Frequently Asked Questions about traveling in the Dominican Republic

What are the entry requirements for visiting the Dominican Republic?

This information can certainly change from time to time, but people traveling to the Dominican Republic require a Passport along with either a Visa or Tourist Card. You will fill out the Visa on the plane. You will need the address where you will be staying as well as the telephone number to complete your Visa.

Do I need to have a return flight ticket?

All non-residents should have a round trip (return) ticket to prove they will be departing the Dominican Republic.

How long am I allowed to stay in the Dominican Republic?

Most people are allowed to stay for up to 60 days with a Tourist Card or Visa. Because these agreements can change from time to time, it is best to check with the Dominican Republic Consulate or Embassy for the most up-to-date information on this.

Are there any fees I need to pay on arrival/departure?

There is a US $10 Tourist Card fee some people will have to pay on entry and a US $20 Departure Tax that must be paid before leaving the Dominican Republic.

Which Airport in the Dominican Republic should I fly into?

Santiago Airport (STI), usually, unless other arrangements are made with the Yorks. The are a number of airports in the Dominican Republic, but STI is closest to Santiago.

The airport's main terminal (international) has six gates (B1-B6). Three of these gates provide boarding docks (B4-B6). It is located between the domestic terminal and the cargo terminal. It has all of the facilities of a modern airport. Future expansion of this airport is being discussed which would include additional gates and baggage handling areas as well as expanding the taxiway.

American Airlines was the largest carrier at this airport and has operated between up to six flights a day. They currently have one daily flight to New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, two daily flight JetBlue Airways at Cibao Airport arriving from New York City to Miami International Airport and two daily flight to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

JetBlue Airways is the current largest carrier at this airport, with four daily flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport, however seasonally two more flights are added. JetBlue started its operations to Boston´s Logan International Airport in December, 2007, with daily "holiday shuttle" flight that operated through the middle of January as seasonal route. JetBlue also is studying the possibility of a new flight to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. In addition JetBlue will operate six flights a day from JFK starting this summer. In addition to Jet Blue, Delta Air Lines operates weekly flights between Santiago and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, planning to increase frecuencies in summer from one weekly to one daily. In December 2006 Delta had planned to start service from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, however, the service never launched, with only one day operated, but now they relauched on December 20 with a five weekly service. Continental Airlines operated flights between Santiago and Newark Liberty International Airport; they finished the route in September 3. Continental Airlines does not fly to Santigo anymore. Pueto Plata International Airport also cancled all flights in many companies, everyday expect on Wensday and Saturday

Copa Airlines, Panama's fla g carrier has scheduled flights to Panama City since July 15, 2006, with five weekly flights utilizing an Embraer ERJ-190. Santiago de los Caballeros was the second city added by Copa in the Dominican Republic. Copa also serves Punta Cana since July 15, 2007 in addition to Santo Domingo.

Spirit Airlines will launch the airline service between Fort Lauderdale and Santiago on June 18 of 2009. Frequency From Fort Lauderdale to Santiago on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Santiago-Fort Lauderdale Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday.

What is the weather like?

The Dominican Republic has 27 climate zones so weather can vary from desert-like conditions to rain forest conditions. The Dominican Republic is in the Caribbean, so temperatures are generally quite warm throughout the country all year round. Some have even called the weather here 'the endless summer'.

There are slight variations between the summer and winter months. The so-called 'cool' or winter season, runs from November to April. The humidity is relatively low during these months and it tends to cool down in the evenings much more than in the summer months.

The coastal/beach regions generally experience highs of around 28°C (83°F) during the day and lows of about 20°C (68°F) in the evening. The mountainous interior of the country is considerably cooler, and on the highest mountain peaks the thermometer can sometimes drop below freezing point. On rare occasions frost can even be seen on the top of these peaks.

The summer season in the Dominican Republic runs from May to October. Average daily highs for the coastal/beach regions rise to around 31°C (87°F) during the day, dropping down to about 22°C (72°F) at night. It is the higher humidity during this period that can make it feel much hotter during this season.

When is hurricane season?

Officially the Caribbean hurricane season runs from the beginning of June to the end of November. Historically most tropical storm/hurricane activity in the Dominican Republic's part of the Caribbean has taken place in the months of August and September. The Dominican Republic, like most of the Caribbean, is located in an area where hurricanes can occur.

What type of currency should I bring?

US dollars are the most easily exchangeable foreign currency into the local Dominican Republic currency, Pesos, or RD.

What are the medical facilities like in the Dominican Republic?

Medical care can range from quite good, to very limited, depending on what type of medical care you require and where you are in the Dominican Republic. Generally in Santiago there is very good hospitals, pharmacies, and doctors.

Should I buy travel medical insurance?

It is required to buy insurance when coming on a mission trip with the IMB. You will receive information on this when you are contacted by the Board.

Will I get sick in the Dominican Republic?

Travelers are always going to be a little more vulnerable to getting sick due to the stress and excitement inherent in the traveling process. Once you add a change in time zone and climate, changes to your usual diet, and over-indulgence; the likelihood for vulnerability to getting sick increases. The most common complaints in tropical countries like the Dominican Republic are upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, and sun-related fever. The best thing to do on arrival is to ease your body into things slowly. Precaution is the key. Avoid over indulgence, introducing changes to your regular routine as gradually as possible. Stay hydrated, use sunscreen and wash your hands constantly. If you do feel symptoms during your visit, ensure you get plenty of rest and drink lots of water. This will allow your body to maintain the energy it needs to fight off sickness. The most common complaints are non-serious, so with plenty of rest and water, and over-the-counter remedies for your symptoms (available at most supermarkets and pharmacies in the country), most people are well again within a couple of days. Check out the section on immunizations.

What is the time in the Dominican Republic?

The Dominican Republic is situated in the Atlantic Standard Time zone but does not follow Daylight Saving Time. This means the Dominican Republic is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the Fall/Winter (one hour ahead of New York and Toronto) and is the same as Eastern Standard Time in the Spring/Summer (same as New York or Toronto). The Dominican Republic is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (UTC/GMT -4).

What is the electricity/voltage in the Dominican Republic?

Generally the electricity operates at 110 volts (like in North America) b ut voltage irregularities are quite common here - sometimes providing less, sometimes providing surges of far more. For this reason, expensive appliances and computers should have surge protection if they are going to be used here.

Is it safe to drink the water in the Dominican Republic?

Drinking purified bottled water is definitely recommended and is available everywhere in the Dominican Republic. Hotels and restaurants use purified water to clean and cook their food, and purified water is used to make all ice. It is not recommended that you drink tap water. For those with a sensitive stomach, it is not recommended to even use tap water to brush your teeth. The different microbes in the water in the Dominican Republic, compared to ones found in the water supply in other countries, may affect some people adversely.

Where will I stay while in the D.R.?

Depending on the size of the group and where you will be working, you may be staying with the Yorks or you may be staying in a hotel. Prices vary, but are generally comparable to American prices. The Yorks have a washer and dryer. Also, the Yorks have Internet and Skype to stay in touch with the states. Internet cafes are also available and most hotels have Internet. Telephone calls other than Skype are expensive to the states.