Dominican Republic Travel
LAST UPDATED: 11/6/25 – Dominican Republic Travel Resources
The Dominican Republic is a captivating Caribbean nation that beckons travelers with its vibrant culture, stunning natural beauty, and rich history. From the bustling capital city of Santo Domingo, with its remarkably preserved colonial architecture and lively plazas, to the serene beaches that fringe the island’s northern and eastern coasts, the Dominican Republic offers a diverse array of experiences for visitors.
No matter one’s interests, careful planning is essential to make the most of all this captivating destination has to offer, from identifying must-see historical sites and planning an itinerary that allows ample time for relaxation, to researching the best local tour operators and budgeting for everything from accommodations to culinary delights.
Please use this Dominican Republic travel page as you plan your next adventure. To help you navigate the information I have included on this page, I have provided a quick navigation menu for you to use below. This will make it fast and easy for you to see which top destinations I recommend, which popular parks and destinations in the Dominican Republic you should consider visiting, and links to all of the travel guides, itineraries, and packing articles I have written to help you plan your adventure.
I have also included some key information you will need when planning your travel to the Dominican Republic. Information such as the languages spoken, the currency used, emergency contact numbers to be aware of, VISA and passport considerations, required vaccinations, and important driving information (if you plan on driving while on your visit).
Top Things to See
Before you start planning your Dominican Republic travel, check out my gallery of the top things to see in the country below for some inspiration. There is so much to see and do in the country, so you won’t want to miss out on the top sights!
Alcázar de Colón in Santa Domingo
Altos De Chavon
Cathedral of Santa María la Menor in Santo Domingo
Cayo Levantado
The Carnival Festival
Fortaleza Ozama in Santo Domingo
Puerto Plata Cable Car
Mount Isabel de Torres
Punta Cana
If you are looking for some more fun things to see and do while you are in the Dominican Republic, I have linked to my article on the Top Things to Do in the Dominican Republic below.
Popular Cities
As you start planning your Dominican Republic travel, you will want to familiarize yourself with the country’s largest and most popular cities (which are not always one and the same).
This is not only to see if you would like to visit and tour these cities but also because they will typically be your ports of entry and transportation hubs as you visit them on your trip. To help you with this, I have included a map of some of the key cities within the Dominican Republic that you will want to become familiar with below.
Languages Spoken
According to Homeschool Spanish Academy, the primary language spoken in the Dominican Republic is a variation of Spanish known as Dominican Spanish. This language is spoken by roughly 85% of the population in the Dominican Republic, which makes knowing Spanish very useful when visiting the country. A full breakdown of the different languages spoken in the Dominican Republic is listed below.
- Dominican Spanish (85% of the population)
- Haitian Creole (2%)
- Samana English (1%)
- Chinese (0.5%)
- Japanese (0.1%)
- Italian (0.1%)
- Other (11%)
Currency
The official currency in the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso (DOP). One Dominican Peso is made up of 100 cents, or centavos. However, centavos coins are very rare nowdays because of their low value. Every now and then, you will see a 50 centavos coin, but not often. The more common denomination for coins are 1, 5, 10 and 25 pesos coins.
The Dominican Peso also comes in bank notes, with denominations for bank notes being 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 pesos notes.
Power Adapters Required
One of the most overlooked aspects of international travel is ensuring you have the proper power adapters. You may or may not be aware that both the voltage and the type of outlet available differ widely from one region of the world to the next. If you aren’t prepared, you won’t be able to charge your electronic devices as you travel.
Even worse, you may damage or even destroy your electronic devices if you don’t have the right adapter with a voltage converter. Electricity supplies worldwide can vary from anything between 100V and 240V. It can be extremely dangerous to use an electrical appliance that is rated at a voltage different from the supply.
To ensure that this doesn’t happen to you, I have included some critical information on the electrical system in the Dominican Republic for you to review below. This includes what types of international power adapters you should bring with you on your trip.
Electrical Voltage in the Dominican Republic
In the Dominican Republic, the voltage of the electrical supply is 120V. This is the same voltage used in the United States. If you have an appliance that is single voltage rated, the voltage rating of the device must be 120V for you to use it without a voltage converter. When shopping for a travel power adapter, it is important to confirm that the adapter you choose has a voltage converter included and isn’t just an adapter.
A power adapter will change the type of plug from one type to another so that you can plug into different outlets. However, a simple power adapter will not change the voltage of the supply to the voltage used by the devices you brought from home (220V-230V in many parts of the world). You will need a travel power adapter with a voltage converter to do that.
Electrical Outlets in the Dominican Republic
In the Dominican Republic, the two types of electrical plugs used are Type A and Type B. The Type A plug is the type with two parallel flat pins. Meanwhile, the Type B plug has two parallel flat pins and a grounding pin. Please see the illustrations of the Type A and Type B plugs below to better understand what they look like. These are the same plugs that are typically used in the United States.
Emergency Contact
In case of an emergency when traveling in the Dominican Republic, dial 9-1-1 from any telephone to reach the local emergency services.
Visa, Passport, and Immunization Info
Before booking your Dominican Republic travel, you will want to be sure that you meet all of the necessary passport, VISA, and immunization requirements so that you can ensure you will be allowed into the country. To assist you, I have listed the requirements you will need to consider below for you to review.
Passport Validity
All visitors are required to have a valid passport for the duration of their stay in the Dominican Republic. To be safe, I recommend that your passport be valid at least 3 months past your expected departure from the country.
VISA Requirements
Depending on which country you are from, you may or may not need to apply for a tourist VISA to visit the Dominican Republic. The following sections outline the Dominican Republic tourist VISA requirements and how to apply.
VISA-EXEMPT COUNTRIES
If you are a passport holder from one of the countries listed below, then you are VISA-exempt. This means that you won’t need to obtain a tourist VISA before traveling to the Dominican Republic if you plan on staying for less time than the VISA exemption period.
Essentially, any person who can legally travel or reside in the United States, Canada, and the European Union (including Great Britain) does not need a visa to visit the Dominican Republic for tourist purposes and can enter the Dominican Republic with a Tourist Card and a valid passport. A Tourist Card is a card you are issued for an entry fee when entering the Dominican Republic.
Unless specified otherwise below, the amount of time you can spend in the Dominican Republic VISA-free is 30 days.
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Albania |  |
Iceland |  |
Poland |
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Andorra |  |
Ireland |  |
Portugal |
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Antigua and Barbuda |  |
Israel |  |
Qatar |
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Argentina |  |
Italy |  |
Romania |
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Australia |  |
Jamaica |  |
Russia |
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Bahamas |  |
Japan |  |
Saint Kitts and Nevis |
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Bahrain |  |
Kazakhstan |  |
Saint Lucia |
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Barbados |  |
Kiribati |  |
St Vincent Grenadines |
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Belize |  |
Kuwait |  |
San Marino |
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Bolivia |  |
Latvia |  |
Serbia ** |
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Bosnia and Herzegovina |  |
Liechtenstein |  |
Seychelles |
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Botswana |  |
Lithuania |  |
Singapore * |
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Brazil ** |  |
Luxembourg |  |
Slovakia |
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Brunei |  |
Macao |  |
Slovenia |
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Canada |  |
Malaysia |  |
Solomon Islands |
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Chile |  |
Malta |  |
South Africa |
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Colombia |  |
Marshall Islands |  |
South Korea |
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Costa Rica |  |
Mauritius |  |
Spain |
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Cyprus |  |
Mexico |  |
Suriname |
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Czechia |  |
Micronesia |  |
Sweden |
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Denmark |  |
Monaco |  |
Switzerland |
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Ecuador * |  |
Montenegro |  |
Taiwan |
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El Salvador |  |
Morocco ** |  |
Thailand |
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Estonia |  |
Namibia |  |
Tonga |
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Fiji |  |
Nauru |  |
Trinidad and Tobago |
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Finland |  |
Netherlands |  |
Turkey |
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France |  |
New Zealand |  |
Tuvalu |
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Germany |  |
Nicaragua |  |
Ukraine |
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Greece |  |
North Macedonia |  |
United Arab Emirates |
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Grenada |  |
Norway |  |
United Kingdom |
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Guatemala |  |
Panama |  |
United States |
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Guyana |  |
Papua New Guinea |  |
Uruguay |
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Honduras |  |
Paraguay |  |
Vanuatu |
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Hong Kong |  |
Peru ** |  |
Vatican City |
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Hungary |
| * = VISA-Exempt for stays up to 90 days. |
| ** = VISA-Exempt for stays up to 60 days. |
ALL OTHER TRAVELERS
If you don’t hold a passport from a VISA-exempt nation, you will need to obtain a tourist VISA before traveling to the Dominican Republic. For your convenience, I have outlined the process for applying for a tourist VISA for the Dominican Republic below.
- Complete Aisa Application Form – Fill out a Dominican Republic visa application form, with your personal details and requested information.
- Schedule An Appointment – Contact the nearest Dominican Republic foreign office to arrange a visa application appointment and pay the VISA application fees.
- Await Visa Decision – You will receive notification from the Dominican Republic embassy, consulate, or representation office where you applied.
Immunization Requirements
Important Note: I am not a medical doctor and don’t have medical experience. The information provided in this section is a summary of information that I got from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States for travel to the Dominican Republic. I am providing you this information to help bring awareness of the necessary vaccinations to you, but consultation with my guide should not replace a discussion about your travels with your doctor or a travel medical clinic.
While there are generally no required immunizations for entering the Dominican Republic, that isn’t always the case. If you are traveling from an area that is at high risk for Yellow Fever, you may be required to show proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before being allowed into the Dominican Republic.
In addition, it is also recommended to be up-to-date on standard immunizations. For some guidance on what is recommended before traveling to the Dominican Republic, please refer to the tables below.
Routine Vaccinations
The following routine vaccinations are recommended for anyone who will be traveling:
- Chickenpox (Varicella)
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
- Flu (influenza)
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
- Shingles
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for the Dominican Republic
In addition to the routine vaccinations above, the following are additional vaccinations you may want to consider for the Dominican Republic:
- Hepatitis A & B (if you haven’t had them).
- COVID Vaccination (not required for entry but recommended).
- Rabies – If you plan on spending time in remote areas.
- Typhoid
- Cholera – Cholera transmission is widespread in the Dominican Republic, though rare in travelers.
- Polio – Poliovirus has been identified in the Dominican Republic within the last year. There is an adult booster vaccine you can get to be safe.
- Malaria
- Yellow Fever – If you are traveling from high-risk areas.
Customs and Currency Restrictions
In addition to the other entry requirements for the Dominican Republic, you also need to make sure you understand and comply with the country’s customs and currency restrictions. For your convenience, I have highlighted these restrictions for your review below. More in-depth information on the customs restrictions can be found on the VisaHQ website for Dominican Republic Travel.
FREE IMPORT
The following items are considered free-import items but with limits (as described below).
- 200 cigarettes or 1 box of cigars.
- 2-liter bottles of alcoholic liquor – unopened.
- 2 opened bottles of perfume.
Important Note: You need to be at least 16 years of age to bring tobacco products into the country and you must be 18 years of age or older to drink alcohol in the Dominican Republic.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Before you will be allowed into the Dominican Republic, you will also need to clear customs to be sure you aren’t carrying any prohibited items with you. For instance, travelers are strictly prohibited from bringing the following items into the Dominican Republic:
- Car, motor, or other machine parts.
- Illegal drugs (prescriptions must be in a prescription bottle).
- Guns, explosives, and ammunition.
- Pornographic or offensive materials.
- Birds or animal products.
- Meat and dairy products.
- Statues, valuable paintings, or historical artifacts over 100 years old.
- You are not allowed to export the local currency (Dominican Peso- DOP) out of the country.
CONTROLLED ITEMS
In addition to these prohibited items, the government of the Dominican Republic has placed limits on the quantity of other items that can be brought into the country. The following items are considered controlled items in the Dominican Republic:
- An invoice is required to bring machines, appliances, and spare parts, which may also be subject to taxes.
- Pets must have a Health Certificate and full protection against Rabies and parvovirus.
Currency Restrictions
According to the US State Department website for travel to the Dominican Republic, there are no currency restrictions in place for travelers entering the country. However, there are currency restrictions in place when leaving the Dominican Republic. If you are carrying more than $10,000 or its equivalent, it must be declared. You are also restricted from bringing any local currency (Dominican Peso- DOP) out of the Dominican Republic.
- More than $10,000 or its equivalent must be declared when leaving the Dominican Republic.
- No Dominican Pesos (DOP) can be taken out of the Dominican Republic.
Key Phrases
As a part of your Dominican Republic travel preparation, you will need to prepare yourself for how they talk in the Dominican Republic so that you can understand the dialog as you interact with local residents and other travelers. This includes understanding key phrases so that you can ask for things, respond to others, and get around the country much easier.
Here are some common phrases that you may need to use while visiting the Dominican Republic:
Greetings and Introductions
- My name is… – Me llamo…
- What is your name? – ¿Cómo te llamas?
- Hello – Hola.
- How are you? – ¿Cómo estás?
- I’m fine, thanks – Estoy bien, ¡gracias!
- Nice to meet you – Mucho gusto.
- Good morning – Buenos días.
- Good afternoon – Buenas tardes.
- Good night – Buenas noches.
- See you later – Hasta luego.
- See you tomorrow – ¡Hasta mañana!
Asking for Directions
- I am lost – Estoy perdido/a.
- To the right – A la derecha.
- To the left – A la izquierda.
- Stop (verb) – Pare.
- Stop (noun) – Parada.
- Where is the bathroom? – ¿Donde esta el baño?
- Can you give me directions to… – ¿Puedes darme direcciones para…?
- Where is the…? – Dónde está (el/la)…?
Everyday Phrases
- Do you speak English? – ¿Habla Inglés?
- I don’t speak Spanish – No hablo Español.
- Can I take your picture? – ¿Le puedo tomar una foto?
- Can you take my picture? – ¿Me puedes tomar una foto?
- Please – Por favor.
- Excuse me – Disculpe.
- Thank you -Gracias.
- You’re welcome – De nada.
- I am …. years old – Yo tengo … años.
- Excuse me – ¡Perdone!
- Can you speak more slowly? – ¿Puede hablar más despacio?
Shopping
- Do you have any…? – ¿Usted tiene alguna…?
- I would like to purchase…. – Me gustaría comprar….
- I would like to order… – Me gustaría pedir….
- How much does this cost? – ¿Cuánto cuesta esto?
- The bill, please – La cuenta, por favor.
Emergency Assistance
- Help me! – ¡Socorro!
- I need a doctor – Necesito un doctor.
- I need a pharmacy – Necesito una farmacia.
- Where is the tourism police – ¿Dónde está la oficina de la Policía de Turismo?
- I have an emergency – Tengo una emergencia.
Driving Info
Most travelers who visit the Dominican Republic rely on car transfer services or tours that include transportation to get around. Sometimes, that is the easier and less stressful option. However, renting a car may be a convenient option depending on where you are going and what you want to see. If you are interested in driving while you are in the Dominican Republic, I have provided some tips for you to review below.
License Requirements
You must be 18 years or older to drive a vehicle in the Dominican Republic. While it may not be mandatory to have, it is strongly recommended that you obtain an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) before traveling to the Dominican Republic. In addition to the IDP, you will need to carry both your local driver’s license and your passport with you at all times while driving.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Even with this IDP, you will need to have your regular license and your passport with you as well.
Driving Tips
Before you depart for your trip, you will want to familiarize yourself with the following tips for driving in the Dominican Republic.
- If you are planning to make a left turn, pay attention to the road before making your turn. Other cars may still pass you on the left-hand side of your vehicle.
- Be aware of and look for pedestrians at all times. They may try and cross the road even when they don’t have the right of way.
- Be cautious when driving at night, especially in rural areas. Sometimes the roads can be very rough and have big pot holes.
- The gas stations in the Dominican Republic are sparse and spread out. So, make sure you fill up on gas every time you see a gas station. You don’t know when you will see the next one.
- There are tolls on all of the main roads from Santo Domingo.
- If you encounter a police or military checkpoint, make sure you stop and comply with all instructions. Typically, they are just checking to ensure you have the proper documentation.
Traffic Laws
The final and arguably the most important things that you will need to know before driving in the Dominican Republic are the driving laws and regulations. For your convenience, I have included some of the most important regulations for you to review below.
- Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants of the vehicle.
- The allowable blood alcohol level is 0.10%.
- You are not allowed to use a mobile phone while driving unless it is in hands-free mode.
- You are allowed to make a right turn on a red light after stopping.
- The right of way always goes to the vehicle on the bigger street.
- Speed limits are typically as follows:
- Within a City – 40 km/h (25 mph)
- Outside City Limits – 80 km/h (50 mph)
- On Major Highways – 120 km/h (75 mph)
Relative Guides, Itineraries, and Articles
To assist you as you start to put together your travel plans for the Dominican Republic, I have provided a comprehensive list of all of my travel guides, travel itineraries, and travel inspiration articles for the Dominican Republic for you to review below.
Packing and Planning Tips
Once you start putting together your Dominican Republic travel plans, you may want to reference some of my handy travel packing and planning guides that I have put together. To make it easy to find and access these guides, I have included them for your reference below.
Popular Tours
The Dominican Republic is a treasure trove of stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, making it a top destination for adventurers and leisure seekers alike. Among the most popular tours, visitors often rave about the exhilarating zip-lining experiences in the lush jungles. The picturesque water activities in Punta Cana, where you can dive into crystal-clear waters, are also a massive hit. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping adventures or immersive cultural experiences, the Dominican Republic has a tour that caters to every traveler’s desire.
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