The Caribbean offers buyers dozens of markets, from the British Virgin Islands to St. Barts, Barbados to the Cayman Islands. Yet year after year, the Dominican Republic — and specifically La Romana and Casa de Campo — attracts a disproportionate share of serious international capital. The reasons reveal a market that is both undervalued and uniquely structured for long-term ownership.
Freehold Ownership — Full Title
Unlike several Caribbean jurisdictions where foreigners are restricted to leasehold or long-term concession arrangements, the Dominican Republic grants full freehold ownership to foreign nationals with no restrictions. Title is registered in the Registro de Títulos under the 108 land law, and properties can be held individually, jointly, or through a Dominican company (SRL or SA).
Dollar-Denominated Transactions
Real estate transactions in the Dominican Republic are conducted in US dollars, eliminating the currency risk that complicates ownership in markets denominated in Eastern Caribbean dollars, euros, or local currencies. Rental income is also quoted and paid in dollars, making cash flow modeling straightforward.
Tax Efficiency Under CONFOTUR
For properties in CONFOTUR-approved developments, buyers benefit from exemption from transfer tax (3%), annual property tax (1% of assessed value above approximately $187,000 USD), and income tax on rental earnings — for up to 10 years. No other major Caribbean market offers an equivalent fiscal framework for residential buyers.
Infrastructure and Connectivity
La Romana International Airport offers direct scheduled service from New York (JFK) and Miami, with seasonal connections to other US and European cities. Private aviation is well-served; the airport accommodates heavy jets and has no slot restrictions. The resort’s own infrastructure — security, utilities, roads, and communications — operates independently of the national grid, providing a quality of reliability that is unusual in the Caribbean context.
Value Per Square Meter
On a price-per-square-meter basis, Casa de Campo remains significantly less expensive than comparable luxury destinations in the European Mediterranean, the British Virgin Islands, or St. Barts — while offering a level of amenity (golf, polo, marina, beach, cultural programming) that few of those markets can match. For buyers with a long time horizon, the combination of current value and trajectory of demand makes a compelling case.
