Dominican Republic
Last checked:
- Capital
- Santo Domingo
- Currency
- DOP · Dominican peso
- Languages
- Spanish
- Plugs
- Type A, B · 110-120 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Zona Colonial · Santo Domingo
First European city in the Americas: the cathedral, Alcázar de Colón and Calle Las Damas.
- Bávaro and Punta Cana beaches · Punta Cana
Long white-sand beaches lined with resorts.
- Saona Island · Bayahibe
Popular boat day trip to protected Caribbean beaches.
- Samaná Peninsula · Samaná / Las Terrenas
Humpback whale watching (roughly January to March), beaches and the El Limón waterfall.
- 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua · near Puerto Plata
Guided climbing and sliding through a series of natural waterfalls.
Getting around
Ride-hailing app
Uber
Works well in Santo Domingo and Santiago and is cheaper than taxis. In Punta Cana, local taxi groups have harassed Uber drivers and passengers at resorts and the airport, so pickups there can be difficult (varies).
Taxi
Authorised taxis
Use airport, hotel or dispatcher taxis with fixed fares agreed in advance; taxis rarely use meters. Few taxis cruise the streets in Santo Domingo.
Public transport
Santo Domingo Metro and Teleférico
Two metro lines and a cable car; pay with a rechargeable smart card. Very cheap.
Buses
Caribe Tours / Metro Tours
Comfortable air-conditioned long-distance buses between Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Samaná and other cities. Expreso Bávaro links Santo Domingo with Punta Cana.
Buses
Guaguas
Local minibuses and shared cars (carros públicos) that are cheap but crowded; most stop running at dusk.
Taxi
Motoconchos
Motorbike taxis are common but often have no helmets; UK advice is to avoid them.
Money and cash
Currency: DOP · Dominican peso
Cards work in resorts, malls and larger restaurants, but cash pesos are needed for guaguas, colmados, beach vendors and tips. US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, often at a poor rate. Use ATMs inside banks (Banco Popular, Scotiabank, BHD) and expect a fee per withdrawal. Keep your card in sight when paying because card cloning is reported.
Tipping
By law, restaurant bills include 18% ITBIS (VAT) and a 10% service charge (shown as 'ley' or 'servicio'). Many people leave about 10% extra in cash for good service. In resorts, small tips for bar staff, housekeeping and guides are common and appreciated.
| Restaurants | 10% service is already on the bill by law. An extra 5-10% in cash for good service is customary. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | In resorts, a small tip (US$1-2 or RD$50-100) per round is common even when drinks are included. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Not expected; fares are agreed in advance. |
| Hotels | US$1-2 per bag for porters and a few dollars per day for housekeeping, including at all-inclusives. |
| Tours and guides | Around 10% or a few dollars per person for guides and boat crews. |
| Food delivery | Small cash tip or rounding up is common. |
Service charge: what’s true
Yes. Restaurants add a legal 10% service charge plus 18% ITBIS tax, so the total is about 28% above menu prices unless prices say taxes are included. It is listed separately on the bill (often as '10% ley'). It is meant to be shared among staff; card tips and the service charge may not all reach your server, which is why many people add a small cash tip directly.
Pressure tactics to watch for
Bills already include the 10% service, but card machines or tip lines may still invite another tip, and staff in tourist areas may ask for more in US dollars. Choose the amount yourself; a cash tip of about 10% directly to the server is customary but optional.
Useful phrases
- La cuenta, por favor. The bill, please.
- ¿El servicio está incluido? Is service included?
Etiquette
- Greet people with 'Buenos días' or 'Buenas tardes' before asking for anything.
- Trying a little Spanish is appreciated outside resorts.
- Avoid conversations about Haiti and race; they are sensitive topics.
- Dress modestly in churches and in towns; swimwear is for the beach and pool.
- Bargaining is normal with beach vendors and at markets, not in shops with marked prices.
- Dominican time is relaxed; service can be slow.
Scams and how to handle them
Motorbike bag and phone snatching
Where: Santo Domingo streets, also cars stopped at traffic lights
How it works: Thieves on motorbikes grab bags and phones from pedestrians or reach into car windows.
How to avoid it: Keep bags on the side away from the road, phones out of sight, and car windows closed in traffic.
Card cloning
Where: Shops, restaurants and ATMs
How it works: Cards taken out of sight are copied and used later.
How to avoid it: Keep your card visible when paying, use bank ATMs, or pay cash.
Unofficial guides
Where: Parque Colón and the Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo
How it works: People offer tours then demand high fees, or steer you to shops that pay them commission.
How to avoid it: Agree a price in advance or use licensed guides booked through hotels or tour companies.
Street money changers
Where: Tourist areas
How it works: Aggressive changers use bad rates or sleight of hand.
How to avoid it: Change money at banks or use ATMs inside banks.
Pushy beach vendors and excursion sellers
Where: Punta Cana and Bávaro beaches
How it works: Vendors approach repeatedly and sell overpriced or unlicensed excursions.
How to avoid it: Say 'No, gracias' firmly; book excursions through known operators with reviews.
Taxi overcharging
Where: Airports, resorts, Santo Domingo at night
How it works: Taxis have no meters; drivers quote high prices to tourists, and unlicensed cabs carry robbery risk.
How to avoid it: Agree the fare before getting in, use hotel or airport taxis, or Uber where it works.
Safety
- Opportunistic crime ranges from pickpocketing to armed robbery; do not show jewellery, expensive phones or large amounts of cash.
- Avoid walking alone at night, especially on poorly lit streets and beaches.
- Sexual assaults have been reported at beach resorts; do not leave drinks unattended.
- Road safety is poor; avoid driving at night and avoid motoconchos.
- Contact the tourist police (CESTUR, still widely called POLITUR) in tourist areas or call 911.
- Hurricane season runs June to November.
How widely English is spoken
Widely spoken in all-inclusive resorts and Punta Cana; limited in Santo Domingo outside hotels and rare in the countryside. Basic Spanish is very useful.
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Dominican Republic, safety and security
- Wikivoyage: Dominican Republic
- Wikivoyage: Punta Cana
- Wikivoyage: Santo Domingo
- Wikipedia: List of tipping customs by country
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.