If you're planning a relocation to Santiago de los Caballeros, here's everything you need to know about the city's housing and accommodation market.
Located in the Cibao region and in the province of Santiago, Santiago de los Caballeros is the Dominican Republic's second-biggest city after Santo Domingo, the capital city. It is known to be an economically dynamic city. On its own, it makes an important contribution to the Dominican economy through numerous activities, including one of the country's largest free zones. It also hosts an international airport, as well as universities, etc.
If you are relocating there, finding accommodation should not be too complicated. One of the first things to do will be to inquire about its surroundings and about accommodation options which are available there. Note that rent prices can be quite high there, just like in the capital city.
Santiago de los Caballeros is a city-in-the-countryside hybrid. As a result, if someone transfers over, he or she will have a far better work–life balance. When compared to larger cities in the nation, the weather is pretty fresh, regular wage labor allows you to cover your service bills without much trouble, housing is also inexpensive, public places are extremely clean, and the transportation system is quite efficient.
Good to know:
Even though it is a pretty small city, it comes with its own international airport! If you want to travel within the country, however, it is best to take a bus. For example, the one to Santo Domingo does not take much longer than 3 hours.
Neighborhoods in Santiago de los Caballeros
Santiago de los Caballeros is one of the country's regions with the most fertile lands, especially as it is crossed by the Yaque del Norte River. The city is bordered in the North by the Puerto Plata province and in the South by the Jánico and San Jose de las Matas. In the East, you will find Tamboril and Licey al Medio, while in the West, you have Villa González and Esperanza.
Santiago is divided into five boroughs, namely Baitoa, Hato del Yaque, Canela, Pedro Garcia, and San Francisco Jacagua. You will probably be amazed by the number of shopping malls that have opened there, along with restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and other cultural attractions.
Unlike many other cities, tourism is not very developed in Santiago de los Caballeros despite local authorities' efforts to turn it into a tourist resort. This has, however, allowed the city to preserve its authentic yet modern look.
To begin, there are two neighborhoods in Santiago de los Caballeros where you should stay. It is strongly advised to look for an apartment close to El Monumento or in the Los Jardines district. Both areas are great, with a variety of pubs, clubs, and restaurants to pick from.
Most people who stayed at Los Jardines really enjoyed it and fell in love with the area. The pleasant thing is that you can stroll from the gym to the bar or club whenever you want, as everything is easy to reach and not far from each other. Supermarkets are also conveniently reachable.
How to move around Santiago de los Caballeros
Being one of the smallest cities in the Dominican Republic, it will not be expensive to get around here. The majority of the time, we recommend utilizing Uber to get from A to B. However, if you've spent some time in Santiago de los Caballeros, you may save some money by taking the city's communal taxis. Some people dislike public transit in general; however, these communal cabs have many different routes and are very reliable. Just discover the easiest ways that will get you wherever you want to go.
In Santiago, taking cabs on the street isn't a terrible idea. As the city still isn't swamped by travelers, you won't have to deal with the "ripping off foreigners" mentality that affects cabs in other destinations. Nonetheless, Uber is usually our fastest and overall safest option, especially if you're a woman and driving somewhere at night.
Good to know:
English is spoken by a remarkable amount of people in Santiago de los Caballeros. You are still advised to learn at least a little bit of Spanish before you arrive, and you will be surprised by how many doors this can open!
Find accommodation in Santiago de los Caballeros
The Internet will probably be your best search tool if you are looking for accommodation from abroad. You can browse housing offers in the Dominican Republic on numerous general and specialized websites. Networking and word-of-mouth may also help if you have friends and contacts in the region.
If you are already in the country, it is recommended that you seek the assistance of a real estate agency, especially if you do not have a good command of Spanish. You thus stand more chances of finding accommodation according to your criteria and your budget above all.
When searching for your next home, don't forget to look at the rates and the amenities that are usually provided. These may serve as a decent starting point. The next step is to do your research and make your choice. Make sure that when you rent, you get all the information that will help you in your selection and that it will be of sufficient quality.
As soon as you decide on your accommodation, make sure to pay attention to the quality of the services that may be provided by your chosen agency. This will assist you in obtaining an initial opinion regarding your desired accommodation and will allow you not to forget about the cost of your stay. Furthermore, when renting a property, the main thing that should be done is that the owner will communicate with you on an as-needed basis about your needs and any issues that might arise. It is also important to have an agent who is familiar with the Spanish language and who can translate. An agent will provide you with a written contract that establishes the terms of sale or rent.
Average costs of living in Santiago de los Caballeros
Santiago, Dominican Republic, is far less expensive than the capital. If you're on a tight budget and want to tour the country, this city could be your best bet. I'd even go so far as to claim Santiago de los Caballeros is comparable in pricing to Colombian cities. Everyday life is a lot cheaper here. The only challenge is finding suitable lodging.
The average monthly rent for an apartment is $350 to 750, a membership at a gym costs between $20 and $40 each month, and one meal costs on average, $3 to 8, plus a beer in the club is $2 to 4 which is actually not too expensive, but of course buying it in a supermarket an enjoying it at home will safe you some money; bottles of rum are $12 to 70, other liquor might be a bit more expensive due to import taxes. So once again, if you are looking for a place to relax your budget for a little while, this might be a pretty decent choice for you. You are not too far from the capital, nor very far from the beautiful beaches of the northern coast. You can also enjoy some hiking and mountains in the surrounding areas and still get some perks of living in a city, even if it is just a small one. Especially for young travelers or digital nomads, it is definitely a good place to live for a while.
Nightlife in Santiago de los Caballeros
It's not a city that comes alive at night, so if you are a night owl, you might want to reconsider your choice and look into Santo Domingo. There are several enjoyable venues in the city, but there is no actual party zone. You'll find a lot of reggaeton, perreo, and hookah throughout clubs in this city. Also, there are many cigar bars, which is not really surprising, as the Dominican Republic is one of the biggest fabricators of cigars. These are some of Santiago's most popular nightclubs and bars:
- Dubai Club: Undoubtedly the most influential disco in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dubai Club is always crowded with the city's social elite. This establishment has a good feel; however, it might be hit or miss. If you're looking for bottle service, this is your best bet, especially on weekends. If you are looking for something more budget-friendly, then this club might not be your first choice;
- Level Bar: Another pretty famous one is Level Bar. This club is located at Bella Terra Mall and is open until 4 in the morning on weekends. It is very popular, so you might want to get there early;
- Lovera Bar: The club is a bit outside of the city center but nonetheless one of the most beloved nightclubs amongst locals. Especially because it opens its doors every day of the week from 9 pm to 4 am. Definitely a must for all the party lovers. And the good news is: It has really decent prices for very decent cocktails and other drinks!
- Monaco Bar: It is one of the city's gay bars, which is a really fun club where you can have a great time with your friends. Although it seems like the interior could need some revitalization, the club is still one of the most popular gay clubs in Santiago de los Caballeros.
Things to do in your free time in Santiago de los Caballeros
Even though Santiago de los Caballeros isn't particularly touristic, the few sights in the city really are breathtaking. In this town, it is not hard to have a good time. If you work remotely, this could be just what you were looking for, as it is not really a tourist magnet and most of the time, you will share the city only with its locals. This makes it way easier to blend in and to honestly connect with the country's culture. However, we have listed the most enjoyable activities for you to spend your leisure time with:
- Visit a cigar factory: Even though you might not be a big fan of tours, you should definitely not miss out on this one! The one offered by Aurora Cigar Factory is a fantastic tour excursion. The factory is known all over the world as it is one of the top cigar producers;
- Go see the "Monumento": While you're in Santiago, you must spend an afternoon at El Monumento. The colossal landmark in the town center is definitely a treat to watch. It's also pleasant to roam about at the top and take a peek inside as well;
- Enjoy some water fun at the Charcos Damajagua: A long bus ride, but very well worth it. The 27 Charcos de Damajagua (which translates to 27 waterfalls) are a must-see when in the area. This one-of-a-kind adventure will have you plunging through crystal blue canyon waters and sliding down stones. It's difficult to put into words, but it's a real blast. It's also incredibly cheap if you decide to skip a guided tour and just do it on your own;
- Spend a day at the beach: There aren't many tourist attractions in Santiago de los Caballeros, so naturally, you will want to escape from time to time. One possible trip is to hang out at a beach for a day. For example. the Puerto Plata area is a quick 1,5 hours bus ride away. Which makes it the perfect spot to get away from the city for a few hours, even if you do not want to stay the night. Alternatively, you could take a bus to Sosua, which also does not take much longer than an hour and is pretty cheap, around 5 USD one way. Just hop on a bus operated by Caribe Tours, and off you go!
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