Highlights
Punta Cana, on the east coast, is the resort heartland — a long ribbon of powder-white, palm-fringed beaches and all-inclusive resorts, golf and turquoise sea, the easy Caribbean holiday. But the country offers far more.
Santo Domingo, the capital, holds the UNESCO-listed Zona Colonial — the first European city in the Americas, with the oldest cathedral, fortress and cobbled streets of the New World, buzzing with history, music and life. The Samaná Peninsula in the north-east is a lush, less-developed gem, famous for humpback-whale watching (January-March), the stunning El Limón waterfall and idyllic beaches like Rincón.
For nature and adventure, the '27 Waterfalls' (Damajagua) near Puerto Plata offer canyoning and cliff-jumping, the central Cordillera has the Caribbean's highest peak (Pico Duarte) for serious hikers, and the remote south-west's Bahía de las Águilas is one of the region's most pristine, untouched beaches. Kitesurfers flock to Cabarete's steady winds.
When to go
December to April (the dry season) is the best and busiest time — sunny, warm and less humid, ideal for the beaches, and outside the hurricane season.
The summer and autumn (June to November) are hotter, more humid and include the Atlantic hurricane season (peak August-October), though it's greener and better value, and whale-watching in Samaná peaks January to March. The DR is warm year-round, tempered by trade winds and cooler in the mountains. For the best beach weather and to avoid storms, aim for the December-to-April dry season, booking early for the winter peak.
Visa & entry
Many nationalities (including the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia) can enter the Dominican Republic visa-free for tourist stays of up to 30 days (often extendable). A tourist card fee is now typically bundled into the airfare, and an online electronic entry form (E-Ticket) must be completed before arrival and departure. A passport valid for your stay is required.
Confirm the current entry requirements and complete the mandatory E-Ticket for your nationality on the DR's official migration portal before you travel, as details can change.
Health & safety
The Dominican Republic is generally safe for the millions of tourists who visit, especially within resorts and organised excursions, but it has significant crime in some urban and non-tourist areas, so exercise sensible caution. Petty theft and scams occur, so use hotel safes, avoid displaying valuables, use resort transfers or reputable taxis (not unmarked ones), and be cautious withdrawing cash.
Rip currents, strong sun and hurricane season (summer-autumn) are natural risks; heed beach flags. Motorbike traffic and road conditions make self-driving demanding. Check your government's current travel advisory before departure, and stick to well-established tourist areas and operators.
Getting around
For easy, safe travel, use resort transfers, hotel-arranged taxis and reputable organised tours; ride-hailing (Uber) operates in Santo Domingo and some cities. Comfortable long-distance coaches (Caribe Tours, Metro) connect the main cities affordably, while cheap 'guaguas' (minibuses) serve local routes for the adventurous.
Hiring a car gives freedom to explore beaches and mountains but means coping with chaotic traffic, aggressive driving and motorbikes — for confident drivers only. Domestic flights and charters link the main resort regions. For most visitors, transfers, coaches and tours are the simplest, safest way around.
Money
The Dominican Peso is the local currency, but US dollars (and euros) are widely accepted at resorts and tourist areas — carry a mix, using small US bills for tips and pesos for local purchases, markets and 'guaguas'. Cards are accepted at hotels, larger restaurants and shops, and ATMs are available (withdraw in secure locations), but many small vendors are cash-only.
Resorts are all-inclusive, so on-the-ground cash needs are mainly tips and excursions. Tipping is customary — a 10% service charge is often already added in restaurants (an extra tip is appreciated for good service), plus small tips for drivers, guides and hotel and resort staff.
Dominican Republic