Santo Domingo

One year before we traveled to the Dominican Republic, we were in Cuba. Unfortunately we were a bit disappointed with Cuba. We had too high expectations regarding the Cuban lifestyle. However, when we arrived in Santo Domingo, we found the Cuba that we had searched in Cuba in vain.

All those little streets, the older generation is playing on the street, listening to Caribbean sounds and super tasty mojitos. Santo Domingo is a perfect start to continue exploring the beautiful island.

As an EU member, you only can enter with a valid passport. The passport must be valid for at least six months. If your stay is shorter than 30 days, you do not need a visa. For longer stays you should look after a visa.

If you travel to the Dominican Republic, you must definitely be vaccinated against measles. WHO has declared that omitting the vaccine as a „threat to global health“. However, no vaccinations are required when entering from Germany. If you come from countries with a yellow fever risk you have to be vaccinated against it. The standard vaccinations are definitely always recommended. It is also recommended to vaccinate against hepatitis A and B, rabies and typhoid. The Dominican Republic is warning about the Zika virus and dengue fever.

You should wear mostly light colored clothing to protect you from mosquitoes. At night you should sleep under a mosquito net. If you need medication, bring it with you from your hometown, as they are usually very expensive abroad. Watch out for water from the faucet. You should also be careful with food. During your trip you should carry a copy of you travel health insurance with you. Inform yourself before your trip about current warnings.

Typical of the Dominican Republic is, as probably throughout the Caribbean, rice and beans with meat. These are served in all variations. Plantains are also very common. And of course cocktails with a lot of rum.

In the Dominican Republic you will often travel by bus or taxi. Also popular are Guaguas and Motoconchos. These are sometimes not very comfortable but fast and inexpensive. Since Santo Domingo is not that big, you can walk most of the time. Otherwise you can take a taxi.

Hurricane season is from May to November. This can lead to tropical storms and heavy rainfall. In addition, earthquakes can occur at any time. The climate is very tropical all year round and warm, the sea is also pleasantly warm and the humidity is very high. The best time to travel to Santo Domingo is between February and April.

The national currency is the Dominican Peso (DOP). Most hotels and restaurants accept credit cards. Cash can be exchanged at bureaux de change and banks. However, do not take banknotes with too high value, the change can be rejected.

In recent years, raids have risen sharply. You should take care of your valuables and above all, do not leave your smartphone open. You should only withdraw money in protected areas and not let yourself be observed. Generally you should be very vigilant in the Dominican Republic. Inform yourself before your trip to the Foreign Office regarding warnings.