Dominican Republic

If your goal is to relax and enjoy the sand and sea then a vacation in the Dominican Republic, known to most as simply the DR is the ideal choice. 

​The DR is famous for its incredible beaches, championship golf courses and its outlying coral reefs. Occupying the eastern half of the Island of Hispaniola,  the beaches here can stretch for miles. The DR is a great option for those new to the Caribbean vacation scene. 

​With an abundance of all inclusive resorts here it will be important to choose the right one for you and your crew.   Our recommended resorts are located predominantly in Punta Cana, Bavaro and Bayahibe.

But beyond the resorts and beaches here you'll find super friendly local people, untouched tropical rainforests, some of the Caribbean’s highest mountains, stunning national parks and secret underground rivers that lie within deep caves,

Passport/Visa

Traveling with Minors

All visitors must have a valid passport when entering the Dominican Republic. No visas are required, but upon landing tourists are given a tourist card (US$10) valid for 30 days.  A US$20 departure tax must be paid at the airport. It should be included in the price of your airline ticket, but this is not always the case, so ask ahead of time.

In some cases you may need to carry a letter of permission with you if you are traveling with a minor. For more information click here to see our fact sheet on traveling with minors or click here for a sample letter of permission.

Safety

Health

When traveling anywhere we recommend you take measures to safeguard your personal security at all times.  Punta Cana is generally a safe destination. The all-inclusive resorts have security on-site and see very few incidents. It's wise to exercise a degree of caution when venturing out of your vacation complex, since as is the case in most major tourist destinations, petty theft such as pick-pocketing is known to occur.

Be aware of your surroundings, especially if participating in day trips to Santo Domingo, the country's capital, where crime levels are higher.

​For the most part, taxis are good sources of transport, but it's a good idea to have your resort arrange the taxi. Agree on the fare ahead of time. 

We recommend that you take certain precautions to avoid getting sick.

• Avoid tap water and stay clear from suspicious street food.
• Heat stroke and sunburn are common ailments from spending too much time in the sun. So drink plenty of bottled water and apply sunscreen accordingly.
• ​Insect repellent is also recommended. Apply your insect repellent during the day, and reapply after swimming and in the late afternoon and evening.
  

Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all travelers to the Dominican Republic. And the CDC recommends an anti malarial. For more on CDC recommendations for the DR visit their page at this link.

Money

The official currency is the Dominican Peso (RD$), but vendors in tourist zones also accept the U.S. dollar and euro.

We don't recommend traveling with loads of cash but taking some cash is recommended.

​A combination that works well for some is to travel with:

1. a major credit card on the Cirrus or Plus network. Major credit cards are accepted at larger establishments and are typically a safe way to make purchases. 
2. a few dollars in pesos which you can order from your local bank 4-7 days before travel.
3. a few US dollars for airport purchases, tourist purchases, resort tips etc.
4. taking along a pre-loaded/pre-paid travel visa card to withdraw pesos from ATMs if you need to get more cash while traveling.

If you have to exchange US dollars to pesos for some reason you can make the exchange at banks, most hotels and currency exchange houses, but be aware that the rates and fees are high at hotel and currency windows.

Culture

​Dominicans are generally friendly people. This vacation haven drawing sun-lovers from Europe and North America maintains a general Latin American approach toward life and business—that is, manana (tomorrow) is heard regularly. The heat and sun combine to create this laid-back attitude.
Many Dominicans are family oriented and love music. If music begins, Dominicans enjoy a fun dance and appreciate foreigners joining in and enjoying the Latin rhythms day or night.

Tipping

Tipping is subjective to the quality of service you received. Tips are included in restaurant bills, but this 10% charge is distributed to all employees, and it is not divided evenly; waitstaff and hostesses often receive much less than managers and bartenders, so if you feel your service was excellent, be sure to give the individual(s) who attended you a few extra pesos.
Generally, housekeepers cleaning your hotel room should receive US$2-$3 a day, and porters get US$1 per bag. You should also tip tour guides and drivers.

Weather

What to Wear

Punta Cana is blessed with a tropical sun year-round, so expect an annual warm climate with the hottest temperatures occurring in summer June- September. March falls toward the end of the dry season in Punta Cana, when the temperatures begin to steadily rise and the amount of rainfall drops considerably. In March, Punta Cana enjoys around nine hours of sunshine per day – that's the same as in January and February. 

Summer temperatures average 87 degrees with seasonal fluctuations of 4-8 degrees depending on the month. Summer humidity is high, so it's good to stay poolside or in an air-conditioned environment.

The Dominican Republic is located in the Caribbean hurricane zone. The hurricane season officially lasts June-November, put peak season in the Punta Cana area usually occurs in September and October.  November falls at the end of rainy season and despite sudden bursts of intense rainfall, Punta Cana typically enjoys around eight hours of sunshine each day in November.

Resorts favor comfort. During the day swimwear with cover ups is the norm. Many of the dining establishments and do not permit bathing-suit-clad patrons who don't cover up. In the evening, casual wear (sundresses, khakis, light weight long pants or skirts) is preferred. And certain up-scale fine-dining restaurants still require guests to wear proper evening attire which means closed toed shoes and long pants for men.

​Evenings also tend to be cooler, so pack a shawl or light sweater.

Locals like to dress up on the weekends. If you're planning on venturing to Santo Domingo, be aware that the capital city has a cosmopolitan feel, which translates into smart casual clothing.

Take—and use—adequate sunscreen, hats and other protective clothing to mitigate damage from the tropical sun.

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