Columbus discovered the island of Hispaniola (which he called La Espaniola) in 1492 and established it as his main base for the further exploration of the region. Today, the Dominican Republic shares the island with Haiti, a former French colony. Most tourists who come to the island are initially attracted by the magnificent golden sand beaches along its 1,400km (870-mile) coastline. The island's northern, Atlantic side contains the majority of tourist attractions, hotels and resorts, particularly in the 64km (40-mile) zone between Puerto Plata and Cabarete.

Santo Domingo, in the south, features the very first monuments of the American continent: the first cathedral, the first hospital, the first chapel and the first university. In the centre of the country, the three main mountain ranges run roughly parallel to each other in an easterly/westerly direction. The Cordillera Central is the highest mountain range on the island. It includes Pico Duarte, the highest mountain in the Caribbean at a height of 3,098m (over 10,000ft).

Western influence can be seen in the numerous colonial buildings of the capital Santo Domingo while the African heritage, introduced by African slaves brought to the island by the Spanish, is reflected in its music. The popular song and dance, the merengue, blends both heritages and is celebrated in several festivals which draw large numbers of national and international musicians.

Passport/Visa

Passports

Passport valid for twice as long as intended stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for touristic purposes except:
(a) 1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Malta and Romania.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

2. Nationals referred to in the chart above (except nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Malta and Romania who do require a tourist visa) will need to apply for a tourist card to enter the Dominican Republic. Tourist cards are valid for up to 30 days from date of entry; applications cost £10 and take up to two weeks to process.
3. All nationals referred to in the chart above will require a visa for business purposes; passport must be valid for four months from the date of application.

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist (single-entry): £70. Business (single-entry): £170; (multiple-entry) £215.

Validity

Tourist visas and single-entry business visas are valid for 60 days. Multiple-entry business visas are valid for up to one year.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses. Multiple-entry visas can only be applied for once in the Dominican Republic.

Working Days Required

Two weeks.

Money

Currency

Dominican Republic Peso (DOP; symbol RD$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of RD$2,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of RD$1 and 5 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 centavos. All the coins are legal tender but only the RD$1 and 5 are actually used due to the impracticality of the smaller denominations.

Currency Exchange

The peso is not available outside the Dominican Republic. Currencies of Canada, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, UK and USA may be converted into local currency. On departure, up to 30% of the exchanged currency can be reconverted into US Dollars at any bank, provided original receipts are shown. All exchange must be done through official dealers such as banks and hotels approved by the Central Bank. Some street vendors in touristic areas accept US Dollars although these are not legal tender in the country.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are all accepted.

Traveller's Cheques

Traveller's cheques are accepted by some banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1500, Sat 0900-1300. In malls: Mon-Fri 0900-1900, Sat 0900-1300.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Health

Vaccinations

* Malaria risk exists throughout the year, especially in the western provinces and in La Altagracia province. Risk in other areas is low to negligible.

Food and Drink

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated and sterilisation should be considered essential. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is pasteurised. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other Risks

Vaccinations for tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Outbreaks of dengue fever occur in the area. Rabies may be present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Health Care

Health insurance (to include emergency repatriation) is strongly recommended. Medical care is limited and variable in quality. An emergency service is available in Santo Domingo.

Getting There

Getting There by Air

The Dominican Republic’s national airline is Air Santo Domingo (EX).

Approximate Flight Times

From Madrid is 9 hours, and from New York is 3 hours 30 minutes.

Main Airports

Santo Domingo (SDQ) (Internacional de las Américas) is 18km (11 miles) east of the city (journey time – 30 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxi services are available to Santo Domingo. Facilities: Outgoing duty-free shop, post office, bank/bureau de change, restaurants, bars and car hire.

Puerto Plata International Airport (POP) (Internacional General Gregorio Luperón). To/from the airport: Taxi services are available. Facilities: Outgoing duty-free shop, banking and exchange facilities, gift shop, post office, restaurant, bar and car hire.

Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is 10 to 30 minutes’ journey time from the Punta Cana and Bávaro resorts. To/from the airport: Taxi services are available. Facilities: Gift shops and duty-free shop.

Departure Tax

A ‘Stay tax' is levied on all passengers staying longer than three months: RD$60.48 (three to nine months); RD$100.80 (nine to 12 months) or RD$160.16 - 600.32 (one year or more).

Note: When buying an international air ticket in the Dominican Republic a tax of approximately 12% is levied on the carrier by the government. This expense is passed on directly to the customer on the price of the ticket. If the ticket is bought outside the Dominican Republic, there is no tax.

Getting There by Water

Some international cruise lines call at the Dominican Republic.

Getting There by Road

There are three routes from Haiti: on the road from Port-au-Prince to Santo Domingo at Jimaní/Malpasse; on the road from Cap-Haitian to Santiago at Dajabón/Ouanaminthe; and a third route near the centre of the island at Elías Pinâ/Belladere. The borders are open from 0800-1600.

Climate

Hot with tropical temperatures all year with coastal areas being warmer than central regions. There are two rainy seasons; the heaviest is from May to August and the other is from November to December. Hurricanes may sometimes occur during these periods.

Required Clothing

Lightweight fabrics are best suited to the tropical temperatures. Waterproofs are essential during the rainy seasons.

Contacts

Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the UK

139 Inverness Terrace, Bayswater, London W2 6JF, UK
Tel: 09065 508 945.
Website: www.dominicanembassy.org.uk
Consular opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1400.

Dominican Republic Tourist Board in the UK

18-21 Hand Court, High Holborn, London WC1V 6JF, UK
Tel: (020) 7242 7778.
Website: www.godominicanrepublic.com 

Caribbean Tourism Organisation in the UK

22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1BP, UK
Tel: (020) 8948 0057.
Website: www.doitcaribbean.com

Embassy and Consulate of the Dominican Republic in the USA

1715 22nd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 332 6280.
Website: www.domrep.org

Dominican Republic Tourist Board in the USA

136 East 57th Street, Suite 803, New York, NY 10022, USA
Tel: (212) 588 1012/14.
Website: www.godominicanrepublic.com