We flew into Punta Cana international airport in June 2021 during Covid time and spent a week exploring this beautiful island. Covid antigen tests were required for boarding the international flights from US. As an update from Feb 2022 , Dominican Republic no longer requires negative covid tests to enter the country.
Dominican Republic is known for its beautiful beaches and a multitude of all inclusive resorts, but it’s also one of the most diverse destinations.
While the island was inhabited by the Taino people for many years, it is probably best known among tourists as Christopher Columbus’s first
landing spot in the Americas. The country was then occupied by Spain until first declaring independence in 1821. Major cities are highly influenced by Spanish culture. You can see this on display as you explore the architecture of Santo Domingo which is the capital of DR.
Map of the Dominican Republic
Planning Your Trip
Best Time to Visit: The weather is spectacular from late November through February, with breezy mornings and evenings. Temperatures are in the low to mid 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.
Language: The official language in the Dominican Republic is Spanish. Currency is the Dominican peso and conversion rate from US$ is 57 pesos in June 2021.
Getting Around: Public transportation is widely available, from large coach buses connecting different parts of the country to smaller van buses or “guaguas” for town-to-town transfers, and local shared taxis (“carritos”) as well as motorbike taxis. Major car rental companies are available in major cities and airports.
Travel Tip: Fridays are school field trip days, so museums and historical sites can get crowded. Beaches and rivers are also busy on Sunday, when locals flock to the seaside or to freshwater to relax, party, and cool off. To avoid disappointment, agree on fares before you agree to any service; tipping is customary.
Things to Do
There are a myriad of activities available in the Dominican Republic, from extreme outdoor adventures to cultural experiences.
Tour history, architecture, and museums:
Visit the Colonial City in Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site2—tour its museums and 16th-century structures such as the Ozama Fortress. Walk Puerto Plata city’s center for Victorian architecture.
Impressive architecture of Basilica Cathedral of Santa Maria in Santo Domingo
Hike and enjoy the great outdoors:
Nature sights abound wherever you choose to stay in the DR. Hike national parks and mountains and swim in waterfalls in Jarabacoa. Hike Taino caves in Barahona and Pedernales.
Go canyoning to 27 Damajagua Falls and Magic Mushroom in Puerto Plata province. Go beach-hopping and sample the country’s 30 miles of coastline3, from Punta Cana to the Samana Peninsula’s rugged beaches reached by boat, Puerto Plata’s golden coast and offshore islands Saona and Catalina.
Experience the culture:
Sample Dominican cuisine, dance to live merengue and bachata, have drinks at the colmado (the local bodega) and attend a baseball game in season or join in when you see teams practicing.
Explore more attractions, including the best things to do in the Dominican Republic, and the top things to do in Santo Domingo.
We sampled this traditional delicacy called Mofongo -This traditional dish is made by mashing fried plantain, garlic and pork rind in a mortar, forming a dough that is then shaped into small balls
What to Eat and Drink
Dominican cuisine is a rich blend of cultures, from Taino to African, Spanish, and Middle Eastern. A typical Dominican dish you should try is mangů—look for this staple plantain mash at breakfast. Sancocho, hearty meat and root vegetable stew, is a Dominican favorite. Streetside fried snacks are also popular, particularly late at night, such as chimichurri burgers, chicharron, or fried pork rinds.
A staple Dominican dish found at almost any local restaurant at lunchtime is the national dish, or la bandera Dominicana: rice and beans with stewed chicken, beef or fish, and a side of salad, from potato to pasta salads, and slices of fried plantain.
Desserts are a must in the DR, many of which are coconut-based. Ask locals for the best bakery or dulceria in your area.
Drinks are part and parcel of life in the country. Sample the country’s renowned rum brands—Brugal and Barcelo or Bermudez, to start—but also taste the many fresh tropical fruit juices. These are also offered as refreshing smoothies, known as batidas, typically made with condensed milk and sugar.
Where to Stay
Wherever you choose to stay in the Dominican Republic, accommodation options are the widest and most varied in the Caribbean You’ll find a place to stay to suit every taste and budget.
There are boutique colonial hotels as well as hostels, brand hotels ranging from Sheraton to the JW Marriot, and AirBnB options in the major cities such as Santo Domingo, Santiago and Puerto Plata. Major tourism regions offer all inclusive resorts of various sizes, as well as small locally-owned hotels, budget guesthouses, and luxurious villa rentals.
We chose to stay in a beach side beautiful AirBnB apartment with sweeping views of the ocean .
DO I NEED A VISA TO VISIT THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?
United States citizens, as well as those of many other countries, do not need a visa to visit the Dominican Republic. You will need to purchase a Tourist Card either before your trip or upon arrival at the airport. Many tour operators include the price of the Tourist Card in their packages, so check with your provider before you go.
It’s recommended to view your country’s Dominican Republic International Travel Information page for the most up-to-date information on entry and exit requirements. You can also contact the Embassy of the Dominican Republic.
Explore our article on the best places to visit in the Dominican Republic as you plan your trip.
Getting There
The Dominican Republic has seven international airports receiving international flights from all over the world, including neighboring Caribbean islands. The best way to fly to the DR is to select the airport that is closest to your chosen accommodation. The four most popular airports include:
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ): Ideal for stays in any part of the Punta Cana area, including Bavaro, Cabeza de Toro, Cap Cana, and Uvero Alto.
Las Americas International Airport (SDQ): Located in Santo Domingo. Ideal for stays in Santo Domingo, Boca Chica, and Juan Dolio.
Car rentals are available at all major international airports and in major cities. Highways are extensive countrywide, as the country boasts some of the most developed infrastructure in the Caribbean. You can also access major bus terminals with a quick cab ride from Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, and Punta Cana.
Culture and Customs
As a major tourism destination, the Dominican Republic offers many modern conveniences and it won’t be a major culture shock to visit. There are, however, cultural customs that you’ll want to know of to immerse smoothly and to be respectful of the destination and its people.
It is considered good manners to say good morning or greet as you enter a business or public transportation, even if it’s filled with strangers. “Saludos” and “Buen Dia” go a long way in establishing respect and rapport. Greeting is expected as you enter shops or places where you are seeking assistance.
Tipping is customary for services received, from hotels to taxi drivers and staff at all inclusive resorts. Tip generously. In restaurants, you might have to flag the waiter down for the bill; there’s rarely a rush to kick the customer out.
There is such a thing as “Dominican time” when it comes to events; expect a one or two hour delay.
When agreeing to services of any kind, such as taxis and tours, agree on a price before you accept. Do not flag down or enter random taxis in the big cities, or venture alone to local clubs and bars after dark, unless in a major tourist area such as the Colonial City. Keep the Uber app on your phone and purchase a local data plan in case there is no Wi-Fi where you’re going. At our time of visiting there was no Uber service available in Punta Cana.
Driving in the DR’s cities can be intimidating unless you have extensive experience driving abroad or in New York City. Opt for taxis or private drivers instead.
Money Saving Tips
Public parks are ubiquitous in the Dominican Republic; buy your own drinks at the local “colmado” or bodega, and head to the park to enjoy and save from pricey bars and cocktails.
Rideshares such as Uber are popular in Santo Domingo and Santiago and will save you money in-city or to airports.
Taking the bus to various parts of the country is easy. Services such as Caribe Tours, Expreso Bavaro, and Metro Tours are safe and have numerous daily departures to multiple parts of the DR for a reasonable fare that doesn’t exceed $10. Buses are air-conditioned and occasionally have Wi-Fi and movies.
Book your tours directly with licensed tour providers rather than through your hotel; this will save you money. Be sure to research the tour operators before you sign up.
Beaches in Punta Cana are magical and one of the best in the world.
Punta Cana
Thousands of visitors rush to the shores of Punta Cana, one of if not the most popular resort destination in the Caribbean. Punta Cana is located on Dominican Republic’s east coast. Punta Cana’s famous beach is also a top destination for water sports activities such as kayaking, windsurfing etc. The location features an airstrip serving regular flights bringing adventure and pleasure-seekers to its nearby scape Park and world-class golf courses. Other activities include, biplane tours, dune buggies, and visiting the refreshing Hoyo Azul Lagoon.
DR offers a ton of options for adrenaline junkies. We tried the largest zip line in the Caribbean which goes over a rain forest and offers a unique experience. Highly recommend this.
Santo domingo
The oldest City in the New World, Dominican Republic has more than a lot to offer. A trip to this historical will teach a lot about the culture of Santo Domingo and how it all started. Santo Domingo is a piece of Old World Charm with remains of colonial past sprinkled all over the city. Santo Domingo is home to the oldest cathedral in the entire Western Hemisphere, also known as “The First Cathedral of the Americas”. Santo Domingo also has a lot of Museums, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Colonial City (Zona Colonial), which includes historical Spanish Colonial buildings .
Playa Dorada
The first ever tourist destinations in the Dominican Republic, Playa Dorado. Playa Dorado is located on the northern coastline of the Dominican Republic. Playa Dorado is visually one of the most beautiful destinations in the Caribbean.
The large resort area is lined by immaculate beaches encompassed by coconut palms, and visitor often mentions how safe they feel in the area. The resort town is also the home to the Robert Trent Jones golf course and has numerous amenities and facilities including shopping and restaurant
Samana Peninsula
The Samaná Peninsula and Samaná Bay is a top spot to watch humpback whales birth their young in the months of January and February. Humpbacks are just one of the many aquatic animals which visit the Samana Bay. It is the perfect location for nature lovers, where they can visit the Parque Nacional Los Haïtises, an untouched bliss of lush vegetation, crystalline Caribbean waters, unique rock formations ascending from the Caribbean Sea and thick mangroves. Visitors will also find bird-filled grottos like the Cueva del Angel and also the Salto El Limón waterfall, which is one of the most picturesque beaches in the Dominican Republic.
Catalina Island or Isla Catalina is a tropical island located 1.5 miles from the mainland on the south-east corner of the DR. Simply outstanding island which is uninhabited and is a protected natural preserve.
La Romana
The Altos de Chavón is a strange imitation of the 16th-century artisans’ town in La Romana. Situated on the south-east coast of the Dominican Republic, La Romana is the home of the beautiful Casa de Campo Resort where the rooms are partially decorated by the popular Dominican designer, Oscar de la Renta La Romana is also nearby to the famous cruise destination of Isla Catalina.
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