Understanding:
The history of the Dominican Republic unfolds over centuries and is mainly shaped by indigenous cultures and European colonisation. The island of La Hispaniola was inhabited by the indigenous Taino people when Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492. The city of Santo Domingo was soon established in 1498, becoming the first permanent European settlement in the Americas. This period was marked by the brutal treatment of the indigenous population and the introduction of African slaves to work on sugar plantations.
In 1844, the Dominican Republic declared its independence and became a sovereign nation. The following years were marked by political instability. One significant figure during this period was Juan Pablo Duarte, one of the founding fathers, whose vision for a free and independent nation inspired the struggle for sovereignty.
During the 20th century, the country continued to endure political turmoil, military interventions, and the rule of Rafael Trujillo, a dictator whose regime lasted from 1930 to 1961. Trujillo’s oppressive rule came to an end with his assassination. Since then, the Dominican Republic has developed and became a popular tourist destination, supported by the political stability and social progress.
Geography:
The D.R. is one of the biggest nations in the Caribbean, sharing La Hispaniola island with its neighbour, Haiti. The highest point of the island is Pico Duarte, at 3098m, located in the mountainous interior. The country’s terrain is characterized by a multitude of landscapes, from tropical rain forests in the east to dry forests in the west.
The country is very well-known for its beaches, which can be found along the rugged coast but also in several offshore islands and cays, including the massively touristic Isla Saona. Seaweed is a concern for travelers and is usually seen from May to October, the warmer months of the year.
Limestone is abundant in the island and created numerous caves, some of which are open to exploration. The Los Haitises National Park is a well-known area where we can visit some of these geological wonders.
Basic Info:
- Capital: Santo Domingo
- Population: 10,8M (2022 estimate)
- Language: Spanish
- Religion: 67% Christian / 30% Atheists / 3% others
- Currency: Dominican Peso (DOP). As of November 2023:
- 1 USD = 56 DOP
- 1 EUR = 60 DOP
- Plugs:
- types A and B (similar to the US plugs)
When to go:
The country has a tropical climate encompassing a dry and a rainy season.
The best months to visit are obviously on the dry season, that runs from December to April. Here, the weather is generally dry and pleasant, perfect for outdoor activities. As it is peak season, prices are also inflated accordingly.
The rainy season starts in June and goes til November, and hurricanes are most frequent between August and October. Rain usually comes in heavy showers that do not last long. Prices are usually lower on this season but be aware of flight cancellations due to hurricanes.
There’s also a shoulder season on the month of May and the end of November, when prices are more reasonable and the risk of rain is still low. We visited on the end of May / beginning of June and it seldom rained.
Visa policy (simplified):
Most “western” countries are granted a visa-free access to the country that is valid for 90 days. A pre-authorisation for entering the D.R. is however necessary. You may find it by clicking here.
Budget:
Traveling independently is not necessarily cheaper than an all-inclusive week on a resort, where you get a package price comprising flights, meals, and accommodation.
Luckily, we found affordable flight prices, securing round-trip tickets via Madrid for around 600€ per person. Airlines such as Iberia and Air Europa offer plenty of flights to Santo Domingo, for instance. We consider anything under 700€ a good deal for crossing the Atlantic Ocean nowadays.
Our rental car, booked through Hertz for 330€, turned out to be more expensive due to a hidden insurance fee, bringing the total cost to around 550-600€.
For accommodation, we mostly opted for Airbnb, spending an average of 15-20€ per person per night. The only exception was our stay in Santo Domingo, where we booked a hotel on booking.com for around the same price.
Meals were also reasonably priced, especially when opting for street food. Plates in average restaurants usually cost around 5-7€ per person.
Money:
The vast majority of businesses have a card terminal, which makes pre-paid cards such as Revolut very handy for processing transactions. ATMs can be found anywhere in medium to large cities. It’s useful to keep a certain amount of pesos in your wallet for the occasional restaurant or café that doesn’t have a card terminal.
SIM cards:
Major international airports, such as the Punta Cana International Airport and Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo, have kiosks or stores where you can buy prepaid SIM cards from local mobile network providers like Claro, Altice, or Viva. These kiosks are typically located in the arrivals area after you clear customs.
Alternatively, you may buy an eSIM plan from an app such as Airalo, for instance, which we occasionally use. In the D.R. we relied on free Wi-Fi hotspots, which are frequently available in hotels and restaurants.
What to wear:
There are no religion-related restrictions on clothing, but it’s a good idea to be respectful and dress modestly when visiting religious sites or more conservative communities.
Light and breathable clothing such as shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, and sundresses are suitable for most everyday activities. Consider bringing a lightweight jacket or umbrella if visiting during wet season (June to November)
Safety:
D.R. is considered a safe country, with a welcoming population and a low crime rate. The occasional petty crime such as pick-pocketing may always occur, as in any place of the planet.
The country is prone to natural hazards such as hurricanes, mainly from August to October. It’s important to follow local authorities’ instructions in case of an emergency.
Road safety is also a problem in the D.R.. The road conditions are fairly good but some locals drive recklessly, so it’s best to avoid night driving.
Tipping:
Tipping in the Dominican Republic is customary and expected in many situations, mainly when you’re in the most touristic areas of the country. In restaurants, it’s typical to leave a tip of around 10% of the bill, although some restaurants may include a service charge. If you’re in a resort and take a day tour, the expected tip also amounts to 10% of the tour cost.