Dominican Republic Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Dominican Republic?

The Dominican Republic occupies roughly two thirds of the island known as Hispaniola. It is southeast of Cuba, northeast of Jamaica, and Puerto Rico is a short plane hop away. The country enjoys both Atlantic and Caribbean coasts rimmed with soft white sand beaches, and is centered by towering green foliaged mountains bisected by fresh water streams and waterfalls. Called the "DR" by locals, the island nation measures 18,712 square miles and is twice the size of New Hampshire. Click here for a map.

How do I get to the Dominican Republic?

American Airlines has direct (non-stop) service from New York, Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Continental Airlines provides direct service from Newark. Coming from Europe, IBERIA Airlines offers direct service from Madrid, Lufthansa from Munich, LTU from Dusseldorf, and MartinAir from Amsterdam. COPA Airlines provides connections throughout Central and South America, while Cubana Airlines flies to Cuba twice a week. Cruise ship activity is moderate by Caribbean standards, but the DR's port is consistently popular with passengers.

Is the Dominican Republic government stable?

If you studied your history books well, or are old enough to remember, the country's time under the oppressive dictator General Rafael Trujillo was far from a happy one. His corruptive rule ended in 1961, and now the island country practices democracy with a duly elected president every four years. Does corruption still exist? Sure, on some levels, but much less seriously than it does in any Central American country.

The legislative system is divided between the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. There are 30 Senators representing each of the districts, plus the national seat; 120 Deputies occupy the Chamber.

It would be remiss not to mention Hispaniola's other half, Haiti. Though occupying the same plot of land, the two countries are worlds and cultures apart. Haiti is one of the poorest nations in the Caribbean, and still suffers from the effects of the infamous Papa and Baby Doc. The DR, though also poor, maintains a young urban society that is upwardly mobile. Haitians speak French -- Dominicans speak Spanish. Haitians are not well liked by Dominicans, but to say that the DR suffers because of Haiti's tribulations would be in error -- it's rather like saying when Florida sneezes, California gets a cold.

That said, the Dominican Republic has one of the lowest trade, and balance of payment, deficits in the world ... and one of the fastest growing economies in the Caribbean. They are also ranked fourth worldwide for their number of Free Trade Zones.

What is the currency used?

The national currency is the DR peso. Nearly all banks will exchange U.S. dollars, but might have difficulty with other foreign currencies. ATMs are becoming increasingly popular, but your best bet is to carry traveler's checks and cash which are accepted any where, frequently returning a higher rate than credit card withdrawals. All major hotels, and many larger restaurants will accept most credit cards, especially VISA and Mastercard. Buy in a small shop or cafe, and expect to pay in cash.

Do I need an adapter for electrical appliances?

The current is 110, and the wall plugs are the same as those used throughout North America. Visitors from Europe will need an adapter. Because power outages do occur, if you're traveling with delicate equipment, such as a computer, you might want to carry a surge control strip. All of the major hotels, and most of the more popular restaurants, have backup generators so you usually won't be inconvenienced.

What are the visa requirements to visit the Dominican Republic?

No special visas are required of North Americans, nor most Europeans. You do, however, need a tourist card costing $10 which is good for a stay of up to 90 days. Your airline will usually supply you with one before departure. As always, if traveling alone with a child, be sure to have a notarized letter of consent from the absent parent with you. A departure tax of $10 is collected from all international visitors at the airport -- the fee must be paid in US dollars, so be sure to keep a little cash aside.

Can a foreigner purchase property?

Not only can a foreigner purchase property easily, but s/he will find some of the best and cheapest deals in the Caribbean. Compare asking prices with say, St. Martin, Antigua, the Bahamas, or Turks and Caicos, and be prepared to be amazed.

Local lawyers handle all transactions, and Title Insurance is available depending on the development and property under consideration. Just bear in mind that the Dominican Republic is not as up to date on real estate matters as many of her Caribbean sisters ... but weigh this against the huge home purchase savings, coupled with a considerably lower cost of living, and the DR wins hands down.

Whenever dealing in real estate, whether at home or abroad, you should only do business with reputable brokers and lawyers. Don't do abroad what you wouldn't think of doing at home. Ask your candidate for references, and check them out thoroughly. After all, these are the people responsible for ensuring that you hold free and clear title, and that all necessary legal documents are properly registered. A reputable broker and lawyer protect your interests, guaranteeing you'll sleep soundly at night.

What are the residency laws?

The Dominican Republic offers one of the easiest, and least costly residency programs in the Western hemisphere. After you have obtained your Tourist card (as explained under "visas"), you may begin your residency procedures which are handled by a lawyer. Start the proceedings upon arrival and you should have your immigration card within 90 days, before your Tourist card expires.

With immigration papers in hand, you're allowed to stay in the country, and even work legally, for six months while you wait for your identity card, or Cedula, to be processed.

Your Cedula is good for one year at which time you may renew it for a second year. Once you've passed the two year mark, you may apply for Dominican citizenship and a second passport -- it's legal to hold both a US and DR passport simultaneously. The best news of all? You can obtain a second passport legally, in a relatively short period of time, with minimal fuss, for less than $3000.

How are the medical facilities?

In most third world countries, the public hospitals are the last place you'll want to be. This is the case in the Dominican Republic as well. However, the private clinics are excellent, and cost one tenth of what similar services would be in the U.S. See a private clinic doctor and you'll spend from $6 up to $45 (for a specialist). A private hospital room runs $1500 per week -- that's more like what it costs per day in a U.S. hospital.

Insurance plans are available from $20 to $75 per month. The latter plan -- one payment for an entire family -- also includes full coverage at two Miami hospitals (for those rare times when they can't handle it locally), as well as dental insurance. Competent, well staffed clinics are scattered about the country, with the greatest concentration of specialists found in Santo Domingo.

Is crime a problem?

As in any country that has cities of over a million people, as well as small hamlets of fewer than 100, crime will vary considerably. Behave with the same caution in Santo Domingo as you would in New York, Chicago or San Francisco, and you'll be fine. And statistically speaking, you'll be a whole lot safer.

Crimes of passion are common in third world countries and Latin island cultures but seldom involve foreigners. Petty tourist crime is usually the fault of the tourist who's left his expensive camera unattended on the beach, his rental car unlocked with the keys still in it, or his wallet casually lying on his dresser when away from his hotel room. Frankly, you'll be a whole lot less threatened on the Dominican Republic than you would be in most small to mid-size cities in the U.S.

What if I don't speak Spanish?

Well, then you'll have a problem. You need at least minimal Spanish to function in the DR. So dust off your old high school Spanish book, and bone up on what you've forgotten. It's one of the easiest languages to learn, and you'll be surprised at how much your efforts, though perhaps a bit clumsy at first, are appreciated. Because of the island's popularity with Germans and Italians, you'll find some locals speaking these languages. As the Dominican Republic becomes increasingly popular with Americans, locals speaking English will also increase. But why wait?