TIPS FOR TRAVELING
Visítanos en nuestras redes sociales
HOW CAN I GET TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?
The Dominican Republic has eight international airports, five cruise destinations, and a variety of marinas for boats and yachts of all sizes, as well as smaller airports for private jets. Because this is such a large and diverse island, it is important to choose your arrival airport to match the final destination of your stay.
For additional information, please review our Recommended Links, or contact one of our offices abroad.
WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO GO TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?
A valid passport is required. You will also likely need a tourist card (US $ 10) already included in your plane ticket. Some countries require a visa.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE DEPARTURE TAX?
The departure tax is US $ 20. However, it is already included in the plane ticket fare.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DECIDE TO STAY IN THE COUNTRY FOR MORE THAN 30 DAYS?
You will be charged an extended stay fee at the airport, proportional to the amount of time; RD $ 2,500 (approximately US $ 50) for an additional month. This is paid upon departure at the migration counter, after passing the security check.
HOW'S THE WEATHER? WHEN IS THE RAINY SEASON?
The Dominican Republic is surrounded by more than 1,600 km of coastline to the north, east and south, and the climate is tropical. Temperatures at noon range between 27 ° C and 32 ° C, and can drop to 18 ° C and 23 ° C during winter. Because we are in the tropics, it is difficult to tell if and when there is a rainy season. The rains are usually short-lived.
I ALMOST DO NOT SPEAK SPANISH, COULD THIS BE A PROBLEM?
The Dominican people are very friendly; That is why if you meet people who do not speak your language, they will surely make sure to help you find someone who can assist you. Most tourist destinations, such as hotels, restaurants and resorts, are staffed by staff who speak English as well as other languages.
CAN I TRAVEL WITH MY PET?
Before traveling with your cat or dog, call your airline for up-to-date information. Find out the cost of transporting your animal on board or in the hold. Make your reservation early because some airlines restrict the number of pets that can be carried on a single flight.
A health certificate issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian must accompany each animal. The certificate must establish that the pet was examined within 30 days prior to departure and that it was found free of any infectious disease, that it has been treated for external and internal parasites, and that it was vaccinated against rabies. The rabies vaccination certificate must include the date of vaccination, the established period of immunity, the product name and the serial number.
Upon arrival in the Dominican Republic, ask to speak to the animal control officer who will review your veterinary certificate (s), and fill out the required official pet entry permit form.
IS IT CUSTOM TO ADDRESS PEOPLE WITH THE EDUCATED OR FAMILY WAY OF “YOU”?
Although times are changing and becoming more informal, it is better to go wrong by choosing to be formal and not informal. Use your formal form when you don't know the person well. The gentlemen can be referred to as Don or Señor and the ladies as Doña or Señora.
At the same time, informality is common and acceptable because Dominicans are very open and sociable people. The terms friend and brother are used frequently. Don't be surprised if you are referred to as my love or darling on the street or in local businesses, this is how Dominicans communicate.
WHAT IS THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TELEPHONE CODE?
The country code is +1. There are three area codes: 809, 829, and 849.
WHAT IS THE LEGAL AGE TO DRINK?
In the Dominican Republic, you can buy and consume alcoholic beverages from the age of 18. This means that the bars do not admit people under 18 years of age, even if they are accompanied by their parents or an adult.
HOW DOES THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC COMPARE IN SIZE WITH PUERTO RICO OR JAMAICA?
Located in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic has an area of more than 48,442 km², which means that Puerto Rico could fit in the country five times, and Jamaica four times. Due to its size, and the variety of its terrain, the Dominican Republic offers visitors an incredible diversity of landscapes, including beaches, mountains, prehistoric caves, deserts, lakes, islands, rivers, and numerous waterfalls. That is why we say that the Dominican Republic "has it all."
WHAT CLOTHING SHOULD I BRING?
The Dominican Republic has a warm and sunny climate throughout the year. But it is cold in the morning and in the evenings from November to March, whether in the city or in the mountains, so it is essential to pack clothes with layers. You should bring light cotton or linen clothing for warm weather, as well as bathing suits, a light cardigan, pants, and a light jacket. Even if you are staying at a resort, be sure to pack an elegant suit for special occasions, or for dining at gourmet restaurants. If you are staying in Santo Domingo, bring your regular city clothes, as well as a couple of stylish options. If you go to a presentation at the National Theater, you will need a jacket; and no jeans are allowed. Also, if you are visiting churches or certain national monuments and museums, you may not be able to enter if you are in shorts or miniskirts. Some government offices do not allow you to enter with a sleeveless shirt or without closed shoes.
HOW SAFE IS IT?
The Dominican Republic continues to be one of the countries with the lowest crime rates in the region. However, common sense rules, and it is better to take precautions just like when visiting a new country or a great city in the world. Do not show your valuables, such as cell phones and cameras; Use them discreetly when you are away from tourist areas. Leave your jewelry at home, dress simply, and don't wander through secluded streets during the day or night.
IS IT SAFE TO DRINK THE WATER FROM THE TAPS IN THE HOTELS?
No, it is not safe to drink tap water in the Dominican Republic, as it is not purified. Always drink bottled water, available in abundance at your resort or in local stores and supermarkets.
SHOULD I RENT A VEHICLE?
The Dominican Republic has the most modern road infrastructure in the Caribbean, with excellent roads that lead and connect to the main tourist destinations. That said, driving in the Dominican Republic is known to make you feel nervous; You must drive defensively and be on the lookout for other drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, cows and other potential road mates and intruders. Driving into the countryside is less stressful than in the big cities, although once you are in the towns, you should be aware of possible obstacles on the road. You must be an experienced driver, with prior experience preferably driving in big cities like New York, or driving in the Caribbean.
Avoid speeding and don't drive at night; lighting is often poor and non-existent, bringing with it opportunities for car accidents and crime.
There are tourist destinations where it is easier to have your own vehicle because there is so much to see. For example, if you are traveling up the north coast from Montecristi to Puerto Plata or Cabrera, or to the beaches of Samaná, renting a car will allow you to stop and see the sights along the way. On the east coast, having a vehicle will allow you a cheaper exploration of the popular tourist areas of La Romana, Bávaro, Punta Cana and Cap Cana. The southwest of the Dominican Republic, from Barahona to Pedernales, is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt country, where public transportation is limited. Having a vehicle will help you save time and money, particularly in well-known and far-flung places like Bahía de Las Águilas. The beaches and attractions that surround the main destinations will be easier to reach if you have a rental vehicle.
For the cities of Santo Domingo, Santiago and Puerto Plata, however, it is better to have the vast network of taxis, including UBER. You can get a taxi by calling one of the 24 hour taxi company. Most offer a flat rate of about $ 5 each way for most destinations in the city.
HOW MUCH IS THE SALES TAX?
The ITBIS (Tax on the Transfer of Industrialized Goods and Services) is 18% and is applied to most purchases. In restaurants, bars and hotels, an additional 10% is automatically added as a service charge.
IS MY DRIVING LICENSE VALID IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?
Yes, it is valid, but only for the duration of your legal stay, that is, up to 30 days or the term of your visa.
CAN I USE MY CELL PHONE THERE?
If your cell phone is on the GSM network, you can use it. However, roaming costs will be high. The best option is to bring an unlocked phone and buy a SIM card here to have a local number; You can get one with your passport or ID and activate it at any of the local telecommunications companies, including Claro and Altice. The SIM card costs less than US $ 5, and you will need to purchase additional phone credit for calls.
DO THE COMPANIES ACCEPT US DOLLARS OR EUROS?
Businesses in tourist destinations, including restaurants, bars, department stores, souvenir shops, and supermarkets tend to accept dollars, although you will receive a less favorable rate than at banks. That said, most prices in the Dominican Republic are in Dominican pesos. If you plan to make a large purchase in small shops and markets, first negotiate with the seller who may be interested in receiving payment in US dollars or euros. However, the prices are fixed in the supermarkets and in the stores of the shopping centers. The best option is to use an ATM to withdraw in local currency at the best daily exchange rate.
IS IT BETTER TO EXCHANGE MONEY AT THE AIRPORT?
The only advantage is the convenience to pay for your airport taxi and your first transactions. Otherwise, if you must exchange money, go to one of the main banks in the Dominican Republic: they use the daily exchange rate of the Central Bank as a reference point for exchange transactions, so the difference in the exchange rate between banks is negligible. Banks close at 5pm on weekdays, but most branches within shopping centers stay open until around 7-8pm. ATMs are available in supermarkets and shopping centers until later. For security reasons, it is better to use exchange services or withdraw money from ATMs throughout the trip.
WHAT REGULATIONS ARE THERE FOR TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN?
If the child is a foreigner, only his passport is required. There are exceptions, such as if the child has a parent who is a resident of the Dominican Republic. Check with your airline about travel requirements for unaccompanied minors.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT EXCHANGE RATE?
Currencies fluctuate from day to day, depending on the market. You can check exchange rates directly with commercial banks and exchange offices.
WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL FOODS TO TRY?
Dominican food is very diverse. In the morning, try the mangú (green, boiled and mashed plantains) with eggs, fried cheese and fried salami, the traditional Dominican breakfast. At noon, the Dominican flag is the typical lunch dish with rice, red beans (beans), a meat stew, and crushed green plantains fried in tostones. Also popular are pork rinds, chicken locrio or fried rice with chicken, plantain mofongo with pork or fried shrimp and garlic, fish in coconut sauce, stewed crab and lambí (sea snail), Goat (goat) roasted or stewed with boiled yucca, and sancocho (a stew of seven meats) accompanied by avocado for dinner. And of course, don't forget to try the yucca bread and the leaf cheese, an artisan cheese made from cow's milk.
Dominican desserts are also popular: try grated coconut with cream, beans with candy, sour milk dessert, orange sweets, milk sweets, papaya and pineapple desserts, and guava paste and cashew paste in syrup. Tropical fruit juices abound, often made into fruit smoothies: passion fruit (chinola for Dominicans), guava, pineapple, orange, strawberry, mango, tangerine, and papaya.
Do not miss the opportunity to taste the fresh juice of sugar cane in one of the fields of the country. You should also try the Dominican coconut water from one of the hundreds of coconut trees, you will love the delicious and thick pulp of the Dominican coconut.
ARE THERE VEDA SEASONS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?
Yes, the Dominican Republic imposes several closed seasons. Fishing, possession and consumption of the following marine species is prohibited by law during these designated time periods:
Lobster: March 1 - June 30
Crab: March 1 - June 30
Concha (locally known as Lambí): July 1- Oct 31
This also means that these species should not be available for sale or served in food establishments, markets or other commercial places during the closed months.
Fishing for parrotfish and sharks is strictly prohibited at all times, throughout the year. Violation of these laws will result in heavy fines and imprisonment.
WILL I BE ABLE TO WATCH A BASEBALL GAME DURING MY STAY?
To make sure you see a baseball game, or a ball game as we call it, you will have to visit the country during the winter baseball season that runs from mid-October to the end of January. The tournament champion will represent the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Series against the winning teams of Puerto Rico, Mexico and Venezuela. No matter where you are in the country, you will have a stadium relatively close. They are located in these cities: Santo Domingo (Quisqueya Stadium), Santiago (Cibao Stadium), La Romana (Francisco Micheli Stadium), San Pedro de Macorís (Tetelo Vargas Stadium) and San Francisco de Macorís (Julián Javier Stadium). To know more about schedules, prices and other information visit the official website of the Dominican Baseball League.
IS IT WORTH IT TO VISIT THE CAPITAL SANTO DOMINGO?
Of course! Santo Domingo is the first city in the Americas and was designated the American Capital of Culture in 2010. The Colonial City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of museums, art, culture and the most popular restaurants in the city. The good news is that Santo Domingo can be reached easily and inexpensively from various parts of the country. Staying overnight is your best option. If you are only on a day trip, consider the distances of the trip.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE MY DRONE ON THE TRIP, DO I NEED ANY PERMISSION AND WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS TO FLY A DRONE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?
The drone flight is regulated by the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC). As of April 2018, if your drone weighs less than 4.4 pounds, you are not required to have a permit. However, we strongly suggest that you apply to IDAC for permission before entering the country, as the airport customs department tends to retain these types of items to collect taxes. Having a letter of permission before you arrive will make it easier for you.
In addition, you must always comply with the following:
The drone must be made of flexible materials, in case of possible impact against any object or person, to minimize the danger to the person or object hit;
The drone must be operated manually, allowing you or the operator to maintain direct visual contact at all times and not exceed 400 feet away from you or the operator;
You must not fly the drone within a radius of eight kilometers from any airport;
You must operate the drone in meteorological flight vision conditions, not at night, and it must be permanently in sight and under your control or that of the operator;
You must make sure, before starting to fly your drone, that the aircraft and its control system are in safe operating conditions .; Y
Obtain verbal permission from the resort or any private property you intend to fly your drone over, and fly when the area is not crowded so as not to invade anyone's privacy, particularly on busy beaches.
If your drone exceeds the 4.4 pound weight limit, you will need a permit issued by the IDAC. Contact them directly at DTAC@idac.gov.do to receive an application and begin the process at least one month before your trip. In this request, you must specify the date, time and place of use, and the nature of the use (commercial or personal).
Make sure to regularly review any changes to the IDAC regulations on drones.