We will start our Dominican Republic Travel Tips by talking about this country. The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean country sharing the island of Hispaniola to the west with Haiti. It’s known for its beaches, resorts and golfing.
Its landscape includes rainforest, savannah, and highlands, including the tallest mountain in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte. The capital city of Santo Domingo has Spanish landmarks such as Primada de America Gothic Cathedral, which dates back 5 centuries in its colonial district of Zona.
It has an area of 48,670 sq km. However, The Dominican Republic is the world’s only country that has an image of the Holy Bible on its national flag.
Table of Contents
Things to do in Dominican Republic
- Bávaro
- Casa de Campo Resort and Villas
- Los Haitises National Park
- Cayo Levantado
- Catalina Island
- Altos de Chavón
- Samaná Bay
- Alcázar de Colón
- Columbus Lighthouse
- Ocean World Adventure Park, Puerto Plata
Language
Spanish is the most widely spoken & Official language of the Dominican Republic. There are nevertheless variants of Spanish spoken in different parts of the world. The Dominican Republic’s local dialect is called Spanish Dominican and has some African influences.
Moreover, it has borrowed vocabulary from the Arawak language. English is one of the Dominican Republic’s officially recognised foreign languages. It is a mandatory language in schools despite the poor quality of teaching. English is mostly spoken by tourists visiting the country and expatriates who are unable to speak Spanish at all.
Currency
The official Dominican currency is the peso. While The symbol of this Currency is RD$. There are one- and five-peso coins and paper money comes in 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 peso denominations. Many tourism-related businesses, including most midrange and top-end hotels.
ATMs can be found throughout the DR. However, credit and debit cards widely accepted in cities and tourism-related businesses. Credit and debit cards are becoming increasingly popular among Dominicans. Visa and MasterCard are more common than Amex but most cards are accepted in areas frequented by tourists.
Best Time to Visit
The Best Time to visit Dominican Republic in the inland valleys and along the south coast, the best period is from December to mid-April. On the northern coast, especially in the areas in which there is no real dry season, you can choose February and March, which are the least rainy months. While in summer, the weather is hot and sultry, and there’s the danger of hurricanes.
However, if you want to go in summer, there are several areas where it does not rain a lot, in particular, the north-western coast, from the Haitian border to the Amber Coast, the south-west coast, and the part of the south coast to the east of Santo Domingo. In June and July, the likelihood of hurricanes is lower than in August.
Dominican Republic Tourist Visa
Fill out Dominican Republic tourist visa application form online. However, Indian people holding a valid permanent resident card or a valid visa from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or any of the nations of the European Union do not need a visa to the Dominican Republic.
Documents for Tourist Visa
- Visa form filled out and duly completed by a machine or legible.
- One (1) photograph.
- Initial passport, valid for a total of six (6) months.
- Documents that demonstrate economic solvency.
- Copy of the country of residence National Identification Paper, or copy of the residency card or visa stamp.
- Hotel reservation.
- Flight reservation.
Time Zone
Time zone in Dominican Republic (GMT-4).
Emergency Numbers
- Police: 911
- Ambulance: 911
- Fire: 112
Internet
The Internet speed in Dominican Republic is average and rates are affordable. While you can buy SIM cards for your phone from the airport or one of many retailers all over Dominican Republic. However, All you need is the passport to get the sim card in this country.
Whereas Altice, Viva, and Claro are the three main internet service providers in this country. According to Dominican Republic Travel Tips, The Places with free Wi-Fi connection are airports, restaurants, hotels, coffeehouses. While Most towns will have some version of an internet cafe.
Electricity
The standard voltage in the Dominican Republic is 110 V, and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. Dominican plugs are similar to those found in the US. The power connectors and sockets are of form A and B. While Type A is mainly popular in North and Central America, China and Japan.
This socket only works with plug A. However, Type B is like type A but with an extra prong for grounding. This socket also works with plug A.In this country, you can use your electrical equipment if the normal voltage in your country is about 110-140 V. Though carrying a travel adapter is advisable to stay connected to the planet.
Climate
The Dominican Republic, the eastern part of the island of Hispaniola, has a tropical climate, hot all year round, with a hotter and muggy season from May to October and a relatively cool season from December to March, and intermediate months in November and April.
In the Dominican Republic, the sea is warm enough to swim in throughout the year: the water temperature ranges from 26 °C (79 °F) in February and March to 29 ° C (84 ° F), as can be seen from the sea temperature near Santo Domingo between August and October.
Culture
The Dominican people and their customs have predominately European cultural origins consisting of basis, with both African and native Taíno influences. However, The Dominican Republic was the site of the New World’s first European settlement, namely Santo Domingo, which was established in 1493.
Reasons to Travel Dominican Republic
- Descending the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua.
- Beaches
- Santo Domingo
- The Resorts
- Food
- People
- Culture
- History
- Mountain
- Climate
History of Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic lies on the eastern half of the island of Hispaniola. While The island was originally settled by the Native American Tainos, an Arawak people. When Columbus arrived in 1492 on his first voyage to the New World, he claimed the island for Spain.
At the time the island was inhabited by hundreds of thousands of Native Americans. The number of Taino people declined rapidly, however, due to diseases brought by the Europeans such as smallpox. Hispaniola became a springboard for more Spanish exploration and conquest throughout the New World.
According to Dominican Republic Travel Tips, created in 1496, the city of Santo Domingo was the first permanent settlement in the New World. While in 1967 Spain ceded control of the western third of the island to France.
This portion would become Haiti in 1804. The Haitians would conquer the rest of the island in 1821, but the eastern two thirds would be granted independence as the country the Dominican Republic in 1844.
Religion
The majority of the Dominican Republic’s citizens claim to be Christian, with more than 90 percent citing Roman Catholicism as their faith. While According to Dominican Republic Travel Tips, Dominican Catholicism is an eclectic mix of Roman Catholic traditions and African-rooted religions/ceremonies, or Santeria, and is widespread in the Dominican Republic.
Packing Tips for Dominican Republic
- Passport & Travel map
- Day Bag or Backpack
- Dominican Republic Travel Insurance
- Sunglasses and Sun Hat
- Comfortable Clothes
- Breathable tees
- Power Charger
- Travel Adapter
- Insect Protection
- Toiletries
- Shoes
- Accessories
- Tickets and travel documents
- Swimming Suite
- Medical kit
Is it Safe to Travel Dominican Republic?
Yes, Overall Dominican Republic is safe to travel. However, You might face both Petty crime and violent crime in this country. While Road conditions vary and can be poor in remote areas. you may encounter wandering animals and slow-moving heavy equipment. Drivers often stop in the middle of the roadway without warning. Public transportation includes a metro and public bus system as well as shared bus or van taxis known as guaguas (converted vans or microbuses, often without doors).
Guaguas run frequent routes in urban areas, and in rural towns. Whereas, Taxis are not going with meter, so agree on the price of the fare with the driver before leaving. The Dominican Republic is considered a natural disaster hotspot. However, there is no risk of terrorism in this country. According to Dominican Republic Travel Tips, it is not a safe country for Solo Women Travelers. While armed robbery and sexual assault are common in this country. However, Please avoid isolated areas and unpatrolled beaches after dark.
Conclusion
However, If you need more information about Dominican Republic Travel Tips ??? Call us at +918860284198 or contact us on [email protected].
FAQs
Bad things about Dominican Republic?
1. Country with high murder rate 2. Natural Disasters 3. Bad infrastructure
Weird Things about Dominican Republic?
1. Only flag in the globe with Bible picture. 2. Second largest gold mine 3. People are highly religious.
First time travel to Dominican Republic?
1. Learn some Spanish words 2. Hydrated 3. Check out local Souvenirs
is Dominican republic open?
Yes, Now Dominican Republic is now open for tourists.
Is it safe to drink alcohol in Dominican Republic?
Please avoid drinking local alcohol from local shop. Some people lost their life last year after drinking Bootleg.
