A month in Santo Domingo
A month in Santo Domingo runs up against the 30 days that EU, UK and US visitors get without a visa, and the tax on the rent depends on whether the place is let to tourists or as a home. For a month in an apartment, the choice is between the districts west of the old city and the beaches east of the airport.
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What a month means for entry
EU, UK and US visitors can stay 30 days as tourists without a visa. A longer stay, up to 120 days, is paid for on departure, on a sliding scale by the length of the stay, online before leaving or at the airport's immigration section after check-in and security. The immigration directorate takes extension requests online, free of charge, with a passport copy, the last entry stamp, the return boarding pass and a medical certificate, and the fee for the extra days still falls due.
The US State Department put the overstay fines at about USD 56 for one month and up to more than USD 1,660, on its page updated in June 2025. How the days are counted is unverified as of September 2026, so plan a month as 30 days on the ground or budget for the fee.
What a month costs in tax
No reliable source on monthly rents in Santo Domingo was found, so this guide gives no rent figures. ITBIS at 18% applies to hotels, apartment hotels, villas and tourist apartments, while renting a dwelling as a home is exempt, according to the tax directorate. Its page does not say which of the two covers a month in an apartment booked through a platform, so ask the host whether ITBIS is in the price. Hotels add the legal 10% tip to guests' bills.
The districts that suit a month
Gazcue suits a month in a residential district close to the old city, about 4 km from the Zona Colonial by road and about 2 km from the Malecón. Piantini and Naco suit a month in a modern apartment among residential towers, offices, shopping centres and banks, about 7 km from the Zona Colonial.
Juan Dolio suits a beach month east of the airport, about 33 km from it by road, and Boca Chica a beach month about 10 km from it. The Zona Colonial is best for a short stay on foot; its car parks charge by the hour. These choices are editorial.
A car or the Metro
In the city the state car parks charge DOP 50 an hour from Monday to Thursday and DOP 100 from Friday to Sunday, in cash, and no on-street meter scheme was found (via GetCar), so a place with its own parking matters for a month with a car. Without the car, the Metro charges DOP 20 a trip and DOP 360 for a 20-trip plan on a rechargeable card.
A UK photocard licence is valid for 3 months, according to UK travel advice, which adds that longer visits need a local licence.
The paperwork and the platforms
Complete the E-Ticket for arrival and again for departure; for a rental, the host gives the full address with province, municipality and sector. Until 31 December 2026, EU, UK and US passports need to be valid only for the length of the stay. The Ministry of Tourism consulted on a register of short-term vacation rentals until 22 July 2026; whether it applies is unverified as of September 2026.
Airbnb calls 28 nights or more a monthly stay: the first month is charged up front and released to the host 24 hours after check-in, later months are charged 10 days ahead, and a long-term cancellation policy generally asks for 30 days' notice of changes.
Pitfalls
Counting a month as 31 days. Visitors get 30 days, and the fee for extra days is paid on leaving.
Booking the old city for a month with a car. The cathedral area limits through traffic every day, and the car parks charge by the hour.
Comparing prices without tax. ITBIS at 18% on tourist lodging, plus 10% at hotels, changes a monthly total.
Assuming utilities are included. No reliable source on typical practice was found, so ask before paying.
Questions
Can a visitor stay a month in the Dominican Republic without a visa?
Up to 30 days as a tourist, for EU, UK and US visitors. Longer stays, up to 120 days, pay a fee on departure; the US State Department put it at about USD 56 for one month in 2025.
Which district of Santo Domingo suits a month?
Gazcue for a residential base near the old city and the sea, Piantini and Naco for a modern apartment, and Juan Dolio or Boca Chica for a beach month.
Is ITBIS charged on a monthly apartment?
On a tourist apartment, yes, at 18%. Renting a dwelling as a home is exempt, and the tax directorate's page does not say which applies to a month booked on a platform, so ask the host.
How much does the Metro cost for a month?
A trip costs DOP 20 and a 20-trip plan DOP 360, on a rechargeable card that costs DOP 60.