The Don’ts of Visiting the Dominican Republic
Hey there fellow travelers! Wondering what to do in the Dominican Republic? Well, we have the do’s and don’ts of visiting this Caribbean Island. Whether you are staying at the all-inclusive resorts at Punta Cana or going for the colonial zone in Santo Domingo there is so much to enjoy and love about the Dominican Republic, but we do need to talk about some of the un-fun stuff too. So here are the don’ts of the Dominican Republic.
Don’t Be in a Hurry
Remember, you’re in the Caribbean, so everyone is on “island time.” Everything moves at a slower pace, and it can take a few days to adjust. It’s a good idea not to wait until you are starving to sit at a restaurant because it will be a while before you get your food. Once you’ve adjusted to island time, it’s pretty relaxing, but the first few days can be frustrating!
This also applies to airport immigration lines and baggage claim. It can take a bit of extra time, so make sure you allow plenty of time at the airport before your flight!
Don’t Get Upset with the Locals
The locals in the Dominican Republic are so friendly, but they are on island time. Don’t get upset with them just because you haven’t adjusted to their culture. We met so many fantastic locals, and they loved sharing their island with us and giving us their favorite recommendations.
The locals here have great pride in their country, and it’s pretty obvious from the moment you land. Enjoy their enthusiasm and their slower pace of life!
Don’t Forget to Speak a Little Spanish
You don’t have to be fluent to get by in the Dominican Republic, but it’s a great sign of respect to learn a few words of Spanish before your trip. Most people in the tourism industry, especially at the all-inclusive resorts, will speak English, but they’ll appreciate the effort if you use “por favor” and “gracias.”
Seven Tips for Learning a Foreign Language
Don’t Take Your Safety for Granted
It’s not a good idea to flash a lot of bling around the Dominican Republic. Leave your expensive jewelry and watches at home. Flashing your wealth, or even just counting your money as you leave the ATM, can make you a target for thieves. Likewise, don’t leave your belongings unattended at the beach or the pool. Use the safe in your hotel room for any valuables.
Don’t Use Public Transportation
In most of our travel guides, we often recommend taking public transportation. However, in the Dominican Republic, we recommend not using public transportation unless you absolutely have to. Taxis and rideshare services are widely available, although taxis are not as cheap as you might expect!
We also don’t recommend driving in the DR. Driving is a bit chaotic and can easily fluster you if you’re not used to it. Unless you are used to high-stress driving, let someone else drive you around.
Whether you are driving or a passenger, brace yourself for the speed bumps. They are huge and you can easily fly out of your seat and hit your head on the ceiling of the car.
Don’t Be Afraid to Explore the Island
Many visitors to the Dominican Republic stay at all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana. They are built so that you never have to leave. However, we recommend going off-property so that you can actually experience a little bit of the culture and history of the area. There are so many cool places to visit in the Dominican Republic, like national parks and colonial cities.
There is so much natural beauty to see here; it’s not just beaches! The highest peak in the Caribbean is Pico Duarte, with a summit over 10,000 feet above sea level! You can go hiking, horseback riding, zip-lining, and much more!
Don’t Worry About Exchanging Currency
The official currency is the Dominican Peso, but they get so many American tourists here that most places will accept U.S. dollars. It is a good idea to have cash on hand for smaller shops and for tipping. Make sure you have smaller bills as you might get change back in Dominican currency. We recommend at least $50 to $100 in single dollar bills for tipping. Credit cards are accepted in most places, though.
The electrical outlets are also the same as in the US so you don’t have to worry about bringing a power adapter.
Don’t Think the Price You See Is The Final Price
Negotiating prices is something people do at the smaller shops and markets in the Dominican Republic. Additionally, there is a sales tax in the Dominican Republic. This is applied to purchases and food, and restaurants will often add a service charge on top of the tax.
That said, it’s a very affordable destination. Aside from your airfare, everything in the Dominican Republic is reasonable. You can eat very well without spending a lot of money, and tours and attractions are also very reasonable.
Don’t Miss Out on Dominican Republic Cuisine
There is a ton of great food in the Dominican Republic. If you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort, you’ll have to search for authentic food, but it’s there. Here are a few traditional Dominican dishes we think you should try!
- La Bandera – La Bandera is actually the flag of the Dominican Republic, but it’s also a dish made with red beans, rice, stewed meat, and a salad. It matches the colors and design of the flag.
- Sancocho is a stew with up to seven different types of meat. It might feel weird to order a hearty stew in a tropical climate, but it’s delicious!
- Chivo is goat meat, and it’s served in a lot of dishes, including Sancocho. It’s really tasty, but watch out for small bones as they sometimes can splinter.
- Mangu & Tres Golpes are great breakfast items. Mangu is like a mashed potato made with plantains and mixed with onions and spices. Tres Golpes means the “three hits” and it includes fried cheese, eggs, and fried salami.
- Chicharron and Bistec are good meats to have in the Dominican Republic. Chicharron is pork, and you can get some pretty good steak here as well. Salami is also very popular!
- The staple of Dominican cuisine is rice and beans. Or beans and rice. They come with pretty much every meal.
- Plantains and mofongo are also popular Dominican dishes. Mofongo is similar to mangu but often mixed with meat or seafood for lunch or dinner rather than breakfast. Tostones are sliced and smashed plantains that are fried up like a chip. It’s a very tasty snack or appetizer. Yuca is another popular starch served in a lot of dishes.
- The Dominican Republic is on an island, so of course, there is fantastic fresh seafood and shellfish. Pescado con coco is fish in coconut milk; it’s a delicious way to try seafood here.
- The fruit in the Dominican Republic is also fantastic! They have fresh fruit year-round and fantastic, fresh juice and smoothies for breakfast every morning.
- Empanadas are great snacks to eat on the go; they come in many varieties from sweet to savory. The meat and cheese empanadas make an easy, portable snack. There are empanada stands all over when you go into town.
- Pasteles de Hoja is another small snack item. It looks like a tamale but wrapped in plantain leaves rather than corn leaves.
- Rum is the most popular kind of alcohol here, and there are always plenty of rum drinks wherever you go. Mama Juana is a rum drink you would try. It’s made with rum, red wine, honey and herbs. It’s pretty strong, so don’t go overboard. (Mama Juana is not to be confused with Marijuana, which is illegal in the Dominican Republic.)
- If you want to try a local beer, try Presidente.
Don’t Drink the Tap Water
It is not safe to drink tap water in the Dominican Republic. Stick to bottled water, which is plentiful especially if you stay at a resort. Most of the ice machines have filtered ice, so that’s usually safe to drink, but you can double-check with the hotel or restaurant if you’re not sure.
Don’t Pass Up a Baseball Game
A lot of MLB players come from the Dominican Republic. Alfonso Soriano and Sammy Sosa are just a couple of names you might recognize. Baseball is a major pastime here; from kids playing in the street to minor league games. If there’s a game happening while you’re in town, you won’t regret going!
Don’t Forget Your Beach Supplies
There are dozens of beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic. Most all-inclusive resorts are located on a beach, but most of the kids’ activities will be at the pool area or in the kid’s club. So make sure you bring your beach toys from home so the kids aren’t running wild driving everyone else crazy. You can buy anything you need at your resort, but you’ll pay a premium.
Likewise, make sure you are packing sunscreen and bug spray for your trip, or you might end up paying triple at your resort. It’s not enough just to bring them; you have to apply and reapply them throughout the day!
Water shoes are also great to have, whether you are on the beach or hiking to waterfalls and swimming holes.
What Not to Do at All-Inclusive Resorts
Don’t Throw Toilet Paper in the Toilet
The plumbing on the island wasn’t built to handle toilet paper or any foreign objects. There will always be a little basket next to the toilet where you should put your toilet paper. These are emptied frequently, so it’s not as gross as it sounds, and it’s pretty common in Latin countries.
Don’t Forget to Fill Out Your Arrival and Departure Forms Ahead of Time
There is paperwork you need to arrive or depart from the Dominican Republic. You’ll save a lot of time and frustration if you fill these out before you get to the airport. You can download them from the internet and save a lot of hassle by doing it in advance.
Don’t Expect a Quiet Experience
Dominicans are a lively bunch, and they love music! There is music everywhere, from the moment you enter the arrivals hall at the airport. It is a lively, boisterous culture!
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We really enjoyed visiting the Dominican Republic, with a nice mix of all-inclusive resort relaxation and exploring this island nation of diverse landscapes. Interested in more tropical vacation tips? Check out these blog posts!