Best Places to Retire in Dominican Republic
Why I Chose to Move My Family to Jarabacoa
When people search for the best places to retire in the Dominican Republic, they often think about beach towns, resorts, or large cities near the coast. But after living most of my life in Santo Domingo, I discovered that the place that truly matched the lifestyle I wanted for my family was not by the beach — it was in the mountains of Jarabacoa.
My name is Florentino. I am 43 years old, originally from Santo Domingo, and I lived there with my family for more than 40 years. Like many Dominicans and foreigners considering a lifestyle change, I reached a point where I wanted a slower pace of life, less traffic, more nature, and a healthier environment for my wife and children.
Jarabacoa was already a place I had visited for many years, mainly for weekend trips and short escapes from the city. But in 2021, my perspective changed completely. Instead of visiting as a tourist, I wanted to understand what it would actually be like to live there permanently.
For about three months, my wife, our two young children, and I started traveling to Jarabacoa almost every weekend and sometimes during the week. We wanted to observe the town carefully, understand the daily environment, evaluate different neighborhoods, and determine whether Jarabacoa could realistically fit our lifestyle long term.
One of the most important factors for me professionally was airport access. Since I work with international clients, having a reliable airport nearby was essential. Fortunately, Santiago’s international airport is only about 45 minutes from Jarabacoa, and the drive is simple, comfortable, and usually free of the heavy traffic commonly experienced in Santo Domingo.
The second major priority for our family was education. We needed quality bilingual schools for our children, and Jarabacoa offered exactly that. The town has two respected private bilingual schools:
Jarabacoa Christian School
Doulos Discovery School
Once we confirmed that the essentials for our family were available, we decided to purchase a home in Jarabacoa. Since July 2023, we have been living here full time.
Now, after almost three years living in Jarabacoa, I can confidently say there are many additional advantages that become clear only after experiencing daily life here.
Jarabacoa is especially ideal for people who no longer want the fast-paced stress of large cities. Life here moves differently. There is significantly less traffic, daily errands are usually within 10 to 15 minutes, and the atmosphere feels calmer and more human.
For retirees, remote workers, entrepreneurs, or anyone who does not need to follow a strict corporate office schedule every day, this lifestyle can feel transformative.
Another important advantage is Jarabacoa’s strategic location within the Dominican Republic. While the town itself is peaceful and mountain-oriented, you are still close to several major cities and services.
Within approximately one hour, you can visit places such as:
Santiago de los Caballeros — the second largest city in the country, known for its shopping malls, restaurants, medical services, and urban lifestyle.
La Vega
Moca
San Francisco de Macorís
Bonao
Something else that surprised me after moving here is how much Jarabacoa is evolving and developing economically.
Even though Jarabacoa is still considered a small mountain town or countryside destination, the area is experiencing significant growth due to increasing investment in tourism, residential communities, vacation villas, and mountain real estate projects.
Large national businesses have already recognized this growth potential. Today, Jarabacoa already has:
Supermercados Nacional
La Sirena
In addition, new commercial centers and larger development projects are currently under construction, something that was much less common just a few years ago.
This is one of the reasons many people now see Jarabacoa not only as a place to retire, but also as a strategic location for long-term real estate investment and lifestyle migration within the Dominican Republic.
The town continues to grow, but without losing the peaceful atmosphere that makes it attractive in the first place.
This balance is one of the reasons why I personally believe Jarabacoa is one of the best places to retire in the Dominican Republic. You can enjoy a quieter life surrounded by mountains and fresh weather, while still having convenient access to larger cities whenever you want more activities, shopping, restaurants, or entertainment.
Jarabacoa also offers different living styles depending on your personality. Some people prefer properties close to town for convenience, while others choose homes or mountain villas located 20 to 30 minutes from the center for greater privacy, silence, and connection with nature.
In the end, Jarabacoa is not for everyone. It is not a place built around nightlife, heavy tourism, or fast urban living. It is a place for people who are ready to slow down, breathe fresher air, enjoy nature, and live at a more relaxed pace.
For my family, it became the right decision.
My name is Florentino, and if you are considering moving, retiring, or investing in Jarabacoa, I would be happy to help guide you based on my personal experience living here.
📲 WhatsApp: 829-648-9844
