Visitors Guide to Dominican Republic

Residency, Visas and Passports

All visitors to the Dominican Republic are required to carry a passport. The validity of the passport is required to be for double the duration of the intended visit. Most visitors travelling to the country as tourist do not require a visa, yet several European countries are not included in this exemption.

It is highly advisable to confirm requirements prior to travelling with a consulate or embassy, ensuring correct, up to date information is obtained.

Visitors who are exempt from visa requirements will need to obtain a tourist card. These cards are valid for up to 30 days and need to be obtained prior to travelling. The process for obtaining the card can take up to a fortnight to process and cost approximately £10.

Temporary residency permits are valid for one year and can then be renewed as permanent residency. Obtaining residency enables several benefits to property owners, such as the ability to import goods such as furniture duty free. Residency also provides the opportunity to work legally and arrange bank loans.

Getting There

The national airline of the Dominican Republic is Air Santo Domingo. Along with offering domestic routes, the company also offer routes to the US. The main international airports in the country are in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana and Puerto Plata. Flight time from Europe is around 9 hours, while Miami is approximately 2 hours away.

Access to the Dominican Republic by cruise ship offers a delightful way to enjoy a holiday within a holiday. There are several cruise liner companies that visit the country, arriving at ports in Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Manzanillo, San Pedro de Macoris, La Romana and Barahona.

Road access to the country is possible from neighbouring Haiti, yet the borders are only open during specific hours of the day, with military checkpoints at each entry.

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Local Transport

Travelling across the Dominican Republic is possible by both regular scheduled and chartered flights. Transport between the major resort areas of Santo Domingo, Punta Cana and Puerto Plata offer convenient routes for fast travel options.

The road network throughout the country enables good connections, with highways connecting the major routes. Driving during the daylight hours is preferable due to the limited lighting away from major towns. Coach and bus services are excellent, cost effective options for travelling throughout the country. Local buses run 24 hours a day, with standard fares.

Santo Domingo features a new, modern metro system that commenced services in 2009. The success of the new metro has lead to the planning of new additional lines to cope with demand. A light rail network is also in the planning stages, expected to begin construction imminently.

Taxi transport is available in all of the touristic areas, yet visitors are advised to avoid any unmarked cars claiming to offer taxi services. There are several international car hire companies operating in the Dominican Republic. Generally the minimum age for rental is 25 and a credit card, along with a national or international driving permit is required.

Health and Safety

Although crime against tourists in the Dominican Republic is rare, visitors are advised to take care in isolated areas, especially at night. General precautions for personal safety should be considered, such as looking after valuables and being wary of pickpockets in crowded areas.

Arranging medical insurance prior to travelling is highly recommended, as the medical facilities are rather limited. Emergency services are available however medical insurance can greatly benefit travellers if the need arrives.

The tap water in the Dominican Republic is considered not safe for drinking, even in the large towns and cities. Bottled water is readily available and should also be used for brushing teeth. Swimming in fresh water lagoons can also cause problems, as on occasions dengue fever is present in the country.

The Dominican Republic is located within the Caribbean hurricane belt and is susceptible to strong storms during the months of June to November. The storms can cause flash flooding in some more remote areas, so precautions should be taken and advice heeded during these months.

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