Dominican Republic travel guide

Travel Advice

It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance on foreign travel insurance.

See our Tropical Cyclones page for advice on what to do if you are caught up in a storm. See Natural disasters. You should closely monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator. Spanish language alerts are available from the Dominican Emergency Management Centre (COE) via their mobile app ‘AlertaCOE’, or on their Twitter account.

Over 160,000 British nationals visited the Dominican Republic in 2019. Most visits are trouble-free, but there are incidents of crime and violence. See Crime

Be cautious when travelling in Dominican Republic. Driving standards are variable. Take extra care if you’re travelling close to the Haitian border. There have been armed robberies in the Dominican Republic on roads close to the border with Haiti. See Road travel

Don’t become involved with illegal drugs of any kind. There are severe penalties for all drug offences. A number of British nationals are serving prison sentences in the Dominican Republic for attempting to traffic drugs. See Local laws and customs

Cases of chikungunya virus and dengue fever have been confirmed in the Dominican Republic. You should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. See Health

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in the Dominican Republic, attacks can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.

The telephone number for the English speaking tourist police (POLITUR) is +1-809-200-3500. The number for emergency services is 911. This does not have 100% coverage across the country, so if you cannot reach 911, call the tourist police for help.

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Coronavirus travel health

Check the latest information on risk from COVID-19 for the Dominican Republic on the TravelHealthPro website.

See the TravelHealthPro website for further advice on travel abroad and reducing spread of respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Entry and borders

See Entry requirements to find out what you will need to do when you arrive in Dominican Republic.

Be prepared for your plans to change

No travel is risk-free during COVID-19. Countries may further restrict travel or bring in new rules at short notice, for example due to a new COVID-19 variant. Check with your travel company or airline for any transport changes which may delay your journey home.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative. You may also need to seek treatment there.

Plan ahead and make sure you:

• can access money
• understand what your insurance will cover
• can make arrangements to extend your stay and be away for longer than planned

Travel in the Dominican Republic

On Wednesday 16 February 2022, Dominican authorities announced that with immediate effect all COVID-19 measures were suspended, including mandatory mask wearing, social distancing and proof of vaccination for public spaces and private spaces for public use.

Changes to COVID-19 measures may happen at short notice. You should monitor local media and comply with any instructions from police or the Dominican authorities. You should follow the Dominican rules listed below and check this page and the British Embassy social media channels on Twitter and Facebook regularly for updates.

Further information is available from the Dominican authorities, in English and in Spanish.

International travel

See Entry Requirements for more information about COVID-19 testing requirements to enter the Dominican Republic.

You will need to fill in a COVID Traveller’s Health Affidavit before travel to the Dominican Republic. This forms part of an online form, which includes the COVID Traveller’s Health Affidavit, the Customs Declaration and the International Boarding / Disembarking forms. The form can be completed via the Dominican Republic’s Electronic Ticket Portal, before your journey.

The Dominican Republic’s air borders are open and commercial options are departing to the US, Spain, France and other countries. If you are returning to the UK, read the travel advice for any country you may be transiting, to check entry/transit requirements, as well as checking UK government requirements.

You should arrive in sufficient time and comply with any instructions from police or the Dominican authorities.

Public places and services

On Wednesday 16 February 2022, Dominican authorities announced a suspension of all COVID-19 measures. Please follow the instructions of the Dominican authorities. Restaurants, hotels, gyms, workplaces, schools, universities, public and private health centres, public transport and other services may have their own policies which they will require you to follow. You may find more information from the official Dominican government website.

Healthcare in the Dominican Republic

If you develop coronavirus symptoms whilst in the Dominican Republic, you should stay in your home or hotel room and seek medical assistance (contact the hotel’s medical staff if staying in a hotel). Follow the advice of your medical expert and local authorities, on self-isolation or other COVID measures.

For further information and guidance, consult the dedicated government website (in Spanish) or the official Dominican Republic website (in English).

For contact details for English speaking doctors visit our list of healthcare providers.

Your emotional and mental wellbeing is important. Read guidance on how to look after your mental wellbeing and mental health

View Health for further details on healthcare in Dominican Republic.

See also the guidance on healthcare if you’re waiting to return to the UK.

Finance

For information on financial support you can access whilst abroad, visit our financial assistance guidance.

Further information

Further information is available from the Dominican authorities, in English and in Spanish.

If you need urgent consular assistance, you can contact the British Embassy on + 1 809 472 7111. Select option 1 for English, then option 2 for consular emergencies.

Crime

The Dominican Republic is friendly and welcoming and the vast majority of visits to the country are trouble-free. However, there is a high crime rate, ranging from opportunistic crime like bag snatching and pickpocketing to violent crime.

Petty crime, including pickpocketing and robbery takes place across the country. Don’t wear expensive jewellery or carry large amounts of cash or valuable items like smart phones or cameras on the street. Keep electronic devices out of sight and use a hotel safe whenever possible. Don’t leave your bags or other possessions on chairs or tables in restaurants or bars.

Drive-by robberies can occur, where thieves on motorcycles snatch bags and valuables from pedestrians and sometimes reach through the windows of cars at red lights to steal belongings. Victims are sometimes hurt in the process. Keep valuables out of sight, and if you have a bag with you, carry it on the side away from the street. If travelling in a car, drive with doors locked and windows closed.

Violent crime and armed robberies against foreigners do sometimes take place, particularly in large cities. There have been a number of incidents in Santo Domingo where foreigners have been mugged at gunpoint or knifepoint during the daytime while walking in residential districts.

Take particular care at night and in remote areas. If you’re robbed, don’t resist, as this increases the risk of being hurt. Be aware that your attacker may be armed, even if you cannot see a weapon. Don’t use unregistered taxis, or hail a taxi on the street: use an authorised airport or hotel taxi service, or book a taxi from a reliable provider.

Incidents of assault, rape and sexual aggression against foreigners have occurred, including at beach resorts. In some cases, hotel employees or fellow guests have been implicated. Be cautious when dealing with strangers or recent acquaintances, be wary of rides or other invitations, avoid walking alone at night and don’t leave drinks unattended.

If you’re a victim of a sexual assault or other crime, you should report it immediately to the British Embassy. Consular staff can help you to report the incident with local authorities if you wish to do so, explaining the process and assisting with the language barrier if required. No criminal investigation is possible without a formal complaint to Dominican authorities before departing the country.

If you lose your passport or it is stolen, a police report should be obtained before contacting the British Embassy. The English speaking tourist police (POLITUR) can be contacted on +1-809-200-3500.

Water safety and sports

Lifeguards may not be present at swimming pools or on beaches and safety and rescue equipment may not be available.

The sea can be dangerous, especially during the hurricane season (June-November). Seek local advice about sea conditions and warning systems and follow instructions.

Don’t go into the water if you’re under the influence of alcohol or other substances.

Providers of recreational and adventure tourism may not meet UK safety standards. Check safety standards and make sure you’re insured if you take part in activities like water sports, quad biking, horse riding etc. If in doubt seek advice from your tour operator.

Local travel

The border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is closed, this is liable to change at short notice and you should monitor local media for updates. The UK currently advises against all travel to Haiti due to the volatile security situation.

Military and police road blocks are common, especially in the areas near the Haitian border. The road blocks can appear to be unofficial, although the soldiers do wear army uniform and carry weapons.

Take extra care on roads close to the Haitian border. There have been armed robberies in the Dominican Republic on roads close to the border with Haiti, including by criminals dressed as police officers.

Taxis are cheap but many are in a state of disrepair. There have been cases of theft from taxis, so keep valuables and cash secure and out of sight. Tourist taxis are safer and more reliable, but also more expensive. Ride-hailing apps, such as Uber, are available and widely used.

Don’t use motorbike taxis (“motoconchos”) or motorbike ride-hailing apps: the quality of driving is poor and passengers are often not provided with a helmet.

A range of transport is available, including the newly-expanded metro system in Santo Domingo. Avoid public buses and “carros publicos” (shared cars which run on certain routes, picking up passengers) for safety and security reasons. However, private companies do operate good bus services between cities.

Pedestrians should take extra care when crossing roads. Drivers will not always signal when they intend to turn and motorbikes in particular will sometimes disregard red traffic lights.

Road travel

It’s easy to hire a car in the Dominican Republic, with many international car hire companies available in major cities and at airports.

You can drive using a UK driving licence for visits not exceeding 3 months. For longer visits, you should apply for a local driving licence, for which you will need to present a certified copy of your valid UK licence.

To certify your driving licence, you will need to get a copy certified by a UK notary or lawyer in the UK. Once this is done, the Legalisation Office in the UK needs to attach an apostille and return the legalised driving licence to you. While some notaries may not be willing to carry out a notarial act without an individual being present, others are, and are also willing to forward applications to the Legalisation Office once they have completed their part. You can find a list of notaries currently authorised to practice on the website of the Faculty Office (the regulator of Notaries Public in England and Wales). You should contact notaries directly to check whether you would need to be present when they notarise your driving licence.

The Dominican Republic has one of the highest death rates in the world for road traffic accidents. Road accidents are frequent, especially during holiday periods like Christmas and Easter. Drivers often do not respect traffic laws, weave from lane to lane and rarely signal. Many vehicles are in a state of disrepair and don’t have working headlights or mirrors. Drink driving is common. The quality of roads vary, although the motorways connecting cities and tourist areas are good.

Where possible you should avoid driving outside the main cities at night, as there may be poor lighting, animals or pedestrians on the road and other cars driving without headlights. If police stop you for a traffic violation, you are entitled to request a traffic ticket and to ask to see the officer’s identification.

Take particular care if travelling on motorbikes or scooters. According to the WHO, 63% of the road deaths in the Dominican Republic were people on motorcycles or scooters.

Road accidents

If you’re involved in a road accident, you must file a report with the authorities. If the accident didn’t cause injuries and happened in Santo Domingo or Santiago, you should register it at an accident reporting centre such as La Casa del Conductor or El Centro del Automovilista. You should consult your insurance company for guidance on which centre you should use to report an accident. These are government dependencies with English speaking agents, where there are representatives from all the relevant authorities including the police and insurance companies. If the accident occurs in any other part of the Dominican Republic, you should file a report at the nearest police station.

If you’re involved in an accident that causes serious injury or death, Dominican law requires that the driver is taken into police custody until the circumstances of the accident have been investigated, even if the driver appears not to be at fault. You should call the police, and wait for them to arrive, at the scene of the accident. If you’re detained as a result of a road accident, ask the police to contact the British Embassy in Santo Domingo.

The telephone number for national roadside assistance is +1-829-689-1000.

Political situation

Political demonstrations sometimes occur, although not usually near tourist areas. Avoid getting caught up in demonstrations or large gatherings of people and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in the Dominican Republic, attacks can’t be ruled out.

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times.

The Dominican Republic is a Christian country with prominent Catholic and evangelical communities.

Public displays of affection (such as hand-holding or kissing) between opposite or same-sex couples are uncommon.

Don’t become involved with illegal drugs of any kind. There are severe penalties for all drug offences. Cases can take several years to go through the judicial process, during which the accused person is likely to be held in detention. Possession of even small quantities can lead to a long prison sentence and a hefty fine. All sentences are served in the Dominican Republic.

Seizures at ports and airports around the Dominican Republic have increased. Pack your own luggage and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.

Local attitudes towards the LGBT community are mostly conservative throughout the Caribbean. Although same-sex sexual relations are legal in the Dominican Republic, same-sex marriages are not legally recognised. Public displays of affection may attract unwanted and negative attention. Nearly all Dominican hotels welcome LGBT clients, although confirmation with booking agents is advised. Read this information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.

This page reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British Citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in the Dominican Republic set and enforce entry rules. If you’re unsure how Dominican Republic’s entry requirements apply to you, contact its UK embassy, high commission or consulate.

All travellers

As of 23 April 2022, you do not need to present a COVID-19 Vaccination Card, PCR, or antigen test to enter the Dominican Republic, regardless of age or vaccination status. Random COVID-19 testing for passengers and crew upon arrival in the Dominican Republic will no longer be performed as standard. However, when required, random testing operations may be performed. Passengers who present their Vaccination Card will be exempted from random testing.

All travellers will need to fill in a COVID Traveller’s Health Affidavit before travel to the Dominican Republic to confirm if you have any coronavirus symptoms and provide your contact details. This is part of an online form, which includes the COVID Traveller’s Health Affidavit, the Customs Declaration and the International Boarding / Disembarking forms and can be completed via the Dominican Republic’s Electronic Ticket Portal, before your journey. Since 1 April 2021 the digital forms are mandatory, see the Viajero Digital website.

The Dominican Republic Travel Center website has further information. The Dominican authorities also provide further information in English and in Spanish.

If you’re fully vaccinated

Entry requirements for the Dominican Republic are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

Proof of vaccination status

You don’t need to provide proof of your vaccination status for entry to the Dominican Republic.

If you’re not fully vaccinated

Entry requirements for the Dominican Republic are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

If you’ve had COVID-19 in the past year

Entry requirements for the Dominican Republic are the same for all travellers, regardless of whether you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past year.

Children and young people

There are no specific requirements for children and young people.

If you’re transiting through the Dominican Republic

Transiting is when you pass through one country on the way to your final destination. Entry requirements for the Dominican Republic are the same for all travellers, including those in transit.

Check with your airline before departing.

Exemptions

There are no exemptions to the Dominican Republic’s entry requirements.

Check your passport and travel documents before you travel

Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.

Passport validity

Travellers to the Dominican Republic are ordinarily required to hold a passport that is valid for a minimum of six months from their date of arrival. If you are visiting the Dominican Republic between 1 December 2023 and 31 May 2024, your passport should instead be valid for the duration of your stay.

Visas

British Citizens travelling to the Dominican Republic for tourism don’t need a visa.

As of April 2018, the tourism entry tax (previously known as a tourist card) is no longer collected upon arrival and should be included in your air fare. Contact your airline or tour operator if you’re unsure whether you have already paid this fee. The Dominican Republic Embassy website has more information.

On arrival you will normally be granted a 30-day stay. This can be extended to 120 days by paying for an extension when you leave the country. This can be done online at the Dominican Directorate General for Migration website or at the airport on departure. If you’re planning to stay for longer, seek advice from a local lawyer or contact the local Immigration authorities.

As a foreign national you will be required to give your fingerprints and have a photograph taken in order to enter the Dominican Republic.

You must carry a photocopy of your identification (such as a passport), a copy of your entry stamp and proof of onward or return travel at all times, so that you can produce them if you’re asked to do so by the authorities.

Proof of onward or return travel

You may be refused entry if you don’t have proof of onward or return travel.

E-Ticket

All travellers will need to fill in the online entry form before travel to the Dominican Republic, which includes the COVID Traveller’s Health Affidavit, the Customs Declaration and the International Boarding / Disembarking forms and can be completed via the Dominican Republic’s Electronic Ticket Portal, before your journey.

Travelling with children

According to the Dominican Republic authorities, visitors under 18 travelling to the Dominican Republic don’t need written authorisation from their parents, as long as they enter and leave with the same person or people. If visitors between the ages of 13 and 18 are travelling alone, or in a group with no one over 18, then parental authorisation is not required as long as the group remains the same on entry and exit.

Otherwise, a visitor under the age of 18 must carry a sworn affidavit drawn up by a solicitor and signed by the child’s parents or legal guardian(s) authorising their travel. The affidavit will need to be legalised by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Dominican Republic Embassy.

If you need urgent consular assistance, you can contact the British Embassy on + 1 809 472 7111. Select option 1 for English, then option 2 for consular emergencies.

Yellow fever certificate requirements

Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.

Returning to the UK

If you are returning to the UK, you should follow any measures implemented by the airport, which may include social distancing, use of masks or temperature checks. You should arrive in sufficient time and comply with any instructions from police or the Dominican authorities.

You should contact local authorities for information on testing facilities.

The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) also provides advice on how to stay safe as you travel by air.

All passengers departing the Dominican Republic must fill in an online exit form, which includes the COVID-19 Traveller’s Health Affidavit, the Customs Declaration and the International Boarding / Disembarking forms. The form can be completed via the Dominican Republic’s Electronic Ticket Portal, before your journey.

Departure tax to leave the Dominican Republic is US$20. Scheduled airlines include this charge in the price of the tickets. Check with your tour operator or travel provider.

If you have a health condition, or you are pregnant, you may need specialist healthcare abroad. Check whether your destination country can provide the healthcare you may need and ensure you have appropriate travel insurance for unexpected medical evacuation or local treatment.

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.

General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.

While travel can be enjoyable, it can sometimes be challenging. There are clear links between mental and physical health, so looking after yourself during travel and when abroad is important. Information on travelling with mental health conditions is available in our guidance page. Further information is also available from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).

Medical treatment

Public medical facilities in Dominican Republic are generally limited. Private hospitals offer good standards of care, although they can be expensive. Dentistry is adequate.

A good range of medicines is available, including some normally only available on prescription in the UK. Some medicines which would be sold by supermarkets and other shops in the UK are only available in pharmacies. Pharmacies are available across the country, including in many shopping malls, and can be identified by a cross sign outside.

Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. In some cases, if visitors are not able to pay their hospital bills, they have been prevented from leaving the country until the debt is settled.

If you need emergency medical assistance in Santo Domingo dial 911 and ask for an ambulance. Outside Santo Domingo 911 is also used; however there is not 100% coverage across the country, so if you cannot contact, call the tourist police (1-809-200-3500). If you’re travelling with a tour operator, also contact your representative and/or hotel. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Cosmetic or elective surgery

Be aware of the risks associated with cosmetic or elective surgery overseas. Make sure that you do your research and verify the credentials and qualifications of any healthcare providers before you travel.

Health risks

UK health authorities have classified Dominican Republic as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. For information and advice about the risks associated with Zika virus, visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre website.

Cases of chikungunya virus and dengue fever have been confirmed in Dominican Republic. You should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Tap water in the Dominican Republic is not potable.

Hurricanes

You should closely monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator including any evacuation orders. Spanish language alerts are available from the Dominican Emergency Management Centre (COE) via their mobile app ‘AlertaCOE’, or on their Twitter account.

See our Tropical Cyclones page for advice on what to do if you are caught up in a storm.

Hurricane Fiona caused some local flooding and damage to buildings in the East and North of the country in September 2022. Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused some local flooding and minor damage to buildings in the north and east of the country in September 2017.

Earthquakes

There are occasional earthquakes in the Dominican Republic. To protect yourself during an earthquake, you should drop to the ground, take cover and hold on until the shaking stops. If you’re inside a building don’t exit until it’s safe to do so. If you’re outside, move away from buildings, streetlights and electricity wires. After the earthquake don’t run as there may be aftershocks or debris in your path. If you become trapped, tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can find you. Only shout as a last resort as this may cause you to inhale dust. In the event of an earthquake, the Dominican Government authorities, fire-fighters and police will provide help to foreigners. 

If a major earthquake occurs close to shore, you should follow the instructions of the local authorities, bearing in mind that a tsunami could arrive within minutes.

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has advice about what to do before during and after an earthquake and tsunami

The currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican peso. US dollars and travellers’ cheques are easily exchanged. Only exchange money at banks or official exchange offices (casas de cambio). UK credit cards and debit cards will usually work in ATMs. Take great care when withdrawing cash at an ATM and where possible withdraw money inside a bank branch, shopping centre or supermarket, rather than an ATM on the street.

Credit card cloning and identity theft are a risk in the Dominican Republic. You should avoid letting your payment card out of your sight when paying, or pay in cash instead.

Foreign travel checklist

Read our foreign travel checklist to help you plan for your trip abroad and stay safe while you’re there.

Travel safety

The FCDO travel advice helps you make your own decisions about foreign travel. Your safety is our main concern, but we can’t provide tailored advice for individual trips. If you’re concerned about whether or not it’s safe for you to travel, you should read the travel advice for the country or territory you’re travelling to, together with information from other sources you’ve identified, before making your own decision on whether to travel. Only you can decide whether it’s safe for you to travel.

When we judge the level of risk to British nationals in a particular place has become unacceptably high, we’ll state on the travel advice page for that country or territory that we advise against all or all but essential travel. Read more about how the FCDO assesses and categorises risk in foreign travel advice.

Our crisis overseas page suggests additional things you can do before and during foreign travel to help you stay safe.

Refunds and cancellations

If you wish to cancel or change a holiday that you’ve booked, you should contact your travel company. The question of refunds and cancellations is a matter for you and your travel company. Travel companies make their own decisions about whether or not to offer customers a refund. Many of them use our travel advice to help them reach these decisions, but we do not instruct travel companies on when they can or can’t offer a refund to their customers.

For more information about your rights if you wish to cancel a holiday, visit the Citizen’s Advice Bureau website. For help resolving problems with a flight booking, visit the website of the Civil Aviation Authority. For questions about travel insurance, contact your insurance provider and if you’re not happy with their response, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Registering your travel details with us

We’re no longer asking people to register with us before travel. Our foreign travel checklist and crisis overseas page suggest things you can do before and during foreign travel to plan your trip and stay safe.

Previous versions of FCDO travel advice

If you’re looking for a previous version of the FCDO travel advice, visit the National Archives website. Versions prior to 2 September 2020 will be archived as FCO travel advice. If you can’t find the page you’re looking for there, send the Travel Advice Team a request.

Further help

If you’re a British national and you have a question about travelling abroad that isn’t covered in our foreign travel advice or elsewhere on GOV.UK, you can submit an enquiry, or contact us on Twitter or Facebook. We’re not able to provide tailored advice for specific trips.