Buying Property in Las Terrenas as a Foreigner: A Step-by-Step Guide

Buying property in Las Terrenas as a foreigner is straightforward when you know the order of the steps and ask the right questions early. This guide walks you through the process on the Samaná Peninsula, from choosing a project to receiving your title, and explains what to verify before you send any money.

At Ideale Realty we are the authorized sales agent for Noval Properties, the developer of Silver Beach and The Reef, the two projects we use as examples. We say that up front so you know where we are writing from. Everything below is general, practical information and not legal advice: have your own lawyer review any contract before you sign.

Can Foreigners Own Property When Buying Property in Las Terrenas?

Yes. Foreign buyers can invest in real estate in the Dominican Republic. According to a summary of Law 16-95 on Foreign Investment by the law firm Pellerano & Herrera (in Spanish), the law grants foreign and local investors equal or neutral treatment and lists real estate located in the country among the forms of foreign investment. The same summary says the investment is registered with the Export and Investment Center of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD) within 180 calendar days. Ask your lawyer whether you should complete that registration for your purchase.

Our guide for foreigners who want to buy property in the Dominican Republic covers the national picture in more depth. Here we focus on buying property in Las Terrenas specifically.

Why Buyers Choose Las Terrenas

Las Terrenas is on the Samaná Peninsula, facing the Atlantic Ocean. The tourism site GoDominicanRepublic describes a multicultural town with local and international restaurants, bars, beach clubs, surfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, hiking, the El Limón waterfall and day trips to Los Haitises National Park. The climate is warm all year, between 25 and 30 °C, and the high season runs from December to April.

Getting there is easier than many first-time buyers expect. The nearest airport is Presidente Juan Bosch International Airport, known as El Catey. In December 2025, Aerodom announced the first direct flight between Paris and Samaná with Air Caraïbes, with two weekly flights in the winter season, as reported by inmobiliario.do. Routes change by season, so check the current schedule with your airline. From Silver Beach, the airport is an estimated 21 minutes by car, and by road Las Terrenas is about 2.5 hours from Santo Domingo.

The Steps for Buying Property in Las Terrenas

Most pre-construction purchases follow the same order. Here is how buying property in Las Terrenas typically unfolds, step by step.

Step 1: Choose the area and the project for buying property in Las Terrenas

Decide what matters most: being on Playa Coson, being on Playa Bonita, project size, amenities and delivery date. If you want to understand the beach before choosing, read our Coson beach in Las Terrenas condos buyer’s guide.

Step 2: Confirm availability and price

Before buying property in Las Terrenas, ask for the current availability list with a date, and the exact unit you are considering. At Silver Beach, 24 of 226 apartments are available today, with one-bedrooms from US$249,000. Prices and availability can change without notice.

Step 3: Review the plan and the documents

Request floor plans, the payment schedule, the list of furnishings included and the delivery date for your unit. Every Silver Beach apartment is delivered fully furnished, with a refrigerator, washer-dryer, television, parking and a terrace.

Step 4: Reserve and review the contract when buying property in Las Terrenas

The contract should identify the exact unit, the total price, the payment calendar, the delivery date and what happens if either side fails to comply. This is the moment to involve a lawyer you trust. Buying property in Las Terrenas is a major purchase, and a short legal review costs little compared with the risk of an unclear clause.

Step 5: Follow the payment plan

When buying property in Las Terrenas, pay according to the schedule in the contract and keep every receipt. Ask in writing where payments are sent and how the buyers’ funds are safeguarded. A legitimate seller will answer clearly.

Step 6: Follow construction progress

Request periodic progress photos and, if you can travel, visit the site. Silver Beach is at an advanced stage of construction, with deliveries scheduled from November 2028.

Step 7: Delivery and title after buying property in Las Terrenas

At delivery, confirm the unit matches the contract and ask how the title is transferred and who handles the paperwork. Property registration in the Dominican Republic is governed by Law 108-05 on Real Estate Registration (in Spanish). Our guide on how to buy a condo in the Dominican Republic explains the closing process in more detail.

Buying Property in Las Terrenas From Abroad

Many of our buyers are not in the country when they decide. If that is your case, ask these questions before you commit:

• Reservation and signing: how are they handled remotely, and what documents are required from you?
• Payments: how do international transfers work, and how will you receive written confirmation of each one?
• Your point of contact: who answers your questions at each stage, and how quickly?
• Representation: if you cannot attend a signing or the delivery, what is the correct way to authorize someone to act for you? Ask your lawyer, because this depends on your situation.
• Visits: can you visit the site before paying, or see recent photos and video of the construction?

A project that explains its process clearly before you pay usually handles it well afterward. That is a good test when you are buying property in Las Terrenas without being there. If you wonder why you may be asked for identification and source-of-funds documents, read our article on Law 155-17 and real estate due diligence (in Spanish).

Buying property in Las Terrenas from abroad works best when everything important is in writing: unit, price, payments, delivery date and title.

Taxes and CONFOTUR for Foreign Buyers

CONFOTUR is the tourism incentive regime of Law 158-01. In approved projects, the buyer benefit is an exemption from the 3% property transfer tax and from the 1% annual real estate tax (IPI) for 15 years. The Dominican tax authority, DGII, explains in its tourism sector booklet (in Spanish) that the period is counted from the completion of construction and equipment works. Silver Beach has CONFOTUR approval, and The Reef holds approval 01-2024.

As a simple example, the 3% transfer tax on a US$249,000 purchase is US$7,470 that you would not pay under that item, and the IPI is an annual cost you avoid during the exemption period.

A Payment Plan Example for Buying Property in Las Terrenas

Silver Beach offers three plans, expressed as a percentage at signing, during construction and at delivery: 90/0/10, 50/30/20 and 20/60/20. For the US$249,000 one-bedroom, the entry price of the project:

• Standard 20/60/20 · at signingUS$49,800
• Standard 20/60/20 · during constructionUS$149,400
• Standard 20/60/20 · at deliveryUS$49,800
• Early payment 90/0/10 · signing and deliveryUS$224,100 + US$24,900

The right plan depends on your liquidity and on how much you want to commit today. Ask for your exact schedule in writing.

Two Projects to Compare When Buying Property in Las Terrenas

We currently work with two Noval Properties projects. They differ in beach, scale and delivery.

Silver Beach on Playa Coson

Silver Beach has 226 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments in six blocks, all fully furnished, on the first line of Playa Coson. It includes pools, a jacuzzi, a Beach Club, a gym, a sundeck, a game room, a kids’ area and a minimarket. Estimated driving times: Malecón 5 minutes, clinic 14 minutes and airport 21 minutes.

The Reef on Playa Bonita

The Reef is a larger project on Playa Bonita, on the first line of the beach, with 510 residences in 17 buildings, a 26,260 m² nature reserve, five pools, a beach club, a boutique hotel and a sports club. It is about 10 minutes from Playa Coson, and delivery is planned for 2028.

Which one fits buying property in Las Terrenas for your plans?

If you want to be right on Playa Coson and buy from the units available today, start with Silver Beach. If you prefer a large community with a boutique hotel and a sports club, look at The Reef. If you are unsure, talk to us and we will compare them against your budget and your plans.

Checklist Before Buying Property in Las Terrenas

1. Choose the project by beach, scale, amenities and delivery date.
2. Ask for the availability list with a date and the exact unit.
3. Have a lawyer review the contract: unit, price, payments, delivery and penalties.
4. Confirm the delivery date in writing and what happens if it changes.
5. Ask how your payments are safeguarded and where they are sent.
6. Request the CONFOTUR resolution and how it applies to your unit.
7. Clarify the title process: when, how and who pays what.
8. Plan how you will sign and pay if you are abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Property in Las Terrenas

Conclusion: Buying Property in Las Terrenas Is a Process You Can Control

Buying property in Las Terrenas as a foreigner comes down to order and evidence: a clear project, an availability list with a date, a contract your lawyer has reviewed, a payment plan you can sustain, and a CONFOTUR resolution in hand. Use this guide as a working list and bring it to your conversation with any seller.