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Caribbean

Dominican RepublicTravel guide

Explore Dominican Republic visa rules

The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean country on the eastern half of Hispaniola, an island it shares with Haiti. It has white sand beaches, mountains and the historic city of Santo Domingo.

Why go

  1. White sand beaches and coastal resorts.

  2. Santo Domingo's old town, the oldest European city in the Americas.

  3. Pico Duarte, the highest mountain in the Caribbean at 3,098 metres.

  4. National parks and prehistoric cave art.

Getting there

By air

  • Punta Cana International Airport is in the east and is the country's busiest airport.
  • Las Americas airport serves Santo Domingo from the south coast near the capital.
  • Other airports include Puerto Plata, Santiago, La Romana and two airports near Samaná.

By sea

  • A ferry links Mayagüez in Puerto Rico with Santo Domingo. The journey takes about 12 hours.
  • The listed departures from Puerto Rico are Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 20:00, arriving at 08:00 the next morning.

Customs

  • All arriving passengers must complete the online eTicket form before leaving for the Dominican Republic. It combines passenger details, customs information and a health declaration.
  • The form asks for passport details, travel dates, the purpose of your trip and where you will stay. It produces a scannable square code, called a QR code, which your airline will ask to see.
  • Arriving foreigners pay a US$10 tourism fee, except returning residents. It is usually included in the airfare or cruise package.

Getting around

  • Buses

    Most towns and cities have bus services. Many routes link two cities within one region or connect a city with Santo Domingo. Travel between regions generally goes through Santo Domingo. Bus timetables can be checked at horariodebuses.com.

  • Gua-guas

    Gua-guas are shared vans or trucks that follow fixed routes. They are very cheap but can be heavily overcrowded.

  • Rental car

    Rental cars are available in Santo Domingo and other major cities. Traffic drives on the right. Watch for potholes, rough surfaces and roads without lane markings, especially in remote areas. Avoid driving after dusk because pedestrians and vehicles without working lights can be hard to see. The DR-1 highway connects Santo Domingo and Santiago. The DR-7 toll road runs north from east of Santo Domingo towards Sánchez.

  • Motorcycle taxis

    Motorcycle taxis, called motoconchos, are common outside Santo Domingo. Drivers may treat road rules loosely. If you are lost, a driver may guide you to your destination while you follow. A tip is appropriate for this help.

What to see and do

  • Santo Domingo's old town

    Explore the oldest European city in the Americas, recognised as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

  • Las Cuevas del Pomier

    These prehistoric caves contain art linked to Taíno cultural heritage, including the rain deity Boinayel.

  • Beaches and national parks

    The country has many beaches and national parks, alongside mountain landscapes.

  • Hike Pico Duarte

    Climb to 3,098 metres on the highest mountain in the Dominican Republic and the whole Caribbean.

Food and drink

  • La Bandera

    The national dish combines rice, red kidney beans and meat.

  • Tres Golpes

    A popular breakfast with mashed green plantains, fried cheese, salami and eggs.

  • Tostones and mofongo

    Tostones and fried pork mofongo are popular local foods.

  • Tropical fruit and seafood

    Many kinds of tropical fruit and seafood are eaten.

  • Locrio de Pollo

    A dish of chicken and fried rice.

  • Beer and rum

    Both are widely available.

Money

Dominican peso (DOP), written RD$ or $.

  • Cash and credit or debit cards are commonly used. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in shops and restaurants.
  • Many merchants accept United States dollars or euros, but check the exchange rate they use.
  • Airport and harbour exchange rates are usually poor. Exchange only what you need there and change more at your destination.
  • Banco Popular and Scotiabank cash machines accept Visa, MasterCard and Maestro. Withdrawal limits can be low, and each withdrawal may cost RD$100–200.

Tipping: Tipping is advisable for most services. Most restaurant meals add 18% tax and 10% service; an extra 10% is customary for very good service.

Typical costs

  • Airport taxi to Santo Domingo's old town: about US$30.
  • DR-7 toll road: about US$11.
  • Cash machine withdrawal fee: RD$100–200 per withdrawal.
  • Most restaurant meals: an additional 18% tax and 10% service.
  • Hotel rooms: 25% room tax, often already included in the listed price.

Language

  • Spanish is the official language.
  • Some locals speak English, especially in Santo Domingo and tourist areas.
  • Haitian Creole is spoken by some Haitian residents.
menudo
Change, including coins or money returned after a purchase.
funda
A bag.
colmado
A neighbourhood shop selling drinks, packaged food and sometimes other goods.
banca
A lottery ticket window; banco means a bank.
zafacón
A rubbish bin.
concho
A taxi; a motoconcho is a motorcycle taxi.
pasola
A moped or small motor scooter.

Staying safe

  • Dress casually and avoid displaying expensive jewellery or luxury items away from tourist areas.
  • Many streets are poorly lit after dark, including in Santo Domingo. Power cuts can also affect street lighting.
  • Do not feed stray dogs, as this may make them aggressive.
  • In Puerto Plata province, people may approach you offering sexual services. A firm 'No' is usually enough.

Local customs

Do

  • Be polite and respectful.
  • Try speaking some Spanish; people appreciate the effort.
  • Tip people who provide services.

Don't

  • Avoid discussing Haiti, as the subject can be sensitive.
  • Avoid discussions about race and skin colour.
  • Do not call a Dominican person 'negro' or 'negra'; this may be taken as racist.

Staying healthy

  • Drink bottled or boiled water and stay hydrated in the hot, humid weather.
  • Avoid salads and other food that may have been washed in tap water. Avoid ice unless it was made with bottled water.
  • If cooking or washing dishes during a longer stay, rinse items with bottled or boiled water before use.
  • Use mosquito repellent, including during the day. Mosquitoes can spread dengue fever and chikungunya.

Where to stay

  • Accommodation ranges from large all-inclusive beach resorts to smaller places along the coast and in cities.
  • Hostels offer shared rooms.
  • Hotels charge a 25% room tax. Ask whether it is included in the quoted price.

Outdoor adventures in Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has white-sand beaches, mountain hikes, waterfalls and river adventures. You can climb Pico Duarte, explore caves, sail to islands or watch humpback whales in Samaná Bay from January to March.

  • Pico Duarte summit

    Hike

    Hike or climb to the summit.

  • Charcos de Damajagua — 27 waterfalls

    More to doPuerto Plata areanear Imbert

    Join an excursion or travel independently to the entrance off Highway 5 beyond Imbert. Guides accompany visitors through the waterfalls.

    • Cost: US$8–12; the price rises with the number of waterfall levels visited.
    • Guides, helmets and life jackets are provided.
    • The descent includes sliding down rock chutes or jumping into pools.

  • Samaná Bay humpback whale watching

    WildlifeSamaná Baynear Santa Bárbara de Samaná

    January–March

    Visit Santa Bárbara de Samaná for whale watching in the bay.

  • Saona Island day trip

    SailingParque Nacional del Este

    Full day

    Take a catamaran day trip. Cap Cana Charters also offers full-day private yacht and catamaran trips from Marina Cap Cana, with a captain and crew.

  • Rio Yasque whitewater rafting and kayaking

    RaftingDominican Alpsnear Jarabacoa

    Hard

    Head to the area near Jarabacoa for rafting or kayaking. The distance rules out day trips from Punta Cana.

    • The river has challenging whitewater courses.
    • The course called Mike Tyson includes a 3.5-metre vertical drop.

  • Marinarium snorkelling excursion

    SnorkellingPunta Cananear Punta Cana

    Join the Marinarium excursion for snorkelling and a coastal cruise ending at a natural pool in the sea.

  • Bavaro Splash

    SnorkellingPunta Cananear Punta Cana

    Book the Bavaro Splash excursion with Ocean Adventures at Playa Corales.

  • Seaquarium underwater walk

    More to doPunta Cananear Punta Cana

    Join the Seaquarium experience. A diving helmet lets you walk underwater to see reef and coral life.

  • HorsePlay Punta Cana riding and zip-line tour

    More to doPunta Cananear Punta Cana

    Book the HorsePlay combo tour. Transport from your Punta Cana resort is included. Tours run Monday to Saturday.

    • Cost: 99; currency unspecified.

  • Puerto Plata catamaran tour

    SailingPuerto Platanear Puerto Plata

    1 hour

    Arrange a catamaran ride through a local excursion vendor. Prices can be negotiated.

    • Cost: From US$50; many vendors ask US$60 for one hour.

  • Punta Cana coastal charter

    SailingPunta Cana coastnear Punta Cana

    Half day

    Book a private yacht or catamaran through Cap Cana Charters at Marina Cap Cana. A captain and crew are included.

  • Catalina Island charter

    Sailing

    Full day

    Book a private yacht or catamaran trip with Cap Cana Charters, departing from Marina Cap Cana with a captain and crew.

  • Ocean Adventures Sailing Adventure

    SailingPunta Cananear Punta Cana

    About 4 hours 30 minutes

    Book the Sailing Adventure excursion with Ocean Adventures at Playa Corales.

  • Los Tres Ojos

    CaveEastern Santo Domingonear Santo Domingo

    Visit the open-roof caverns and underground lakes in Santo Domingo Oriental, close to the Colonial Zone. Go with a local.

    • The surrounding area can be dangerous; visit with a local.

  • Las Cuevas del Pomier

    Cave

    Visit the caves to see prehistoric cave art.

  • Parque Mirador Sur cycling

    CyclingSouthwest Santo Domingonear Santo Domingo

    Go to Parque Mirador Sur on Avenida Anacaona. Bikes are available to rent.

    • Avoid wandering in the parks at night, when lighting is limited.

  • Dr. Rafael Ma. Moscoso National Botanical Garden walk

    More to doSanto Domingonear Santo Domingo

    A few hours

    Visit the garden on Avenida República de Colombia and explore on foot. It opens daily from 09:00 to 17:00.

    • Cost: Adults: RD$220, also listed as US$7.

  • Parque Nacional Isabel de Torres mountain visit

    More to doPuerto Platanear Puerto Plata

    Take the mountain lift to the top of the mountain behind Puerto Plata.

    • Cost: US$10.

  • Juanillo Beach

    BeacheCap Cananear Punta Cana

    Access is limited to Cap Cana hotel guests, property owners and their guests.

  • Playa Boca Chica and Playa San Andrés

    BeacheBoca Chicanear Santo Domingo

    Travel to the community of Boca Chica, 38 kilometres east of Santo Domingo.

  • Puerto Plata public beach

    BeachePuerto Platanear Puerto Plata

    Visit the public beach near the La Sirena store in Puerto Plata.

    • Use at least SPF30 sunscreen and limit sun exposure.

  • Playa Bonita

    Beache

    Visit the secluded beach strip at Playa Bonita.

  • Sparky's Spray

    BeacheSamaná Peninsulanear Santa Bárbara de Samaná

    Follow Highway 5 towards Playa Rincón. The beach is near Punta Chiva, about halfway between Samaná and Playa Rincón.

    • Waves crash against the rocky beach.

  • Dolphin Island swimming experience

    More to doPunta Cananear Punta Cana

    15 minutes of free time with dolphins, plus the boat trip

    Take the short boat ride to a floating platform for a swim with trained dolphins in the sea.

  • Stingray Bay excursion

    More to doPunta Cananear Punta Cana

    Book with Ocean Adventures at Playa Corales. A two-level pirate ship takes visitors to a private floating aquarium.

Airports, metros and trains in Dominican Republic

Airports with scheduled flights

  • LRMCasa De Campo International AirportLa RomanaMain international airport
  • STICibao International AirportSantiagoMain international airport
  • SDQLas Américas International AirportSanto DomingoMain international airport
  • PUJPunta Cana International AirportPunta CanaMain international airport

Metro and subway

  • Santo DomingoSanto Domingo Metro38 stations38.6 kmsince 2009

Trains

Rail network
517 km

People and safety in Dominican Republic

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian88%
  • No religion11%
  • Folk religions<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #97 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

40% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 109 of 198 countries can visit Dominican Republic easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required109
  • Visa required89

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe43 of 46 countries
  • Americas31 of 34 countries
  • Oceania12 of 14 countries
  • Asia17 of 50 countries
  • Africa6 of 54 countries

Questions

Is the Dominican Republic the same as Dominica?

No. The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern half of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti; Dominica is a different Caribbean country.

Do I need to complete anything online before travelling?

Yes. Every arriving passenger must complete the online eTicket before departure and keep the scannable code available for the airline.

When is the severe storm season?

Severe storms can occur from June to October. The country lies in the Caribbean hurricane belt.

Can I pay by card?

Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in most shops and restaurants. Cash is also commonly used.

Can I drink tap water?

No. Use bottled or boiled water, and avoid ice unless it was made with bottled water.

Can I get by with English?

Some people speak English in Santo Domingo and tourist areas. Large all-inclusive hotels generally present no language problems.

What is a gua-gua?

It is a shared van or truck that follows a fixed route. Fares are very cheap, but vehicles can be overcrowded.

Should I drive at night?

Avoid driving after dusk. Poor lighting, pedestrians and vehicles without working lights can make driving difficult.

Are taxes included in hotel prices?

Hotels charge a 25% room tax, which is often included in the listed price. Ask before booking.

What number should I call in an emergency?

Call 911. For problems affecting visitors, the source also recommends contacting Politur, the tourist police.

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