What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to Dominican Republic, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
Does not advise against travel
No numbered levels
Updated 7 August 2026
Latest change, in the source's words: Updated information about outdoor activities and adventure tourism (‘Safety and security’ page).
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Level 2 of 4
Updated 12 June 2025
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Exercise a high degree of caution
Level 2 of 4
Updated 24 September 2026
Latest change, in the source's words: The Health section was updated - travel health information (Public Health Agency of Canada)
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
From the section “Emergency services in the Dominican Republic” of the UK government's travel advice for Dominican Republic, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Telephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)
The 911 emergency number does not have full coverage across the country. If you’re outside Santo Domingo, you can telephone the tourist police in an emergency: +1 809 200 3500.
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for Dominican Republic, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Always carry copies of the photo page of your passport and entry stamp with you.
There are severe penalties for all drug offences. Possession of even small quantities of any drug can lead to a fine and a prison sentence. Pack your own luggage and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.
If you’re arrested for drug offences your case can take several years to progress through the judicial process, during which you’re likely to be held in detention. If you’re given a prison sentence, you will serve the whole sentence in the Dominican Republic.
Attitudes towards the LGBT+ community are mostly conservative throughout the Caribbean. Although same-sex sexual relations are legal in the Dominican Republic, same-sex marriages are not legally recognised. Showing affection in public may result in unwanted and negative attention.
Nearly all Dominican hotels welcome LGBT+ travellers, although you should check when you book.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for Dominican Republic, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
Some medicines normally only available on prescription in the UK are available in pharmacies across the Dominican Republic.
From the section “Extreme weather and natural disasters” of the UK government's travel advice for Dominican Republic, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. Monitor local news and check the World Meteorological Association weather reports for the Dominican Republic and the US National Hurricane Center’s regional map.
Spanish language alerts are available from the Dominican Emergency Management Centre (COE) via their mobile app ‘AlertaCOE’, or their X account.
Hurricanes can cause localised flooding and damage to buildings. In recent years this has affected the north and east of the country.
Earthquakes are a risk in the Dominican Republic. If an earthquake happens, follow the advice of the local authorities.
The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
There is a risk of tsunamis from earthquakes at sea. Follow the instructions of the local authorities if there are warnings of an approaching tsunami.
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Plug and voltage data: Wikipedia, “Mains electricity by country”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), retrieved 2026-09-29. Sockets in hotels can differ; the label on your charger (for example “INPUT 100–240V”) tells you which voltages it accepts.
Rainfall Average temperature
National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).
What is acceptable to wear is a matter of local law and custom: read Local laws and customs. For seasonal hazards such as storms, floods or extreme heat, read the official section Extreme weather and natural disasters.
A general list for any trip. Ticks are not saved.
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of Dominican Republic.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.