If you are shopping the wider Caribbean for a second home or investment, three markets come up again and again: Sint Maarten, Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic. Each has a different profile. Here is how they compare for a foreign buyer.
Quick answer: Sint Maarten offers freehold foreign ownership, USD pricing, no capital gains tax, no annual property tax, and a dual Dutch-French culture with a major airport. Turks and Caicos is USD-based and tax-light but charges a stamp duty on purchase and skews high-end. The Dominican Republic is the most affordable and largest of the three, Spanish-speaking, with a fast-growing market but a different legal and tax system. Your choice depends on budget, lifestyle and how hands-on you want to be.
At a glance
| Sint Maarten | Turks & Caicos | Dominican Republic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency | US dollar | US dollar | Dominican peso (USD common in resort areas) |
| Foreign ownership | Freehold, no licence | Freehold | Freehold |
| Purchase tax | ~4% transfer tax | Stamp duty on purchase | Transfer tax on purchase |
| Capital gains tax (local) | None (Dutch side) | None | Applies |
| Price level | Mid to high | High-end | Most affordable |
| Language | English (Dutch/French official) | English | Spanish |
Note: tax rules in Turks and Caicos and the Dominican Republic change and vary by property type. Always confirm current figures with a local professional. The Sint Maarten figures reflect our own cost-of-ownership guide.
Where Sint Maarten fits
Sint Maarten sits in a sweet spot: more affordable and accessible than Turks and Caicos, more established and English-speaking than the Dominican Republic for many buyers, and lighter on ownership taxes than both once you factor in no capital gains tax on the Dutch side. Its airport connectivity and dual-culture lifestyle are hard to match. See the full case in our investment guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which Caribbean island has the lowest property taxes?
Sint Maarten’s Dutch side is among the lightest: no annual property tax and no capital gains tax. Turks and Caicos has no annual property tax but charges stamp duty on purchase.
Where is the cheapest place to buy in the Caribbean?
Of these three, the Dominican Republic is generally the most affordable, followed by Sint Maarten, with Turks and Caicos the most expensive.
Ready to focus on Sint Maarten? Browse properties for sale, explore neighbourhoods, or speak with our team.
