African shop in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; credit Paul Lowe
Santo Domingo Travel Tips
Santo Domingo Facts
Official Language: Spanish
Currency: Peso
Time Zone: Atlantic Time Zone
Est. Population: 6 million
Cruise Port City: Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo Travel Tips
Passports are required for U.S. citizens.
The island’s tropical climate averages 80 degrees from October to April and 90 degrees during the summer with humidity. As a result, the dress code is always Island Casual.
When you touch down in the Dominican Republic, you are no longer mandated to pay the U.S. tourist entry fee. The price of your plane ticket includes the tourist fee.
Vacation rates are less during the fall months. The Dominican Republic high tourist season runs between December and February.
The rainy season starts in October and ends in November. Brief showers can come at any time.
Get a local phone card for the best rates.
The main post office is located in Santo Domingo. Post office hours are 7:30am-2:30pm Monday-Friday.
Banks are open from 8:30am-4:30pm (Monday-Friday).
Most stores are open 9am-5pm (Monday-Saturday) and some stores close for siesta.
You should drink only bottled water or water that has been boiled.
Bring sunglasses, a wide-brim hat and plenty of biodegradable sunscreen.
Electricity is the same as the U.S. however, some outlets may not accept a three prong plug, so bring a converter.
The major holidays in the Dominican Republic are New Year’s Day, Our Lady of Altagracia Day, Duarte’s Birthday, Independence Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labor Day, Corpus Christi, Restoration Day, Our Lady of Las Mercedes Day, Constitution Day, and Christmas.
The crime rate in Santo Domingo is similar to a major U.S. city, so use common sense when out and about.
Don’t take photos of military or high security areas, unless you have their permission.
