So you're thinking of traveling to the Dominican Republic... Well, I hope you choose the best option for your trip so you can make the most of the experience.
The first thing I want to tell you is that the Dominican Republic is much more than 5-star all-inclusive resorts and white sand beaches. Hopefully this guide, plus all the articles about the country that you will find on the blog, will inspire you to look for a more interesting Dominican travel alternative, to get to know every corner. I assure you that the experience is worth it :)
In this article I tell you about the basic issues to prepare your trip and what you need to know before traveling.
TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Traveling for free to the Dominican Republic touring the country?
Of course.
The Dominican Republic has become a hotel, pool and beach destination and some activity and little else. And it's really a shame, because the country has a lot of history, culture, hidden natural landscapes that are marvelous and you'll miss all of this from the sun lounger on the hotel beach.
And that does not mean that by going on your own, taking a route, you will not enjoy beaches and rest. In the 15-day itinerary I include everything; beach, fun activities, cultural visits, touring towns where tourism has not yet left a mark, lost places and much more.
However, if your intention is not to take a tour, you can stay in a destination and visit the surroundings, Santo Domingo and learn more about the country. In this post you will find all kinds of information about the most spectacular places, how to visit them and much more. So keep reading.
Safety in the Dominican Republic
Contrary to what we may think, the Dominican Republic is currently a safe country. As always when I talk about security, you have to take into account that there are exploited people everywhere, so you should be careful with your belongings (cameras, cell phones, wallet...) and not only when you leave the hotels, Sometimes in the same hotels things can disappear. So always use a safe to store your belongings when you can't keep an eye on them, and when you go out on tours, take as little as possible.
If you are doing a route through the country, I recommend traveling in a backpack with locks on each zipper. And look for accommodations that have a safe to leave your documentation once you are installed and can go for a walk in the surroundings.
Thefts are not frequent, do not be alarmed. But hey, in my city there are pickpockets every day doing their thing and surely in yours too.
Car rental in the Dominican Republic
To tour the country or even to leave your hotel to visit, I recommend it.
From the hotel you can find rental options, if you do it on site they usually take advantage of it to increase the price a bit, but it will always be cheaper than taking a tour. Tours in the Dominican Republic are very expensive, we will talk about this later.
You can rent a car in advance: cheap car rentals in the Dominican Republic. And you can pick it up at the airport upon arrival or request that it be brought to the hotel.
Visa required to travel to the Dominican Republic
If you are Spanish, you do not need to apply for a prior visa from Spain. You must have the passport with a margin of 6 months before it expires. And once you arrive in the country you will manage a queue at customs where you will have to pay the cost of the tourist card.
These are the requirements:
A tourist card is issued on arrival for a stay of up to 30 days. The traveler must:
Have a tourist card to visit the Dominican Republic. The tourist card is a fee charged by the government to visit the country and they will provide it to you before you get off the plane.
Have a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and at least one blank page
Demonstrate sufficient funds for the trip (they can request your hotel reservation at the entrance (you must even put the first hotel in which you will stay and the hotel address, and even ask you to demonstrate that you have funds in cash and credit cards.
Have the flight reservation back to your country
How many days does it take to tour the Dominican Republic?
If your intention is to make an itinerary, I would recommend a minimum of 15 days. If you are going to travel to stay in a single destination and from the same hotel visit Santo Domingo and do some other activity, I recommend a minimum of 9 nights. Think that the trip is long, so at least treat yourself to make the most of it.
Medical insurance to travel to the Dominican Republic
Never travel without additional medical insurance, specifically for travel. To any country, even if it is European.
There are many insurance options, I personally travel with Iati insurance, and I leave you the link if you are interested in looking at the budget.
Unfortunately I have had to use it on a couple of occasions due to hospital admissions and I have never had any problems. Something that I cannot say about other insurers that at the moment of truth in a remote country they did not assist me if I did not pay before, etc. It also covers many other things, such as theft, lost luggage... You can do it to suit you.
Currency in Dominican Republic
In the Dominican Republic the currency is the Dominican peso, although you can really travel the country with euros and dollars. In hotels, tours and excursions they accept this currency.
You must have money changed into pesos for small shops, tickets to a museum in Santo Domingo and little else.
ATMs and credit cards
You find ATMs in all towns and cities. Change money in the country of origin and not at the airport before leaving your country.
Airports are a rip off. Take a maximum of 200 dollars + 200 euros in cash to manage your arrival in the country, tourist visa and taxi to the hotel (if you do not have it included) and little else.
The best credit card for travelers in N26 and it has many advantages, withdrawal of money in many countries without commissions, cancel it from your mobile if it is stolen, activate and deactivate the money when you want.
I usually keep it deactivated until I have to pay somewhere, and then I activate it from my mobile. In addition, opening an account and taking out the card will not charge you commissions, neither for opening nor for maintenance.
Vaccines and preventions to travel to the Dominican Republic
To travel to the Dominican Republic there are no mandatory vaccinations, if some are recommended and the vast majority if you are a Spanish citizen, you will surely already have them.
Recommended immunizations: typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis).
For typhoid there are other options in pills that I recommend before the vaccine. You should consult your doctor beforehand, but they can be purchased without a prescription at pharmacies.
Above all, avoid drinking and eating in places where the lack of hygiene is conspicuous by its absence. Always drink bottled water and not from the tap, avoid drinks that are served with ice (unless they are hotel chains where they undergo weekly controls).
Weather in the Dominican Republic
The climate of the Dominican Republic is warm tropical, which presents a fairly stable temperature throughout the seasons, which is between 25 and 35 ºC. The highest temperatures are reached in summer between the months of July and August, while from November to January they change slightly, decreasing to 18 ºC, in high altitude regions, and 24 ºC in the rest of the country.
As it is a warm tropical climate, the rains are abundant. The rainy season coincides with summer, as two rainy seasons are generally established: from April to June and from September to November. In addition, its location in the middle of the Caribbean is ideal for severe storms and some hurricanes to occur on the island between the months of June and November. In fact, this time of year is known as “cyclonic season”, with the possibility of both floods and droughts.
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to the Dominican Republic very much and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!
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