

Dominican rentals split clearly between city (Santo Domingo, Santiago) and beach (Las Terrenas, Cabarete, Punta Cana). City rentals are formal with contracts and a deposit; beach rentals are often monthly Airbnb-style with cash and a handshake.

The phrases you'll hear constantly: 'mensual' (monthly), 'depósito' (one month deposit), 'inversor' (battery backup — power cuts are common). Asking about the inversor up front separates serious renters from tourists.

Vocabulary

SpanishEnglish
apartamentoapartment
alquiler / rentarent
dueño / propietarioowner
depósitodeposit (usually one month)
mantenimientoHOA / maintenance
amueblado / sin amueblarfurnished / unfurnished
inversorbattery backup for power cuts
planta eléctricagenerator
tinacorooftop water tank
energía 24 horas24-hour electricity (a real selling point)
agua incluidawater included
parqueoparking spot
contrato anualyearly contract
una vainitaa little thing / small issue (DR slang)

Real dialogues

Practice both sides out loud.

WhatsApp with a beach-town owner

Monthly furnished apartment in Las Terrenas.

  • You

    Hola, qué lo qué, vi tu apartamento publicado. ¿Está disponible para el mes que viene?

    Hi, what's up, I saw your apartment listed. Is it available next month?

  • Dueño

    Sí, manín, todavía está. ¿Por cuánto tiempo lo necesitas?

    Yes, bro, still available. How long do you need it?

  • You

    Por tres meses. ¿Cuánto es el alquiler mensual y qué incluye?

    Three months. How much is the monthly rent and what's included?

  • Dueño

    Mil doscientos dólares mensual. Incluye agua, internet y el mantenimiento. Luz va aparte.

    $1,200 USD a month. Includes water, internet and HOA. Electricity separately.

  • You

    ¿Tiene inversor o planta? Para los apagones.

    Does it have an inverter or generator? For the power cuts.

  • Dueño

    Tiene inversor jevi, te aguanta todo el día. Y el edificio tiene planta también.

    Has a great inverter, lasts all day. And the building has a generator too.

  • You

    Tato. ¿El depósito es un mes?

    Cool. Is the deposit one month?

  • Dueño

    Sí, un mes de depósito más el primer mes por adelantado.

    Yes, one month deposit plus first month upfront.

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Dominican Republic local tips

Always ask about the inversor

Power cuts ('apagones') are common, especially outside main tourist zones. An inversor that lasts 8+ hours is non-negotiable for remote workers.

Las Terrenas, Cabarete and Sosúa rent in USD

Most expat-targeted listings on the north coast quote in dollars. Santo Domingo apartments usually quote in DOP.

Cash is king for short-term

Many beach-town owners prefer USD cash for monthly rentals. Negotiate a discount if you pay 3 months upfront.

Practice prompts

  1. 01Send a voice note: greeting, dates, 3 questions (incluido, inversor, depósito).
  2. 02Ask if the building has 24-hour electricity and a generator.
  3. 03Negotiate $100 off in exchange for paying 3 months upfront.

FAQs

Do I need a Dominican guarantor to rent?

Almost never for foreigners. Short-term and beach rentals are paid in cash; long-term Santo Domingo rentals just want a deposit and a passport copy.

How bad are the power cuts?

Variable. Punta Cana resort areas barely notice. Las Terrenas, Cabarete and parts of Santo Domingo can lose power 1–3 hours a day. A good inversor and/or a building generator solves it.

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