What Not to Do in the Dominican Republic
With its legendary beaches, vibrant culture, deep ties to baseball, and warm and welcoming locals, it's clear that the Dominican Republic is one of the best vacation spots...not just in the Caribbean but in the world. Travelers from across the globe flock to this small island nation to participate in its unforgettable treasures. It's easy to get excited and want to dive right into a vacation when heading somewhere as amazing as the Dominican Republic.
However, like any destination, there are certain things that every visitor needs to keep in mind to ensure their trip is as safe and respectful as possible. Avoid these common issues, and your vacation is sure to be one to remember.
01 Don't drink the tap water
While at home, you probably have no issue with drinking tap water. After all, you know that water is relatively clean. You might even have a filter on your tap to make sure every drop is pure and free of contaminants. However, when spending time in the Dominican Republic, avoid drinking tap water whenever possible. As a stranger to the country, your body is simply not accustomed to the microbes present in its water, and drinking them could lead to stomach issues or diarrhea. Who has time for that when traveling in paradise? Stick to bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. If you need to, you can also boil water to make it safe.
02 Don't drive after dark
You might feel the urge to rent a car while staying in the Dominican Republic to save money on rideshare or taxi fees. This can be a smart choice but do not drive after dark. Many of the roads are poorly lit, and you may not be familiar with the road conditions or traffic patterns. It's quite common for certain areas to have missing signage, and pedestrians are known to cross without warning.
03 Don't ignore the strong sun
Above all else, you are spending time on a tropical island. The sun will be your worst enemy, even on cloudy days. Ignoring the intense island sun can quickly lead to sunburns and maybe even heatstroke. Always apply a high-SPF sunscreen before heading out for the day, and reapply it regularly during your outing. You can also utilize umbrellas, wide-brimmed hats, and breathable clothing to avoid sun damage and overheating. Don't forget to stay hydrated—as long as you're drinking bottled water.
04 Don't visit during hurricane season
From June to November, you probably want to avoid visiting this small island country. While beautiful in the summer and fall, the Dominican Republic is infamous for its hurricanes—most of which occur during these months. Not only do you face inconveniences like delayed flights and power outages, but you also risk real damage from extremely powerful storms. It's best to travel outside of hurricane season. However, if you can't do so, consider travel insurance that can help recoup some of the losses from canceled flights or damaged luggage.
05 Avoid public transportation in certain areas
If you're from the United States, you're probably used to public transportation not being the most reliable option. The same is true in many areas of the Dominican Republic. Buses and local guaguas may seem appealing thanks to their low costs, but they are often overcrowded, lack proper maintenance, and often lack any kind of regular schedule. Not to mention, you risk being overcharged by less reputable drivers.
Taxis are generally safer, but you still run the risk of getting overcharged. Rideshare apps with upfront pricing may be the most consistent way to get around the larger cities. If you do need to take public transport, always make sure to confirm the price ahead of time.
06 Don't expect everyone to speak English
Always remember that you are a visitor to the Dominican Republic. When interacting with locals, always maintain a sense of decorum and mutual respect. Part of this is remembering that not everyone will speak English. While in the major cities, you can probably get away with only a handful of Spanish phrases, but you will likely need a bit more in your repertoire to make your way in the smaller towns.
Carrying a small phrasebook or language guide can help, as can machine translation apps like Google Translate. However, remember that there may be nuances to the language that you will miss. If you do your best to speak the local language, you'll probably find that your journey in the Dominican Republic is so much more rewarding.
07 Avoid isolated or unmonitored beaches
Generally speaking, the Dominican Republic is a pretty safe country. However, there are probably areas of your home country that you would feel uncomfortable visiting, right? This also applies to this beautiful island. As tempting as they may be, avoid any isolated or unmonitored beaches. They are prime locations for thieves or other criminals to target unsuspecting travelers. And, should an emergency like drowning occur, help may be difficult to reach. Even if they might not be as appealing, stick to the known and populated beaches—maybe just visit at off-times when they're not quite so busy.
08 Don't flash expensive valuables
A common rule of thumb for traveling is to only bring things you're okay with losing. Millions of travelers lose important items to airline issues every day. Plus, the unfortunate truth is that every country has its thieves who are looking for an easy score. If you show up to a new country flashing an expensive smartwatch or maybe some pricey-looking jewelry, you risk those items getting stolen. Keep your expensive goods at home. If you do need to bring them with you, consider using a hotel safe or purchasing your own travel safe.
You'll be able to enjoy the vibrant markets and the booming nightlife of the Dominican Republic with greater peace of mind if you don't have to worry about keeping an eye on your valuables.
09 Don't stay in tourist traps only
Well-known areas like Punta Cana have so much to offer; you could fill an entire vacation and never step outside the town. However, limiting your visit to only the paths others tread means missing out on some of the best parts of the Dominican Republic. Take a step outside the tourist traps and visit the smaller towns like Jarabacoa or visit one of the many monuments to the island's legendary baseball players. Engage with the local community, and your vacation will be enriched beyond your dreams.
10 Don't haggle too aggressively
When shopping in many countries, haggling is an art form. While bargaining is a common practice in local markets and small shops, as well as public transport, never be aggressive or confrontational. Prices may be flexible, but only if you're friendly and courteous. Start with a reasonable offer and be prepared to meet halfway if the vendor comes in at a higher price. Try to familiarize yourself with local prices of items ahead of time so you have more knowledge to bargain with.
Should someone refuse to budge on the price, they should either commit to that price or simply apologize and step away. There is no need to fight or argue with anyone—especially not during your vacation.
11 Don't visit without travel insurance
Travel insurance can be a huge relief when leaving your home country, but it's more or less a necessity when visiting the Dominican Republic. Healthcare facilities in the island country may not meet your usual standards, and an unexpected medical issue could quickly become a far larger expense than you're ready for—especially if you have to be evacuated to a better-equipped facility.
Plus, the Dominican Republic often lies on the path of hurricanes that can cause substantial damage, delay or cancel flights, or cause significant injury. Having travel insurance to rely on can let you rest easy, knowing you're prepared for any unexpected situations.
12 Don't underestimate the power of Dominican coffee
Along with baseball, the Dominican Republic is famous for one other thing: coffee. This Caribbean island's rich, robust coffee packs a powerful punch that many visitors simply do not expect. If you're an avid caffeine consumer, you'll probably be fine. In fact, you might just fall in love!
However, if your typical exposure to coffee is a frozen treat from the cafe every once in a while, you might need to stick to smaller servings or choose to dilute your coffee with plenty of cream. Opt for "café con leche" (coffee with milk) or "café cortado" (a shot of espresso cut with a small amount of milk) as milder alternatives.
13 Avoid taking photos without permission
Filling up your camera reel with photos of your vacation is a time-honored tradition. After all, if you're not Snapchatting or uploading to Instagram to share your joy with your friends, are you really vacationing? Jokes aside, feel free to take plenty of photos of the scenic landscapes or other public areas. However, many locals may find photography intrusive or disrespectful. If you need to take a photo and other people are around, consider asking politely if you can take a photo ("Puedo tomar una foto?").
14 Don't forget to tip at restaurants and hotels
On the internet, you'll often run into people making fun of Americans for their tipping culture. However, while it's not as widespread as in America, tipping is a core part of many Dominican Republic services. In restaurants, leave a tip between 10 and 15 percent of your total bill. If the hotel staff helps carry your bags, consider giving them a small tip for their assistance. The same is true of housekeepers who keep your room tidy.
Also, if you use a taxi or perhaps hire a local guide, rounding up the fare or providing a small tip is courteous and appreciated.
15 Don't ignore local laws and customs
You probably think not breaking the law is the bare minimum for visiting a new country. You'd be right, but it's often not quite that easy. Many areas, including the Dominican Republic, have certain laws or customs that visitors might not know about. For example, if you visit one of the many churches or religious sites on the island, you need to wear proper attire. Dress modestly, keeping your shoulders and knees covered. When participating in local festivals or events, make sure to look up any guidelines to avoid running into problems while you're busy enjoying yourself.
16 Avoid participating in political discussions
Discussing politics is a surefire way to get into an argument with pretty much anyone, especially nowadays. It's easy to transpose your beliefs and ideologies from your home country onto the people of the Dominican Republic, but it's best to avoid engaging in any political discussions. Not only are these serious and contentious topics—inappropriate for a feel-good vacation—but political opinions vary widely no matter where you are in the world. Feel free to express interest in the country's history and culture, but keep any negative remarks or judgments to yourself.
17 Don't swim when the red flag is raised
One of the best parts of a tropical vacation is hitting the sunny beaches and diving into the crystal-clear waters. Before you do, however, you should be aware of the Dominican Republic's various beach safety indicators. Flag colors can indicate a variety of potential hazards. Green means there is low risk, and swimming is generally safe. Yellow means you can swim but stay cautious. Red means there is a serious danger, and swimming is forbidden.
These risks can be anything from powerful winds to uncontrollable riptides. You should be particularly aware of these warnings if you are alone or not a strong swimmer.
18 Don't rely solely on resort tours
Resort tours are an easy and safe way to get to know the country you're visiting. Unfortunately, they don't tend to stray far from the tourist-heavy areas you were likely already going to visit. Rather than sticking to a stuffy resort tour, do some research and find a local tour. Not only will you be supporting a local business, but you'll also be getting a much more "real" view of the Dominican Republic—such as Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial or the gorgeous buildings of Altos de Chavon.
19 Avoid petty scams
Seasoned travelers know that there are always grifters looking for an easy score on unsuspecting tourists, regardless of the country you're visiting. The Dominican Republic isn't as bad as some areas, but you still need to be on your toes to avoid petty scams. One of the most common occurs with public transport, where drivers will give you a marked-up price or find other ways to ask for money.
A trick you'll see quite often is someone saying it's their birthday and asking for a few bucks for beer. Alternatively, you'll also run into currency exchange tricks where they insist on using unfavorable rates and fees to exchange your currency. Stick to ATMs in banks or major hotels. Overpriced souvenirs are also an age-old trick.
20 Don't miss out on trying local cuisine
Perhaps the best way to learn about a new culture is to try its cuisine. The Dominican Republic is bursting with incredible food, and you do not want to miss out. You're probably familiar with street food faves like empanadas, but you definitely shouldn't skip lesser-known treats like tostones (fried green plantains.) For safety reasons, it's best to stick to busy food stalls and restaurants that are more likely to have good hygiene practices. If you don't know where to find the best cuisine, ask locals or hotel staff for some suggestions.
From stunning landscapes to captivating beaches, from the bustling nightlife to the legendary baseball stadiums, the Dominican Republic is a country of many treasures. Don't ruin your trip to this incredible island by arguing with locals or getting into an avoidable accident. Practice courteous behaviors, engage with locals in a friendly manner, stay safe, and embrace the beauty of this Caribbean gem. You will make some of the best memories of your life on this tiny island.
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