Tourist cards can be issued on arrival for certain nationalities at a cost of US$10 for a stay of 30 days; extensions are possible. A return or onward ticket is required by all visitors, as well as all documents needed for next destination. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travelers traveling between the
United States and
Canada,
Mexico,
Bermuda, and the
Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA a valid passport will be required by immigration authorities.
Americans: United States passport
holders must have a valid passport or a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, as well as proof of citizenship, such as an original or certified birth certificate. No visa is required for a stay of up to 30 days, provided holding a Tourist Card (issued on arrival).
UK nationals: British nationals require a passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to 30 days, provided they hold a Tourist Card (issued on arrival) and passport is endorsed British Citizen or British Overseas Territories Citizen. Other
UK passport holders should check with the embassy whether a visa is required.
Canadians: A passport is recommended for Canadian nationals, but a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, as well as proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate is also accepted, provided traveling for tourist or business purposes. No visa is required for a stay of up to 30 days, provided holding a Tourist Card (issued on arrival).
Australians: Australians must have a passport. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days, provided travelers hold a Tourist Card (issued on arrival).
South Africans: South African nationals require a passport. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days, provided travelers hold a Tourist Card (issued on arrival).
Irish nationals: Irish nationals must have a passport. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days, provided travelers hold a Tourist Card (issued on arrival).
New Zealanders: New Zealanders require a passport. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days, provided travelers hold a Tourist Card (issued on arrival).
Health
No vaccination certificates are required but precautions are recommended against Hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies and polio for those who plan to spend time outside the main tourist resort areas. There is a malaria risk throughout the year. Between May and September there is a risk of dengue fever, which is contracted from mosquitoes that bite during the day. It is advisable to use mosquito repellent. Travelers should be aware of the high prevalence of the HIV/AIDS virus in the
Dominican Republic and take the relevant precautions. Water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated in undeveloped areas; bottled water is available. Some species of fish, including tropical reef fish, may be poisonous to eat even when well cooked. There are good hospitals and other private medical facilities located in
Puerto Plata,
Santiago and
Santo Domingo, but outside of these cities facilities are limited, and staff are unlikely to understand English. Most resorts have doctors that can treat minor medical complaints. Health insurance, including provision for medical evacuation, is recommended.
Safety
Due to the recent unrest in neighboring
Haiti and the ongoing unpredictability of the security situation, it is inadvisable to travel across the border to Haiti. There is a low terrorism risk and incidences of violent crime are infrequent. Visitors should take normal precautions against petty crime, however. The Dominican Republic is vulnerable to hurricanes from June to November.
