Practical Info A-Z

In an emergency (loss of passport, arrest, serious accident), the embassy or consulate is your first point of contact.

German Embassy Santo Domingo

• Address: Calle Gustavo Mejía Ricart 196, Edificio Piantini, Piso 5, Santo Domingo
• Phone: +1 809 542 8949
• Emergency outside office hours: +49 30 18170 (Foreign Office Berlin)
• Web: santo-domingo.diplo.de
• Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00–11:00 AM (Consular Section)

Austrian Embassy

Austria does not have its own embassy in the Dominican Republic. The Austrian Embassy in Havana (Cuba) or the Honorary Consulate in Santo Domingo is responsible.

• Honorary Consul: Phone +1 809 683 1141

Swiss Embassy

Switzerland also does not have an embassy on site. The Swiss Embassy in Bogotá (Colombia) is responsible.

• Helpline EDA: +41 800 247 365 (around the clock)

Entry into the Dominican Republic is uncomplicated for DACH citizens:

Passport

• Validity: At least 6 months beyond the travel date
• Identity Card: NOT sufficient — you need a passport
• Children's Passport: Accepted (with photo)
• Temporary Passport: Accepted

Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turista)

Since April 2018, the tourist card (formerly 10 USD at the airport) is included in the flight ticket price. You pay nothing extra and automatically get 30 days stay. Your passport is stamped at the immigration counter — that's it.

Stay Extension

If you stay longer than 30 days, you pay a fee at the airport upon departure (tiered):

The fee is collected directly at the departure counter — no prior official visit needed.

Customs Regulations

• Import: 1 liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, gifts up to 500 USD value
• Prohibited: Drugs (zero tolerance!), weapons, fresh fruits/vegetables from many countries
• Return to Germany: Larimar and amber may be exported (keep receipts). No corals, shells, or protected animal products

The official currency is the Dominican Peso (DOP), abbreviated as RD$ or DOP. At the same time, US dollars (USD) are accepted almost everywhere — the Dominican Republic effectively has a dual currency system.

Exchange Rate (Guide 2025/2026)

Withdrawing Cash

• ATMs (ATM/Cajero): In every city and all tourist centers. Banco Popular, Banreservas, and Scotiabank are the most common
• Fees: Dominican banks charge 200–500 DOP (3–8 USD) per withdrawal. Additionally, there is the fee from your home bank. A travel credit card without foreign transaction fees (e.g., DKB, Barclays, N26) saves significantly
• Limit: Usually 10,000–20,000 DOP per withdrawal (approx. 150–300 USD). At some ATMs, you can withdraw in USD (useful if you need both currencies)
• Safety: Withdraw during the day, in well-lit areas. Cover the PIN entry. In Santo Domingo, do not use ATMs on lonely streets

Credit Cards

Visa and Mastercard are accepted in hotels, resorts, upscale restaurants, and large stores. In Comedores, Colmados, and with street vendors, only cash is accepted. American Express is less commonly accepted.

Tips for Currency Exchange

• Pay in Pesos: If you pay in USD, vendors round the exchange rate in their favor — you pay 10–20% more
• Do not exchange at the airport: Worst rates. Withdraw from an ATM or exchange at a currency exchange office (Casa de Cambio) in the city
• Small Bills: Keep 100- and 200-Peso bills ready — for Motoconchos, street vendors, and tips. 2,000-Peso bills can be problematic

The Dominican Republic is not a dangerous travel destination — but you should take some health issues seriously.

Vaccinations

No mandatory vaccinations for entry from Germany (except yellow fever if entering from a yellow fever area). Recommended are:

• Standard: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Measles (check booster!)
• Recommended: Hepatitis A (strongly!), Hepatitis B
• For longer stays/adventure travel: Typhoid, Rabies
• COVID-19: No vaccination requirement upon entry (as of 2025)

Drinking Water

NEVER drink tap water! This applies without exception — not even for brushing teeth in budget hotels. Only bottled water (Agua Purificada) or water from Garrafones (large 5-gallon bottles found everywhere). In hotels and resorts: Tap water is safe for showering but not for drinking. Ice in restaurants and resorts is generally made from purified water (but be cautious at street stalls).

Gastrointestinal

The "Dominican Diarrhea" (Diarrea del Viajero) affects many travelers in the first 2–3 days — usually harmless but annoying. Causes: different water, spicier spices, unfamiliar bacteria. Prevention: No tap water, be cautious with salads and unpeeled fruit at street stalls, wash hands often. In case of emergency: Imodium + ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts), available at any pharmacy.

Mosquitoes & Dengue

Dengue fever is endemic in the Dominican Republic — especially during the rainy season (June–November). There is no vaccine and no prophylaxis. Protection: Mosquito spray with DEET (30–50%), long clothing at dusk, air conditioning in the room. Malaria is practically eliminated in the Dominican Republic — no prophylaxis needed. Chikungunya and Zika occur occasionally (pregnant women should seek advice).

Sun & Heat

The tropical sun is significantly more intense than in Europe — even on cloudy days. Sunburn happens in 15–20 minutes. Sunscreen SPF 50+ (preferably coral-friendly), hat, and sunglasses are mandatory. Drink at least 2–3 liters of water a day. Heatstroke and sunstroke are real dangers, especially during activities like hiking or horseback riding.

Medical Care

• In tourist centers: Good private clinics (Clínicas) with English-speaking doctors. Centro Médico Punta Cana, Hospiten Bavaro, CECANOT in Santo Domingo
• In rural areas: Basic care in public hospitals, but limited. For serious problems: Transfer to the nearest city
• Pharmacies (Farmacias): Well-stocked, many things available without prescription (antibiotics, painkillers). Farmacias Carol and Farmacia La Economía are the largest chains

The Dominican Republic has a surprisingly good digital infrastructure — at least in tourist zones and cities.

Mobile & SIM Cards

Three providers dominate the market:

• Claro: Largest network, best coverage even in rural areas. Recommendation No. 1
• Altice: Second largest, good coverage in cities and tourist zones
• Viva: Smallest, but often cheaper data packages

A local SIM card is the best option: Available at the airport or in any Claro/Altice shop. Price: approx. 200–500 DOP (3–8 USD) for the SIM + data package. Data packages: 3 GB for 200 DOP, 7 GB for 400 DOP. Passport needed for registration.

Alternative: eSIM (Airalo, Holafly) — buy online in advance, activate upon arrival. 5 GB for approx. 15 USD. Convenient, but more expensive than a local SIM.

Wi-Fi

Hotels, resorts, and cafés almost always have free Wi-Fi. Quality: Good in resorts and cities (10–50 Mbit/s), often slow in rural areas and backpacker accommodations. Las Terrenas has surprisingly good internet — a popular digital nomad spot.

Roaming

EU roaming does NOT apply in the Dominican Republic. Data roaming can become extremely expensive (up to 15 EUR/MB!). Disable data roaming on your phone and use a local SIM or eSIM.

Emergency Numbers

The Dominican Republic is generally safe for tourists — most travelers experience a trouble-free vacation. However, it is not Europe, and you should follow a few rules.

General Situation

Crime is mostly directed against locals, not tourists. Tourist zones (Punta Cana, Bavaro, Las Terrenas, Zona Colonial) are well monitored by the Tourist Police CESTUR. Violent crime against tourists is rare, petty crime (pickpocketing, phone theft) does occur.

Important Safety Rules

• At night: Avoid unlit streets and isolated areas, especially in Santo Domingo (districts Cristo Rey, Capotillo, Los Alcarrizos). It is much safer at night in Las Terrenas and Punta Cana
• Valuables: Do not wear conspicuous jewelry. Do not hold your phone openly in your hand (Motoconcho thieves snatch it while passing by). Wear your backpack in front in crowds
• Taxis: Only use licensed taxis or Uber (in Santo Domingo). Do not hail a taxi on lonely streets. Negotiate the price BEFOREHAND
• Beach: Do not leave valuables unattended. Use the hotel safe for passport, money, camera
• Drugs: Zero-tolerance policy. Drug possession (even small amounts of cannabis) can lead to long prison sentences. Dominican prisons are not a place you want to be
• Traffic: Road traffic is the biggest real danger (WHO: one of the most dangerous countries in the world). Drive defensively, avoid night driving, wear a helmet on Motoconchos

For Women

Women traveling alone can generally travel safely in the Dominican Republic, but should be prepared for Piropos (calls, whistles, comments on the street) — it is culturally ingrained but annoying. Ignoring is the best strategy. Do not walk alone through isolated areas at night. Travel in groups or with trustworthy guides.

Tourist Police (CESTUR)

The CESTUR (Cuerpo Especializado de Seguridad Turística) is a special police unit just for tourists. CESTUR officers patrol in tourist zones, speak English, and help with problems. Emergency number: +1 809 200 3500. There are CESTUR offices in Bavaro, Sosúa, and the Zona Colonial.

The Dominican Republic uses the American electrical system:

• Voltage: 110 volts, 60 Hz (Europe: 230V, 50 Hz)
• Outlets: Type A (two flat prongs) and Type B (two flat prongs + grounding) — US system
• Adapter: You need a travel adapter from EU to US. Available at any electronics store in the Dominican Republic (100–200 DOP), but better to bring from home

Special Features

• Apagones (Power Outages): Outside tourist zones, power outages are common (sometimes for hours). Resorts and hotels have generators — you hardly notice it. In apartments and local accommodations: Keep a flashlight and power bank ready
• Voltage: The lower voltage (110V instead of 230V) means that hairdryers and straighteners from Europe only run at half power. Hotels often provide a hairdryer. Laptops and smartphone chargers work fine (most have wide-range power supplies: 100–240V)

Tipping (Propina) is important in the Dominican Republic — for many service workers, it is a significant part of their income.

Guidelines

Propina Legal

In restaurants, a "Propina Legal" of 10% and an ITBIS (value-added tax) of 18% are automatically added to the bill. This is stated on the bill. The 10% Propina does not always go to the waiters — it is customary to give an extra 5–10% in cash if the service was good.

The Dominican Republic is in the Atlantic Standard Time (AST, UTC-4) and has no daylight saving time.

When it is 6 PM in Germany, it is 12 PM (summer) or 1 PM (winter) in the Dominican Republic. This means: When you wake up in the Dominican Republic, your friends in Germany are still asleep — perfect for undisturbed beach mornings.