Must-Have Resources & Apps for Expat Life in Dominican Republic

Abroad Family,

When you move abroad, every day feels like an adventure and sometimes like a puzzle. That was me when I first arrive here in Dominican Republic for good. From figuring out how to pay bills to attempting to learn the local language, navigating a new country can feel overwhelming at first (luckily I had my wife to soften some of the landing when we arrived). The good news? There are tools that make your transition smoother, faster, and a lot more enjoyable.

This week, I’m sharing a curated list of must-have resources and apps for expat life. These will help you communicate better, move smarter, and manage your money with ease. Think of this as your digital starter kit for Dominican Republic.

1. Stay Connected with WhatsApp

If you’re living in the Dominican Republic, WhatsApp isn’t just an app it’s the main way people communicate here in the country. From apartment owners and businesses to repair services and everyday people, nearly everyone uses WhatsApp for messaging and calls. It’s also a great way to stay in touch with friends and family back home for free. Tip: Create separate group chats for local contacts, expat friends, and family to keep things organized.

2. Learn the Language with Confidence

You don’t need to be fluent on day one, I always say making an effort goes a long way. Dominicans respond kindly to this. Apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or HelloTalk can help you learn key phrases quickly. For real-time practice, Tandem lets you chat with locals who want to exchange languages. I haven’t personally used this app but I’ve heard people speak about it.

Even 10 minutes a day can help you feel more confident when running errands or meeting new people.

3. Manage Money Internationally

Handling money across borders can be tricky and sometimes difficult, but the right tools simplify it. Remitly (which is the one I use) and Revolut make transferring money and affordable. For banking, options like HSBC Global or Charles Schwab (I also have Charles Schwab) give you access to funds abroad without excessive fees. Consider setting up both a local and an international account for flexibility and security.

4. Navigate Like a Local

Before you can feel at home, you need to know how to get around. Google Maps or Waze is essential for directions, because many streets here don’t have visible names or addresses. Also, local transport apps can be even more useful. In the Dominican Republic, InDriver, Uber, and DiDi are popular for ride-sharing. If you rely on public transport, Moovit can help you map routes and schedules. I think this app is only available in Santo Domingo at the moment.

5. Connect with Community

When you first move to Dominican Republic, especially a big city like Santo Domingo you can feel isolating without a strong network. Facebook Groups are great starting points for finding events, expat gatherings, or shared-interest groups. Just be careful in those FB Groups as some expats are very toxic and you can be turned off rather quickly. For professional networking, try Internations or local LinkedIn meetups. Building community is the best investment you can make in Dominican Republic. This is a “who you know” country in every sense of the word.

6. Simplify Everyday Life

Need groceries delivered or a plumber fast? In many countries, local “super apps” can handle everything from errands to repairs. In the Dominican Republic, UE connects you with verified professionals for services like mechanics, fitness trainers, electricians, and more. Once you find your go-to apps, daily life becomes much easier.

Final Thought

Settling into a new country doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. With the right apps and resources, you can manage your day-to-day life confidently while focusing on what truly matters to you. For me it was enjoying the freedom and excitement of the country

What about you? Do you have an app or resource that’s made your expat life easier? Hit reply and share it. I’d love to include your favorite tools in a future issue. Also, I’ve included an “App List” below.

Until then,

Always keep you goals at the forefront of your mind. Always live in the present, because that’s the only way, you gonna live your best life.

🌴Jay

Clickable App List

Stay Connected

• WhatsApp – The main communication tool in the Dominican Republic for calls, texts, and group chats.

Learn the Language

• Duolingo – Fun, bite-sized lessons for beginners.

• Babbel – Structured language learning for real-world conversations.

• HelloTalk – Chat with native speakers around the world.

• Tandem – Find language partners for cultural exchange.

Manage Your Money

• Remitly – Low-fee international money transfers.

• Revolut – Global banking with currency exchange and budgeting tools.

• HSBC Global – Worldwide banking access for travelers and expats.

• Charles Schwab – U.S.-based accounts with international ATM fee refunds.

Get Around

• Google Maps – The essential navigation app.

• InDriver – Ride-sharing service popular across Latin America.

• DiDi – Another reliable ride-hailing option in the DR.

• Moovit – Public transport routes and schedules worldwide.

Find Community

• Facebook Groups – Connect with local expat and community pages.

• Internations – Professional and social expat networking.

Local Solutions

• UE – Book local professionals for home repairs, beauty, fitness, and more in the Dominican Republic.