The Good Trip guide · For U.S. travelers
Dominican RepublicA little local knowledge.
Relax on Punta Cana's white-sand beaches, wander the Colonial City of Santo Domingo, and start the day with mangú and fresh chinola juice.
Tap water is not safe to drink in many areas.
Tourist police (POLITUR): 809-222-2026
Dominican Peso
Exercise Increased Caution
Essential Etiquette in Dominican Republic
Key dos and don'ts every American traveler should know before arriving.
Greet before making a request
Begin every interaction with “Buenos días” (good morning) or “Buenas tardes” (good afternoon) before asking for help, directions, or prices; launching straight into a question reads as abrupt. Spanish uses the polite “usted” form with strangers, elders, and service staff, and the shared Spanish phrasebook in this app uses that register.
Tread carefully on sensitive history
Relations with Haiti and the Trujillo dictatorship of 1930–1961 are sensitive subjects, shaped by family memory and national politics on all sides. Let local people raise them rather than pressing the topic with new acquaintances, and never joke about either subject.
Try some Spanish
English is widely understood in resort areas, but attempts at Spanish are warmly received everywhere else. Even a few polite phrases — “por favor”, “gracias”, “con permiso” — signal respect and often change how an interaction goes, especially in small towns and local businesses.
Skip topless sunbathing
Topless sunbathing is not customary in the Dominican Republic and can draw complaints or police attention on public beaches. Dominicans generally dress modestly at the beach, particularly on Sundays, when popular beaches become large family gatherings with music and shared food.
Essential Spanish Phrases
Respectful expressions with phonetic pronunciations to help you connect with locals.
"Hello"
"Thank you"
"Sorry / Excuse me"
"Please"
Take all 66 phrases and offline audio with you in Good Trip.
Water & pharmacies
Do not drink the tap water
Drink bottled water, which is widely available, and request bottled water at restaurants and hotels. Ice in well-established tourist venues is usually made from purified water, but outside tourist areas it may be made from tap water; when in doubt, ask for drinks without ice. Choose food that is cooked and served hot, and practise regular hand hygiene.
Local Pharmacy Rules
Widely available in major cities.
Apps to Download Before Flying to Dominican Republic
Useful apps for transit, navigation, and food delivery in Dominican Republic.
Uber
Ride-hailing in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Punta Cana, and other cities and tourist areas, with the fare shown in the app before the ride.
DiDi Rider
A second ride-hailing option operating in Santo Domingo and the Punta Cana area, useful as a price comparison or backup to other ride apps.
PedidosYa
The Dominican Republic's widely used delivery platform for restaurant meals, groceries, and pharmacy orders in cities across the country.
Emergency Contacts & U.S. Embassy
If you lose your passport, need urgent medical evacuation, or encounter legal trouble, keep this info accessible offline.
U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo
Av. República de Colombia #57, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
This preview comes from the Good Trip country guide. Conditions and travel advisories can change. Check the latest U.S. State Department advice before departure.
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