Dominican Republic travel guide

Getting there

Punta Cana International Airport is one of the busiest in the Caribbean, alongside Las Américas near Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata and Santiago. There is a land border with Haiti, and cruise ships call at several ports.

Best time to visit: Dec–Apr – dry, sunny weather outside hurricane season.

Flights: see the cheapest month to fly to Santo Domingo, with live one-way and return fares from your nearest airport.

Tougher months: August to October – the peak of hurricane season, with heavier rain and more humidity.

Weather by month in Santo Domingo

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Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: America/Santo_Domingo. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 108 of 198 other passports can enter Dominican Republic without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 0 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 90 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of the Dominican Republic (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, updated 2025-06-12). Read the advisory.

Stay

Most trips to Dominican Republic are based around Santo Domingo, Punta Cana or Samaná Peninsula. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$40–70 for a backpacker and US$100–180 mid-range, per person.

Connect

Plug types: A, B. Voltage: 120 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +1809.

Mobile data: set up a travel eSIM or check your roaming plan before you fly, so data works as soon as you land.

Do

• Santo Domingo (Capital · colonial history): A busy capital with the UNESCO-listed Colonial Zone, museums and a lively waterfront Malecón.
• Punta Cana (East coast · beaches): The country's main beach destination, with long sandy shores and calm, clear water.
• Samaná Peninsula (Northeast · whales & beaches): Lush hills, wild beaches like Playa Rincón and seasonal whale watching.
• Puerto Plata (North coast · history & adventure): A cable car up Mount Isabel de Torres, Victorian houses and the nearby 27 waterfalls.
• Jarabacoa (Cordillera Central · mountains): Cool air, rivers and pine forests make it the country's adventure-sports base.
• Cabarete (North coast · watersports): A laid-back town known for kitesurfing, windsurfing and beach bars.
• Isla Saona (Southeast · island): A protected island with palm-lined beaches and shallow sandbars.
• Bahía de las Águilas (Southwest · remote beach): A pristine, undeveloped beach in Jaragua National Park, worth the long journey.

Things to do

• Stroll the Colonial Zone. Walk the oldest streets in the Americas, past the first cathedral and the Alcázar de Colón.
• Watch humpback whales. Join a boat trip in Samaná Bay in winter to see whales breaching and singing.
• Relax on Punta Cana's beaches. Laze on soft white sand fringed by coconut palms along the island's eastern tip.
• Climb the 27 waterfalls. Scramble, swim and jump down a series of natural rock pools at Damajagua near Puerto Plata.
• Dance merengue and bachata. Take a dance class or join locals in a colmado or club on a weekend night.
• Hike Pico Duarte. Trek to the highest summit in the Caribbean through pine forests in the Cordillera Central.
• Visit Isla Saona. Take a catamaran to a postcard island of turquoise water and natural pools.
• Kitesurf in Cabarete. Catch the steady trade winds on the north coast, one of the Caribbean's best kitesurfing spots.

Eat and drink

• La bandera – rice, red beans and stewed meat, the national lunch
• Mangú – mashed green plantains, often for breakfast
• Sancocho – rich stew with several meats and root vegetables
• Tostones – twice-fried plantain slices

Money and safety

Currency: Dominican peso (DOP). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: A 10% service charge is added by law; leave a little extra for good service.

Emergency numbers: 911 police, fire & ambulance.

• The currency is the Dominican peso (DOP); US dollars are accepted in tourist areas, but you usually get a better deal paying in pesos.
• Cards are widely accepted in cities and resorts; use ATMs inside banks or shopping centres for security.
• Stick to well-lit, busy areas at night, especially in Santo Domingo, and avoid showing expensive phones or jewellery.
• Use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps rather than unmarked cars, especially after dark.