Americas · CaribbeanOutline guideIsland country in the Caribbean
Photo: Jose Juan C, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The Dominican Republic (Spanish: República Dominicana) is a Caribbean country that occupies the eastern half of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. Besides white sand beaches and mountain landscapes, the country is home to the oldest European city in the Americas, now part of Santo Domingo. Due to its Hispanic heritage, the Dominican Republic is called the Cradle of the Americas.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Dominican Republic.
Cards and cash
It makes sense to get only as many pesos as necessary there and change more later on at your destination or to withdraw pesos from an ATM with your credit or debit card.
Tipping
The Dominican Republic is still a fairly poor country and tipping the people who serve you helps them better their sometimes dire economic situation.
Spanish
The official language of the Dominican Republic is Spanish. You will find some Spanish-English bilingual locals especially in Santo Domingo and tourist areas.
All networks have 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE coverage with Claro and Altice already implementing 5G in most urban areas.
Mobile networks
Visitors, however, should not drink any of the local water and should stay with bottled water or other beverages.
Malaria can be a rare issue around rainforests if travelers don't take protective measures such as repellents against mosquito bites. No cases have been reported over the past 8 years within the tourist areas.
Dominicans are kind and peaceful people. Attempts at speaking Spanish are a good sign of respect for the local people.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital city and the oldest European city in the Americas
a luxury apartment resort with beaches, yacht harbours, golf courses
a popular resort destination known for its pretty sandy beaches
home to a coastline of sandy white beaches at the eastern tip of the
a sugarcane, baseball, university and tourist city
a cute harbor town on the Samaná Peninsula
a city of old and classic Caribbean Spanish-style buildings
a party destination for single men
Bayhibe is a small seaside town in the Dominican Republic.
Bonao is a village in the Dominican Republic.
Cabarete is a city in Dominican Republic. It is the city of kitesurfing and windsurfing and considered one of the best places to practice these sports in the Caribbean.
Jarabacoa is in the Dominican Republic. It's a good gateway to explore the nearby mountain range and to set up a hike to Pico Duarte.
Las Terrenas is a small city in Samaná Province on the northeast coast of the Dominican Republic, notable for its miles and miles of beautiful, golden sand public beaches, combining a modest but full-service tourist infrastructure with an authentic Dominican town. It's also a jumping-off point for the nearby Limón Waterfall, popular for hiking and as a freshwater swimming hole.
Las Galeras is a small village at the far end of the Samaná Peninsula in the Dominican Republic. It's famous for its world class lonely beaches, e.g.
Miches is a small fishing village on Samana Bay in the Eastern Dominican Republic.
Bahia de las Aguilas on the southwestern coast of the Dominican Republic. Bahia De Las Aguilas (Bay of the Eagles) is one of the most beautiful and most isolated beaches in the Caribbean.
Places in Dominican Republic on the World Heritage List.
Colonial City of Santo Domingo
Listed 1990
Iglesia de Las Mercedes
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The cosmopolitan capital and its surrounding beaches.
Home to the world-famous all inclusive hotels of Bavaro and Punta Cana, and the major resorts of Casa de Campo and Cap Cana.
A beautiful bay often described as a "Paradise on Earth"
The second largest city, the highest mountains in the Caribbean, and the popular beaches of the Atlantic Coast.
The most secluded area of the country, almost untouched by tourism, with a unique scenery and wildlife.
Public transport and paid services in Dominican Republic.
Guaguas (local buses) and metro
Guaguas are the traditional means of transport in the Dominican Republic.
By long-haul buses
Caribe Tours, based out of the capital, is the biggest bus company, and has coverage in most regions that are not well-served by the other 'official' bus companies.
By car
Cars may be rented through Hertz, Avis, Car Rentals or other agencies in Santo Domingo and other major cities. Gasoline, however, is expensive often costing upward of US$5/gallon (as of June 2018).
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Dominican Republic.
Finding apps for Dominican Republic…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Santo Domingo · International · SDQ
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Santo Domingo
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 29° | 29° | 30° | 31° | 30° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 30° | 30° | 29° |
| Avg. low | 21° | 21° | 21° | 22° | 23° | 24° | 24° | 25° | 24° | 24° | 23° | 22° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 24 | 21 | 22 | 40 | 68 | 48 | 55 | 68 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 42 |
| Humidity | 75% | 73% | 70% | 71% | 75% | 76% | 76% | 77% | 77% | 79% | 78% | 77% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$115
Per person, per day
Luxury
$300
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $65 | $175 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $25 | $55 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $45 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Dominican Republic due to crime. Violent crime is a concern in the Dominican Republic despite more police presence in areas often visited by tourists. Do not display wealth and be wary of meeting individuals from online in secluded locations.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Dominican Republic.
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