Things to Know Before Traveling to the Dominican Republic

Several years ago, my now-husband and I had the privilege of traveling to the Dominican Republic for a friend’s wedding. The lead up to the trip was a bit nerve wracking as he has no passport, doesn’t speak Spanish and is very picky about food. Plus, we weren’t totally sure where we’d be staying as our friends had said they would take care of it for us. Fortunately, I do speak Spanish and was able to get us around without a problem.

As it turned out, we ended up at a great all-inclusive resort, Casa Marina in Puerto Plato, where we enjoyed several very restful days basking in the sun and swimming. My husband still recalls that trip as his best vacation ever.

Entering and exiting the country:
Although Dominican law does permit travelers to enter with a birth certificate and photo identification, it is strongly encouraged that you obtain a passport prior to going. According to the Department of State, many travelers who’ve attempted to leave the country using their birth certificate and photo id have been detained and required to obtain passports from the embassy – a process which could delay you up to 10 days.

Additionally, unless you are traveling with a pre-approved visa, you will be required to pay $10 per person for a travelers card upon entering the country. Be sure to have US cash on hand for this, as that is the only form of payment accepted.

For children, it is also strongly recommended that you obtain a passport before traveling. Additionally, if the children are not your own (ie grandchildren, friends of your children, etc) you need a written authorization from their parents that is notarized to ensure safe passage and no difficulties at the border. Refer to the Department of State website listed below for more information on this.

Safety:
Keep a close eye on your belongings and your family while traveling anywhere. Be sure that you keep a low profile and don’t draw a lot of attention to yourself. Avoid dangerous areas. Be aware of where you are at all times, as well as who is around you. These are basic things all people should do whenever away from home. To ensure that you are not the victim of a purse snatching or another petty theft, always keep a hand firmly on your bags. Keeping your bag strap diagonally across your body is another great idea. Cell phones, wallets and other personal items should be stored out of site.

Do not use ATM machines or your personal credit cards unless it’s absolutely necessary as well, as these can be used for crimes (stealing credit/ATM card numbers and other information).

Medical:
Although there are no required vaccinations for travel to the Dominican Republic, it is recommended that you and everyone you are traveling with be up to date on standard vaccinations. In addition, the Center for Disease Control recommends receiving the hepatitis A and B vaccinations as well as ones for typhoid fever and malaria. For more information on these, visit the Center for Disease Control’s website, listed below.

Other health information:
Don’t drink the water and avoid ice consumption. Water in the Dominican Republic is not treated to remove harmful germs, bacteria and allergens before consumption. While visiting there, we used a bottle of water to brush our teeth and consumed no ice. Bottled beverages are best.

Purchase the highest SPF sunscreen you can locate and wear it all the time. This is important. In the Dominican Republic you are much closer to the equator and thus burning happens easier and faster than in the continental United States and Canada.

What to pack:
If you are going to a resort, don’t pack a lot. Stick to the necessities like underwear, toiletries, bathing suits/cover-ups and a few outfits but don’t take too much or bring many pairs of shoes. It will make it easier to move about the country and you won’t be wearing much anyway. One small weekend suitcase and a good sized carry-on bag should be enough for a week.

Remember to leave room for souvenirs. Prices are very low in the Dominican Republic. I purchased a large sarong for about $4 US in our hotel gift shop, as well as a number of gifts. Ultimately I only spent about $30 for our weeklong trip including an extra night in a different hotel.

The dress all around the country is very casual – resort clothing. There is no need for evening gowns and high heels unless you are attending a specific event.

Finally:
A trip to an island like this is an affordable getaway so just sit back and relax, lay in a hammock and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.