Dominican Republic: General Information & Travel Tips

White sand beaches, turquoise blue sea, lots of palm trees, fresh cocktails, Latin music, and tropical temperatures – you'll find it all in the Dominican Republic.
Have you decided to travel to the Dom. Rep. or are you still considering it as your next destination? This post contains all the general information and travel tips you’ll need.

1. THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

You can visit the Dominican Republic year-round, so the best travel time depends on your personal preferences.

We find the months from December to April ideal because, during this period, you can enjoy the best weather conditions for a perfect beach vacation.
If you want to celebrate Christmas or New Year's under palm trees, this is the place to be.

But even from May to the end of November, the Dominican Republic has a lot to offer.
There are consistently warm, tropical temperatures, so you can skip packing long clothing even for the evenings. However, tropical rain showers may be more frequent.

From June to November is hurricane season throughout the Caribbean, including the Dominican Republic.
However, hurricanes are relatively rare; usually, it’s just heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storms.

GOOD TO KNOW

For your trip to the Dominican Republic, you’ll need a power adapter, as plug types A and B are used. These are different from the plug types commonly used in many countries around the world. You can find a suitable adapter here: Travel Adapter Dom. Rep.

2. THE CLIMATE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

The Caribbean climate is tropical to subtropical. Humidity is consistently high, usually around 80%.
Daytime temperatures hover around 30°C throughout the year, and sea temperatures are also very consistent, making the ocean wonderfully warm year-round.

Our Tip: Although you probably won’t need a jacket outside, pack a light jacket or vest for your hotel.
Due to the high outside temperatures, some hotels cool their lobbies and restaurants quite a bit, which can feel chilly depending on the AC settings.

3. THE IDEAL TRAVEL DURATION

The ideal length of stay also depends on your personal interests. Many tourists only spend 7 days on the island, which is doable but not ideal, in our opinion.
Even if you’re planning to simply relax on the beach without engaging in any activities, such a relatively short stay might not be worth it due to the long journey from many parts of the world.

During both of our trips, we chose 14 nights in the Dom. Rep.
This gave us plenty of time to explore the sights leisurely, enjoy some beach days, and go on diving tours.

We recommend a trip length of 10–17 days.

4. THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE

Spanish is the official language, but beware: it often differs from the Spanish spoken in Spain, similar to how Swiss German differs from standard German.
Many people are of Haitian descent and speak Haitian Creole and sometimes French.
In the southeast (San Pedro de Macorís), there’s an English-speaking minority, making for a perfect mix.
Dominicans have a very creative approach to Spanish, incorporating Spanish idioms and phrases with words from English and sometimes French.

However, you can get by well with English in the tourist centers.

5. TIME DIFFERENCE

The Dominican Republic is located in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone (AST), which is 4 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-4).
Since the country does not observe daylight saving time, the time difference between your location and the Dominican Republic may vary.
Many travelers find this time difference manageable, especially compared to greater time differences, such as when traveling to Asia. At first, you might feel tired earlier in the evening, which often means going to bed early and waking up refreshed the next morning.

This can be a great advantage if you plan to join early excursions at the start of your trip.

6. CURRENCY & PAYMENT METHODS

The official currency is the Dominican Peso (RD$ or DOP).
When booking excursions, paying at restaurants, or leaving tips, US dollars are generally accepted.

No matter which currency you use, always do the math! Sometimes it’s more expensive to pay with US dollars, and sometimes it’s cheaper or costs the same as Dominican Pesos.

You can withdraw cash at ATMs, banks, and some hotel reception desks using standard credit cards. Fees depend on your bank.

You can also easily exchange money at banks, licensed currency exchange offices, and even at large hotel reception desks.
We recommend bringing some US dollars with you before traveling, as a safety precaution.

7. TIPPING

The Dominican Republic is a poor country. Wages in the Dominican Republic are generally low and not comparable to those in many other countries, which makes tourism and the tips it brings a vital source of income for many locals.
In general, everyone appreciates a tip! Hotel employees tend to be better off than the general population; they have steady jobs, enough food, and shelter.
Since they frequently interact with tourists – especially those who never leave the hotel during their stay – they often receive tips.
In contrast, other workers like gardeners, cooks, and porters, who don’t receive tips as often, greatly appreciate it.

It's a different story for locals outside the hotel. They only earn tips if tourists visit them, so every visitor counts.
Thus, we believe that tips should be given in hotels if you’re satisfied with the service, but we prefer to give larger tips outside the hotel, such as at restaurants, excursions, or to private drivers/guides.

The amount is up to you, but we feel fortunate to afford a vacation costing hundreds of dollars several times a year, so $50-$100 in tips over 10-14 days won’t make us poor.
Ask yourself: who needs the money more – you, so you can go to a restaurant a few more times, or someone who has to feed their family and for whom a trip like yours is unimaginable?

8. SAFETY ON THE ISLAND

According to statistics, the crime rate across the Caribbean is high.
However, we think the Dominican Republic is as safe or unsafe as most Latin American countries.
Don’t be deterred by statistics – something can happen to you anywhere in the world. We never felt unsafe during our entire stay!

Just keep these tips in mind:

• Always keep an eye on your valuables; don’t leave them unattended.
• Avoid wearing jewelry or carrying purses in public.
• Carry valuables discreetly and bring only the necessary amount of cash.
• Always store valuables, passports, and large amounts of cash in the hotel safe.
• Try to return to the hotel by nightfall.

Be cautious in bars and clubs, as spiking drinks is not unheard of.

9. ARRIVAL & ENTRY

Before booking your trip, consider where in the Dominican Republic you’d like to visit.
The island has seven airports, with Punta Cana Airport, Las Américas Airport, and Cibao Airport being the main entry points.

A direct flight from many major international airports takes around 10 hours, depending on your departure location. Affordable flights can often be found on platforms like skyscanner.com or other flight comparison websites.

To enter the Dominican Republic, you need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.

Before your trip, you are required to complete an online entry form (the “E-Ticket”), which generates a QR code to present to authorities either at boarding or upon arrival.

For extended stays or additional requirements, check your local government’s travel advisory website for guidelines and country-specific information.

10. GETTING AROUND ON THE ISLAND

To get from A to B in the Dominican Republic, you have several transportation options.

For transport, the Dom. Rep. has no developed rail network. Longer trips at a budget-friendly price can be made by buses.
Be sure to confirm that the bus is air-conditioned before booking, as rides can get hot over long periods.

You can also travel by taxi, but be prepared for higher prices. Always ask for the price beforehand and negotiate!

If you want to avoid taxis and travel like locals, Guaguas (rickety minibuses) are an option.
Guaguas are typically crowded, with a “caller” leaning out of the open door shouting destinations.
Wave or shout back if you want a ride.

Most tourists use shuttle services booked through hotel tour desks or excursion providers.

For more flexibility, consider renting a car through rentalcars.com.
Just remember, the farther you travel from tourist areas, the worse the road conditions get, and traffic rules are generally less strictly followed compared to many other countries.

11. HOTELS & ACCOMMODATIONS

The island is well-developed for tourism, offering a wide range of hotels, Airbnb rentals, hostels, and private accommodations.

During both of our stays in Punta Cana on the east coast, we stayed at the TRS Turquesa Hotel.
Both times, we opted for a package tour.

The hotel, with its beautiful and expansive grounds and the on-site dive center, was the perfect base for all our excursions and dives.
The endlessly long, fine sandy beach is stunning and ideal for long, leisurely walks.

We were completely satisfied with the accommodation; we truly lacked nothing. That’s why we can wholeheartedly recommend this excellent hotel at Playa Bávaro to you.

12. SPECIAL VACCINATIONS FOR THE ISLAND

If you’re planning a package vacation in the Dominican Republic, no special vaccinations are needed.
However, tropical disease doctors recommend vaccinations against Hepatitis A, Diphtheria, and Tetanus.

12. OTHER IMPORTANT TIPS

• For your trip to the Dominican Republic, you’ll need a power adapter, as plug types A and B are used. These are different from the plug types commonly used in many countries around the world.
  You can find a suitable adapter here: Travel Adapter Dom. Rep.
• Haggle with everyone over almost everything: According to a study, about 40% of Dominicans live below the poverty line.
  So, it’s no wonder they might charge tourists a bit extra whenever possible.
• Take your time: The key to enjoying your entire stay is this – take it slow, and don’t get frustrated if things take longer than expected.
  Don’t expect the same level of punctuality you might be used to in some other countries! In most Latin American countries, it’s common not to rush, to arrive late, and even to stop in the middle of the street to chat with the bus driver about the latest gossip.
• Do not drink tap water: Unless you’re prepared to spend a lot of time in the bathroom or your room.
  Even though many hotels may claim the tap water is safe to drink, we strongly advise against it.
• Modesty is important: The Dominican Republic is a very Catholic country, so extreme openness, like women sunbathing topless, is not appreciated in public spaces.
• Customs regulations: Shells, coral, and starfish are not meant to be home decorations; they are part of the country’s natural heritage and are not allowed to be exported by visitors.

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com
• Discover the best accommodations
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com
• The Best Travel Guides for Dominican Republic
• Unique Excursions to Experience in Dominican Republic

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Note: This blog post contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or purchase something through these links, we earn a small commission. There is absolutely no change to the price for you.