Whether you’re sightseeing at historic buildings in Santo Domingo, diving in Bayahibe or relaxing at an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, there are plenty of activities, landscapes and sights to see in the Dominican Republic. Adventure and relaxation are just a flight away. 

We recommend that you visit the Dominican Republic travel advice page on the Government of Canada website prior to booking your trip. It is not a requirement to have travel insurance to enter the Dominican Republic; however, travel insurance is highly recommended as your provincial health care plan may not include coverage when travelling internationally. Having a travel insurance plan with medical coverage (in addition to other helpful coverage) can be beneficial.

Each traveller and destination are unique so our All Inclusive Package is a great option as it provides coverage for trip cancellation and trip interruption. This package includes emergency medical insurance, baggage insurance and 24/7 emergency travel assistance. Remember to review the policy wording for a full list of the terms and conditions of coverage including the covered risks and benefits of the All Inclusive Packages. Most of our insurance plan options are available online; however, additional options may be available through our World Service Centre by calling 866-648-8422 or by contacting one of our industry partners.

Travel Guard travel insurance plans typically cost between 5-7% of the total price of your trip. Several factors come into play when pricing your plan, such as the packages you select and the number of travellers in your party. For more details on pricing, check out our article on how much travel insurance costs.

Ready to book your travel insurance plan for your Dominican Republic trip? Travel Guard’s travel insurance plans provide excellent coverage options and access to 24-hour emergency travel assistance. Compare our travel insurance plans to find the best option for your travels today.

The Dominican Republic is friendly and very welcoming, and many individuals travel to the country with no security incidents. However, it is still wise to be on the alert for opportunistic crimes, which can range from bag snatching to more aggressive robberies. To ensure you have a safe vacation, make sure to travel in groups and avoid leaving tourist resorts without a proper guide. 

As with many other island destinations, hurricanes often affect the Dominican Republic. Additionally, there have been reports of illness from adulterated alcohol in the past, even in popular resort areas. Always be careful when consuming alcoholic beverages, and when in doubt, avoid spirits altogether.

Visit the Government of Canada website for up-to-date information on travel advisory levels and safety information for travellers to the Dominican Republic.

All Canadian travellers should enroll in the Registration of Canadians Abroad program, a free service offered to Canadian citizens travelling and living abroad. Enrolling in this program allows you to receive important information from the Government of Canada and helps them contact you in an emergency.

The official currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso. Most major cities will have places where visitors can exchange their money from Canadian dollars to pesos. If you’re planning on shopping at local markets and kiosks, bring cash to ensure you can make a purchase. Make sure to let your bank know when you’re travelling, so there are no issues with your debit or credit card.

The official language spoken in the Dominican Republic is Dominican Spanish. There are an estimated 15,000 English speakers in the country, which makes up less than 1% of the population. Though English is likely to be spoken at resorts, be prepared with a few common questions and responses, or a translation app that works offline, to make sure you can get around as smoothly as possible. 

Canadian citizens do not require a visa for tourist travel to the Dominican Republic for stays that are 30 days or less. However, if you’re travelling for work, school or are seeking residence, a visa is required. 

Canadian travellers should be prepared with a regular Canadian passport that is valid for a minimum of six months after the date of their arrival in the Dominican Republic. For more information about travelling to the Dominican Republic, visit the Government of Canada website.

The Canadian Embassy in the Dominican Republic is located in Santo Domingo. Additional Canadian offices include the Office of the Embassy of Canada in Punta Cana and the Honorary Consul of Canada in Puerto Plata. For the most up-to-date contact information, visit the Dominican Republic section of the Embassies and Consulates page of Canada’s government website.

Year-round, the temperatures in the Dominican Republic will typically range between the low 20˚Cs to low 30˚Cs.  Typically, you’ll find partly cloudy skies, high winds and tropical humidity with their rainy season occurring between the months of May and November. Hurricane season runs from June through October.

The most popular time of the year to visit the Dominican Republic is in the early winter (December and January) due to the lack of rain. Temperatures are still warm around this time of year; however, flight and hotel prices tend to drop closer to February, allowing for a pleasant climate for visiting, and the weather stays in a nice mid-range through the end of April, which makes the Dominican heat more tolerable.

The dial code for the Dominican Republic is +1, the same as Canada. When calling, remember to include the area code of the city you’re dialing.

Keep in mind, when calling internationally there are typically charges that apply to both cell phones and landlines, with the latter being more affordable. However, to avoid charges, try calling over Wi-Fi by using Skype, WhatsApp or your preferred site.

Visitors from Canada do not need to bring a power adapter when travelling to the Dominican Republic, as many of the islands use the same adapter plug as the U.S. and Canada. Travellers will be able to charge and use their devices as normal. 

The Dominican Republic requires all dogs and cats to be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, at least 15 days prior to arrival. This information should be presented on The Canadian International Health Certificate, filled out by a Canadian veterinarian and authenticated by an official government veterinarian. A service fee will apply.

Before leaving Canada, it’s always best to contact the embassy of your destination about its requirements for importing animals.

Yes, Canadian citizens can use their driver’s license as a valid I.D. in the Dominican Republic for driving during the length of their stay. It’s important to make sure you have the required liability insurance if you’ll be driving.

The Dominican Republic boasts 26 stunning golf courses, many of which were designed by acclaimed golf course architects. So, yes! The Dominican Republic is a great destination for golfing.

Content provided by Travel Guard Group Canada, Inc. is not intended to be exhaustive. For more information, please call 866-648-8422 or speak with one of our Travel or Insurance Agency partners. For the most up to date safety and travel advice for any destination, please consult the Canadian Government Travel and tourism website at https://travel.gc.ca/ https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.