The Dominican Republic is the second-largest and most diverse country in the Caribbean. With direct flights from major cities in Latin America, the United States, Canada, and Europe, it stands out for its warm climate and the hospitality of its people. The Dominican Republic is a unique destination that boasts extraordinary nature, fascinating history, and rich culture.
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south, the Dominican Republic takes pride in having over 1,600 km of coastline and 400 km of some of the world's best beaches, magnificent hotels and resorts, and countless options for sports, entertainment, and recreation. Here you can dance to the contagious rhythm of merengue, rejuvenate in our luxurious and varied hotels, explore ancient ruins, savor the best Dominican cuisine, or embark on eco-adventures in our magnificent national parks, mountain ranges, rivers, and beaches.
Discovered in 1492 by Christopher Columbus, the Dominican Republic has a fascinating history, exciting museums, and cultural experiences such as music, art, and festivals, along with a wide variety of Dominican specialties like cigars, rum, chocolate, coffee, merengue, amber, and larimar.
The number one golf destination in the Caribbean and Latin America, the Dominican Republic delights visitors with its twenty-five golf courses designed by renowned designers, surrounded by stunning coasts, with majestic mountains in the background, and lush green fairways. Besides natural settings like romantic waterfalls, spectacular coasts, and relaxing hotels and resorts, the Dominican Republic is the best destination for weddings and romantic getaways. It also offers ideal conditions for business groups from around the world to hold their meetings in the country.
The Dominican Republic has the perfect elements to captivate your imagination and refresh your soul, and with eight international airports, this paradise has never been easier to explore. We invite you to discover our sanctuary and create memories that will last a lifetime.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A valid passport is required. You may also need a tourist card (US$10 or €10) or a visa.
Foreign nationals who are legally permitted to enter the European Union, Great Britain, the United States of America, or Canada may enter the Dominican Republic by simply presenting a tourist card.
The tourist card is valid for one year from the date of purchase and allows for a visit of up to 30 days, which can only be used once. It can be purchased at sales points in the country’s land, air, or sea ports of entry, at Dominican embassies, consular offices abroad, and through tour operators. It can also be bought online at http://www.dgii.gov.do/tarjetaTuristica
Tourists who stay beyond the 30-day period must pay a fee depending on the length of their stay, which can be done at the General Directorate of Migration or at the migration checkpoint when leaving the country. http://www.migracion.gob.do/web/tarifas.php
The local currency is the Dominican peso (RD$). It comes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, and 25 pesos in coins and 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, and 2000 in bills. Dollars and euros can be easily exchanged at banks and authorized exchange offices throughout the country.
There are restrictions on bringing more than $10,000 in cash into the country, and any amount exceeding this value must be declared on the customs form. It is prohibited to leave the Dominican Republic with more than $10,000 or its equivalent in cash. If you need large amounts of cash, it is most convenient to make a bank withdrawal when you are in the country. Banks are open from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. In large shopping malls, some bank branches operate until 8:00 pm.
Citizens and residents of the United States, Canada, and most European countries can enter the country with a 30-day tourist card, which can be purchased upon arrival for US$10 or €10. Anyone, regardless of nationality, can enter the Dominican Republic with a tourist card if they have one of the following valid visas in their passport: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, or European Union (Schengen). If you wish to extend the tourist card to 90 days, you will have to pay RD$2,500 to immigration upon leaving the country. The exit fee is US$20, but it is usually included in the airline ticket.
To see a list of countries that require a visa to enter the Dominican Republic, visit:
Restaurant bills already include a ten percent tip; however, it is customary to give an additional 10% for good service. Most people do not tip taxi drivers, but if you feel inclined to do so for good service, the tip will be appreciated.
Smoking is not allowed in most restaurants, nightclubs, and enclosed venues.
Dominicans like to dress elegantly; fashion, grooming, and hygiene are very important. Depending on the occasion, Dominicans will dress casually or formally. Around hotels and resorts, it is common to wear light clothing such as shirts, t-shirts, shorts, swimsuits, or dresses.
From December to February, when the nights are cooler, you may need to wear a light jacket.
Do not assume that the weather will always be warm, because even on a Caribbean island, warm clothes are needed to travel to mountainous areas, especially the Central Mountain Range, where temperatures regularly drop as low as 0ºC (32ºF). In the mountain cities of Constanza and Jarabacoa, temperatures regularly fall below 18ºC (65ºF) at night.
To make your stay more comfortable, even if the day is cloudy, don't forget to use sunscreen, as the Caribbean sun is very strong. All-inclusive hotels encourage eating and drinking, but it is recommended to do so in moderation to avoid stomach discomfort. Stay hydrated by drinking water or natural liquids; remember that sodas don't count. If you feel unwell, consult a doctor. Resorts and all cities have health centers with modern medical services, and most hotels have medical dispensaries with qualified staff.
Cats and dogs will need a health certificate from their country of origin, valid for at least 30 days; a rabies vaccination certificate is also required. Birds must be quarantined for ten days. To travel with other animals, an import permit from the National Agriculture and Zoology Department is required. Always check with your travel agent about the country's policies on pets.
Although the Dominican Republic is one of the safest countries on the continent, you should still take the same precautions as when traveling to any other city:
- Use the hotel safe to store your passport, money, and other valuables.
- Carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling. Take only what is essential and necessary with you.
- When possible, carry a credit card and some cash.
- Do not leave valuables, handbags, or briefcases visible in vehicles, even when there is a security guard nearby.
- Avoid traveling at night, even on main roads. If you plan to go out at night, use a taxi service requested from the hotel where you are staying.
With special training to assist tourists, Cestur is a joint initiative between the National Police, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Tourism. Their offices are located in most tourist destinations. If you are a victim of a crime, Cestur can help you get to a police station to file a report and seek further assistance. Their headquarters are located at Avenida 30 de Marzo corner Avenida México, Block D, Government Building, Santo Domingo. Tel: 809 221-8697, 809 222-2026, or 809 685-0508. Email:
The electric current in the Dominican Republic is 110 volts, just like in the United States and Canada, so you will not need to bring any adapters. If you have an electrical appliance that uses a different voltage, bring an adapter with you.
There is a vast network of roads connecting cities to tourist destinations around the country. There are lush green landscapes along the Santo Domingo-Santiago-Puerto Plata highway. Don’t miss the spectacular panoramic views of the sea and mountains on the route to Barahona, or the new interesting route through the Los Haitises National Park and its hills, leading to the Samana Peninsula and the Northeast Coast.
The following land and air transportation options can help you travel around the Dominican Republic:
LAND TRANSPORTATION
One of the advantages of traveling with a tour operator is that transfers from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to excursions can be included in your service package.
Taxis can be found at airports and hotels and can also be booked in advance. Several taxi companies are listed in the phone directory. They are a cost-effective way to get anywhere; they are safe and a reliable option in Santo Domingo, as well as in many inland cities. Intercity taxis cost an average of RD$200.
Several companies, including various global brands, offer their services at major airports, tourist destinations, and cities. Consider renting a vehicle to visit at your leisure the destinations and attractions along the northern coast, the Samana Peninsula, La Romana, and Punta Cana’s beaches.
The new modern metro service started in 2009 and has two lines. Avoid rush hours when travelers are crowded. One of the lines goes from north to south from Maximo Gomez Avenue, and then from east to west along Correa and Cidron Avenue, passing the State University (Autonomous University of Santo Domingo) on its way to government offices in the Heroes' Center, where the Congress, Supreme Court, and Department of Migration, among others, are located. A metro card costs RD$30 with top-ups starting at RD$20, the value of each trip. http://www.opret.gob.do/Estaciones.aspx
The low-cost OMSA buses provided by the government travel along the main streets and avenues of Santo Domingo and Santiago, from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Similarly, there are other smaller private buses called "guaguas" or "voladoras" that travel on scheduled routes, stopping at the passenger's request.
Concho cars or shared taxis are very similar to "guaguas" because they travel on specific routes and stop at certain points at the passengers' request. You can find them both in the capital and in cities and towns. Fares are generally RD$25 for routes where up to 6 passengers ride. Consider taking a private taxi for intercity routes, with a price of RD$200.
In the Dominican Republic, many young people earn a living transporting passengers on their motorcycles. The service is mostly used for relatively short trips, especially since motorcycles can maneuver more quickly through traffic. The fare should be agreed upon in advance and use it with caution as many drive recklessly.
Metro buses operate in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, and Sosúa. http://www.metroserviciosturisticos.com
Caribe Tours provides daily bus service from Santo Domingo to Barahona, Cabrera, Jarabacoa, Montecristi, Nagua, Puerto Plata, Río San Juan, Samaná, Sánchez, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Sosúa, and other cities in the Dominican Republic. Caribe Tours buses also travel to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien in Haiti. http://www.caribetours.com.do
Expreso Bávaro makes several trips to Santo Domingo throughout the day. Upon arriving in Punta Cana, buses make several stops at hotels, tourist areas, and shopping zones in Bávaro. A subsidiary of the company, Sitrabapu, makes local stops departing from Verón in Higüey and La Romana. Sitrabapu also has an express route with no stops to La Romana. http://www.expresobavaro.com
Sichoem buses travel daily between La Romana and Santo Domingo, with several departures from the La Romana stop next to the Shell gas station, Tel. 809 556-4192. Asomiro offers a similar service with buses taken at Av. Padre Abreu, stop km 1, near La Gallera, Tel. 809 556-9099.
Transporte Samaná (Asotrapusa) provides service during the day to Samaná with several departures from its stations on Barahona Street 129 and Las Américas Highway. Tel. 809 687-1470.
DOMESTIC AIR TRANSPORTATION
In Punta Cana, helicopters are a fast and convenient way to see the area and its 50 km (31 miles) of beaches. Helicopter companies fly to Santo Domingo and other destinations, connecting various cities and tourist spots. http://www.helidosaaviationgroup.com
Charter flights can be arranged between the international airports of Punta Cana (PUJ), Santo Domingo (SDQ, JBQ), La Romana (LRM), Santiago (STI), Puerto Plata (POP), Samaná (AZS, ABA) and Barahona (BRX). Several small airports handle domestic flights. These include: Arroyo Barril (ABA) in Samaná, on the northeast coast; Constanza (COZ), located in the central mountainous region; Cabo Rojo (CBJ) in Pedernales, on the southwest coast; and Montecristi (MTC) on the northwest coast.