Our country, your holiday
Dominican Republic - About the country
Dominican Expert
The Dominican Republic
Here, on the island of Hispaniola, lies the Dominican Republic.
Its diverse natural landscapes, eventful history, vibrant culture and warm-hearted people make it one of the most visited destinations in Latin America.
For many, it is the epitome of exotic holiday dreams – a paradise of sun, beach, sea and Caribbean joie de vivre.
Pure nature & adventure
From white beaches to dense rainforests and majestic mountains – the Dominican Republic offers countless experiences for explorers.
Experience history & culture
Discover the colonial heritage, traditional festivals and the joie de vivre of the locals – authentic and unique.
Dominican Republic – Travel Tips & Information
Geography
The Dominican Republic is located in the Greater Antilles on the island of Hispaniola, situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The republic shares the island with Haiti, its smaller neighbor to the west. The country boasts a unique diversity of natural beauty in the Caribbean: lush subtropical vegetation, mountain ranges with peaks over 3000 meters high, and, of course, the famous white sand beaches and turquoise sea.
Features that make the Dominican Republic unique:
• Pico Duarte (3087m): The highest mountain in the Caribbean (see the excursion to Pico Duarte here)
• The Rio Yaqué del Norte: the longest river in the Caribbean, with a length of 297km
• The Saltos de Agua Blanca: With a height of 83 meters, it is the highest waterfall in the Caribbean (near Constanza, find your hotel here)
• The Valle Verde: in the central mountains, where you'll find the lowest temperatures in the Caribbean
• The dunes of Bani: the largest desert in the Caribbean (best experienced with our 4-day self-drive tour “Unknown Southwest”)
With its size of approximately 400 x 300 kilometers, there is certainly plenty to discover and experience – whether it's the aforementioned superlatives and natural wonders or simply the most beautiful beaches of the Dominican Republic.
Our history
The island of Hispaniola had been inhabited by the Taíno Indians for millennia before its discovery by Columbus in 1492. Colonization began as early as 1493, and the present-day capital, Santo Domingo, was founded. By 1697, when first the western part (later Haiti) and later the eastern part became French, the indigenous population had already been wiped out. In 1804, the Haitians declared their independence and occupied the eastern part of the island. However, in 1821, the eastern part of the island seceded from Spain and declared its own independence as Spanish Haiti. The following year, Haiti again occupied the eastern part of the island until 1844 – the same year independence was declared for the second time, and the island was renamed the Dominican Republic. In 1861, the country reunited with Spain under the name Santo Domingo. The Dominican Republic finally became independent in 1865.
Climate
The Dominican Republic boasts ideal travel temperatures and a tropical climate year-round. Daytime temperatures range from 28°C (winter months) to 32°C (summer months), although temperatures can drop below freezing (in mountainous regions, such as Pico Duarte) or exceed 40°C in the southwest of the island, depending on the area. Water temperatures remain a pleasant 24 to 28°C throughout the country.
Population
The population is primarily descended from early European immigrants, predominantly of Spanish origin, and from African slaves. Approximately 70% of Dominicans are mulattoes (of mixed race), roughly 15% are white, and about 10% are black. Officially, around 10.5 million people live in the Dominican Republic today.
Capital
The capital of the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo (officially 'Santo Domingo de Guzmán') with a population of approximately 4 million.. Santo Domingo, by the way, is the oldest city in the New World.
airports
The Dominican Republic has a total of 6 international airports:
- Las Américas Airport (SDQ) Santo Domingo
- La Romana Airport (LRM) La Romana
- Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) Punta Cana / Bavaro
- El Catey Airport (AZS) Samaná / Las Terrenas
- Gregorio Luperon Airport (POP) Puerto Plata
- Ciboa Airport (STI) Santiago
The airports in Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, and Santo Domingo, in particular, offer excellent connections to North America and Europe. Direct flights from Germany are available year-round, operated daily by airlines such as Air Berlin, Condor, and Eurowings. These include direct flights from Cologne to Punta Cana, from Frankfurt to Santo Domingo, from Düsseldorf to Puerto Plata, and from Munich to Punta Cana.
We would be happy to offer you your desired flight at the best price. Simply use our inquiry form.
Entry
To enter the Dominican Republic, all travelers must complete the digital entry and exit form in advance via the following link:
https://eticket.migracion.gob.do/
Finally, a QR code is generated, which must be saved and presented if required at flight check-in or during migration (entry and exit).
Currency
The Dominican Peso (RD$) is the official currency, and the currency used throughout the country is almost exclusively the Peso. US dollars and euros are generally only accepted in tourist areas. The best way to obtain Dominican Pesos is with your credit card at ATMs, which are available in every city and at the airport. Cash (euros or US dollars) can be exchanged at banks or exchange bureaus ("casa de cambio"), although for security reasons we recommend using official banks. Traveler's checks are only accepted in a few places.
Language
The official language of the Dominican Republic is Spanish, and most Dominicans speak only Spanish. However, in tourist areas, you'll find an increasing number of locals who also speak English and other languages fluently. Larger hotels catering to an international clientele almost always have English-speaking staff. In Puerto Plata and Punta Cana, you'll also find some German-speaking staff. We are also happy to recommend small guesthouses or accommodations run by German speakers.
Alcohol
The minimum age for legal alcohol consumption in the Dominican Republic is 18 years.
Spray Drying
Any form of drug use is strictly prohibited in the Dominican Republic and, in cases of abuse, leads to prison sentences of several years. Release on bail is not possible in the Dominican Republic for such offenses.
Driving a vehicle
You can drive motor vehicles in the Dominican Republic from the age of 18 with a valid driver's license. Especially in cities, the traffic police (AMET) conduct numerous traffic stops, during which they will ask to see your driver's license.
Electricity
The voltage in the Dominican Republic is 110/120 volts AC. Any devices you bring should be adjustable to 110V to ensure they function properly. The electrical outlets are the American-style flat plug type, so an adapter is essential. Power outages are frequent and almost commonplace in the Dominican Republic. However, most hotels have backup generators.
Dominican cuisine
In the Dominican Republic, you can find typical Dominican cuisine in every corner shop or small restaurant. Dominicans are very hygienic and take care to ensure that the food is always freshly prepared. A typical Dominican meal usually consists of rice, beans, meat, vegetables, and fried plantains. A specialty worth trying is 'Sancocho Dominicano,' a hearty soup (stew) made with local ingredients. Every region of the Dominican Republic offers a variety of culinary delights to discover, so it's always worthwhile to stop at roadside stalls and sample the different dishes and snacks offered by the locals.
Sports
The main sport is baseball, which Dominicans simply call "ball" (pelota). It's the sport that captivates all Dominicans, regardless of social status, gender, or age. Baseball is a symbol of national pride for Dominicans, which is why many of the world's best baseball players come from the Dominican Republic.
music
The music is influenced by many cultures, but African and Spanish elements play a particularly prominent role. Singing and dancing are popular activities in the Dominican Republic. Reflecting the warm Caribbean climate, much of life takes place outdoors, and in the evenings, numerous spontaneous parties spring up in the streets or on the beaches. Merengue, composed and played in 2/4 time, is considered both a national music and a national dance.
Roads and traffic
The Dominican Republic's road network is generally well-developed, among the best in the entire Caribbean. A new highway recently opened between Santo Domingo and the Samana Peninsula, allowing travel between the two cities in about two hours. Santiago in the north of the Dominican Republic can also be reached from Santo Domingo in approximately 2,5 hours via a mostly multi-lane road. While not all roads are paved, progress is generally good. However, large, unmarked potholes are a common occurrence, so drivers should always pay attention. Overtaking on the right is also a very frequent occurrence in the Dominican Republic. Overall, driving a rental car in the Dominican Republic, which you can book directly with us, is relatively straightforward.
Religion
Almost the entire population of the country adheres to the Roman Catholic faith, and the enthusiasm during the last papal visit in 1992 was correspondingly great. Santo Domingo and Santiago hold the rank of archbishopric. In addition, statistics indicate a population of approximately 2000 Jews and about 2500 Protestants. The country is experiencing a growing number of Chinese who adhere to the Buddhist faith, although this has not yet been recorded in any statistics.
