Living in Puerto Plata City in 2026 | What's it really like? | Dominican Republic

Puerto Plata City in 2026 feels a lot different than it did even a couple of years ago, and I wanted to sit down and give you the unfiltered reality of what it’s actually like to live here right now. Between the cruise ship crowds and the rising cost of living, the "hustle" is definitely changing, but the soul of the North Coast is still very much alive if you know where to look. In this video, I’m sharing my personal take on the day-to-day grind—from the infrastructure upgrades that finally made remote work viable to the small frustrations that still keep life here "interesting." I get asked all the time if the Dominican Republic is still the paradise everyone dreams of, and the truth is that it depends on what you're willing to trade for it. I’m walking you through my own neighborhood, showing you what my monthly expenses look like this year, and talking honestly about the balance between working online and actually enjoying the island life. If you’ve been thinking about making the jump or you’re just curious about how much the city has evolved in 2026, this is my perspective on making it work as an expat. Make sure to subscribe to the channel if you want to follow the journey of building a life and a business away from the grind back home. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments—are you still considering the DR, or has the 2026 price hike scared you off? Let’s talk about it. #PuertoPlata #DominicanRepublic2026 #HustlingAbroad #ExpatLife #DigitalNomad