“To book or not to book?” The ultimate dilemma every time you sit down to analyze the dozens of Airbnb options that seem to fit your travel needs. It can be overwhelming, intimidating, and even a little stressful trying to pick the right place that fits your needs, especially if you’re new to Airbnb or other similar rental platforms. 

After staying in countless places, many good and a few not-so-good, I’ve developed a bit of a method to determine if the rental will fit my needs and be comfortable/safe. Here are some things to consider when booking a rental. 

*While I talk specifically about Airbnb in this article, many of the principles can be applied to any booking platform

Budget

Maybe the most obvious part of choosing a place to stay is determining your budget beforehand. The beauty of Airbnb is that there are tons of options at lots of different price points. Knowing the max you can spend a night will help you filter out options that just won’t work for you (read more about search filters in the next section). 

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC SPECIFIC DETAILS

Recommended Range: $50 - $150 / night for 2-4 people

Airbnbs in the Dominican Republic are generally very affordable. There are some options that are quite pricey, but we have found that, unless you’re going for absolute luxury or are staying in an area known to be more costly or touristy (think Punta Cana), there isn’t much point in spending over $150 per night (or less) on a rental. Of course prices will vary depending on how many people you are looking to accommodate. 

You may even be able to find a great option for around $50 per night. You will see options for less and they may be just fine but you can expect to be sacrificing something (cleanliness, location, comfort - think AC, elevator, hot water, etc.).

Filters

When you start your search on Airbnb you are able to add a location, the dates, and the number of guests (and pets). After you click “search” you will be taken to a page with all the available listings that fit your criteria. Before you scroll, though, it would be a good idea to add some extra filters to the search. Here you can set some more specific guidelines like your price range, type of accommodation, number of beds (highly recommend using this one if you want to avoid futons or pull-out couches in living rooms).

Back in 2018, Airbnb even added accessibility filters to help make choosing a rental easier for  community members with disabilities. Ever since, they have continued taking steps to make their platform more inclusive.

Make sure to take advantage of filters, but don’t overuse them. Try to avoid getting too specific unless something is absolutely essential. If you start choosing too many specific filters, you will greatly limit your options and you may miss out on some really great rentals. 

*All images and instructions in this article are based on the use of the mobile app. The desktop website is similar with slight variations to the layout

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC SPECIFIC DETAILS

Here are some extra filters we recommend using when looking for your rental unit here:

• Air Conditioning (Unless it’s specifically listed in amenities, it’s safe to assume the rental will not have AC. It’s also good to note that most often, it’s only in the bedrooms.)

• Wifi

• Hot water (You won’t actually find this on the filter list but when reading through the amenities on listings you are looking at, make sure hot water is listed)

The Neighborhood

If you know the area you will be visiting, this will be an easier selection. If you’re traveling somewhere new however, you will need to do a little digging to figure out the best neighborhoods. As with most research these days, google is the place to start. When traveling somewhere new, I like to do a quick search for “Best neighborhoods in ___.” You can even get more specific if you have a travel niche you’re looking for like “Best neighborhoods for art/foodie/music/etc in ___.”

Travel forums and blogs or expat forums will have a wealth of information that can help you make a good decision. If you are going somewhere that isn’t very widely known or researched there are still a few things you can look for to help you choose a safe and fun neighborhood. Look for neighborhoods that are close to the center of towns or activity hubs (you can identify these areas by looking for things like supermarkets, malls, public transportation stops, etc.). These areas are usually more economically stable, convenient, and safer due to higher amounts of foot traffic. Plus they will be more accessible if you are using public transportation. You can usually find good information about the location in the reviews as well (more about that later).

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If you’re in a big city, the safer and most convenient neighborhoods will have big malls and likely a lot of well known chain restaurants (think McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks, etc.). When staying in Santo Domingo, stick to the west side (Santo Domingo Oeste). Some great neighborhoods are Naco, Piantini, Los Prados, Bella Vista, and Ensanche Julieta, among others. These can all be found in the southern part of Distrito Nacional. Don’t forget about Zona Colonial! We took a deep dive into the area a few months ago. Read more here.

If you’re not staying in a big city, modern apartment buildings in residential neighborhoods are usually a good choice. And again, reviews can tell you a lot.

Beds to Guests Ratio

This is a pretty straightforward tip but if you skip it, it can make for an uncomfortable trip. Airbnb listings usually state the number of bedrooms and beds available as well as the number of guests they can accommodate, but they only sometimes specify the type and size of the bed. 

If you are traveling with 3 couples and the listing says they can accommodate 6 people, that’s great, but you’ll want to verify it's not two double beds and two twin beds. They also may list a futon or sofa in the living room as a bed. So, be sure your whole party is on board with the sleeping arrangements. If the listing isn’t clear at the outset make sure to read the details closely and try scanning the pictures if you’re still not sure.

The Photos

Now that you’ve found a listing that fits your needs in terms of price, location and space, it’s time to dig a little deeper and see if it’s really all that you’re hoping for. The first indicator of the quality of stay you will have is the photos.

If photos are crisp, professional, and thoroughly cover the rooms and spaces that are outlined in the listing description this is an indication that the host pays attention to detail. You’re off to a good start! If photos are blurry or grainy, poor quality cell phone shots, crooked, or only give you a very vague impression of the place you should look for something else.

TIP: If the host doesn’t take the time to make their listing look good, they probably aren’t going to take the time to make your stay enjoyable either. 

Also, be alert for photos that look overly luxurious or nice for the price you’re paying. If it looks too good to be true, it just might be. Scams are rare on Airbnb but it’s always good to be safe.

Here are some photos I saw recently that I thought were great:

Now here are some photos that are not so great. . .read the captions for more details:

So maybe these bad examples are a little extreme, but hopefully they can help you understand the principles of what to look for when looking at the pictures.

Peruse the Reviews

If the pictures checked out, it’s time to look at reviews. This is probably the most important part of the process. Reviews can tell you any number of things from cleanliness of the space, accuracy of the listing, to helpfulness of the host and more. 

Obviously, listings with lots of positive reviews are good. But a few negative reviews don’t automatically mean the place is bad. You can usually tell from the wording if the negative review was really just an overreaction of a demanding guest or a legitimate problem. If you see a problem mentioned once and then never again, it was likely either a fluke or the host took care of it. If multiple guests mention the same problem this is definitely a red flag. 

Look for host responses to reviews as well, especially the bad reviews. This will give you insight into how a host resolves problems and treats their guests. 

Do A Little Digging on the Host

Superhosts (a special title provided by Airbnb after a host meets certain qualifications) almost always provide a reliable service with great attention to detail. As superhost listings tend to cost a little more, you may choose to look at some other options. There are still ways to see how the experience will be, but as a rule, superhosts provide the best experience.

TIP: When you can, book with a superhost.

You can find out more about your future host by clicking on the host’s image icon below the initial listing title/heading. This will pull you to a new page all about the host. You will also see any additional properties they rent with airbnb. You’ll be able to read all reviews that they’ve received for any of these properties. This is particularly useful if you are looking to rent a new listing with fewer reviews available.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC SPECIFIC DETAILS

Many hosts live out of the country. This is usually listed in their host profile. Sometimes this can make for challenging communication, but not always. Find out if they have a local co-host that can respond to any issues that may come up. Sometimes this info is listed and sometimes you find out by communicating with the host directly. If you are unsure you can always send them a message through the Airbnb platform before booking. Their response time to the message will be a good indicator of how attentive they will be to you if you go with them.

Communication

Speaking of messaging, communication is a big part of Airbnb. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS communicate within the Airbnb platform. They have an app that makes messaging very easy. There is no reason for a host to request you to contact them outside of the app. If they do, tell them you are more comfortable staying within the platform. If they insist on using a different form of communication, move on. This is the first red flag for a scam. 

TIP: If there is a language barrier, the app translates messages for you.

Hidden Fees

This is where Airbnb can sneak up on your wallet if you aren’t careful. Check listings for “fine print.” 

Some charge extra for use of the air conditioner. This should be a predetermined amount, usually per day. Make sure this is clearly outlined before booking.

Others may charge extra if you use over a certain amount of Kwh on the electric meter. If you book one of these listings, have the host show you the electric meter at the beginning and end of your stay so you know the amount is being calculated correctly. I even take my own pictures for reference. 

Every listing will have some sort of cleaning service fee included. Some are very high. There is nothing you can do about this, but it’s good to make note of when choosing a place to book. 

Occasionally you will find a place that charges more per night if you increase the number of guests staying. Make sure to list the full amount of guests at the outset of your search so you are sure to be looking at the right prices. Also, if a host finds out you bring a guest that you didn’t list you can get hit with extra fees or even denied access to the rental. 

TIP: Watch out for extra fees for things like electricity usage or extra guests

Miscellaneous

Some Airbnb hosts offer extra amenities or services with your listing, usually at an additional cost. This can be anything from airport pickup, to personal chefs, grocery shopping, or beach bonfires (we’ve done this and highly recommend it). Sometimes the service will be provided by the host, in which case you will coordinate details and payment through the Airbnb platform. 

Other times they may work with or refer you to locals who can provide these services. They will provide you with contact details for these people and you will communicate directly with them. In these cases, payment is separate from that of Airbnb and you will have to work out details with the contacts they provide. Generally though, the host will tell you a pre-agreed upon price, or in the case of groceries, you should be provided with a receipt at the time of payment. Proceed with caution and use your best judgment in these cases, as you will no longer be receiving an Airbnb service and therefore will not have any of their protection or guarantees.

Is It Worth the Fuss

It may sound like a lot of work, but once you learn what to look for, it’s not so bad. And in all honesty, it’s worth it! With Airbnb you often spend way less than you would in a hotel and you generally get more space and comfort. This gives you more of your budget to spend on activities, excursions, and good food! If you are staying longer, you have the extra bonus of choosing a place with a full kitchen and even a washer and dryer. Many places will even give you a discount for booking over a certain amount of nights. 

Let us know if you think it’s worth the fuss!