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Dominican Republic Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

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After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for Dominican Republic.

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Areas of active cholera transmission are  localized  to the provinces and district of Barahona (reported 3–6 months ago), Distrito National (last case reported 9–12 months ago), Elías Piña (last case reported 9–12 months ago), La Altagracia (last case reported 9–12 months ago), Monte Cristi (last case reported 9–12 months ago), and Santo Domingo (last case reported 9–12 months ago) in the Dominican Republic. Cholera is rare in travelers.  Certain factors  may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease ( more information ). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera. 

Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to the Dominican Republic.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to the Dominican Republic. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to the Dominican Republic.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of the Dominican Republic take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for the Dominican Republic.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in the Dominican Republic. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in the Dominican Republic, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to the Dominican Republic. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required for travelers ≥1 year old arriving from the following states in Brazil: Espírito Santo, Mina Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in any of these states

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites.

• Mosquito bite
• Avoid Bug Bites

Leishmaniasis

• Sand fly bite
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in the Dominican Republic, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in the Dominican Republic. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in the Dominican Republic include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Schistosomiasis and leptospirosis, infections that can be spread in fresh water, are found in the Dominican Republic. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call the Dominican Republic’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in some parts of the Dominican Republic. If you are going to a risk area, fill your malaria prescription before you leave, and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of the Dominican Republic may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in the Dominican Republic, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

For information traffic safety and road conditions in the Dominican Republic, see Travel and Transportation on US Department of State's country-specific information for the Dominican Republic .

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Dominican Republic for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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Watch CBS News

What we know about American tourists' deaths and illnesses in the Dominican Republic

By Brian Pascus

Updated on: July 15, 2019 / 8:57 AM EDT / CBS News

Reporting by Mola Lenghi, Jose Diaz Jr., Russell Midori, Alyssa Estrada 

Since the start of the year, at least 10 American tourists have died while vacationing in the Dominican Republic, and questions are also being raised about several more deaths in 2018. Some of the deaths reportedly occurred after the visitors complained of feeling ill after eating a meal or drinking out of the hotel minibar. The U.S. embassy in Santo Domingo  said there is no proof  at this point the deaths are linked.

CBS News spoke on June 18 with César Duvernay, a spokesperson for the Dominican Republic's foreign ministry, who said the cases are isolated out of more than 6 million tourists, and that this doesn't mean the country is unsafe. He noted that the government has a special body focused on tourism safety, with protocols in place that have not changed.

Several of the deaths were reported to be a heart attack, which health officials say is the most common cause of death for Americans on vacation. CBS News can confirm that attorneys for the families of Nathaniel Edward Holmes and Cynthia Ann Day, who died on May 30, have ordered independent autopsies "to get to the bottom of what's happening." The Washington Post reported last week that the family of Cynthia Schaup-Werner, who died on May 25, is awaiting an independent investigation in the U.S, as well. 

Here is what we know so far about the recent deaths of Americans vacationing in the Dominican Republic. 

Jerry Curran

Age 78. From Bedford, Ohio.

Died on Jan. 26, 2019 at the Dreams Resort in Punta Cana.

Curran died three days after arriving in the Dominican Republic with his wife. His daughter told WKYC-TV , "He went to the Dominican Republic healthy and he just never came back." His daughter said Curran fell ill after dinner and drinks the night of his arrival and that his cause of death includes pulmonary edema, or fluid in the lungs, which is listed the cause of death for at least three other Americans in the Dominican Republic this year.

Tracy Jerome Jester Jr. 

Age 31. From Forsyth, Georgia. 

Died on March 17, 2019 while visiting the Dominican Republic. 

Jester's death was reported by  Atlanta station WSB-TV  on July 12. His mother said her son drank a soda that he told her "didn't taste right." His sister, who was vacationing with Jester, called their mother on the night he died and said he was struggling to breathe. Jester's mother feels her son's death is connected to the other American tourist deaths this year, the station reported. Jester's sister said  her brother had lupus, but it is unclear if the illness is connected to his death. Jester's death certificate said he died from "respiratory issues." 

Robert Bell Wallace

Age 67. From California.

Died on April 14, 2019, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana.

Wallace died  after drinking from the minibar in his hotel room at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana, his family said. Wallace's cause of death has yet to be determined, but his niece told Fox News  her uncle had been in good health before his arrival and he became unwell shortly after drinking a glass of scotch from the minibar in his room and died in a hospital three days later.

Miranda Schaup-Werner 

Age 41. From Pennsylvania.

Died on May 25, 2019, at the Luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville Hotel.

The U.S. State Department confirmed Miranda Schaup's death June 4; she died May 25. She was staying at the Luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville Hotel to celebrate her ninth wedding anniversary with her husband. Her family said she collapsed and died after she had a drink at the hotel. Preliminary autopsy results released by Dominican authorities said she had fluid in her lungs and respiratory failure. The FBI is conducting toxicology tests. Less than a week later, two more Americans died at another hotel on the same Bahia Principe resort.

Nathaniel Edward Holmes and Cynthia Ann Day

Age 63 and 49. From Prince George's County, Maryland.

Died on May 30, 2019, at the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana.

The couple were found dead in their hotel room on May 30. There were no visible signs of violence. However, several bottles of medicine were found, such as Galanpertin, Oxycodone, and Loxofen. Holmes and Day had been staying at the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana since May 25. A statement from the Dominican Republic National Police said that an autopsy concluded that the couple had respiratory failure and pulmonary edema, a condition caused by excess fluid in the lungs.

Autopsy results showed some similarities between their cases and Schaup-Werner's. The resort insists the deaths of the three Americans were unrelated.

Leyla Cox 

Age 53. From Staten Island, New York.

Died on June 10, 2019, at Excellence Resorts in Punta Cana.

Cox died the day after celebrating 53rd birthday. U.S. Embassy officials told her son her death has been ruled a heart attack, but her son  said , "I do not believe it was natural causes."

Joseph Allen  

Age 55. From New Jersey.

Died on June 13, 2019, at Terra Linda Resort in Sousa.

Allen's family said he was on good health and traveled to the Dominican Republic frequently. His cause of death has not been released. Allen was there with friends who said he complained about being hot at the pool before going to shower and lie down; he was found dead the next day.

Vittorio Caruso 

Age 56. From Long Island, New York. 

Died on June 17, 2019, at Boca Chico Resort in Santo Domingo. 

Caruso's cause of death is not yet determined, but his sister-in-law told Fox News, "he was brought by ambulance to the hospital in respiratory distress after drinking something." Caruso's family  told  the New York Post that he was "very healthy" and that "he went to the doctor before he left, and he had no problems." 

Khalid Adkins

Age 46. From Denver, Colorado. 

Died on June 25, 2019 while visiting the country with his daughter. 

Adkins cause of death has not been disclosed. His sister-in-law, Marla Strick, told the Colorado station KDVR-TV that he vomited in his departure plane's bathroom and was hospitalized in Santo Domingo, where she was told "his kidneys were failing." His daughter Mia Adkins wrote on  her Facebook page  that her father "got super sick," during a visit to the country together. 

Tourist deaths in the Dominican Republic in 2018 

Mark Hurlbut Sr. 's son says he was told by a Dominican Republic coroner that his father died from heart and respiratory problems last year in Punta Cana. Mark Hurlbut Jr. said his father and his dad's wife felt sick the night before he died. "She woke up, and he didn't," Mark Jr. told CBS Phoenix affiliate KPHO-TV . "She told me that as she found him that he had something green coming from his mouth."

David Harrison died in July 2018 at the Hard Rock Hotel, the same hotel where Robert Bell Wallace died this year. According to the  New York Post , Harrison died of pulmonary edema and respiratory failure, but his wife said he felt sick with an upset stomach days before his death and woke up with a full-body sweat on July 14 and couldn't speak.

Yvette Monique Sport , 51, of Glenside, Pennsylvania, died at Bahia Principe Resort in Punta Cana of a heart attack in June 2018. According to the  New York Post , her sister said Sport had a drink at the minibar insider her room, went to bed, and never woke up.  

Reports of tourists sickened in the Dominican Republic

A New York woman said she became ill  and spewed blood, leaving her without any taste buds, after taking a sip of soda from the minibar at Grand Bahia Principe Resort in La Romana in October 2018. This is the same resort where three Americans died in May 2019.

A Colorado couple claims they were sickened at same hotel where three Americans died in May. They have since filed a lawsuit against the owners of the Grand Bahia Principe Hotel La Romana after a doctor determined they suffered insecticide poisoning while vacationing at the hotel in June 2018.

A group of Oklahoma teens from Deer Creek High School on a senior trip fell " violently ill " on June 8 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Punta Cana, the same hotel where Harrison and Wallace died.

A Florida man who went to the Caribe Club Princess Beach Resort and Spa at Punta Cana in May claims he became "severely sick with stomach pain while swimming in the pool."

More than 50 Jimmy Buffett fans from Oklahoma  became ill during an all-inclusive trip to Hotel Riu Palace Macao in April. Some people in the group tested positive for salmonella, while others did not. Symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea, chills and fever.

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Tourist deaths in the Dominican Republic are sparking concern among travelers

It’s not yet clear whether the deaths of 10 Americans over the past year are connected.

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Ten known US tourists have died at Dominican Republic resorts, or at the hospital immediately following resort stays — including three within five days, and two within three days — in just over a year.

Now over a dozen more visitors who fell dangerously ill on vacation in the Dominican Republic are coming forward. Sicknesses reportedly set in quickly, marked by frequently cited symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, and sweating; guests’ descriptions of a “chemical smell” in hotel rooms; and a pattern of minibar liquor consumption before indicators of illness set in.

The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism attributes these deaths to natural causes; local and US federal authorities, however, are investigating the incidents that have left some Americans travelers uneasy , and the future of the Dominican Republic’s robust tourism industry uncertain.

What we know about the deaths so far

The incidents occurred at a collection of resorts on the island: the Terra Linda Resort in Sousa, the Excellence Resorts in Punta Cana, the Grand Bahia Principe in Punta Cana, the Grand Bahia Principe in La Romana, and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana.

At least three of the people who died reportedly began experiencing symptoms after having a drink from the minibar in their rooms. The US Embassy in Santo Domingo confirmed earlier this month that the FBI were dispatched to the island to conduct toxicology reports , and the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Health announced that samples from the minibar in the guest room of Cynthia Day and Nathaniel Holmes of Maryland, who were both found dead on May 30 in their room at the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana, were undergoing testing. On Monday, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino announced that it’d be removing liquor from minibars in its guest rooms.

As forensic scientist Lawrence Kobilinsky told the Cut , many of the victims’ symptoms might suggest methanol poisoning. Methanol is a toxic, synthetic chemical normally used in antifreeze that’s also used, illegally, to create counterfeit alcohol . Consuming even a small amount of pure methanol can lead to pulmonary edema, or fluid in the lungs, and respiratory distress — two of the official causes of death listed for Day and Holmes. They’re also two of the official causes of death listed for Miranda Schaup-Werner of Pennsylvania, who also died at Grand Bahia Principe La Romana, after reportedly having a drink from her hotel room minibar, just five days before Day and Holmes’s deaths.

The toxicology reports for Day, Holmes, and Schaup-Werner have not yet been released; the FBI said in mid-June that answers could be another 30 days coming.

Some recent travelers, however, suspect that they were exposed to fumes emitted from the air conditioners in their rooms. CNN reports that one Denver couple, Kaylynn Knull and Tom Schwander sued the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana — the same resort where Day and Holmes stayed — earlier this year for illnesses that occurred during a trip last July. Knull and Schwander described a “chemical smell” overtaking their room, an odor similar to paint or industrial cleaner.

Soon after, they said they experienced excruciating stomach cramps, diarrhea, bloody stool, incessant sweats and drool, watery eyes, and dizziness. Back home in Denver, their doctors wondered whether they’d been exposed to organophosphates — chemicals most often used in pesticides.

Knull said she thought back on what she had seen days earlier: A maintenance person spraying palm plants that covered air conditioning units just outside their room. ”I wondered if someone sprayed our unit. [...] They are always constantly out there taking care of the plants. We saw them out there with bug sprayers.”

Other tourists told CNN that they too became sick after they inhaled what they described as a chemical, paint-like smell, at the Majestic Elegance Resort in Punta Cana in 2017, and at the Grand Bahia Principe Punta Cana going back to 2016.

As the New York Times reports , poisoning or pesticide exposure is even more likely when more than one person experiences the same outcome on the same timeline, as was the case with Day and Holmes. Chemicals like organophosphates, adds the Times, can “seep into a vent that is not adequately sealed, or be sucked inside by a hotel air conditioner.” Current scientific literature indicates that organophosphate poisoning can lead to respiratory failure in some cases.

Tourism drives much of the Dominican Republic’s’s economy, employing more than 300,000 people and drawing a reported 6.6 million international travelers in 2018. A report on the Dominican Republic’s economy from the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service says that the Dominican government aims to draw 10 million tourists — roughly the size of its current population — by 2020, “generating estimated revenues of US $7.2 billion.”

It’s not yet clear if this is all a coincidence

Preliminary autopsies conducted by Dominican authorities have been released by the resorts for several of the 10 Americans known to have died in the past year. In addition to pulmonary edema and respiratory failure, the causes of death for the tourists have included pneumonia, multiple organ failure, and an exceptionally common one: heart attack. According to Tourism Minister Javier Garcia , five of the deaths can be categorized as “natural causes.”

The Excellence Resorts in Punta Cana told the family of Leyla Cox of New York City that she died in her room on June 10 of a heart attack. Her son Brian Cox remains skeptical, telling WCBS, “I do not believe it was of natural causes.”

It’s not yet clear what caused this spate of heart attacks, respiratory failures, and food poisoning-like illnesses. And it’s also not clear if these catastrophic events, similar as they are in geographic location, presenting symptoms, and outcome, are connected. Neither the US Embassy nor the Dominican Ministry of Public Health has acknowledged the possibility of a connection — in fact, Garcia has said , “These cases are very regrettable, but isolated.”

The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism asks that the public look at these recent deaths in context: Many millions of people travel to the Dominican Republic each year and don’t fall seriously ill or die. A statement released by the ministry earlier this month references statistics and polls conducted by the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic. The “rate of tourist incidents” in 2018, the ministry says, fell to 1.4 per 100,000 tourists from 1.6 the previous year. It also highlights that 99 percent of American tourists told their survey that they’d return to the Dominican Republic for future vacations.

Nevertheless, US travelers are concerned by recent news, to say the least. CNBC cites a survey from the American Society of Travel Advisors revealing that two-thirds of its members have canceled trips to the Dominican Republic for clients within one week. CBS News adds that flights to the Dominican Republic from the US are down 74.3 percent from this time last year, with canceled flights up by 51.2 percent in recent weeks, according to data from flight analysis agency ForwardKeys. The State Department’s most recent Travel Advisory on the Dominican Republic — from April — places the country as a Level 2, with the directive, “Exercise Increased Caution.” The rationale: crime.

“Here we are talking about nine people, but there are countries in the area where 10 times the number of Americans have died there,” the Dominican Republic’s tourism board reportedly said at a press conference on June 21, as covered by NBC News . (Details on the tenth death, of New York native Vittorio Caruso on June 17, hadn’t yet been released.) “But all eyes are on us.”

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What We Know About the Dominican Republic Tourist Deaths

Six Americans have died at resorts on the popular Caribbean island, and their families are raising questions about the circumstances.

By Tariro Mzezewa

More than two million Americans visit the Dominican Republic every year, making up about a third of the country’s tourists. Six have died in the last year during their visits. Because of the seeming similarities among their deaths , their family members have suggested that they are connected and have raised suspicions about the resorts where they died. Here’s what we know, and don’t know, about the circumstances.

Who has died, and how?

Yvette Monique Sport, 51, died in June 2018 of a heart attack. Her sister, Felecia Nieves, has said that Ms. Sport had a drink from the minibar in her room at a Bahia Príncipe resort, one of a number on the island, then went to sleep and never woke up.

In July 2018, David Harrison, 45, died at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana. Mr. Harrison died of a heart attack and The Washington Post reported that his death certificate also listed “pulmonary edema, an accumulation of fluid in the lungs that can cause respiratory failure, and atherosclerosis” as causes of death. He and his wife were in the Dominican Republic for their wedding anniversary with their son.

In April of this year, Robert Wallace became sick at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, where he was attending a wedding and died. The 67 year old’s family said that he became ill after drinking scotch from the minibar in the hotel.

Miranda Schaup-Werner, 41, of Allentown, Pa., was celebrating her 10th wedding anniversary when she died at the Luxury Bahia Príncipe Bouganville, on May 25 of this year of a heart attack. She had been at the resort for less than 24 hours.

A few days later, Nathaniel Edward Holmes 63, and Cynthia Ann Day, 49, from Prince George’s County, Md., were found dead in their room at the Grand Bahia Príncipe La Romana. The two had recently become engaged. An autopsy found that the couple had respiratory failure and pulmonary edema.

Are the hotels connected?

Four of the dead were staying at Bahia Príncipe resorts, which are part of a group of 14 hotels in the Dominican Republic that are popular among tourists because they are all-inclusive. The Luxury Bahia Príncipe Bouganville, where Ms. Schaup-Werner died, is less than a five-minute walk away from the Grand Bahia Príncipe La Romana, where Mr. Holmes and Ms. Day died. Both are near the town of San Pedro De Macoris. The Hard Rock is across the island from the other two hotels in Punta Cana. It is not known which Bahia Príncipe resort Ms. Sport was staying in.

What are the hotels saying?

In a statement on Friday, Bahia Principe said reports of the deaths had been inaccurate and that the hotel was committed to “collaborating completely with the authorities and hope for a prompt resolution of their inquiries and actions.”

Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos said in a statement on Tuesday evening that it is waiting for official reports about the deaths and is, “Deeply saddened by these two unfortunate incidents, and we extend our sincerest sympathy to the families of Mr. Harrison and Mr. Wallace.”

What are Dominican officials doing?

The Dominican Attorney General’s office and the national police are investigating the deaths, but tourism officials have been downplaying them. The tourism minister, Francisco Javier García, said last week that in the last five years, more than 30 million tourists have visited the country, and that these deaths are “isolated incidents” and the island is safe for tourists.

“These are situations that can occur in any country, in any hotel in the world,” he said. “It’s regrettable but sometimes it happens.”

The tourism ministry said last week that hotels had 60 days to install security cameras.

What are U.S. officials saying?

In a statement issued Tuesday evening, the U.S. State Department said that “Dominican authorities have asked for F.B.I. assistance for further toxicology analysis,” and it could take up to a month to receive the results. A spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control said that the organization had not received a request for assistance from the Dominican Republic relating to these deaths.

Are there any theories as to what might be causing the deaths?

Tom Inglesby, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said in a phone interview that the symptoms that have been reported, like pulmonary edema, bleeding and vomiting blood, are “consistent with poisoning,” perhaps accidental. But until toxicology reports are available, he said, it is difficult and too soon to definitively say what caused the visitors’ deaths.

“It’s rare for travelers to die of unknown causes like this, and to have a high number of them in a relatively short period of time is alarming, shocking, sad,” Dr. Inglesby said. “It’s something that investigators should be able to get to the bottom of.”

The fact that toxicology reports have not been released or completed is “unconscionable and inexplicable,” he said.

Have there been other incidents?

Two couples have come forward to say they fell ill while staying at one of the Bahia Príncipe resorts where tourists have died.

In January 2018, Doug Hand, 40, and his wife Susie Lauterborn, 38, were staying at the Grand Bahia Príncipe La Romana when, he said in a phone interview, they got sick with fevers, nausea, cold sweats, diarrhea and fatigue.

Mr. Hand said that he didn’t drink alcohol on the trip, but he did notice a “moldy, mildewy smell like the A.C. or filter hadn’t been cleaned.”

When Mr. Hand told an employee in the hotel’s lobby that his wife was sick, the employee gave him directions to a doctor, but seemed more focused on ensuring the couple attended a meeting about buying time shares, Mr. Hand said.

Kaylynn Knull, 29, and Tom Schwander, 33, are suing the resort chain for $1 million, their lawyer told The Times, because the Colorado-based couple became violently ill during their stay at the Grand Bahia Príncipe La Romana last summer. Ms. Knull got a persistent headache and was sweating and drooling profusely, the lawyer, David Columna, said. She also had blurry vision, nausea and diarrhea, she told CNN, and family doctors determined the couple had been exposed to organophosphates, a class of insecticides.

“The hotel did nothing,” said Mr. Columna, who is representing Ms. Knull and Mr. Schwander in the Dominican Republic. The couple, he said, “spent the night inhaling the chemical and they are still having side effects of the intoxication and the hotel hasn’t given us any idea of what happened.”

Elisabeth Malkin contributed reporting from Mexico City.

Tariro Mzezewa is a travel reporter at The New York Times.  More about Tariro Mzezewa

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Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Dominican Republic

Home » Blog » Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Dominican Republic

INFORMATION UPDATED AS OF DECEMBER 14, 2023:

• Entry Requirements: Most travelers (for example, from United States, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Panama, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Puerto Rico, etc.) do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival to enter the Dominican Republic. Airports and other ports of entry will perform a quick, aleatory breath test to a percentage of passengers, and all those who present symptoms, upon arrival. Passengers under the age of five and crew members are exempt from this procedure. Passengers who present a vaccination card no less than 3 weeks after the last dose was placed or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in the Dominican Republic will be exempted from the random test. All passengers will also need to perform a temperature check. Passengers who present symptoms or whose test results are positive will be isolated and attended at authorized locations. Prior to departure, travelers should confirm with their airline provider and airport of origin regarding any testing or other related requirements for inbound flights to the Dominican Republic, or necessary requirements needed upon arrival to their country of origin.

National Protocol for Health Risk Management against COVID19 Download File 1 MB 29156 downloads

NEW MEASURES AS OF JUNE 28, 2021 FOR PASSENGERS FROM AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, INDIA, INDONESIA, IRAQ, IRAN, IRELAND, KUWAIT, MONACO, SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES, SENEGAL, SOUTH AFRICA, SWEDEN, SYRIA, THAILAND, TUNISIA AND UNITED KINGDOM (ENGLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND, SCOTLAND, AND WALES), AND AS OF JULY 14, 2021 FOR PASSENGERS FROM SPAIN All passengers arriving in the Dominican Republic from Australia, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Ireland, Kuwait, Monaco, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia and United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival or a vaccination card no less than 3 weeks after the last dose was placed. This measure also applies to all passengers coming from the mentioned countries above arriving to the Dominican Republic from another country, and to those who have been in those countries in the last 14 days. Passengers under the age of five from the above-mentioned countries are exempt from the PCR requirement. Crew members arriving from Australia, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Ireland, Kuwait, Monaco, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia and United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) will be required to present a Vaccination Card no less than 3 weeks after the last dose was administered, or the presentation of a negative result of a PCR test performed within the last seventy-two (72) hours prior to their arrival in the Dominican Republic. In case of not presenting the above mentioned, they must remain confined in their hotel or accommodation. For passengers and crew members arriving from Spain , a negative Antigen test or a negative PCR test are both acceptable.

• Passports: All foreign citizens who enter the Dominican Republic, exclusively for tourism purposes, must have a valid passport during their stay and departure from the country. This exceptional measure is valid until December 31, 2024.
• COVID-19 Testing: As of January 26, 2021, the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism is offering viral antigen testing to international visitors staying at a hotel to meet the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) travel protocols requiring all travelers ages two and above returning to the United States to present proof of a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) administered within 72 hours prior to departure. The viral test offering will be administered at some of the hotels across the country. For reference, the antigen tests will be performed by technical health personnel and the test results will be certified by the Ministry of Health. Antigen tests are processed faster than PCR tests. To note, while antigen tests are free to qualifying travelers, there is a small out of pocket fee to cover the cost of processing them. Some hotels have decided to absorb this cost, others will charge the guest a small fee, and a few are not part of the program. Please contact your hotel directly to make an appointment or discuss their specific process.

Upon request and at an additional cost, select hotels will also offer PCR tests to guests. As needed, travelers can also make an appointment for viral antigen testing or PCR testing across the country. Click here for more information on the various testing centers from the DR Travel Center or click here to view testing facilities as outlined by the United States Embassy . This added testing offering is the most recent addition to the Responsible Tourism Recovery Plan and will be revisited on an on-going basis by the Ministry of Tourism in tandem with the Dominican Government to measures its effectiveness, and will be modified as needed to align with international protocols. Based on the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 virus, we recommend connecting with your airline or travel agent directly to discuss any protocols that may apply to your country. As needed, we also recommend visiting the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for any updates to international markets and their required procedures. IATA cannot guarantee its accuracy and can accept no liability for any errors or omissions.

• Free Health Coverage Plan: All international tourists arriving on commercial flights and staying at a hotel will be granted during the check-in process a temporary, free health coverage plan that provides coverage for emergencies, such as COVID-19 while in-country. The coverage includes medical attention by specialists, medical transfers, transfer of a relative, penalty for airfare changes, lodging for prolonged stays and more. This insurance will be provided at no cost to visitors who check-in at the hotel until July 31, 2021 and will be 100% paid for by the Dominican government. In order to obtain coverage of the health plan the tourist must enter the country exclusively by air and only applies for guests staying at a hotel. For more information or to receive assistance while in the country in the event of exposure, please contact the Seguros Reservas Assistance Line by dialing +1 809 476 3232 so that a representative can determine the appropriate course of action on a case by case basis. For additional details regarding what is and is not covered by the policy, click HERE .
• E-TICKET: All foreign and Dominican passengers entering or leaving Dominican Republic on commercial flights must complete the free electronic entry and exit form, which combines the Traveler’s Health Affidavit, Customs Declaration and International Embarkation/Disembarkation forms. The form is available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese and Russian and can be accessed through the following link: https://eticket.migracion.gob.do .

Passengers will need to fill out a form for arrival and another one for departure and the system will generate two QR codes. Dominican airports have free internet access, so that passengers who did not fill out the form before flying can do so when they arrive in the country. To save time during the arrival procedure, we recommend filling out the form 72 hours before the trip, printing or making a screenshot of the QR code and keeping it on hand until arrival, where it will be scanned by the authorities when passengers go through Customs. The QR code will not be scanned during departure, but it is a confirmation that the form was completed correctly. If passengers need to make any changes to the form, they must fill it out a new form. For additional information and to watch an instructional video, please visit: https://viajerodigital.mitur.gob.do/ . Passengers arriving on private flights, non-commercial vessels, ferries, cruise ships, etc., do not need to fill out the electronic form. The physical Traveler’s Health Affidavit, Customs Declaration and International Embarkation/Disembarkation forms will be accepted for the aforementioned passengers.

• Social Distancing: Airport terminals have established guidelines requiring social distancing as well as the mandatory use of face masks for employees and passengers. Outside of the airports, social distancing of at least 6.5 feet (2 meters) and the use of face masks in public places are required for the general and traveling public within indoor spaces and in areas where social distancing is not possible. These locations include but are not limited to airport terminals, within indoor and outdoor shopping areas, while using public transportation, when seeking medical attention within a hospital or clinic, among others. Social distancing is also required at the beach, and within pool and jacuzzi areas. Facial masks are optional for adults at the beach area, and not recommended for children. All equipment, including life jackets, snorkel, kayaks, pedal boats, etc. will be disinfected after each use. Please contact your hotel, preferred restaurant or tour operator for specific details regarding their protocols. The use of face masks is mandatory in public places and private places of public use in the national territory, as well as the other measures and protocols of social distancing adopted by the corresponding authorities; its non-compliance will be sanctioned.

CURRENT MEASURES BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. ALL THESE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE STARTING JULY 7, 2021, UNTIL THE CORRESPONDING AUTHORITIES REVIEW THEM. CURFEW To control the outbreak of COVID-19 in country, there is an established curfew in place. While hotel guests will not be required to follow these guidelines within their resort property, they will be limited to stay within the property during the associated hours.

• Curfew is established throughout the country Monday through Friday from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., with free circulation until 12:00 a.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. with free circulation until 9:00 p.m. The free circulation is for the sole purpose of allowing people to go to their respective hotels or residences.
• Public entities that provide public transportation services, such as the Office for the Reorganization of Transportation (OPRET) and the Metropolitan Office of Bus Services (OMSA), will offer their services during the hours of free circulation.

Circulation during curfew hours: throughout the national territory, the following persons will be allowed to circulate:

• Persons with any medical emergency who need to go to any health center or pharmacy.
• Employees or contractors of restaurants, pharmacies or grocery stores that provide home delivery service of cooked or raw food or medicines, who shall be allowed to circulate until 11:00 p.m., exclusively during the exercise of their work duties.
• International passengers and operators of private or commercial vehicles that are transporting them, as well as employees of the maritime and air transportation sector duly identified, in transit to or from ports and airports.
• Employees or contractors of the hotel, mining, and free zones sectors, exclusively during the performance of their work duties.

REGULATION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPACES FOR PUBLIC USE APPLICABLE THROUGHOUT THE NATIONAL TERRITORY: Sale of alcoholic beverages: the sale of alcoholic beverages to be consumed in public and private spaces for public use is prohibited nationwide from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., as well as the consumption of these products in such places. Regulation of places of consumption of food and beverages: places of consumption of food and beverages throughout the national territory may receive customers in their facilities up to 50% of their total capacity, in strict compliance with current sanitary protocols and without exceeding 6 persons per table in the applicable places. Regulation of outdoor open spaces: people may use outdoor open spaces throughout the national territory, such as parks and boardwalks, for activities that do not involve agglomeration and in strict compliance with health protocols in force. Regulation of places dedicated to sports and physical exercise: places dedicated to sports and physical exercise throughout the national territory, such as gyms, may receive clients in their facilities up to 50% of their total capacity, in strict compliance with the sanitary protocols in force. Regulation of places for the celebration of religious activities: the activities of the different churches and other religious denominations may be held three times a week throughout the national territory, in strict compliance with the sanitary protocols in force and without exceeding 50% of the total capacity of their facilities. Regulation of other public and private spaces for public use: throughout the national territory, other public and private spaces for public use not expressly mentioned, may receive in their facilities up to 50% of their total capacity. These places must additionally apply those protocols and distancing measures dictated by the relevant entities for their safe operation under the pandemic. Regulation of the tourism sector: the activities of the tourism sector will continue to be regulated through its sectoral protocol. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the organization, promotion and execution of mass activities, parties, or other similar activities in tourist facilities throughout the country are prohibited. Prohibition of massive activities and events: massive activities and events involving the agglomeration of people are prohibited throughout the national territory. Click HERE for more information. ADDITIONAL MEASURES:

• The country reactivated its tourism operation by opening its borders by air. The measures include:
• Reactivation of commercial flights to and from the country’s airports.
• Hotels restarted operations with the use of contact-free technologies and strict protocols to offer a clean, safe environment and promote social distancing.
• Activities in bars and clubs remain suspended as well as massive national and international events and public, cultural, artistic and sports shows involving the agglomeration of people.
• It is mandatory to keep social distancing and to wear face masks in all public spaces, such as banks, supermarkets and offices, among others.
• Ports, marinas and anchorage facilities to receive yachts, ferries, and cruise ships are open.
• Public transportation will operate with schedules according to the curfew, with at least 1.5 meters of separation between users and a limited capacity.
• Private transportation companies and malls are operating normally on the allowed working hours, except for casinos. All commercial establishments operating on closed environments must assure a separation of 1.5 meters between clients and the mandatory use of face masks, as well as the compliance of new sanitary measures announce by Public Health officials.
• Visiting hours for protected areas and national parks will be Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Salto El Limón, Saltos de Jima, and 27 Saltos de Damajagua are open to the public. The Armando Bermúdez National Park (Pico Duarte), Montaña La Humeadora (Valle de Dios) and José del Carmen Ramírez (Valle del Tetero) National Park are open to the public to stay overnight by prior visit permit 15 days in advance, by contacting [email protected]. Only 100 visitors can stay in the parks per night. To visit the protected areas, you must enter with local guides that are certified by the Ministry of the Environment. Click HERE for more information.
• Public beaches remain open to the public during the hours of free movement and will be guarded to avoid crowds, while still practicing social distancing.
• As a result of our stringent safety measures and effective vaccination plan, currently, hotel occupancy has increased to 70 percent, further solidifying Dominican Republic as a world example of tourism recovery amidst the pandemic.
• 100% of the Tourism sector personnel (hotels, airports, restaurants, transportation, etc.) have been vaccinated. Vaccinations in the Dominican Republic are scheduled to conclude before the end of 2021.
• Dominican Republic has a robust health care system that has been able to quickly detect cases of COVID-19 in the country. For more information about the coronavirus in Dominican Republic, please visit the Ministry of Public Health’s website. ( https://www.msp.gob.do/web/ ) or download the COVID-RD mobile phone application, available on the App Store and Google Play, that works as a passport in which, through a QR code, visitors can report their condition and access many services and information.
• For MITUR, the well-being and safety of visitors remains a priority, so it will continue to work in coordination with the other relevant authorities to further strengthen the country’s preventive measures against coronavirus. For more information visit https://drtravelcenter.com

#godominicantravel #coronavirus #dominicanrepublic

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Dominican Republic Safety 2024: Is Dominican Republic Safe to Visit?

In 2022, around eight and a half million tourists visited the Dominican Republic, making it the most visited country in the Caribbean, and the fifth most visited place in the Americas.

But is the Dominican Republic as safe as it is popular? The short answer to this question is both yes and no. This is because while travel advisories consider the country only moderately safe, you’ll likely have an incident-free vacation as long as you remain cautious. Now let’s get into some details regarding the safety conditions of this beautiful Caribbean country.

Is the Dominican Republic Safe?

The UK travel advisory gives a well-balanced answer to this question:

“The Dominican Republic is friendly and welcoming and the vast majority of visits to the country are trouble-free. However, there is a high crime rate, ranging from opportunistic crime like bag snatching and pickpocketing to violent crime.”

Here’s a rough outlook of the country’s safety conditions:

• Travel advisory : All travel advisories consider the Dominican Republic a moderately safe location. 
• Crime rate : Crime in the Dominican Republic is very high (71.34) — the main problem areas are theft, violent crime, scams, and the harassment of women.
• Dangerous areas : Stay away from La Duarte, Arroyo Hondo, Naco, Gazcue, Cristo Rey, Villa Agrícola, and Los Guandules.
• Police presence: There’s a special police force for tourists called politur .
• Natural Disasters : The Dominican Republic faces a moderate risk of hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis.
• Public transport: The public buses are unsafe, but taxi companies are both safe and reliable.
• Medical care quality : It’s decent in the larger cities, but drops in quality as soon as you move toward the rural areas.

Travel Advisory for Dominican Republic

According to the US travel advisory, the Dominican Republic is classified in the level-2 safety category . That means you should exercise increased caution due to the high crime rate.

The US travel advisory ranks every country in four different categories, according to their safety level:

• Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
• Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
• Level 3: Reconsider Travel
• Level 4: Do Not Travel

The other travel advisories, including the Canadian and the Australian ones, are on the same page. They cite the country’s high crime rate as the main cause for concern.

The most common crimes affecting tourists in the Dominican Republic are:

• Petty theft, including pickpocketing and bag snatching
• Assault and violent crime
• Scams and frauds
• Verbal harassment and abuse of women, including spiked food and drinks

A Comprehensive Look at Dominican Republic Crime Rates

Numbeo gives the Dominican Republic a crime rating of 71.34, which is considered a high crime index . Additionally, nearly all the individual categories for different types of crime are also either rated as very high, high, or moderate.

You can see the various scores in the table below. The data is shared by 361 contributors.

The Canadian travel advisory gives the best summary of the crime situation in the Dominican Republic: “Crime occurs in the Dominican Republic, including violent crime, especially in major cities. However, most incidents are opportunistic crimes which are the most significant threat for tourists.”

However, scams, frauds, and the harassment of women are also common.

Petty Theft

Petty theft happens all over the country, and it’s usually on the rise during the holiday season, when the country is packed with tourists. Petty theft is particularly frequent at:

• Bus stations
• Public transportation
• Airport terminals

Drive-by robberies and theft are also common in the Dominican Republic. Thieves on motorcycles or scooters drive beside unassuming tourists and snatch their bags or other belongings. They may even reach into a vehicle while waiting at a red light in traffic.

Violent Crime and Assaults

According to the Canadian travel advisory :

“ Violent crime against foreigners, including assault, occasionally occurs. Incidents take place mainly in large cities, at night or early morning. Some have been targeted in armed robberies when traveling to the Las Américas International Airport, sometimes in taxis.”

Most violent crimes are connected to organized crime rings and gangs , like the infamous Latin Kings. Gang-related violent crimes usually occur in poorer and more dangerous neighborhoods, but there have been cases of violent attacks affecting tourists, as well.

Anyhow, you should stay away from dangerous neighborhoods, since you’re much more likely to get attacked there. The most famous hotspots for crime in the country are:

• Arroyo Hondo
• Villa Agricola
• Los Guandules

Scam and Fraud

Scam and fraud are a constant threat in the Dominican Republic . Beware of:

• Criminals posing as policemen and fining tourists for made-up crimes.
• Rogue lawyers who operate near police stations and often target desperate tourists who have real problems.
• Credit card and ATM scams like cloning.
• Dating app scams and fraud that usually result in the victim getting isolated and robbed.

Verbal Harassment and Abuse of Women

According to the Australian travel advisory women are particularly at risk of harassment and assault.

The most common strategy of the perpetrators is spiking the food or drinks of victims with drugs. The drugs may be inside alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, chewing gum, or even cigarettes. Bars and other places of entertainment are their common territory.

Finally, dating apps also pose a danger. According to the US travel advisory :

“Several U.S. citizen travelers in the Dominican Republic have reported that they were robbed by people they met through popular online dating applications. If meeting with strangers, you should strongly consider meeting only in public places and avoiding isolated locations where crimes are most likely to occur.”

Police Presence in Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is protected by the Dominican National Police (Spanish: Policía Nacional Dominicana). They have nearly 32,000 officers for a population of almost nine million.

However, the Dominican police force isn’t considered to be reliable. Amongst other things, they are infamous for corruption and violent behavior , a hot topic in the media, particularly given suspicions that the police force is involved in illegal trafficking rings.

Luckily for visitors to the Dominican Republic, the country has an alternative police force that’s specifically created to protect tourists. That force is called Politur, and they’re scattered throughout the country, especially near tourist hotspots. You can easily recognize them by their uniform: white shirt and blue bermudas. They usually drive motorcycles.

Politur is highly regarded in the Dominican Republic and it’s a significant factor in maintaining its tourism industry. Recently , they received a $2 million boost and 65 new vehicles in the form of pickup trucks and motorcycles.

How to Stay Safe in the Dominican Republic

• If someone tries to rob you, hand over your personal belongings without resisting.
• Do not carry or wear valuable items that will attract attention.
• Contact the police or the hotel management if the resort or hotel staff demonstrate unwanted attention.
• Avoid secluded places, even at your resort/hotel.
• Don’t leave drinks or food unattended.
• Don’t use dating apps.
• Be careful around ATMs.
• Always ask police officers to legitimize themselves.
• Don’t use public buses.
• Stay away from dangerous areas.
• Avoid exploring the larger cities at night.

Is It Safe to Travel Solo in the Dominican Republic?

You can travel solo in the Dominican Republic if you’re well-informed and respect all the safety measures. That being said, it’s always better to travel with a group. Solo female travelers are particularly susceptible to all kinds of crime, particularly harassment and assault.

Is It Safe to Travel to the Dominican Republic as a Family?

Although it’s not the safest destination in the world, you and your family can visit the Dominican Republic as long as you are careful. This means that you should stay away from public buses, dangerous neighborhoods, and forlorn areas in the cities, and avoid going out at night. Sticking to some common sense tips can keep your mind at ease.

Perils of Nature: The Risk of Natural Disasters in the Dominican Republic

According to the Australian travel advisory , the Dominican Republic is subject to natural disasters and severe weather , such as:

• Landslides and mudslides
• Earthquakes

All of these can cause disruptions in the everyday lives of the local citizens as well as tourists’ vacations. More serious natural events can even disrupt essential services — such as water and electricity — or clog up the roads.

You have to stay cautious and prepared at all times, especially during the wet season, between May and November, when frequent rains are sure to cause landslides, mudslides, and flooding around the country. 

Hurricane Information and Precautions

According to the US travel advisory , the Dominican Republic is hurricane-prone. The hurricane season begins in June and has its peak from mid-August to late October .

The coastal regions are at the highest risk of hurricanes.

On average, the Dominican Republic’s sphere of influence gets affected by at least six hurricanes annually , but only half of them directly hit the country itself.

The last hurricane to reach the country was “Franklin” on August 24, 2023 . While it was cruising on the open ocean, it was classified as a category-4 hurricane, but upon reaching the island, it lost its strength and resulted in a slightly more severe tropical storm.

The US travel advisory offers a comprehensive set of  tips in case a hurricane hits the country:

• Maintain a stock of boiled or bottled water
• Store non-perishable food items
• Acquire a battery-powered radio
• Keep your vital documents (like your passport) safe and close to you
• Obtain travel insurance – it’ll certainly come in handy in the case of natural disasters
• Monitor all the local media, including the local radio and news reports

Also, it’s a good idea to follow the local and international sites that monitor hurricanes to stay up-to-date on the weather:

• Dominican National Office of Meteorology
• Dominican Emergency Operations Center
• National Hurricane Center
• Weather Channel
• Weather Underground
• Atlantic Tropical Weather Center

Earthquake and Tsunami Information and Precautions

According to the Australian travel advisory , the Dominican Republic is indeed in an earthquake-prone zone . This means that earthquakes could occur and cause destructive tsunamis. Some sources classify the earthquake hazard in the Dominican as “medium.” That means that there’s a 10% chance of a major earthquake hitting the country in the next 50 years.

On November 8, 2023 , a 5.0-magnitude earthquake affected the northwestern region of the country, near the border with Haiti. It was the strongest earthquake to hit the country that year. Fortunately, it didn’t cause any serious damage – except for two schools – or injure any people.

The UK travel advisory offers a pretty thorough procedure in case an earthquake occurs during your visit:

• Drop to the ground and take cover. Remain in this position until the tremors and the shaking stop.
• Don’t leave your position until it’s deemed completely safe.
• Stay away from street lights, buildings, and electric wires outside. Basically, avoid anything that can fall on you.
• Following the earthquake, don’t run and walk carefully. There may be aftershocks and debris.
• If you get trapped, tap on a wall or a pipe, so that rescuers can hear you.

As you probably know, stronger earthquakes may directly cause tsunamis. For example, in 1946 , an 8.1-magnitude earthquake struck the northern parts of the island and produced a very strong tsunami that resulted in over 1,000 fatalities.

Luckily, tsunamis are rare in the Dominican Republic and don’t accompany each earthquake. According to WorldData , there have only been 6 tidal waves that can be classified as tsunamis since 1751 – less than in other tsunami-prone areas.

Beware the Silent Threat: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is one of those rare countries where you should be wary of carbon monoxide poisoning.

According to the Washington Examiner , between 2016 and 2019, 14 people vacationing in the Dominican Republic were fatally poisoned by carbon monoxide.

It’s hard to get a figure of the total incidents resulting only from carbon monoxide poisoning. For example, a Louisiana woman lost her life in 2019: it was suspected to be carbon monoxide poisoning, but pesticide poisoning or even Legionnaire’s disease were not ruled out either.

Carbon monoxide is hard to notice since the gas is tasteless, odorless, and invisible. Longer exposure may lead to serious problems like paralysis and losing your life.

For peace of mind while staying in the Dominican Republic, your best bet is to buy a portable CO detector , which costs only around $20.

Dominican Republic Weather Patterns: What to Expect

The Dominican Republic has a tropical climate, and it’s mostly warm throughout the whole year. The period between May and October is wetter and hotter, while December to January is cooler and dryer. November and April are usually considered in-between months.

Monthly Average Temperatures and Rainy Days in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Spring’s weather is sunny and dry. It’s one of the best periods to visit this country. The average temperatures never go below 68°F and higher than 89°F. Plus, there are very few rainy days per month.

Spring is the perfect time to visit the beautiful beaches of the Dominican Republic, such as Punta Cana, Bavaro, and Playa Dorada, but also to experience the excitement of the carnival in March, or the Santo Domingo de Fiesta and the Espiritu Santo Festival in May.

The beginning of summer signals the wet season in the Dominican Republic. The number of rainy days per month increases, and so do the temperatures, with a maximum daily temperature of 91°F. The weather can get stuffy and really hot, which is especially unpleasant for some.

And yet, the summer season is an undiscovered gem for many visitors who are looking for a budget trip to the island. Although the risk of a hurricane hitting the island is higher starting with August, the island is still perfectly safe during June and July. 

With the coming of fall, the wet season reaches its peak. The temperatures are very high, and the number of rainy days per month is the highest in October (13 rainy days). The island is mostly tourist-free since it’s also the peak of the hurricane season.

That being said, it’s definitely the cheapest month to visit the Dominican Republic and the best time if you want to get to know the rites and customs of the local population. In September, you can experience the fantastic processions of la Dia de las Mercedes festival and the rural traditions of the Feria Ganadera El Cupey.

The tourist season begins in December. Beaches, resorts, and hotels start to fill up, and with the arrival of visitors, the prices start to rise. The temperatures start to drop after sunset, reaching 71°F, while the days are sunny, dry, and warm.

January is all about New Year celebrations, and the crowded islands brim with excitement and activity. February, on the other hand, is the official beginning of the carnival season, which attracts even more tourists.

Public Transportation Safety in Dominican Republic

The public transport in the Dominican Republic is not safe. However, certified taxis are both reliable and safe. In terms of renting a car, keep in mind that there’s a high frequency of road accidents in the country.

According to the UK travel advisory :

• There are plenty of transport options available, like the expanded metro network in the country’s capital.
• Stay away from public buses and “carros publicos” (which are shared cars, driving along semi-fixed routes), as they’re neither safe nor secure.
• Private bus companies are completely safe , but they only provide intercity (between cities) bus services.

Public and Private Buses

The Canadian travel advisory advises against getting on public buses and gua-guas – microbuses. The latter often don’t even have doors, an additional safety concern.

Gua-guas are tiny, privately-owned buses that offer their services for either inner-city travel, or for longer destinations around the country. They are notoriously unsafe and unreliable.

Private buses, on the other hand, are quite safe and reliable. Unfortunately, they are only available for intercity travel.

Taxi Services

If you follow some simple safety tips, you’ll find that taxis are relatively safe thanks to the well-regulated taxi syndicate of the Dominican Republic .

However, make sure to only use official, marked taxis . Most of these are either beige or brown, but not always. There are over 20 official taxi companies in the country, and only official taxis can be called via telephone or a mobile app. The most famous companies are Apolo Taxi and Aero Taxi.

On the other hand, avoid using unofficial taxis at all costs . According to the Australian travel advisory, many travelers have been assaulted or robbed in unregistered taxis.

They also advise visitors not to use route taxis, better known in the Dominican Republic as carros publicos , since there’s a high chance of getting robbed. You can immediately spot carros publicos since they have no taxi markings, unlike the official taxis.

Additionally, avoid renting motorcycle taxis (motoconchos), as motor vehicle accidents are statistically more fatal than car accidents.

Lastly, keep in mind that taxis in the country are unmetered, which means that you should always negotiate the price before departure.

Renting a Car and Quality of the Roads

Finally, if you’re considering renting a car, keep in mind that the Dominican Republic has one of the highest road accident rates in the whole world. Drivers often drive while drunk and rarely respect traffic rules – including driving on the wrong side of the road! To top it all off, most vehicles are in bad condition.

According to the Canadian travel advisory , while most tourist hotspots have decent roads, less popular and less populated areas have roads of extremely poor quality.

The Quality of Medical Care in Dominican Republic

The quality of medical care in the Dominican Republic is decent in the larger cities but lacking in forlorn and rural areas. Also, private hospitals are generally better equipped and better-staffed than public medical establishments.

The Canadian travel advisory points out that private hospitals tend to overcharge for medical services. Prices might also be unstable and variable. Additionally, doctors may get a bit aggressive and pushy in their sales tactics, i.e., trying to sell you on their facility.

The best hospitals in the country, as previously stated, are located in larger cities, like Santo Domingo and its wider metropolitan area, as well as Puerto Plata. There are good hospitals in some of the smaller cities, too. Here’s a short list:

• Centro Médico UCE – Santo Domingo
• Hospital General de la Plaza de la Salud – Santo Domingo
• Hospiten Santo Domingo – Santo Domingo
• Hospital General Vinicio Calventi – Santo Domingo
• Centro Médico Bournigal – Puerto Plata
• Centro Médico Punta Cana – Punta Cana
• Hospital General de la Plaza de la Salud – Higüey
• Centro Médico Corominas – San Francisco de Macorís
• Centro Médico Cibao – Santiago
• Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago (HOMS) – Santiago

Dominican Republic, Here We Come!

You can have a great time visiting the Dominican Republic – provided that you keep your eyes open and exercise increased caution.

In short, don’t trust strangers, dating apps, public transportation, and unofficial taxis; don’t venture into dangerous or isolated areas; stay up-to-date on the weather forecast and follow safety protocols in case of natural disasters; be careful on the roads; don’t resist in case of theft; and finally, do bring a portable CO detector along with you. In case something unfortunate happens, you can rely on the police to help you out.

Basically, stick to the maxim “better safe than sorry,” and you’ll have a great trip in the Dominican Republic.

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I moved to Punta Cana more than 7 years ago and have never felt unsafe. I have many expat friends that take public transportation buses all the time. And many use Uber we are out late several nights a week and have never had a problem. I feel safer here then I felt in the downtown of my Ontario city.

Hi Christine, thank you for reading and appreciate your first-hand feedback on the area!

Curious, I looked at Numbeo for my city, Washington, DC. It comes in at 70.86 So the DR and DC are on par. So treat the DR like any large US city. Be aware of your surroundings. No earbuds. Walk in groups.

Thank you for reading, Linette, and for your feedback.

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Update April 12, 2024

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Dominican Republic Travel Advisory

Travel advisory june 6, 2023, dominican republic - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with updates to health information.

Exercise increased caution in the Dominican Republic due to crime.

Country Summary:  Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault is a concern throughout the Dominican Republic. The development of a professional tourist police corps, institution of a 911 system in many parts of the country, and a concentration of resources in resort areas means these tend to be better policed than urban areas like Santo Domingo. The wide availability of weapons, the use and trade of illicit drugs, and a weak criminal justice system contribute to the high level of criminality on the broader scale.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to the Dominican Republic.

If you decide to travel to the Dominican Republic:

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Follow the advice of resort and tour operators regarding local safety and security concerns.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the Country Security Report for the Dominican Republic.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.  Review the Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

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47 People Allege They Got Violently Sick in the Dominican Republic

Things in the dominican republic are getting a bit out of hand.

Photo: Unsplash/@joelcasilla

By  Araceli Cruz

Things in the Dominican Republic are getting a bit out of hand. American tourists are dying while on vacation . In the past year, nine tourists have died — and while that may not seem like a lot, it’s the way they’re dying that’s become a cause for concern. According to reports, some tourists have died from fluid in their lungs after drinking from the mini bar. Now an entire group of travelers got violently sick, but this story seems a bit odd.

A group of people from Oklahoma on vacation to see the singer Jimmy Buffet in the Dominican Republic report they got sick with “ extreme diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches .” The group of 114 were on the island in April and 47 of them report to have been so sick they couldn’t leave their hotel rooms.

“We went [to Hotel Riu Palace Macao] for the week — some longer, some shorter,” Dana Flowers, the travel agent that set up the trip said to People magazine. “We were enjoying the beach and the pool, and about three or four days into the trip we started hearing about people getting sick. They were getting diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches.”

He says some still don’t feel normal two months later. What’s a bit weird about this story is that Flowers claims he had extreme weight loss. He alleges that he lost 14 pounds in 19 days. Okay, now that seems drastic.

“It was some of the worst sick I’ve ever been, and I don’t normally ever get sick,” Flowers told the magazine.

That kind of weight loss is beyond extreme, and we’re surprised he didn’t go to the hospital due to the dehydration. The hotel responded to these claims and told People, “We are aware that three guests staying last April at this hotel and coming from the same group…  were attended by a possible case of gastroenteritis in our doctor’s office. These events occurred after an external activity of this group outside the hotel, so we can not determine the exact origin of the stomach upset. No more similar cases were registered by other guests during the indicated date above.”

The FBI is looking into matters in the Dominican Republic, and tourism officials say that it’s safe to travel there.

“In the last five years, over 30 million tourists have visited the Dominican Republic, but this is the first time the international media report such an alarming situation,” Tourism Minister Francisco Javier Garcia said this month to CNN. “ These are isolated incidents , and the Dominican Republic is a safe destination.”

We have a feeling that some people who travel there, knowing there are reported cases of people getting sick, might playing into that in order to get free accommodations or even worse, sue the resorts. We’re hoping investigators get to the bottom of all this soon.

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Tips For Avoid Getting Sick In The Dominican Republic And Punta Cana

Imagine saving for a whole year to make a trip and take a well-deserved vacation, take a long time planning the activities to be done and places to visit, but when you finally arrive at the expected destination you get sick, everything is suddenly ruined.

A disease during a trip is one nightmare of any traveler and something to which it is inevitably exposed because of multiple factors, there are risk factors for diseases that we cannot control and others that can be avoided by taking proper precautions.

On this subject, I will give some tips to avoid getting sick on your trip to the Dominican Republic and Punta Cana.

Table of Contents

Tips for Avoid getting sick on your trip to the Dominican Republic and Punta Cana

Many of these tips may seem redundant and common sense, but the truth is that there are still people who ignore them, the fundamental problem of travel sickness is almost always stomach.

Whether from stomach infection or traveler’s diarrhea,  I had previous experiences of traveling to South America where I almost ruined the experience of being careless when eating, I have learned the lesson.

Most of the tips I can give you are a compilation of personal experiences and experiences of other tourists.

• Avoid visiting low-income areas and neighborhoods of the capital Santo Domingo and border areas with Haiti, if you do, be extremely careful in the consumption of water and food.
• Don’t Drink Tap Water, when you’re in the shower try to keep your mouth shut.
• Wash your hands every time before eating.
• Try to eat fruits that can be peeled, and always wash the fruits with bottled water before eating them.
• Don’t brush your teeth with tap water.
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
• Take medicine for stomach upset every day, such as Pepto-Bismol.
• Be careful eating raw green salads and uncooked foods.
• Be careful with drinks that contain coconut, coconut is a natural laxative.
• Bring a couple of the best pills you can find locally to control diarrhea.
• Do not trust the stray dogs or give them food, a bite could infect you with rage.
• Avoid street food.
• Use mosquito repellent and clothing that protects you from bites.
• Avoid direct sun exposure for excessive periods of time to avoid sun poisoning.

Avoid drinking seawater in the Dominican Republic

If you visit the Dominican Republic, most likely you will enjoy swimming on its beautiful beaches, you should be careful not to drink seawater, this could cause vomiting and gastrointestinal problems.

if you come with children, instruct them not to drink the seawater as well.

The seawater is not purified, it is likely to be contaminated with germs or bacteria that may cause gastrointestinal problems.

The salinity allowed in our body is 9, which represents the amount of salt in our body fluids. Every 1000 grams of fluid, 9 are salt and 991 are water. These fluids are considered isotonic, while seawater is hypertonic because it contains more salt than human blood and its salinity is 35.

The high concentration of salt in seawater means that when we drink it, our kidneys are activated to filter and eliminate excess sodium through urine.

This means that in the end, you lose more water than you could have drunk, with the risk of dehydration that this entails.

In addition to germs and bacteria, seawater is also often contaminated by multiple compounds such as the remains of creams and sunscreens.

Factors to consider before making your trip to the Dominican Republic

Four major traits of diseases are very common for tourists visiting tropical countries, travelers with fever, travelers with diarrhea, those with respiratory problems, and finally those with skin problems.

Knowing this, you must know precisely your travel route, to which city of the Dominican Republic you are heading, tropical diseases vary depending on the area of the country that is visited.

It is very important to know also the time of the year in which you travel, if it is a rainy or dry season, in rainy times, the proliferation of mosquitoes is increased and therefore the risks of contracting a disease by mosquito bites.

What diseases are common in the Dominican Republic?

In the Dominican Republic, there are common diseases, others not so common and others prevalent, it is very important that you have a concept of all diseases and the risk of contraction even if it is minimal.

Vector-borne diseases in the Dominican Republic

The island status of the Dominican Republic, including its warm climate, makes it a target of tropical diseases, especially those transmitted by mosquito bites ( Vector-borne diseases) . This is the case with Dengue, Zika virus, Chikungunya and Malaria , which are the ones with the most cases.

Cholera and lymphatic filariasis or elephantiasis are other tropical diseases with the highest incidence in the country, for the Cholera, the cumulative incidence for this disease in the Dominican Republic is 0.22 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Filariasis is very common in the southern part of the Dominican Republic and some neighborhoods of Santo Domingo. According to the World Health Organization (WHO / PAHO) it is a human infection caused by the transmission of parasites called filarias, through mosquitoes.

Filariasis is not an epidemic disease and does not cause outbreaks of every thousand infected people one could develop the disease.

In the Dominican Republic, Dengue is endemic and It occurs with greater intensity between the months of June and October, rainy season, the dengue It is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes carrier mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti.

The infection causes influenza syndromes and sometimes evolves into a life-threatening condition, called severe dengue or hemorrhagic dengue.

Malaria is endemic in the country and the agent Causal in all cases is Plasmodium falciparum, sensitive to chloroquine treatment. The cases are recorded predominantly in the rural population (75%) and marginal urban.

Chikungunya is a virus, which when it infects people produces high fever followed by severe pain in the joints (joints), especially of the hands, knees and feet. There is also back pain, headache and pain muscle After a few days a rash may appear causing intense itching.

Chikungunya It is not an endemic disease of the Dominican Republic, As the first cases were confirmed in the municipalities of Nigua and Haina of the province of San Cristobal it is presumed that the chikungunya virus arrived through the port of Haina, which is the main commercial port of the country.

I remember that in 2014 there was a great outbreak of Chinkungunya in the Dominican Republic, everyone I know in the city including my family got sick, Fortunately, I did not get sick, from that date until today I have not witnessed again outbreaks of this disease in the country.

Zika is transmitted by the “Aedes aegypti” mosquito, which is also a vector for dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. Zika is not usually a fatal disease, but the incidence in pregnant women during the first three months of pregnancy has been linked to cases of microcephaly, Zika symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain, malaise and conjunctivitis.

Waterborne and foodborne diseases in the Dominican Republic

Traveler’s diarrhea, Gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection that manifests with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and is one of the main tourist illnesses in the Dominican Republic, the origin of gastroenteritis has two causes.

One of them is because of the changes in the diet that tourists experience when they arrive in the country, a very common and not exclusive evil of the country known as the “traveler’s diarrhea”.

The other origin that the doctors confirmed was the bad manipulation of the food that is given from the same hotels where the visitors are staying.

Hepatitis A , is usually acquired by ingestion of contaminated food or water and usually causes epidemic “outbreaks” that can affect the entire population, including children and the elderly, these being the most vulnerable and whose cases are the most complex.

Typhoid fever , a disease of permanent presence in poor populations in countries with medium, low and very low human development, the cause is to eat food or drinks contaminated with Salmonella tiphy, a microbe that affects humans.

Cholera is an infectious disease, caused by the bacterium ‘Vibrio Cholerae’. The most common form of infection is by drinking water or eating food contaminated by human feces. It is not usually transmitted from person to person.

The most important outbreaks are usually caused by sources of water contaminated by fecal waste.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that varies from the asymptomatic form, through a mild febrile condition, to a deadly fulminating form. It is transmitted by contact of the skin, (especially if it is excoriated) or of the mucous membranes, with water, moist soil or vegetation contaminated with the urine of infected animals.

Other prevalent diseases

VIH – SIDA . Well, this disease does not need much explanation. According to statistical data from the National Council for HIV and AIDS in the Dominican Republic, recently, 47.83% of new HIV-infected people are Haitian immigrants, homosexuals and transgender people represent 29.94% of the new cases while sex workers are 10.69%.

Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that affects the lungs, which is curable, It is transmitted from person to person through the air.

Frequently Asked Questions about getting sick in the Dominican Republic

Can you drink the water in the dominican republic.

In the Dominican Republic, Tap Water is not safe to drink, it is advisable to always drink bottled water, in hotels and resorts they always have bottled water in stock.

Is Zika virus in Punta Cana?

Currently, in the Dominican Republic and the Punta Cana area, there is no confirmed news of outbreaks of the Zika virus, although in the epidemiological reports of the last two years there is no case of Zika in the Dominican Republic territory, the risk of contagion is still present in some areas of the country, but in continuous descent.

Can you brush your teeth with tap water in the Dominican Republic?

Yes, you can brush your teeth with tap water in the Dominican Republic, as long as you don’t drink it, it is recommended that you brush your teeth with bottled water, bottled water is very cheap and easily accessible in hotels, resorts and stores in the Dominican Republic.

Can you eat salad in Punta Cana?

You can eat salad in Punta Cana, in hotels, resorts and restaurants where they have kitchens managed and equipped by a professional staff, where food is handled with strict food safety measures, you should be careful to consume salads in other types of establishments.

Are there poisonous animals in the Dominican Republic?

In the Dominican Republic, there are no venomous animals, at least, not poisonous enough to threaten human life, the only risk is to get some allergies from insect bites or skin breakouts.

I wrote a full and detailed article about it that you might like to read.

Are there a lot of mosquitoes in the Dominican Republic?

The Dominican Republic for being a tropical island with a warm and humid climate throughout the year is the focus of the development of a large number of mosquitoes, although mosquitoes are more frequent in the summer months, rainy and forested areas, and not all Mosquitoes are a source of diseases.

What vaccinations do you need to go to the Dominican Republic?

To travel to the Dominican Republic, it is not compulsory to get vaccinated, you will not be prevented from entering the country because you are not vaccinated, at certain times a yellow fever vaccine certificate has been required for some specific regions of Brazil and endemic areas.

What they exist are recommendations of vaccines in the general sense and vaccines depending on the special situations according to the characteristics of the trip.

Vaccines generally recommended: Hepatitis A, Tetanus-diphtheria / Tetanus-diphtheria-whooping cough, Triple Vírica.

Vaccines recommended in special situations: Hepatitis B, Influenza, Pneumococcal, Rage, Cholera, Typhoid fever.

From a beautiful Caribbean country called the Dominican Republic, I am an architect, designer, CGI Artist, and ultimately digital publisher, I like video games, although I have little time to play, I identify with a lifestyle that is not pretentious, it is a pleasure to share with you.

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Dominican Republic Announces New Safety Measures After Deaths of 11 American Tourists

• Gina Martinez @Martinezgina134

'American tourists should feel safe and secure,' an official said

Officials from the Dominican Republic gathered in New York City, along with the U.S. Ambassador, on Thursday to announce new safety measures months after 11 American tourists died in several resorts there last spring.

Javier Garcia, the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Tourism, told reporters at the Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan that these new safety measures were put in place to specifically address safety at resorts that were at the center of the coverage.

The measures introduced include reinforcing mandates that require emergency information and the availability of 911 in every guest room, and a new emergency tourist center in Bávaro in Punta Cana, where multi-lingual specialists can communicate with tourists and their families.

The Ministry of Tourism also announced that it partnered with Ecolab, a United States-based water, hygiene and energy technology lab to provide training and certification to all Department of Tourism Services and Companies inspectors.

Garcia also announced that an additional 4,000 agents have been hired for both the tourist security agency and the national police, and that 3,000 more public security cameras have been installed.

U.S Ambassador to the Dominican Republican Robin Bernstein said that an “unfounded negative campaign” contributed to a “tourism crisis” on the island, and pointedly noted that the U.S. State Department has maintained a level-two advisory to the Dominican Republic — similar to that of countries including Spain, Denmark, and Belgium.

“American tourists should feel safe and secure,” she said. “I am totally comfortable with safety level, it is one of the safest tourist destinations I have ever visited. In fact, it has now become an even safer place to come because of the initiatives.”

Bernstein also specifically addressed reports that tainted alcohol led to the deaths, noting that if there were a problem with alcohol there would be far more reports of deaths.

“If it was alcohol people would be dropping like flies,” Bernstein said. “It is not alcohol.”

Earlier this year there were multiple high-profile cases involving American tourists who died while staying in the Dominican Republic. Seven deaths have been attributed to tourists becoming ill and dying of health-related issues. The FBI is still conducting toxicology tests in three specific cases and has not yet released the results.

According to the State Department, there has been no evidence of foul play and no sign that the deaths are connected.

Before the measures were announced, Garcia took the time to lambast the news media, saying the coverage of the deaths of the American tourists was overblown and aimed to damage the Dominican Republic’s stellar reputation as a “model” tourist country.

The State Dept. confirmed that in 2018, 13 U.S. citizens died while traveling to the Dominican Republic; the number was 17 in 2017. More than 2.7 million U.S. tourists visited the island in 2017, making the island the fourth-most popular travel destination for Americans.

Garcia later said “the damage is done” from the slew of reports that focused on the island, but that Dominican Republic officials are still committed to fixing their image, with their main focus now being on the truth.

According to InSight Crime’s 2018 Homicide Round-Up , statistics show that the Dominican Republic recorded 10.4 homicides per 100,000 people –– compared to 81.4 in Venezuela, 25 in Mexico and 11.7 in Costa Rica.

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Dominican Republic travel advice

Latest updates: The Health section was updated - travel health information (Public Health Agency of Canada)

Last updated: April 15, 2024 13:01 ET

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Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, dominican republic - exercise a high degree of caution.

Exercise a high degree of caution in the Dominican Republic due to crime.

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Border closure with Haiti

The Embassy of Canada in Santo Domingo cannot help you enter the Dominican Republic from Haiti.

Crime occurs in the Dominican Republic, including violent crime, especially in major cities. However, most incidents are opportunistic crime which is the most significant threat for tourists.

Petty crime

Petty crime, including pickpocketing and bag-snatching, occurs throughout the country. Tourists are common targets for theft. Crime tends to rise during holiday periods.

Incidents occur:

• at airports
• at bus stations
• on public transportation

Theft also occurs from all-inclusive hotel rooms and from hotel room safes, as well as from cars, particularly rentals.

Drive-by robberies, where thieves on motorcycles, scooters or bicycles grab bags and other valuables from pedestrians, occur frequently. Thieves may even reach into vehicles, including taxis, stopped at red lights to steal belongings.

Theft of items from checked baggage at airports has been reported. These thefts have taken place most frequently when travellers are departing. Money and personal items have also been stolen from carry-on luggage while travellers are going through security checks. All bags are routinely X-rayed upon arrival and departure.

• Be wary of individuals who ask for directions or who try to be too helpful
• Watch out for hustlers selling various wares, particularly in Santo Domingo
• Stay at hotels or resorts with good security
• Be wary of anyone who tries to enter your room
• Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• Avoid carrying your bag slung over your shoulder
• Carry only small amounts of money and avoid showing signs of affluence
• Keep electronic devices like cellphones, tablets, laptops and cameras out of sight
• Keep car doors locked, windows up and your belongings out of sight
• Don’t pack valuables in your checked luggage
• Verify that your luggage has not been tampered with before you check in at the airport

Violent crime against foreigners, including assault, occasionally occurs. Incidents take place mainly in large cities, at night or early morning. Some have been targeted in armed robberies when travelling to the Las Américas International Airport, sometimes in taxis.

• Arrange your arrival to and departure from the Dominican Republic in daylight hours
• Use the taxi service authorized by the airport
• Avoid unmarked taxis, especially in Santo Domingo
• Keep car doors locked and windows up, especially at a traffic light
• Avoid walking alone in unpopulated areas and unpatrolled beaches after dark
• If threatened by robbers, don’t resist

Security forces are understaffed and underequipped. The police are often unable to respond in a timely manner to calls for assistance.

Criminals impersonating police officers will stop vehicles and ask foreign drivers for payment of fines for made-up offences.

Regulations require police to wear a nametag with their last name. You have the right to ask police for identification.

If Dominican police stop you for a traffic violation:

• request a traffic ticket
• don’t pay the ticket on the spot

Rogue lawyers

Rogue lawyers are a problem in tourist areas, particularly in Punta Cana.

These lawyers stand near the tourist police (CESTUR) station and try to recruit desperate foreigners, brought to the station for detention purposes, as clients. Then, they try to extort excessive amounts of money from them by offering legal representation or assistance getting out of jail.

Credit card and ATM fraud and cloning are significant concerns. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others
• use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Overseas fraud

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse.

Incidents of assault, rape and sexual aggression against foreigners have occurred, including at beach resorts. In some cases, hotel employees have been implicated.

• Exercise caution when dealing with strangers or recent acquaintances
• Be wary of rides or other invitations
• Avoid taking public transportation or walking alone at night

If you are a victim of a sexual assault or other crime, you should report it immediately to the nearest Canadian consulate or embassy.

You should also file a report with Dominican authorities. No criminal investigation is possible without a formal complaint to Dominican authorities before departing the country.

Advice for women travellers

Demonstrations and strikes

Demonstrations take place from time to time throughout the country, particularly in Santo Domingo.

Demonstrations have largely been peaceful and have not affected tourist areas, although local travel outside resorts could be affected.

Labour strikes occur frequently in the town of Higuey, near Punta Cana, and may affect hotel service.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Power outages

The power infrastructure is unreliable and lacks maintenance. Power outages are frequent although they mainly occur in poor neighbourhoods of major urban areas.

Recreational activities

Sporting and aquatic equipment may not meet Canadian safety standards.

If engaging in recreational activities:

• ensure that equipment is safe and in good condition
• ensure helmets and life jackets are available
• before undertaking extreme or eco-tourism activities, ensure that businesses offering excursions follow proper safety measures
• avoid excursions that are not offered by tour operators
• avoid participating in any water activities when you are under the influence of alcohol or other substances
• check that your travel insurance covers accidents related to recreational activities

Water safety

Coastal waters can be dangerous. Follow the instructions and warnings of local authorities.

Rescue services may not be consistent with international standards.

Water safety abroad

Road safety

The Dominican Republic has one of the highest road accident rates in the world.

Road conditions and road safety can vary greatly throughout the country. Although major highways connecting cities and tourist areas are generally in good condition, most secondary roads, are poorly maintained and poorly lit. Marked lanes are lacking. There are vehicles travelling in the wrong direction. Traffic is congested due to the significant number of trucks and motorcycles. Pedestrians don’t have the right of way, even at traffic lights.

Drivers don’t respect traffic laws. They often drive at excessive speeds, and are extremely aggressive and reckless. Drinking and driving is prevalent. Many vehicles are in poor condition and don’t have working headlights or mirrors.

Military and police road blocks are common, especially in areas near the Haitian border.

• Don’t drive after dark
• Be especially cautious if you need to drive during holiday periods, such as Christmas or Easter
• Take extra care when walking, particularly in Santo Domingo

The number of moped and scooter accidents involving tourists is increasing.

If renting a scooter or moped:

• be vigilant while driving
• avoid renting from operators who don’t provide a helmet with the rental
• avoid driving on roads in disrepair

Border with Haiti

The security environment is highly unpredictable in the border areas between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, particularly in Dajabón, with regular disturbances and incidents which can lead to violence. Emergency services are often not available near the border. 

If you choose to travel near the border with Haiti:

• exercise caution at all times
• avoid travelling at night
• monitor local media to stay informed of the current situation
• follow instructions from local authorities and security forces.

Public transportation

Private companies operate reliable buses between cities.

Avoid public buses and gua-guas – microbuses – which often don’t have doors.

Taxis are not metered. Upon arrival to the Dominican Republic, use the taxi service authorized by the airport.

During your stay:

• use hotel taxis or ride-hailing apps which are generally safe
• avoid unmarked taxis
• avoid using or renting motorcycle taxis (motoconchos)
• avoid route taxis (gua-guas or carros publicos)
• negotiate the fare prior to departure

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the authorities of the Dominican Republic. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after the date of your arrival in the Dominican Republic.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for up to 30 days Work visa: required Student visa: required Residence visa: required

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket.

Electronic ticket for entry and exit

You must complete an electronic form to enter and exit the country in order to share information about your health and your stay with local authorities.

You must fill this form before boarding your flight to the Dominican Republic. This electronic form doesn’t replace the Tourist card.

Electronic ticket for entry and exit – Government of the Dominican Republic

Tourist card

As a tourist, you must obtain a tourist card to enter the Dominican Republic. It is included in all air tickets issued outside the country.

If you enter the Dominican Republic by land or sea, you can obtain the card from the General Directorate of Internal Taxes at your point of entry. It is valid for one year from the issuance date and it can be used for a 30-day stay period.

If you overstay the duration of your tourist card, local authorities could deny you entry, on your next trip, if you don’t have the proper visa, even if you paid a fine when leaving the country.

Dominican tourist card  – Directorate general of internal taxes (in Spanish)

Stay extension

You can apply for a stay extension for a period up to 120 days. You must request your stay extension to the Dominican Directorate General for Migration once you are in Dominican Republic, before your tourist card expires.

If you wish to stay in the Dominican Republic for more than 120 days, you must obtain a resident visa from the Dominican authorities in Canada prior to your departure.   

If you overstay the period for which you have been authorized to stay, you will have to pay fine to immigration authorities when leaving the country.  You may also need to apply for a visa the next time you wish to return to the Dominican Republic.

Local authorities could deny you entry in the country if you don’t have the proper visa.

Stay extension  - Dominican Directorate General for Migration

Identification

Immigration officials may conduct random ID checks.

You must carry photo identification and a copy of your entry stamp with you at all times.

• Keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place, in case it’s lost or confiscated
• Cooperate with authorities if they question you

As a foreign national, you will be required to provide biometrics to enter the Dominican Republic. For instance, authorities will take your fingerprints and a photograph.

Drug screening

The Dominican Republic is actively working to fight drug trafficking.

You may be subjected to drug screening measures by authorities upon departure from the country. They may search your luggage and ask you to sign a form, in Spanish, stating that the search was performed within procedural requirements.

In some cases, they may ask you to undergo an X-ray.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Zika virus: Advice for travellers - 31 August, 2023
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024
• Dengue: Advice for travellers - 8 April, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Yellow fever  is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito. Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is required if arriving from some states in Brazil, including travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in those same states.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada * It is important to note that  country entry requirements  may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest  diplomatic or consular office  of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Malaria  is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.   There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this destination. 

Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times:  • Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.  • Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows. • Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.  • Wear permethrin-treated clothing.    If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

In this destination, rabies is commonly carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. In this destination, rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.  

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Cholera is a risk in parts of this country. Most travellers are at very low risk.

To protect against cholera, all travellers should practise safe food and water precautions .

Travellers at higher risk of getting cholera include those:

• visiting, working or living in areas with limited access to safe food, water and proper sanitation
• visiting areas where outbreaks are occurring

Vaccination may be recommended for high-risk travellers, and should be discussed with a health care professional.

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Salmonellosis is a common illness among travellers to this country. It can be spread through contaminated food or beverages, such as raw or undercooked poultry and eggs, as well as fruits or vegetables.

Practice safe food and water precautions . This includes only eating food that is properly cooked and still hot when served.

Pregnant women, children under 5 years of age, those over 60 years of age, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill.

Most people recover on their own without medical treatment and from proper rehydration (drinking lots of fluids).

• Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Travellers with severe symptoms should consult a health care professional as soon as possible.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

• In this country,   dengue  is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Zika virus is a risk in this country. 

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be sexually transmitted. Zika virus can cause serious birth defects.

During your trip:

• Prevent mosquito bites at all times.
• Use condoms correctly or avoid sexual contact, particularly if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should discuss the potential risks of travelling to this destination with your health care provider. You may choose to avoid or postpone travel. 

For more information, see Zika virus: Pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)   is a virus that attacks and impairs the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). 

High risk activities include anything which puts you in contact with blood or body fluids, such as unprotected sex and exposure to unsterilized needles for medications or other substances (for example, steroids and drugs), tattooing, body-piercing or acupuncture.

Medical services and facilities

Quality of care varies greatly throughout the country. Good health care is generally available only in major cities.

Private hospitals and clinics are better equipped than public ones. However, there are reports of overcharging for medical services, variable pricing and unnecessary overnight hospital stays at private facilities.

Beware of aggressive sales tactics of in-house resort doctors, who are often contracted out by private hospitals and try to sell you on their facility.

If you go to the hospital:

• inquire about fees prior to undergoing treatment
• let the hospital administrators know if you feel you have been overcharged after a visit
• request assistance in English or French from the hospital’s guest services desk

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Medical tourism

Canadian citizens have had serious health complications following cosmetic or other elective surgeries abroad.

Before leaving for a medical travel:

• make sure you have done your research
• use reputable health-care providers only

Receiving medical care outside Canada

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

In accordance with Dominican law, a person detained or arrested by the authorities may be held without charges for up to 48 hours before the case is presented to a judge.

Judicial processes may last several years during which accused individuals are normally detained. It could lead to very long prison sentences in harsh conditions.

Overview of the criminal law system in the Dominican Republic

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and heavy fines.

The island is used as a drug trafficking hub between South and North America.

The authorities are enforcing strict border controls. Should you be found transporting illegal substances, you will be taken into custody right away.

• Carry only your personal belongings, and don’t leave them unattended
• Don’t agree to carry packages that are not your own

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Reporting crime

Dominican law stipulates that victims of crime, including foreigners, are responsible for reporting incidents to police.

If you wish to pursue prosecution or seek compensation, you will have to retain Dominican legal counsel to file a formal complaint to the police and to pursue the case through the justice system.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in the Dominican Republic.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of the Dominican Republic, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and the Dominican Republic.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in the Dominican Republic, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Dominican court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in the Dominican Republic to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Investments

If you plan on buying property, or making other investments in the Dominican Republic, seek legal advice in Canada and in the Dominican Republic. Do so before making commitments. Related disputes could take time and be costly to resolve.

Many tourists have reported financial problems and complications involving time-share arrangements and other property investment activities.

Time-share representatives may be very persistent. They use pressure tactics and offer free tours, meals, gifts or alcoholic beverages. At the airport, they pose as tourist operators and try to force tourists to make property investments.

• Exercise caution whenever approached by time-share representatives
• Provide your credit card only if you are sure you want to make the purchase

Before purchasing a timeshare:

• gather as much information as possible
• review carefully the contract; anything not included in the contract will not be honoured
• ensure that constant vigilance of land will take place, as there have been several instances of disputed land occupation in the absence of the alleged owner
• keep copies of all correspondence

Legal representation

If you are arrested or detained in the Dominican Republic, you have the right to a lawyer, who can be present during any questioning and at any trial or hearing.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, the Dominican government can provide you with a public defender.

Marriages legally performed in the Dominican Republic are legally recognized in Canada.

If you wish to marry in the Dominican Republic, you should consult the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Canada for information on documents and procedures.

• Foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in Canada
• Marriage overseas factsheet

If you are involved in a road accident, you may be detained by police until the circumstances of the accident have been investigated.

You must carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

The currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican peso (DOP).

U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Canadian dollars are not.

Hurricane season

Hurricanes usually occur from mid-May to the end of November. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major hurricanes.

These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.

If you decide to travel to a coastal area during the hurricane season:

• know that you expose yourself to serious safety risks
• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities
• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad
• Active storm tracking and hurricane watches and warnings  - United States’ National Hurricane Center

Seismic activity

The Dominican Republic is located in an active seismic zone. Tremors occur from time to time.

Emergency operations centre  - Dominican Republic government (in Spanish)

Local services

In case of emergency, dial 911.

Tourist police

The tourist police (CESTUR) provide a security presence in tourist areas and first response assistance to tourists.

If in tourist areas, contact CESTUR: 1 809 200 3500

Road assistance

Free road assistance is offered on all major toll highways 24 hours a day.

Dial 1 829 688 1000.

Consular assistance

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to the Dominican Republic, in Santo Domingo, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

• Patient Care & Health Information
• Diseases & Conditions
• Traveler's diarrhea

Gastrointestinal tract

Your digestive tract stretches from your mouth to your anus. It includes the organs necessary to digest food, absorb nutrients and process waste.

Traveler's diarrhea is a digestive tract disorder that commonly causes loose stools and stomach cramps. It's caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Fortunately, traveler's diarrhea usually isn't serious in most people — it's just unpleasant.

When you visit a place where the climate or sanitary practices are different from yours at home, you have an increased risk of developing traveler's diarrhea.

To reduce your risk of traveler's diarrhea, be careful about what you eat and drink while traveling. If you do develop traveler's diarrhea, chances are it will go away without treatment. However, it's a good idea to have doctor-approved medicines with you when you travel to high-risk areas. This way, you'll be prepared in case diarrhea gets severe or won't go away.

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Traveler's diarrhea may begin suddenly during your trip or shortly after you return home. Most people improve within 1 to 2 days without treatment and recover completely within a week. However, you can have multiple episodes of traveler's diarrhea during one trip.

The most common symptoms of traveler's diarrhea are:

• Suddenly passing three or more looser watery stools a day.
• An urgent need to pass stool.
• Stomach cramps.

Sometimes, people experience moderate to severe dehydration, ongoing vomiting, a high fever, bloody stools, or severe pain in the belly or rectum. If you or your child experiences any of these symptoms or if the diarrhea lasts longer than a few days, it's time to see a health care professional.

When to see a doctor

Traveler's diarrhea usually goes away on its own within several days. Symptoms may last longer and be more severe if it's caused by certain bacteria or parasites. In such cases, you may need prescription medicines to help you get better.

If you're an adult, see your doctor if:

• Your diarrhea lasts beyond two days.
• You become dehydrated.
• You have severe stomach or rectal pain.
• You have bloody or black stools.
• You have a fever above 102 F (39 C).

While traveling internationally, a local embassy or consulate may be able to help you find a well-regarded medical professional who speaks your language.

Be especially cautious with children because traveler's diarrhea can cause severe dehydration in a short time. Call a doctor if your child is sick and has any of the following symptoms:

• Ongoing vomiting.
• A fever of 102 F (39 C) or more.
• Bloody stools or severe diarrhea.
• Dry mouth or crying without tears.
• Signs of being unusually sleepy, drowsy or unresponsive.
• Decreased volume of urine, including fewer wet diapers in infants.

It's possible that traveler's diarrhea may stem from the stress of traveling or a change in diet. But usually infectious agents — such as bacteria, viruses or parasites — are to blame. You typically develop traveler's diarrhea after ingesting food or water contaminated with organisms from feces.

So why aren't natives of high-risk countries affected in the same way? Often their bodies have become used to the bacteria and have developed immunity to them.

Risk factors

Each year millions of international travelers experience traveler's diarrhea. High-risk destinations for traveler's diarrhea include areas of:

• Central America.
• South America.
• South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Traveling to Eastern Europe, South Africa, Central and East Asia, the Middle East, and a few Caribbean islands also poses some risk. However, your risk of traveler's diarrhea is generally low in Northern and Western Europe, Japan, Canada, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

Your chances of getting traveler's diarrhea are mostly determined by your destination. But certain groups of people have a greater risk of developing the condition. These include:

• Young adults. The condition is slightly more common in young adult tourists. Though the reasons why aren't clear, it's possible that young adults lack acquired immunity. They may also be more adventurous than older people in their travels and dietary choices, or they may be less careful about avoiding contaminated foods.
• People with weakened immune systems. A weakened immune system due to an underlying illness or immune-suppressing medicines such as corticosteroids increases risk of infections.
• People with diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, or severe kidney, liver or heart disease. These conditions can leave you more prone to infection or increase your risk of a more-severe infection.
• People who take acid blockers or antacids. Acid in the stomach tends to destroy organisms, so a reduction in stomach acid may leave more opportunity for bacterial survival.
• People who travel during certain seasons. The risk of traveler's diarrhea varies by season in certain parts of the world. For example, risk is highest in South Asia during the hot months just before the monsoons.

Complications

Because you lose vital fluids, salts and minerals during a bout with traveler's diarrhea, you may become dehydrated, especially during the summer months. Dehydration is especially dangerous for children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Dehydration caused by diarrhea can cause serious complications, including organ damage, shock or coma. Symptoms of dehydration include a very dry mouth, intense thirst, little or no urination, dizziness, or extreme weakness.

Watch what you eat

The general rule of thumb when traveling to another country is this: Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it. But it's still possible to get sick even if you follow these rules.

Other tips that may help decrease your risk of getting sick include:

• Don't consume food from street vendors.
• Don't consume unpasteurized milk and dairy products, including ice cream.
• Don't eat raw or undercooked meat, fish and shellfish.
• Don't eat moist food at room temperature, such as sauces and buffet offerings.
• Eat foods that are well cooked and served hot.
• Stick to fruits and vegetables that you can peel yourself, such as bananas, oranges and avocados. Stay away from salads and from fruits you can't peel, such as grapes and berries.
• Be aware that alcohol in a drink won't keep you safe from contaminated water or ice.

Don't drink the water

When visiting high-risk areas, keep the following tips in mind:

• Don't drink unsterilized water — from tap, well or stream. If you need to consume local water, boil it for three minutes. Let the water cool naturally and store it in a clean covered container.
• Don't use locally made ice cubes or drink mixed fruit juices made with tap water.
• Beware of sliced fruit that may have been washed in contaminated water.
• Use bottled or boiled water to mix baby formula.
• Order hot beverages, such as coffee or tea, and make sure they're steaming hot.
• Feel free to drink canned or bottled drinks in their original containers — including water, carbonated beverages, beer or wine — as long as you break the seals on the containers yourself. Wipe off any can or bottle before drinking or pouring.
• Use bottled water to brush your teeth.
• Don't swim in water that may be contaminated.
• Keep your mouth closed while showering.

If it's not possible to buy bottled water or boil your water, bring some means to purify water. Consider a water-filter pump with a microstrainer filter that can filter out small microorganisms.

You also can chemically disinfect water with iodine or chlorine. Iodine tends to be more effective, but is best reserved for short trips, as too much iodine can be harmful to your system. You can purchase water-disinfecting tablets containing chlorine, iodine tablets or crystals, or other disinfecting agents at camping stores and pharmacies. Be sure to follow the directions on the package.

Follow additional tips

Here are other ways to reduce your risk of traveler's diarrhea:

• Make sure dishes and utensils are clean and dry before using them.
• Wash your hands often and always before eating. If washing isn't possible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands before eating.
• Seek out food items that require little handling in preparation.
• Keep children from putting things — including their dirty hands — in their mouths. If possible, keep infants from crawling on dirty floors.
• Tie a colored ribbon around the bathroom faucet to remind you not to drink — or brush your teeth with — tap water.

Other preventive measures

Public health experts generally don't recommend taking antibiotics to prevent traveler's diarrhea, because doing so can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Antibiotics provide no protection against viruses and parasites, but they can give travelers a false sense of security about the risks of consuming local foods and beverages. They also can cause unpleasant side effects, such as skin rashes, skin reactions to the sun and vaginal yeast infections.

As a preventive measure, some doctors suggest taking bismuth subsalicylate, which has been shown to decrease the likelihood of diarrhea. However, don't take this medicine for longer than three weeks, and don't take it at all if you're pregnant or allergic to aspirin. Talk to your doctor before taking bismuth subsalicylate if you're taking certain medicines, such as anticoagulants.

Common harmless side effects of bismuth subsalicylate include a black-colored tongue and dark stools. In some cases, it can cause constipation, nausea and, rarely, ringing in your ears, called tinnitus.

• Feldman M, et al., eds. Infectious enteritis and proctocolitis. In: Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 25, 2021.
• LaRocque R, et al. Travelers' diarrhea: Microbiology, epidemiology, and prevention. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 26, 2021.
• Ferri FF. Traveler diarrhea. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2023. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 28, 2023.
• Diarrhea. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea. Accessed April 27, 2023.
• Travelers' diarrhea. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/preparing-international-travelers/travelers-diarrhea. Accessed April 28, 2023.
• LaRocque R, et al. Travelers' diarrhea: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 26, 2021.
• Khanna S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. May 29, 2021.
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17 seemingly suspicious cases of tourists getting sick, assaulted, and dying in the Dominican Republic since June 2018

• At least 13 US tourists have died while staying at all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic since June 2018, a State Department official confirmed to CNN.
• Several other US tourists have alleged they were poisoned at a Dominican Republic resort, and one woman alleged she was brutally attacked at a Punta Cana resort in January. Police are still investigating.
• In a non-suspicious incident, Portia Ravenelle and Orlando Moore, of New York, died in a car crash in March while driving to the airport.

Here's a closer look at each of the deaths and other cases of tourists getting sick or assaulted in the Dominican Republic in the past year.

• Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories .

At least 13 Americans have died in the Dominican Republic under suspicious circumstances since June 2018 — and several other tourists claim they were poisoned or attacked in the country.

The State Department has confirmed the deaths of several US tourists who have died while staying at all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic since June 2018. Most of them died from heart attacks, pulmonary edemas, or other apparent natural causes.

Three tourists all died of respiratory failure while staying at Bahia Principe hotel at the Playa Nueva Romana resort in La Romana, about 50 miles west of Punta Cana, in May. Another woman died at a hotel in the same resort chain last June, her family told NBC 10 , and several other tourists have said they were poisoned by drinks at the same resort chain.

At the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino resort in Punta Cana, two men died in separate incidents in April 2019 and June 2018. There are now reports of US tourist deaths at other Dominican Republic resorts, as well.

Additionally, a Delaware woman alleged she was brutally attacked at another Dominican Republic hotel. Police said they are investigating her claims, though have said there are inconsistencies in the case.

Read more: Dominican Republic police are questioning a Delaware woman's story about being brutally attacked at a resort

The country is a popular vacation destination, with over 6 million tourists visiting the white sand beaches, tropical rainforests, and all-inclusive resorts every year.

In 2018, 13 Americans died in the Dominican Republic. Four of the deaths were the results of drownings, four were auto accidents, two were homicides, one was suicide, and one was an undisclosed accident, the US State Department reported.

The US State Department told INSIDER that it doesn't publish data regarding natural deaths abroad, but said there has not been "an uptick in the number of US citizen deaths reported" in the Dominican Republic compared to previous years.

All of this year's incidents appear to be unrelated. And while tourism is crucial to the region, the recent deaths have raised concerns among visitors .

Tracy Jerome Jester Jr., of Forsyth, Georgia, reportedly died from respiratory issues

Tracy Jerome Jester Jr., of Forsyth, Georgia, died while vacationing in the Dominican Republic with his sister on March 17 . His family just started speaking to the press about his death in July.

Jester's mother, Melody Moore, told ABC News that this cause of death was listed as "respiratory illness."

It is unclear where the 31-year-old was staying on the island when he died, but Moore said her son had been out sightseeing on the day before his death.

Moore told  WSB-TV that she spoke with him the night before and Jester had made a remark about drinking soda that didn't taste right.

The next morning, Moore says she got a call from her daughter who said Jester "just dropped to his knees and started throwing up blood."

Jester's sister said her brother had lupus, but it's unclear whether the autoimmune disease played a role in his death.

A US State Department spokesperson confirmed to ABC News that a US citizen died in March.

Khalid Adkins, 46, of Denver, Colorado, died after being deemed too ill to fly home.

Khalid Adkins , 46, of Denver, died on June 25 after being hospitalized in Santo Domingo, his sister-in-law, Marla Strick, told FOX Denver .

A State Department spokesperson confirmed to CBS News that a US citizen died in the Dominican Republic on June 25.

Strick said Adkins attempted to fly back to the United States over the weekend, but was dripping with sweat when he boarded the plane, and he vomited in the plane's bathroom. He was forced to disembark.

"They transferred him to Santo Domingo and [said] that his breathing is really bad and that his kidneys were failing," she told FOX Denver.

His daughter Mia Adkins, wrote on her Facebook page that she had been in the Dominican Republic with her father, and the day after she left, he "got super sick."

Relatives told the New York Daily News that they're still waiting on a cause of death.

His family has launched a GoFundMe to pay for the costs of bringing his body back to the United States.

Joseph Allen, 55, was found dead in his hotel room near Puerto Plata in June.

Joseph Allen, a 55-year-old from New Jersey, was found dead on June 13 in his room at the Terra Linda Resort in Sosua, on the north side of the island, about 15 miles east of Puerto Plata.

Allen's family said he was celebrating a friend's birthday in the Dominican Republic when he died, according to NBC News .

His brother, Jason Allen, said Joseph had complained to friends about the heat and went to lie down in his room before his death.

"The maid opens the door, screams, slams the door. My brother is on the floor dead, between his room and the bathroom," Jason Allen told NBC New York .

Jason Allen said he wants his brother's death investigated.

"I'd rather not guess because you will drive yourself crazy with that, but I do think something is off and I think it needs to be investigated no matter how much money or how much time it is," he said.

Joseph Allen leaves behind his 23-year-old son. 

Terrence Richmond, 56, collapsed and fell during a hike near Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. His mother was told he died of a heart attack.

Terrence Richmond , 56, collapsed, fell, and died during a hike near Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, on August 29, 2018, CBS Baltimore reported . The Bronx teacher was on vacation when he died, though it's unclear where he was staying.

His mother, Annette Wedington, said she was told her son died of a heart attack, but she believes there was a struggle before his death.

"He was beaten because his knuckles were bruised all up," Wedington, from Baltimore, Maryland, said. "He had a fractured skull and he had a bruise on his back like he had been kicked."

She said that while officials told her Richmond died of a heart attack, an autopsy she obtained from the Dominican Republic's National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) showed he had fluid in his lungs and a cracked skull.

INSIDER has contacted the Dominican Republic's Attorney General's Office for comment.

Leyla Cox, 53, died at a resort in Punta Cana in June.

Leyla Cox , from New Brighton, New York, on Staten Island, died on June 10 while staying at the Excellence resort in Punta Cana, her son, Will, told NBC News .

Will Cox told the Staten Island Advance that his mother traveled to the Dominican Republic on June 5 and was expected to return on June 12.

She died one day after celebrating her 53rd birthday, and her body was found in her hotel room.

Will Cox said that US Embassy officials told him his mother died of a heart attack, but amid news of other deaths, he is considering the death suspicious.

"I have a right to be suspicious," he told the Advance. "With everything going on in the news right now, we think she's a casualty of what's been happening."

Robert Bell Wallace died after consuming a drink from his hotel minibar in April.

Robert Bell Wallace , 67, of California, died in the Dominican Republic in April 2019.

His relatives told Fox News he had fallen ill after having a drink from his hotel room minibar at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino resort in Punta Cana while in the country for his stepson's wedding.

Wallace's niece, Chloe Arnold, told Fox News that Wallace was in relatively good health before his trip.

"He was fine," Arnold said. "He and his wife arrived there at around midnight on April 10. On April 11 he had scotch from the minibar. He started feeling very sick, he had blood in his urine and stool right afterward."

She said Wallace was hospitalized on April 13 and died on April 14. Dominican Republic officials have not given the family a cause of death, Arnold said.

—DogWhisperer (@cannotrunfast) June 10, 2019

David Harrison, 45, died after falling ill at the same Punta Cana resort while on vacation with his family last year.

Dawn McCoy, of Charles County in southern Maryland near Washington, DC, told INSIDER that her husband, David Harrison, died while they were vacationing at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in the beach town of Punta Cana last July .

An autopsy said the 45-year-old died of a heart attack and pulmonary edema. 

McCoy said Harrison had been in the Dominican Republic for nine days when he fell ill.

"He couldn't talk, he was unable to sit up, everything that came out was just grunting," she told INSIDER. "He was trying to talk, but nothing would come out."

She said it took a doctor 22 minutes to get to their room. The doctor told McCoy that Harrison still had a faint pulse, but McCoy told INSIDER she now questions whether that was true.

Harrison was taken to the hospital, where McCoy said she waited two hours to speak with anyone and didn't observe any doctors evaluating her husband in a nearby curtained room.

She said she was finally approached by a funeral director, who told her Harrison was dead.

McCoy did not opt for a second autopsy when she got back to the United States but says she now wishes she had. His body was cremated, according to WUSA .

Jerry Curran, 78, died in January while at a resort in Punta Cana.

Jerry Curran, 78, died three days after checking into the Dreams resort in Punta Cana on January 22, his daughter, Kellie Brown, told WKYC .

"He went to the Dominican Republic healthy and he just never came back," Brown said.

Curran, of Bedford, Ohio, fell ill after having dinner and drinks with his wife, Janet, and friends, and was sent to the hospital after he started vomiting.

Brown recalled a family friend traveling with her father calling from the hospital.

"Your father needs surgery or he's going to die and they need $50,000 and you need to send it with a copy of your passport, the front and back of your debit card and an authorization stating that you would allow them to withdraw $50,000," Brown recalled.

Brown said she paid the money, but her father later died.

"He made it through surgery and he died about eight hours later," Brown said.

Brown said four causes of death were given: pulmonary edema, cerebral hypoxia, subdural hematoma and severe encephalitic cranial trauma.

Vittorio Caruso, 56, died in June after mysteriously falling ill while on vacation in the Dominican Republic.

A State Department official confirmed to CNN that a man from New York suddenly became ill and died while on vacation in the Dominican Republic this month, but did not offer further details on his identity or cause of death.

The man's family later identified him as Vittorio Caruso, a 56-year-old from Long Island who previously owned a pizza shop in Glen Cove with brother. 

The man's sister-in-law, Lisa Maria Caruso, told News 12 Long Island that Vittorio died on June 17 after his family initially recieved a phone call that he was sick. Moments later they received another call confirming that he had died. 

According to Fox News , Caruso was staying at the Boca Chica Resort in Santo Domingo. Lisa Marie told Fox News that he suffered from respiratory distress "after drinking something."

"We found out he was brought by ambulance to the hospital in respiratory distress after drinking something," she said. "We were told he wasn't responding to any meds he was given and died. I honestly don't know exactly what happened, as we have been told conflicting stories from different people there."

Miranda Schaup-Werner died of respiratory failure in her hotel room on May 25.

Miranda Schaup-Werner , a 41-year-old from Allentown, Pennsylvania, collapsed and died suddenly on May 25 in her room at Bahía Príncipe hotel at the Playa Nueva Romana resort in La Romana after having a drink from the minibar, a relative told Fox News .

Schaup-Werner, a psychotherapist, had checked into the hotel with her husband, Daniel Werner. They were planning on celebrating their ninth wedding anniversary.

Jay McDonald, Daniel's brother-in-law, told Fox News that Schaup-Werner had a mixed bottle of alcohol and soda from her hotel room's minibar, and less than an hour later, she collapsed.

Werner performed CPR and called for help, and when paramedics arrived, they administered an epinephrine injection in case she suffered an allergic reaction. Shortly after, Schaup-Werner was pronounced dead.

McDonald said Schaup-Werner's cause of death was listed as respiratory failure and pulmonary edema.

Edward Nathaniel Holmes and Cynthia Day are believed to have died of respiratory failure at the same resort in May.

Edward Nathaniel Holmes and Cynthia Day were found dead in their room at the Bahía Príncipe hotel at the Playa Nueva Romana resort in La Romana on May 30.

Dominican Republic police said that Holmes and Day died of respiratory failure and pulmonary edema, an abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs — just like Schaup-Werner.

Police said medication meant to treat high blood pressure were found in the room, according to CNN . There was no sign of violence.

Yvette Monique Sport reportedly died of a heart attack at another Dominican hotel in the Bahia Principe chain.

Yvette Monique Sport, 51, of Glenside, Pennsylvania, died at a Bahia Principe hotel in Punta Cana in June 2018, according to Fox29 .

Her death certificate said her cause of death was a heart attack, Sport's sister, Felecia Nieves, told the local network.

Nieves said Sport took a drink from her hotel room mini bar, went to bed, and never woke up.

"We were promised within three months that we would receive a toxicology report to this day, which is almost a year now we've got nothing," Nieves said.

A woman alleged she vomited blood after drinking what she believed to be a soda from her hotel room’s minibar.

Awilda Montes , a 43-year-old woman from Queens, New York, alleged she vomited blood after drinking what she believed was a 7-Up from her hotel room minibar at the Bahía Príncipe on October 25, 2018.

"I was miserable," she told the New York Daily News . "I was vomiting. I had stomach pains. The chemical burns were all over. I still don't have sensation in my tongue."

Montes said she told hotel staff about what happened and they offered her a couples massage and dinner.

She said they also wanted her to sign a non-disclosure agreement. She did not accept the offer.

A Colorado couple allege they were poisoned at the Dominican Republic resort where three people have died.

Kaylynn Knull told The Denver Channel that she and her boyfriend were poisoned at the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana in June 2018.

She said their room at the resort had a strong chemical smell, as if "somebody had dumped paint everywhere."

"We were drooling excessively. My eyes would not stop watering," she told the local ABC affiliate.

Knull said they changed rooms, but woke up the next morning soaked in sweat.

They cut their trip short and flew home to Colorado, where a doctor determined they had likely been exposed to organophosphate poisoning, meaning they had probably been exposed to pesticides.

"I was having the worst intestinal cramping I have ever experienced. It felt like a chainsaw going through my gut," Knull told The Denver Channel.

A Delaware woman alleged she was attacked at a Dominican Republic resort in January.

Tammy Lawrence-Daley , 51, alleged in a Facebook post that she was attacked the all-inclusive Majestic Elegance resort in Punta Cana while she was vacationing her her husband and friends in January.

She said was attacked in an hours-long assault by a man wearing a resort uniform after she had stepped out of her room to find a late-night snack.

Dominican Republic national police chief spokesman Col. Frank Durán told CBS News  that officials are still investigating her claims, and say they have found inconsistencies.

Punta Cana Tourism Police spokesman Ramón Brito  told NBC Philadelphia  that investigators found "incongruencies" and "discrepancies" in statements made by Lawrence-Daley's husband, Christopher Daley.

Daley has accused local authorities of mishandling the investigation and delaying the administration of a rape kit.

"Shark Tank" host and real estate investor Barbara Corcoran's brother John was found dead of an apparent heart attack in a Dominican Republic hotel room in April. She said he had an existing heart condition.

"Shark Tank" judge Barbara Corcoran revealed her brother died of an apparent heart attack in April while staying at a hotel in the Dominican Republic.

Corcoran, 70, told  TMZ that her 60-year-old brother, John , who lived in New Jersey, was on vacation with a friend when he died. It is unclear what hotel he was staying at.

Corcoran, who has nine siblings, said she doesn't believe an autopsy was performed but was told he died from a heart attack.

She posted a statement on Instagram about John's death , saying that he had an 'existing heart condition."

"We believe he died of natural causes, but you're still never ready for the death of a loved one," she said. "I'm overwhelmed with sadness for the lost lives in the DR and my thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones."

Portia Ravenelle and Orlando Moore crashed their car into the ocean on March 27. Their deaths are not suspicious.

While their deaths are not suspicious, Portia Ravenelle, 52, and Orlando Moore, 40, are two other Americans who died in the Dominican Republic this year.

They were reported missing after they missed their flight from the Dominican Republic to Newark, New Jersey, on March 27.

Police found a car that matched the couple's rental crashed at the bottom of the sea in April.

Officials had previously found an unidentified woman believed to be Ravenelle injured on the highway near where the car was later found. She was admitted to the hospital and died on April 4.

Dominican Republic national police chief spokesman Col. Frank Félix Durán Mejia told CBS News that a decomposed body was found on March 31, about 19 miles from the accident scene. Police believe the body was Moore's.

Roads in the Dominican Republic are notoriously dangerous, dark, and close to the sea, according to the Rockland Westchester Journal News .

The US State Department alerted drivers to be safe on Dominican Republic roads in its 2018 Crime and Safety Report .

"Travel at night on intercity highways and in rural areas can be highly dangerous and is not advised due to animals on the road, poor road conditions and vehicles being driven at either very slow or excessive speeds, often with malfunctioning headlights or taillights," the report read.

The Dominican Republic is on an “increased caution” travel advisory.

The US State Department currently rates the Dominican Republic at a level 2 out of 4 on its Travel Advisory system, meaning visitors should "exercise increased caution."

It has held the 2 rating since the beginning of 2019.

An advisory from the State Department issued in April said: "Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault is a concern throughout the Dominican Republic."

It added: "The wide availability of weapons, the use and trade of illicit drugs, and a weak criminal justice system contribute to the high level of criminality on the broader scale."

The Dominican Republic is also ranked fifth worst in the world for road deaths for capita, according to the World Health Organization's Global Status report.

• An Instagram influencer says she regrets not being fully honest about her Dominican Republic travels as the country faces scrutiny over recent tourist deaths
• The CDC and international health authorities are conducting tests at Dominican Republic resorts where tourists are falling ill and dying
• Here's what travelers can do to stay safe in the Dominican Republic

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Accusation that immigration agent raped Haitian girl sparks outrage in Dominican Republic

T he immigration agent appeared at the house in a popular tourist haven in the eastern Dominican Republic at the crack of dawn. After inviting himself in, he asked the 14-year-old Haitian girl if her parents were home.

She replied that they were out working. The officer told her she was pretty and asked for a kiss, the girl said in a video account provided to the Miami Herald. The teen, whose face is blurred in the footage, said she rebuffed his request and he left. Soon after, she said, the agent returned to the house, removed her clothes and forced himself on her.

Asked in the video if the immigration agent had raped her, the girl, in soft-spoken Spanish said, “yes.”

The rape accusation by a Haitian minor has ignited a furor in the Dominican Republic, where for the second time in less than a year a Haitian migrant is accusing a Dominican immigration agent of sexual assault. In September, authorities arrested an immigration agent accused of raping a Haitian woman in front of her 4-year-old son after she was detained at the international airport in Santo Domingo. The woman was on her way to Nicaragua and was placed in a detention cell, where the alleged assault occurred.

Dominican authorities, responding swiftly to the latest incident, are investigating the rape accusation. The alleged assault is said to have taken place April 5 in Bávaro, a beach resort near the famous Punta Cana tourist area. The Dominican Republic and Haiti share the island of Hispaniola.

The General Directorate of Immigration said it is questioning agents who participated in immigration raids on the day in question. Julio Caraballo, the agency’s communications director, told the Herald Friday that the agency does not have records of an operation taking place at the time frame the 14-year-old girl she was assaulted. Under Dominican law, immigration raids take place between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. unless a judge orders an exception, he said.

“If an investigation determines that it was an immigration inspector, he will be suspended and turned over to the justice system,” Caraballo said.

Homero Figueroa, spokesman for Dominican President Luis Abinader, said Friday the government “energetically rejects any act that violates human rights and threatens the integrity of people in our territory, regardless of their nationality or condition.”

“This act will not go unpunished... Respect for the rights of all national or foreign inhabitants of the Dominican Republic must be an absolute priority,” a government statement said.

The immigration agency’s director, Venancio Alcántara, met with a prosecutor investigating the case and said if an immigration officer committed the assault, there “will be no mercy.”

The Dominican Republic has come under increased scrutiny for its treatment of Haitian migrants, and the Abinader administration has been accused of systematically violating their human rights.

Both Haitian and Dominican activists denounced the latest incident and said authorities need to go further. Edwin Paraison, a former consul of Haiti in the Dominican Republic and executive director of Zile Foundation, which fosters friendship between the two nations, said the group wants to see human-rights training for immigration officers, police and anyone who comes in contact with migrants.

“We recognize that in this latest case involving a minor, the Dominican Republic reacted quickly,” he said. “At the same time, it’s important for [immigration agents] to have human rights training to prevent these kinds of grave incidents.”

‘Justice for my daughter’

The incident was reported by the young girl’s mother, who filed a complaint. A police report obtained by the Herald says the teen is a student and has a 7th grade education. The mother said the incident took place around 5 a.m. at their home.

“Someone dressed as a guard wearing a hood entered our residence and once there grabbed my daughter by the neck and asked her for a kiss,” the mother said. “She replied she was a minor…he tore her dress and removed her shorts and sexually violated her without her consent and without protection.”

The mother provided police explicit details of the incident.

The mother has been accompanied throughout the process by Santiago Molina, a Dominican human-rights activist. He said that after the rape, the officer took off after hearing the voices of neighbors. Molina, who has launched a campaign to get justice for the family, said Haitians in the Dominican Republic who face abuses “are afraid of immigration, afraid of the police, afraid of the government. They live constantly in fear” .

“This lady said, ‘I want justice for my daughter’,” he said about the mother. “And I said, ‘I’m going to accompany you to the public ministry and we’re going to take this to its ultimate consequences.’”

Molina said the incident occurred while immigration officials were conducting a search in a neighborhood where many Haitians live. The perpetrator, he said, threatened the girl to keep her quiet and later took her into custody in a detention center for Haitian migrants in Benerito, a town far away near La Romana, another tourist hotspot.

Molina said the incident is not an isolated case in the eastern Dominican Republic, where he lives and advocates for human rights and better treatment of Haitians. He said he has spoken with at least one other Haitian woman who said she was sexually assaulted by immigration officials about eight months ago. Molina said victims don’t speak up because they are often undocumented and afraid the goverment will deport them back to Haiti.

The case comes at a time where anti-Haitian sentiment in the Dominican Republic is being pushed by right-wing factions that largely support Abinader, who will be up for re-election later this year.

Abinader has positioned himself as a friend of Haiti on the international stage, pushing for more attention to the country’s security crisis while pleading for the deployment of an international security force to help the Haitian police battle gangs. But he has also been accused of antagonizing Haitians with his hardline immigration stance.

Last year, the Dominican Republic deported more than 250,000 Haitians, including those in need of asylum, Amnesty International has said.

©2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Paradise Found: Unveiling Unique Tourism Offerings of the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is like a mini continent. Each travel destination offers a completely different experience thanks to the variety of landscapes. Besides, its great air connectivity makes it easy to get to and its many highways make it easy to travel from one destination to the other.

Santo Domingo combines rich history, cosmopolitan environment, natural environment, culture, an interesting nightlife, activities of all kinds, and irresistible gastronomy, making it an ideal destination to combine work and pleasure in a perfect balance. Its Colonial City is the first European settlement in the Americas and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

  Punta Cana has the busiest airport and the largest hotel inventory in the country. Its 30 miles of white-sand beach is filled with palm trees. Whether you like, golfing, snorkeling, zip lining, sailing, or off-road tours to the countryside, you’ll find the right activity for you.

La Romana is a very elite destination. Golfing here is a must by the sea or by a cliff with spectacular views of the Chavón river. its turquoise water has abundant marine life, ideal for snorkeling and diving around Catalina Island. Sailing, deep-sea fishing, caving, shopping, fine dining, or attending concerts at a Grecian-style amphitheater are just some of the activities that it has to offer.

Puerto Plata is one of the most complete destinations, as it combines mountains, beach, historic colonial and Victorian-style architecture, countless natural attractions and an infrastructure that makes it easy to interact with the locals. Activities include surfing, kite surfing, windsurfing, the only cable car in the Caribbean, sailing, snorkeling, canyoning, off-road tours to the countryside, caving, and live concerts in an ocean-front amphitheater.

Samana’s landscapes look like something out of a movie. The contrast between mountains, palm tree groves, and beaches has a healing quality that makes time stand still and make you appreciate the simple things in life that make it so much greater. There is an almost inexhaustible number of beaches in a short distance and each one somehow is completely different. You can visit its astonishing waterfall, national park with a rainforest, go whale watching, sailing, zip lining, kite surfing or beach hopping. We promise you will have the time of your life!

Here we will take a closer look at the diverse tourism offerings of the Dominican Republic that make it an unforgettable experience for travelers from all walks of life.

IDYLLIC BEACHES

White-sand beaches that seem to endlessly run into the horizon, punctuated with slim coconut trees reaching the skies: it’s what the Dominican Republic is best known for. Come find your favorite spot along our 1,000-mile sandy coastline. Over 200 beaches, many of which remain uncrowded and undeveloped, line the Caribbean and the Atlantic coastlines, ranging from a brilliant white to a handful of black sand stretching southwest. To date, there are 22 beaches with the Blue Flag certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education.

Visit Punta Cana’s world-renowned 30-mile stretch, but also consider Samaná’s world-ranked beaches such as Playa Rincón. On the north coast, you’ll be spoiled for choice, from Playa Cabarete to Playa Grande, or Playa Punta Rucia. Go off the beaten track to Playa El Valle, or Playa Frontón, reached by boat. It’ll leave you speechless. Palm-studded, continuous diamond-white beaches are synonymous with Punta Cana, but the DR’s stunning beaches extend countrywide and will dazzle you.

(Photo credits Bávaro Adventure Park)

The Dominican Republic, with its stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture, is not only a fantastic destination for solo travelers or couples but also an ideal place for unforgettable family adventures. From its pristine beaches to exciting outdoor activities and educational experiences, the Dominican Republic offers a wide range of family-friendly activities that cater to all ages. these activities are sure to create lasting memories for you and your loved ones.

The DR is a fantastic destination for families seeking adventure, relaxation, and cultural experiences. With its beautiful beaches, thrilling adventure parks, historical sites, water parks, and opportunities to encounter wildlife, there is something for everyone to enjoy. So, pack your bags, gather your loved ones, and embark on an unforgettable journey filled with fun-filled family activities in the breathtaking landscapes of the Dominican Republic.

THRILLING ADVENTURES

The Dominican Republic offers a plethora of thrilling adventures for adrenaline junkies and outdoor enthusiasts. With its diverse landscapes, from mountains to jungles and coastlines, this Caribbean paradise is a playground for adventure seekers. Come to explore some of the most exhilarating activities that will get your heart pumping during your adventure-filled journey in the DR.

From water sports and zip-lining to hiking, rafting, rock climbing, parasailing, off-road expeditions, and cave exploration, there is no shortage of heart-pumping adventures in this Caribbean paradise. So, gear up, embrace the adrenaline rush, and create lifelong memories as you delve into the breathtaking landscapes and exciting activities that the Dominican Republic has to offer.

TOP-NOTCH GOLF

Dominican Republic, the undisputed “it” destination for golf, is widely known as having the most magnificent golf courses in the Caribbean and Latin America. The country boasts a growing list of world-class golf courses designed by some of the game’s most acclaimed course architects, including Pete Dye, P.B. Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Gary Player, Tom Fazio, Nick Price, and Greg Norman. The country’s 27 challenging and stunning courses have helped Dominican Republic maintain the status of Golf Capital of the Caribbean.

The country has a wide variety of both inland and coastal courses, including 86 stunning sea-view holes and 39 ocean-side holes, more than any comparable destination, making it a perfect spot for golf travelers of all experience levels. Whether you are a professional golfer or a beginner, playing golf here is a unique experience.

SCRUMPTIOUS GASTRONOMY

The DR is a culinary haven that offers a tantalizing array of flavors and dishes. Influenced by a fusion of indigenous Taíno, African, and Spanish cuisines, Dominican gastronomy presents a rich tapestry of flavors, spices, and vibrant ingredients. The culinary scene of the Dominican Republic is truly remarkable from small restaurants serving simple typical Dominican food to elegant restaurants of haute cuisine specializing in a fusion of international and local dishes. 

The gastronomy of the Dominican Republic is a delightful fusion of flavors, spices, and culinary traditions. From La Bandera to fresh seafood dishes, mofongo, plantain delights, and tropical fruit indulgences, Dominican cuisine offers a diverse and mouthwatering experience for food enthusiasts. Exploring the vibrant culinary scene of the Dominican Republic is not only a journey of taste but also an opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality of this beautiful Caribbean nation. So, get ready to savor the flavors and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds delighted and your memories enriched.

A WHOLE WORLD OF WATER SPORTS

The Dominican Republic, with its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, abundant marine life, and constant trade winds is a paradise for adventure seekers and water sports enthusiasts alike. Whether you're seeking thrilling adventures, underwater exploration, or simply fun in the sun, this Caribbean gem offers an array of water sports activities that will leave you exhilarated and with unforgettable memories. Countless thrilling experiences await you.

From the famous white-sand beach of Punta Cana and picturesque Saona Island to exciting Cabarete, known as Surf and Wind City, visitors can soak up the sun, swim in turquoise waters, ride endless waves year-round and indulge in exhilarating water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving, kitesurfing, sailing and deep-sea fishing. You’ll have a deep appreciation for the wonders of the sea. Pack your gear, get ready to make a splash, and embrace the exhilarating world of water sports in this Caribbean paradise.

VIBRANT CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

The Dominican Republic offers a rich tapestry of traditions, music, dance, art, carnival, and history that make for a memorable cultural experience. It is steeped in a vibrant history that spans centuries, blending indigenous Taíno, African, and European influences. Santo Domingo’s Colonial Cit is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is filled with historic sites, museums, theaters, art galleries and gift shops.

Rich cultural experiences in DR include visiting museums and art galleries to explore artistic expressions and learn about its fascinating history; experiencing merengue and bachata firsthand, both declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO; enjoying lively carnival celebrations with colorful parades, elaborate costumes, music, and dancing; and seeing Dominicans’ true passion in action, an exciting baseball game like you’ve never seen before.

ENCHANTING WEDDINGS AND HONEYMOONS

The Dominican Republic is a dreamy destination for unforgettable weddings and honeymoons due to its stunning beaches, picturesque landscapes, romantic settings, and luxurious resorts. In the DR, you and your significant other will create memories on your special day that you will cherish forever. The start of your new life together will be just magical in a place that has it all.

No matter what type of wedding you're planning, the DR has something to offer that can be tailored-made for your specific needs. With its stunning scenery, friendly people, affordable prices, exceptional wedding services, unique souvenirs, rich cultural experience, great air connectivity and wide array of accommodations, it's no wonder that this Caribbean nation is one of the most popular wedding destinations in the world. So, are you ready to say “I Do” with a view?

COUNTLESS OPTIONS TO SHOP TILL YOU DROP

The Dominican Republic is the shopping giant of the Caribbean. Browse designer stores in Santo Domingo’s shopping malls, notably the Blue Mall and Ágora, or shop at a handful of Dominican and international boutiques in Punta Cana, and La Romana. Local arts and crafts are ubiquitous, but you will find the best selections near city centers such as in the Colonial City’s galleries, near Parque Central in Puerto Plata, among others.

Resorts and marinas offer even more options for those with limited time. Along the way, meander in colorful produce markets, present in every town and brimming with abundant fruits and vegetables. Pick up amber or larimar jewelry, cigars, chocolate, coffee, typical faceless dolls, Taíno art, or a flask of mamajuana. Shopping is a bona fide pastime in the DR. You’ll find plenty to take home, from our malls to our markets, and waterfront boutiques.

LIVELY ENTERTAINMENT AND EVENTS

(Photo credits Coco Bongo Punta Cana)

The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean’s top entertainment hub. Throughout the year several country stages are home to multiple merengue, bachata, Jazz, pop, or rock music festivals in which Dominican music excels or shares the limelight with artists of international fame. Whether you're into music, sports, film, or cultural celebrations, there is always something happening to entertain and engage visitors.

Popular entertainment options and events in the country include music festivals, golf tournaments, watersports competitions, film festivals, amazing nightlife and casinos, cultural celebrations, art exhibitions and galleries, and food festivals. One thing’s for sure: the fun never ends in the DR!

SO NOW YOU KNOW, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS COME

The Dominican Republic stands as a mesmerizing destination that encapsulates the essence of a tropical paradise. With its idyllic beaches, captivating natural wonders, rich history, vibrant culture, and delectable cuisine, it offers a diverse range of tourism offerings for travelers seeking an unforgettable experience.

Whether you're looking for relaxation, adventure, cultural immersion, or a combination of all, the Dominican Republic is sure to leave an indelible mark on your heart and soul. So, pack your bags, embrace the warmth of the Caribbean sun, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through this captivating land of wonder.

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Last update on April 16, 2024, 4:21 pm

Tourism April 15, 2024 | 3:27 pm

Dominican Republic hosts ‘Caribbean Flying Adventures 2024’

Puerto Plata, DR.- This Monday, the Dominican Republic welcomed approximately 11 aircraft carrying 40 passengers from Florida, the United States, and Canada as part of the “Caribbean Flying Adventures 2024” Fly In event. The event recognized the contributions of Víctor Pichardo, Director of the Airport Department (DA), to the sector.

Coordinated by renowned American promoter Jim Parker, the recreational aeronautical event was received at Puerto Plata’s Gregorio Luperón International Airport by a delegation from DA, led by Pichardo, along with Gen. Suárez Floreal, Director of CESAC, and representatives from the Sector Party. The event highlighted the country’s readiness for general aviation.

In his speech, Pichardo expressed gratitude for the recognition on behalf of the Airport Department, acknowledging the ongoing efforts and initiatives to promote the Dominican Republic as a welcoming destination for Non-Commercial Private Aviation. He emphasized the commitment to making the country the leading destination for such aviation, as outlined in the first Protocol for the Management of Non-Commercial Private Aviation established by President Luis Abinader through decree 259-23.

Pichardo thanked Parker for his dedication to promoting the country’s growth and assured him of the national effort supported by the President, the Ministry of Tourism, and their institution.

Parker praised the Dominican Republic’s status as the top destination for commercial visitor arrivals and commended the measures taken by the Airport Department, IDAC, and CESAC to achieve similar success in private aviation.

Following their arrival in Puerto Plata, the pilots and their companions will proceed to the Osvaldo Virgil Domestic Airport in Montecristi. Their departure from this terminal is scheduled for Thursday, April 18.

Other participants included Saúl Rodríguez from IDAC, Danilo Rosario representing Universal Aviation, and Carlos Rodolí, General Director of Gregorio Luperón International Airport, among others.

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