Dominican Republic Travel Tips 101: Know Before You Go

Posted by Natasha Jervis on 20 February 2012

Are you heading to the sun this year? Is the breathtaking Dominican Republic your destination of choice? Make sure you know about the Dominican Republic. its culture, food health tips, currency, safe areas and more before you arrive.

www.CanadaTravels.com has some Dominican Republic travel tips for you to read before you go. We have travel tips for Dominican Republic that will allow you to travel safer and much more comfortably. Know before you go!

#1: Make sure your passport is signed and completed before you travel. Your passport is your gateway to other destinations and therefore, should be well taken care of and protected at all times. Make copies of your passport and other identification so you will always have a piece of paper that shows who you are when in another country.

#2: Research and find out where your embassy is in the Dominican Republic. This will ensure you safety incase anything unexpected occurs.

#3: Get your travel vaccination shots before you leave your home destination. Vaccines can prevent you from Caribbean illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, polio, tetanus, hepatitis A, B and C and more diseases that infect people every year. If you are traveling to Pepillo Salcedo, Castanuelas or Hondo Valle it is recommended that visitors take malaria tablets to protect themselves.

#4: Have a list of all important Dominican Republic emergency contacts such as police, locals medical clinics, hospitals etc. and keep it in your wallet or purse at all times. While you may be staying at an all inclusive luxury 5 star resort, it is always smart to have emergency contacts with you incase you leave the resort area to explore. Santo Domingo is the only area of Dominican Republic that offers emergency services; so be prepared and call 911 if ever needed.

#5: Change some money into PESOS, the Dominican Republic's local currency. You will most likely need to convert American dollars into pesos when you arrive in the Dominican Republic.

#6: Banks in the Dominican Republic are open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am until 5pm.

#7: When you are flying into the Domincan Republic you are allowed to bring 200 cigarettes or one box of cigars, two bottles of perfume (opened and for your own use), gifts up to $100 and one litre of liquor. Baggage is declared upon arrival on the island and when you depart. Do NOT bring illegal drugs, animal products and agricultural items.

#8: Avoid swimming in fresh water pools that do not contain chlorine. Bilharzia is a major problem in the Dominican Republic and chlorinated pools are much safer and sanitary. Wear long sleeves and trousers during sunrise and sunset and use mosquito repellent constantly to protect you from dengue fever.

#9: Drink bottled water and always make sure the cap was secured before opening. Use bottled water to wash your fruits and vegetables. Eat most meats and fish well-done and cooked to their limit.

#10: Learn some Spanish phrases before you travel to the Dominican Republic. The official language is Spanish although many locals speak English. Most media sources and tourist areas still have Spanish language resources. Dining menu's are written in Spanish and sometimes have an English translation. Try travel Spanish 101!

#11: When exploring at night, keep in well-lit areas and common public areas. Do not travel off the beaten track alone on excursions and keep a 'buddy' system. People are always much safer in pairs. While crime against tourists is not a huge issue in the Dominican Republic, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Check out tourist advisories before you travel.

#12: Don't forget; hurricane season runs from June to November so it is always good to have a plan of evacuation if you end up caught in stormy weather.

#13: The style of dress is casual and general in the daytime. It's not common to strut throughout town in a bikini or skimpy beach wear. It is considered offensive to enter malls,governmental buildings, museums, churches etc. in beachwear or showing too much skin.

#14: Maintaining manners and being polite to the locals is appreciated. Public drunkeness is frowned upon.

#15: A tip is usually added onto your bill in hotels and restaurants, but extra tips are welcome if you were impressed by the hospitality, food and service.

#16: There are internet cafes throughout the island so you will never be out of touch. The international calling code for the Domincan Republic is +1-809.

Now that you have some travel tips for Domincan Republic to keep you aware, are you ready to book a trip to Punta Cana or Santa Domingo in the DR? Get in touch with us at www.CanadaTravels.com or call 1-800-563-5277 and speak to one of our travel experts today!