For decades, the routine never changed. The first frost hit Montreal or Chicago. Snowbirds packed up and flew south to Florida.
But 2025 and 2026 have rewritten the playbook entirely. The Dominican Republic is now one of the biggest winners of that shift. Keep reading to learn more!
The Florida Exit Is Real, Not Just Talk
The numbers are striking. A Royal LePage survey found that 54% of Canadians who own U.S. property plan to sell within the next year. Of those, 62% blame the current U.S. political climate.
The financial case for leaving is just as strong. The median U.S. home sale price hit $416,900 in the first quarter of 2025. That is nearly $100,000 more than five years prior. Florida homeowners’ insurance now averages $789 per month. That totals $9,462 per year, the highest in the country.
Statistics Canada confirmed the shift is behavioral, not just a matter of sentiment. Return flights from the U.S. dropped 13.5%. Vehicle border crossings fell 32%.
Snowbirds are not just unhappy. They are actually leaving.
The Dominican Republic Is Booming in 2026
The timing could not be better for the DR. In 2025, the country welcomed 11.7 million visitors. That is a record. It ranked the DR as the second-most-visited destination in Latin America, behind only Mexico.
January 2026 opened even stronger. The country welcomed 1.22 million visitors in a single month. That is a 5.5% increase over January 2025.
The top source markets? The United States and Canada, followed by Spain, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
The cruise industry is growing, too. More than 3 million cruise passengers visited in 2025. That is a 6% year-over-year increase.
New Hotels and Developments Are Changing the Landscape
Hotel development is accelerating fast. Sonesta International Hotels has announced 5 new properties in the DR by 2031. Lopesan has broken ground on the large-scale La Ceiba hotel in Bavaro. Hyatt and Wyndham have both opened properties in Miches. That is a lesser-known region just 90 minutes from Punta Cana.
The Dominican government is backing it all with a bold plan. The “Meta RD 2036” strategy aims to double the national GDP. It does so through a comprehensive modernization of the tourism sector.
Why It Makes Financial Sense for Snowbirds
- Ownership costs are a fraction of Florida: Real estate in the DR is significantly more affordable than in Florida or Arizona. Quality and amenities are not sacrificed.
- Foreign buyers have full ownership rights: Canadians and Americans own property with the same legal rights as Dominican citizens. There are no foreign ownership restrictions.
- Your property earns income while you are home: Professionally managed properties generate rental revenue during months you are not there. Your vacation home becomes a revenue-generating asset.
- World-class amenities are already built: Cap Cana and Punta Cana offer championship golf courses, upscale dining, spas, and marinas. These communities were built specifically for an international clientele.
- Air connectivity is stronger than ever: Air Caraibes launched a direct Paris-Orly to Samana route in December 2025. The airline now operates up to 12 weekly flights to the DR during the winter season. Year-round direct flights from Montreal and Toronto to Punta Cana remain available.
- The economy is one of the strongest in the region: The IMF and World Bank both project 4.5% GDP growth for the DR in 2026. That positions it as the most dynamic economy in Latin America and the Caribbean.
What Snowbirds Are Actually Saying
One Quebec resident has wintered in Las Terrenas in the Samana region for several years. She describes watching the community around her change.
More and more Quebecers have left Florida behind. They come for the lower costs, safety, authentic local life, and a genuine sense of community.
That sentiment is spreading fast across Canada.
The Verdict: A New Era for Snowbird Living
Florida made sense for a generation. But rising insurance costs, political uncertainty, and climate risk have changed the math. The Dominican Republic offers warm winters, world-class beaches, affordable real estate, and strong rental yields. A growing community of North American expats and seasonal residents is already there.
It is not just a vacation destination anymore. It is where the next chapter of snowbird life is being written.
Ready to explore your options in Punta Cana, Cap Cana, or Las Terrenas? Browse our available projects at sunsetrealestate.ca or book a call with our team today.
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