No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the Dominican Republic’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in the Dominican Republic set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the UK.
\n\nUp until 31 December 2026, British passport holders can enter and leave the Dominican Republic for tourism purposes, as long as their passport remains valid for the duration of their visit. Rules may change after this date. Check the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism website for the latest information.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nYou may be refused entry if you do not have proof of onward or return travel when you arrive in the country.
\n\nBorder officials will take your fingerprints and take a photograph of you before allowing you into the country.
\n\nYou must fill in an entry and exit form before arriving in and leaving the Dominican Republic. This form includes your:
\n\nYou can fill in the form up to 7 days before you arrive in the country. You’ll get a QR code, which you may be asked to show at check-in, or when you arrive in or leave the country.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou can visit the Dominican Republic for tourism without a visa for 30 days.
\n\nTo stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Dominican Republic government’s entry requirements.
\n\nYou can pay to extend your visit up to 120 days by contacting the Dominican Republic Immigration Service.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Dominican Republic guide.
\n\nDepending on your circumstances, this may include a yellow fever certificate.
\n\nFor children aged 17 and under travelling alone, parents should check travel requirements with the airline and with Dominican Republic Immigration Service.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the Dominican Republic (in Spanish). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in the Dominican Republic, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nPolitical demonstrations sometimes happen, although not usually near tourist areas. Take care not to get caught up in demonstrations or large gatherings and follow the instructions of the Dominican Republic authorities.
\n\nThe crime rate in the Dominican Republic is high. Incidents range from opportunistic bag-snatching and pickpocketing to violent crime and carjacking.
\n\nStay alert when on the street or driving to the risk of drive-by robberies. Thieves on motorcycles snatch bags and valuables from pedestrians and sometimes reach through the windows of cars at red lights to steal belongings.
\n\nThere have been incidents where foreigners have been mugged at gunpoint or knifepoint during the daytime while walking in residential districts.
\n\nAttackers may be armed, even if you cannot see a weapon.
\n\nYou can take steps to reduce your personal risk by:
\n\nIf you’re robbed, do not fight back or do anything that puts you at greater risk.
\n\nBank card cloning and identity theft are a risk in the Dominican Republic. Keep your payment card in view when paying or pay in cash.
\n\nIncidents of assault, rape and sexual aggression against foreigners have occurred, including at beach resorts. In some cases, hotel employees or fellow guests have been implicated.
\n\nYou can take steps to reduce your risk:
\n\nIf you’re a victim of a sexual assault or other crime, report it immediately to the British Embassy in Santo Domingo. Consular staff can help:
\n\nSee FCDO’s guidance for victims of rape and sexual assault abroad.
\n\nYou must formally report a crime to the Dominican Republic authorities before you leave the country so they can investigate.
\n\nAlways carry copies of the photo page of your passport and entry stamp with you.
\n\nThere are severe penalties for all drug offences. Possession of even small quantities of any drug can lead to a fine and a prison sentence. Pack your own luggage and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.
\n\nIf you’re arrested for drug offences your case can take several years to progress through the judicial process, during which you’re likely to be held in detention. If you’re given a prison sentence, you will serve the whole sentence in the Dominican Republic.
\n\nAttitudes towards the LGBT+ community are mostly conservative throughout the Caribbean. Although same-sex sexual relations are legal in the Dominican Republic, same-sex marriages are not legally recognised. Showing affection in public may result in unwanted and negative attention.
\n\nNearly all Dominican hotels welcome LGBT+ travellers, although you should check when you book.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nProviders of recreational and adventure tourism may not meet UK safety standards. Check safety standards with the tour operators or providers and make sure you’re insured if you take part in activities like water sports, boat tours, quad biking or horse riding.
\n\nLifeguards may not be present at swimming pools or on beaches. Safety and rescue equipment may not be available.
\n\nThe sea can be dangerous, especially during the hurricane season, which runs from June to November. Follow instructions about sea conditions and warning systems.
\n\nSee water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nIf you’re planning to drive in the Dominican Republic, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in the Dominican Republic for up to 3 months. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
\n\nFor longer visits, apply for a local driving licence.
\n\nHire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.
\n\nThe Dominican Republic has a high death rate from road traffic accidents. Road accidents happen often, especially during holiday periods like Christmas and Easter.
\n\nRisks you may face include:
\n\nThe quality of roads varies, although the majority of motorways connecting cities and tourist areas are in good condition.
\n\nDriving outside the main cities at night can be dangerous because of poor lighting, animals or pedestrians on the road and cars driving without headlights.
\n\nIf police stop you for a traffic violation, they may issue you with a fine. They should not ask you for money directly. Pay the fine online on Infracciones de transito (in Spanish).
\n\nTake particular care if riding a motorbike or scooter. The Dominican Republic has a high death rate from road accidents involving motorbikes and scooters.
\n\nIf you’re involved in an accident, call the police and wait at the scene. If you’re detained because of a road accident, ask the police to contact the British Embassy in Santo Domingo.
\n\nDrivers involved in an accident that causes serious injury or death will be taken into police custody until circumstances have been investigated. This will happen even if the driver appears not to be at fault.
\n\nThe telephone number for national roadside assistance is +1 829 689 1000.
\n\nIf you’re involved in a road accident, you must file a report with the Dominican Republic authorities.
\n\nIf the accident did not cause injuries and happened in Santo Domingo or Santiago, you should register it at an accident reporting centre such as La Casa del Conductor or El Centro del Automovilista (both in Spanish). These are government centres with English-speaking agents and representatives from the police and insurance companies.
\n\nTalk to your insurance company for guidance on which centre you should use to report an accident.
\n\nIf the accident occurs in any other part of Dominican Republic, file a report at the nearest police station.
\n\nTaxis can be cheap but many are in poor condition. Use an authorised airport or hotel taxi service, or book from a registered provider. Ride-hailing apps are widely available.
\n\nMotorbike taxis (‘motoconchos’) are often driven badly and do not always provide passengers with a helmet.
\n\nPublic buses and ‘carros publicos’ (shared cars that pick up passengers) are often uninsured, not registered and poorly maintained.
\n\nPrivate companies operate good bus services between cities.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nThe hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. Monitor local news and check the World Meteorological Association weather reports for the Dominican Republic and the US National Hurricane Center’s regional map.
\n\nSpanish language alerts are available from the Dominican Emergency Management Centre (COE) via their mobile app ‘AlertaCOE’, or their X account.
\n\nHurricanes can cause localised flooding and damage to buildings. In recent years this has affected the north and east of the country.
\n\nEarthquakes are a risk in the Dominican Republic. If an earthquake happens, follow the advice of the local authorities.
\n\nThe US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
\n\nThere is a risk of tsunamis from earthquakes at sea. Follow the instructions of the local authorities if there are warnings of an approaching tsunami.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"This section has safety advice for regions of the Dominican Republic. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.
\n\nYou should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
\n\nFCDO advises against all travel to Haiti due to the volatile security situation.
\n\nLand and sea borders between the Dominican Republic and Haiti are closed. Military and police roadblocks are common in the border area. The roadblocks can appear to be unofficial, although the soldiers do wear army uniform and carry weapons.
\n\nThere have been armed robberies on roads close to the border with Haiti, including by criminals posing as police officers.
\n","slug":"regional-risks","title":"Regional risks"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 911 and ask for an ambulance if you’re in Santo Domingo.
\n\nThe 911 emergency number does not have full coverage across the country. If you’re outside Santo Domingo, you can telephone the tourist police (‘Politur’) in an emergency: +1 809 200 3500.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in the Dominican Republic including:
\n\nAltitude sickness is a risk in parts of the Dominican Republic. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nTap water in the Dominican Republic is not drinkable.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nSome medicines normally only available on prescription in the UK are available in pharmacies across the Dominican Republic.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in the Dominican Republic where some staff will speak English.
\n\nPublic medical facilities in the Dominican Republic are generally limited. Private hospitals offer good standards of care, although they can be expensive.
\n\nMake sure you have appropriate travel health insurance and can access funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. In some cases, visitors who cannot pay their hospital bills are stopped from leaving the country until the debt is paid.
\n\nThere are risks associated with cosmetic or elective surgery overseas.
\n\nIf you’re considering travelling to the Dominican Republic for medical, surgical or dental treatment:
\n\nFind further advice on medical tourism from TravelHealthPro, and NHS guidance on going abroad for medical treatment and on cosmetic surgery abroad.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nTelephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)
\n\nThe 911 emergency number does not have full coverage across the country. If you’re outside Santo Domingo, you can telephone the tourist police in an emergency: +1 809 200 3500.
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in the Dominican Republic on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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