Travel by Interest

Who this page is for

The Dominican Republic is the most-visited country in the Caribbean, and it handles very different travelers in very different ways. A family of five in a Bávaro all-inclusive, a couple marrying on the sand in Cap Cana, a retired couple wintering in Sosúa and a college student studying in Santiago will each meet a different country.

This page goes group by group. It covers where each kind of traveler tends to be happiest, the paperwork that catches people out, and the things that work differently from home. For the basics everyone needs, start with entry rules and the e-Ticket, safety and health.

Families with kids

Dominicans adore children, and kids get a warm welcome almost everywhere: in restaurants, on buses, at church. Families who stay only at a resort miss that, so try to build in at least one outing where your kids meet the country, such as a colmado (corner store) run for a batida (fruit shake) or a Sunday on a public beach.

Kid-friendly resorts

The biggest concentration of family resorts is in Punta Cana and Bávaro, with more in Uvero Alto, Bayahíbe, La Romana, Puerto Plata and Juan Dolio. When you compare them, look past the kids' club logo and check these things:

• The kids' club's ages and hours. Many start at age 4 and require kids to be toilet trained; some close by late afternoon.
• Whether there is a separate teen club, a splash park or a shallow pool with shade.
• Family suites or connecting rooms. Standard Dominican resort rooms often sleep three or four at most, and fire rules are enforced at check-in.
• How far the family rooms are from the beach and the buffet. Big resorts sprawl, and the shuttle carts can be slow.
• Whether à la carte restaurants allow children, and from what age. Some adults-only sections and restaurants exclude under-18s.
• Babysitting rules and the hourly rate, which is usually quoted in US dollars.

Our all-inclusive guide explains wristbands, à la carte booking and how resort "clubs" work, which matters more with kids because the club sections often include the better family suites.

Calm beaches for small children

The east coast faces open water, and some Punta Cana and Uvero Alto beaches have a steady shore break. The calmest water for little kids tends to be behind reefs or in sheltered bays.

Wherever you swim, check the flag system and ask the lifeguard. Many beaches have no lifeguard at all, and rip currents are a real danger on the Atlantic coast. Our beach guide rates swimming conditions coast by coast.

Documents for minors

Every child, including babies, needs a US passport to fly to the Dominican Republic. Fill in the free online e-Ticket for the whole family before you fly; one form can include family members traveling together. Details are on our entry page.

The rule that trips families up applies when leaving. If your child is a Dominican citizen or legal resident, including a US-born child who has Dominican nationality through a parent, and is not leaving with both parents or a legal guardian, Dominican immigration requires written consent in Spanish from the absent parent or parents and both parents' identification. If the letter is signed in the US, it must be notarized at a Dominican consulate. If signed in the Dominican Republic, it must be notarized and then certified by the Procuraduría General de la República (the Attorney General's office). Check the current requirements and any fee on the Dirección General de Migración site well before you travel.

A child who is only a US citizen faces no special Dominican exit rule, but if one parent travels alone with a child, carry a signed consent letter from the other parent anyway, plus a copy of the birth certificate. Airlines and US authorities sometimes ask, and it costs nothing to have it.

Practical family tips

• Car seats. Taxis and resort shuttles rarely have them. Bring your own (most US airlines check them free) or book a private transfer that supplies one, and confirm in writing.
• Water. Do not let kids drink tap water or brush teeth with it. Resorts provide bottled or filtered water.
• Sun and heat. The sun is far stronger than in most of the US. Rash guards, hats and midday shade breaks matter more than sunscreen alone.
• Mosquitoes. Dengue is present year-round. Use an EPA-registered repellent, and read the health page if anyone in the family is pregnant (Zika guidance).
• Supplies. Diapers, formula and children's medicine are sold in supermarkets and pharmacies, but brands differ and resort shops charge a lot. Bring what you rely on.

Honeymoons

The adults-only resorts of Punta Cana, Cap Cana and Uvero Alto are the classic choice, and they do deliver quiet pools and no shrieking toddlers. Many couples have a better time splitting the trip: a few nights at a resort, then three or four nights somewhere with more character.

• Samaná and Las Terrenas for boutique hotels, empty beaches and El Limón waterfall. From mid-January to March, add whale watching. See Las Terrenas.
• The Zona Colonial for restored colonial hotels, rooftop bars and dinner on a 500-year-old plaza. See Zona Colonial.
• Miches for the newest wave of luxury resorts on a quieter coast. See Miches.
• Jarabacoa for cool mountain air, rivers and coffee farms. See Jarabacoa and Constanza.

Destination weddings

Most American couples who marry in the Dominican Republic choose between two routes: a legal civil wedding performed in the country, or a symbolic ceremony there after a legal wedding at home. Resorts and planners handle both, but the legal route takes paperwork that must start weeks ahead.

Symbolic or legal

Symbolic ceremonies are by far the more common choice for Americans. You avoid apostilles, translations and timing risk, and you can write the ceremony however you like. Get the legal part done at your county clerk's office before or after the trip.

Requirements for a legal wedding

Foreigners marry before an oficial del estado civil (civil registry officer), who works from an Oficialía del Estado Civil, the local civil registry. At resort weddings the officer usually comes to the venue. Requirements can vary a little by officer, so confirm the current list with your planner or the nearest Dominican consulate. Expect to need:

• Valid passports for both of you.
• Certified long-form birth certificates.
• A notarized statement of single status (an affidavit that you are free to marry).
• If previously married, the final divorce decree or the late spouse's death certificate.
• Name-change documents if your name differs from your birth certificate.
• Two adult witnesses with valid ID. Some officers will not accept close relatives, so ask.

US documents must carry an apostille, the international authentication certificate under the Hague Convention, which both countries belong to. Apostilles for birth certificates and notarized affidavits come from the Secretary of State of the state that issued the document. Federal documents go to the US Department of State. Each document (except passports) must then be translated into Spanish by a translator the Dominican authorities accept, which in practice means a certified Dominican translator your planner arranges.

Plan on sending the full packet to your planner or resort at least a month ahead. Couples are usually asked to arrive at least three business days before the ceremony so the officer can review the originals.

After the wedding

The officer registers the marriage, and the acta de matrimonio (marriage certificate) is issued in Spanish. For use in the US, you generally need a copy apostilled by the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) and translated into English. There is no separate step to "register" a foreign marriage with the US government; a valid foreign marriage is generally recognized by US states. Getting the apostilled certificate home can take several weeks, so plan any name change on your passport and Social Security card around that.

Wedding costs and tips

Resorts sell wedding packages, often with a free basic package when you book a set number of guest rooms. Legal fees, translations and the officer's fee are charged on top and change often, so ask for a written breakdown. Points that cause trouble:

• Outside vendors. Many resorts charge a fee for an outside photographer or planner, sometimes per day. Read this clause before you sign.
• Guests. Day passes for non-staying guests are often required and are expensive. Check the price before inviting locals or guests at other hotels.
• Season. December to April has the driest weather. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from August to October. See when to go.
• Sargassum. Seaweed can pile up on east-coast beaches in warm months. Ask for a backup ceremony site.

LGBTQ+ travelers

Same-sex relations are legal in the Dominican Republic. The State Department notes cultural discrimination against LGBTQI+ people, and the government does not legally recognize same-sex unions. There is no national law that broadly bans discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

In practice, experiences vary by place. Big international resorts in Punta Cana and La Romana generally welcome same-sex couples, and some brands market to them. The Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo has the country's most visible LGBTQ+ nightlife, and the capital holds a Pride march, usually in summer. Smaller towns and rural areas are more conservative and strongly Catholic and evangelical, and public affection between men in particular can draw stares or comments.

• Discretion with public affection outside resorts and city nightlife districts is the usual local approach.
• Transgender travelers should expect the gender on their passport to be what airport and hotel staff go by. Travel with a passport that matches how you present if you can.
• Dating apps work, but meet in public places and use Uber, not a stranger's car. Robberies set up through apps have been reported in the region.
• If you are harassed or threatened, call 911 or contact POLITUR, the tourist police, and the US Embassy in Santo Domingo.

Travelers with disabilities

Dominican law requires physical access for people with disabilities in new public and private buildings, but the State Department notes the requirement is not enforced, and sidewalks are often broken or missing. Outside the large resorts, expect steps, high curbs, no ramps and few accessible bathrooms.

Where it works best

• Large resorts. The big chains in Punta Cana, Bávaro, Cap Cana and La Romana have accessible rooms with roll-in showers, ramps and lifts. Paths can still be long, sandy or uneven. Ask for a ground-floor room near the lobby, and ask whether the beach has a mat or a beach wheelchair.
• Modern hotels in Santo Domingo. Business hotels along the Malecón and in Piantini are the most reliable in the capital.
• Cueva de las Maravillas. This cave between San Pedro de Macorís and La Romana has ramps and walkways that make its Taíno rock art reachable by many visitors with limited mobility. See day trips.

Where it is hard

The Zona Colonial's cobblestones and narrow sidewalks are tough for wheelchairs, though Calle El Conde is pedestrianized and the ongoing renovation is improving some streets. Boat excursions to Saona and Catalina usually require stepping off into the water or onto a beach. Guaguas (minibuses) and most taxis cannot take a wheelchair.

• Request wheelchair assistance with your airline at booking. At Punta Cana airport, some gates use stairs or ramps to the plane rather than jet bridges.
• Book an accessible private transfer in advance; ask for a van with a lift or ramp and confirm by email.
• Bring spare parts and a repair kit for your chair, and enough medication for the whole trip plus extra, in original packaging with your prescription.
• Check that your power chair or scooter batteries are airline-approved, and remember the plugs and voltage are the same as at home.

Seniors

Older Americans do very well in the Dominican Republic, and many come back every winter. The country treats elders with respect, and you will often be called don or doña (a courtesy title like "sir" or "ma'am") before your first name.

• Medical care. Private hospitals in Santo Domingo, Santiago and Punta Cana are generally good for routine and urgent care; quality drops quickly in rural areas. Know the nearest private hospital to where you stay. More on our health page.
• Heat. Midday temperatures near 90°F (32°C) with high humidity are hard on the heart. Drink bottled water steadily, keep outings to the morning, and ask your doctor about medications that affect heat tolerance.
• Getting around. Uber works in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Punta Cana and Puerto Plata. Avoid motoconchos (motorcycle taxis), and think twice before driving yourself; read our driving page first.
• Longer winters. Tourists can stay a set period on entry, with fees charged at departure for overstays. If you plan weeks or months, read our long stays page on staying longer, renting and residency.

Sosúa, Cabarete, Las Terrenas, Juan Dolio and Puerto Plata have large communities of North American and European retirees, with English-speaking doctors and services.

Solo travelers

Traveling alone in the Dominican Republic is common and manageable with city-level street sense. The State Department's advisory is Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, because of crime including armed robbery and sexual assault. Resort areas are better policed than the cities, with POLITUR tourist police on patrol.

Good bases if you are on your own

• Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial has hostels, walking tours, salsa and bachata classes, and plenty of other travelers.
• Cabarete is built around kite and surf schools, which makes meeting people easy.
• Las Terrenas is walkable, sociable and full of small guesthouses.
• Jarabacoa suits hikers and rafters who want to join group trips.

Safety for solo travelers

• Watch your drink being made, and do not leave it unattended, including at resort bars. Drink spiking has been reported.
• Use Uber or a taxi your hotel calls at night. Do not walk alone on beaches after dark.
• Keep your phone out of reach of passing motorbikes; snatch thefts from motorcycles are common in cities.
• Book excursions through licensed operators or your hotel rather than strangers on the beach. See our excursions page.
• Share your plans with someone at home, and enroll in the State Department's STEP program.

Students and spring break

Punta Cana is a major spring break destination, and the legal drinking age is 18. Unlimited drinks at all-inclusives, strong sun and open water are a risky mix. Most serious incidents involving young Americans involve alcohol, the ocean, balconies or a stranger's car.

• Swim sober and only where there is a lifeguard. Rip currents on the east and north coasts kill visitors every year.
• Stick with your group, and agree on a meeting point and a check-in time.
• Do not buy or carry drugs. Dominican drug penalties are severe, pretrial detention can be long, and the US Embassy cannot get you out of jail.
• Check that your health insurance works abroad. Most student plans do not, or cover only emergencies.
• Read the State Department's Students Abroad pages and enroll in STEP.

Studying in the Dominican Republic

Several US universities and study-abroad providers run semester and summer programs in Santiago and Santo Domingo, often hosted by Dominican universities such as the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM). Spanish immersion, public health, education and Caribbean studies are common focuses. Students on a semester program stay longer than a tourist's permitted stay, so ask your program which visa or extension you need; do not assume you can pay the overstay fee on the way out.

Living with a host family is the norm, and it is the fastest way to learn Dominican Spanish, which is rapid and full of dropped consonants. Our Dominican Spanish page will help, and the etiquette page explains family life, meal times and the slower sense of time.

Other special interests

The rest of the Interests section goes deeper on specific trips:

• Outdoors and adventure: Pico Duarte, rafting, diving, whale watching and kitesurfing.
• Golf: Teeth of the Dog, Punta Espada, Corales and more.
• Baseball: the winter league season, stadiums and academies.
• Cruises: Amber Cove, Taíno Bay, La Romana and Samaná.
• Dominican roots: civil records, dual citizenship and visiting family towns.
• Traveling with pets and long stays.

If you would like help putting a trip together for a group with specific needs, our custom trip planning service can help.