Excellent Year-Round Destination

Dominican Republic currently has eight international airports throughout the country, including:

Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) – serving the capital city of Santo Domingo, Boca Chica and Juan Dolio.
La Romana International Airport (LRM) – serving the Casa de Campo resort and Bayahibe Hotels.
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) – serving the Punta Cana/Bávaro resort región.
Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP) – serving the Puerto Plata resort region.
El Cibao International Airport (STI) – serving the city of Santiago.
El Catey International Airport (AZS) – serving the ecologically- rich Samaná Peninsula.

Airlines: Aeroflot, Air Berlin, Air Canada, Air Caraïbes, Air Europa, Air France, Air Italy, Air Transat, American Airlines, American Eagle, Avianca, British Airways, Cubana de Aviación, Condor, Copa, Delta, Gol, Iberia, Jet Air, Jet Blue, Lan, Spirit, Sunwing, Taca, United Airlines, US Airways, Venezolana, West Jet and XL Airways, among others.

The average year-round temperatures are 78° to 88° F (25° to 31° C). The cooler season is November through April, while it is warmest from May through October.

The Dominican Republic is located in the Caribbean or tropics and features warm sunny weather year-round. It is recommended that you bring light clothing for warmer weather. However, if you will be at a resort, make sure you bring something a bit more formal for occasions that may require a little more elegance, such as dining in upscale restaurants. Also, if you are going on excursions on which there are visits to churches and some types of monuments or museums, you will not be able to enter if you are wearing shorts or very short skirts. If your visit is in the winter, between December and February, you should bring a light coat or jacket, as at night the temperature tends to drop a little.

The Dominican peso (RD$) is the official currency of the DR. For the past several years, the exchange rate has been very favorable to the U.S. dollar so vacation budgets stretch further in the DR.

Major credit cards and traveler checks are accepted at many tourist areas in the country. Visitors can bring Dominican pesos with them, but U.S. dollars are just as easily accepted throughout the country. (U.S. coins are not used or accepted.) ATMs can be found in the majority of Dominican cities and at most resorts.

Unless you need to pay for a taxi, it is recommend that you change your money at your destination city, as there is greater competition and because of this they offer a better exchange rate than at the airport. But the difference is nominal, therefore if you are not exchanging large amounts, you should consider using the facilities at your entry port.

Most hotels, restaurants and businesses accept major credit cards. Visitors should be careful where and when they use their credit cards, to stay clear of double billings or additional charges. ATM machines can be found around the country and many times are located within the resorts, but visitors should bring cash to be sure.

Spanish is the official language of the DR, however most employees in hotels and restaurants speak good English. If you intend to venture out beyond the tourist destinations, it might be helpful to know a few basic Spanish phrases.

Tipping is widely practiced throughout the country. Many times, restaurants will add a 10 percent tip to the bill, but it is customary to give a bit extra– up to 10 percent in additional tips. Tips are commonly given to taxi drivers, hotel maids, tour guides, etc.

As the second largest country in the Caribbean, Dominican Republic offers a wide range of activities which can be a short or long distance away from one another. Many options exist for traveling on well-maintained highways to nearby attractions and also to more distantly located excursions.

Bus Companies– Air conditioned motor coaches and vans arranged by local tour operators are available from most hotels. Major companies include Caribe Tours, Autobuses Metro and Expreso Bávaro.

Car Rentals – Car rental offices and facilities can be found at most airports. Renters must be 25 with a valid driver’s license.

By Plane – Local airlines and numerous domestic airports make in-country transportation easily accessible for locals and visitors alike. Aerodomca, Takeoff, and Air Century are local companies that offer daily and weekly flights throughout the country.

Ground Transportation – Taxis are available at most hotels and tour operators are more than willing to provide additional options for getting around. Visitors should also check with their hotel for any recommendations.

All foreigners who enter the DR need a valid passport. Visitors must also fill out embarkation/disembarkation forms. These must be filled out before entering the immigration line. Travelers visiting may need to purchase a$10 tourist card beforehand or upon arrival. In addition, some visitors will need to be in possession of a valid visa for entry, although U.S. citizens don’t need a visa.

Every day is a beautiful day in the Dominican Republic (DR). The country is blessed with year-round summer-like weather with mostly sunny days and clear blue skies. The average high for the DR is 87F (30.55 C), with an average low of 73F (22.77 C) degrees. The DR’s winter season runs from November through April, with relatively low humidity. The summer season in the DR begins in May and runs through October, with a higher humidity, which can make it seem much hotter than it actually is.

Regardless of the season, nearly 1,000 miles (1,609 km) of DR coastline receive cooling tropical breezes while the Cordillera Central mountain region, including the towns of Jarabacoa and Constanza, offers an average temperature of 61F (16.11 C) degrees. Nearby deserts in the southwest region experience higher average temperatures.