Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic shares Hispaniola with Haiti and is known for its colonial capital, Caribbean resort coasts and Pico Duarte, the tallest point in the Caribbean.
The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern part of Hispaniola, the Caribbean island it shares with Haiti to the west. Its capital, Santo Domingo, sits on the southern coast and is the largest city in the country. The Colonial Zone, a World Heritage Site, contains some of the earliest colonial buildings in the Americas, among them a cathedral, a palace and a fortress. Christopher Columbus landed on the island on December 5, 1492. His brother Bartholomew founded Santo Domingo in 1496, the first permanent European settlement in the Americas.
It is the second-largest country in the Antilles after Cuba and the most visited destination in the Caribbean. Travelers can combine the capital with the resort coast around Punta Cana, or with mountain and nature areas such as Jarabacoa and Bahía de las Águilas. Pico Duarte rises to about 3,098 meters, while Lake Enriquillo sits about 45 meters below sea level. The climate is tropical, with an average temperature of about 26 °C. The wet season runs from May to November in most of the country, and hurricanes are most likely from June to October.
Five things to know before Dominican Republic
- Get the tourist card before you fly
Most visitors need a tourist card, and the rule depends on your country of residence. The e-ticket guide explains how to get one. E-ticket guide
- Carry pesos as well as dollars
The currency is the Dominican peso (DOP). US dollars, euros, Canadian dollars and Swiss francs are accepted at most tourist sites. Money and costs
- Check the hurricane window before you book
Hurricanes are most likely from June to October. The last major hurricane to hit the country was Georges, in 1998. Check that your travel insurance covers storm-related cancellations. Travel insurance
- Use Caribe Tours or Metro Servicios Turísticos for long trips
Both are private firms that run daily long-distance buses. Many secondary roads are still unpaved, so allow more time once you leave the main highways. Getting around
- Carry a power bank for outages outside resorts
Power cuts are frequent outside tourist areas. The supply is 110 volts at 60 Hz, so US appliances work without modification.
Dominican Republic travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Colonial Zone, the Columbus Lighthouse and the metro.
Read the guidePunta CanaResort coast, golf courses and the east.
Read the guideSamaná PeninsulaReached by a 106 km toll road in under two hours.
Read the guideSosúaBeach town on the north coast.
Read the guideGetting aroundHighways, private long-distance buses and unpaved roads.
Read the guideMoney and costsPesos, dollars, cards and the service charge.
Read the guide
Destinations in Dominican Republic
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Coolest monthsJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Coolest months
- FebruaryRain17 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Coolest monthsFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Coolest months
- MarchRain18 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Outside wet seasonMarchRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Outside wet season
- AprilRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Outside wet seasonAprilRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 145 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Outside wet season
- MayRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Wettest monthMayRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 178 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest month
- JuneRain24 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 168 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hurricane seasonJulyRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 202 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hottest monthAugustRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 241 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest month
- SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hurricane seasonSeptemberRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 181 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- OctoberRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hurricane seasonOctoberRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 230 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- NovemberRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°North coast wetNovemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 204 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
North coast wet
- DecemberRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Outside wet seasonDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Outside wet season
Average daily high and low in Santo Domingo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Dominican Republic
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 32°
- Humidity
- 64%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 92%
Dominican Republic
08:51 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today31°21°92%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Tue32°22°69%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Wed31°22°86%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Thu29°22°96%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Fri30°21°98%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Sat31°22°67%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Sun31°20°57%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 57%.
Updated 04:58 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 60.72 DOP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
On tour in Dominican Republic: Karol G Tropitour Santo Domingo, Feb 19, 2027
Before you go to Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic FAQ
Do I need a visa for the Dominican Republic?
Most visitors need a tourist card, and whether you need one depends on your country of residence. Check the rule for your country with the immigration authority before you book.
What currency is used in the Dominican Republic?
The Dominican peso (DOP) is the official currency. US dollars, euros, Canadian dollars and Swiss francs are accepted at most tourist sites.
When is the best time to visit the Dominican Republic?
January and February are the coolest months and August is the hottest. The wet season runs from May to November in most of the country, with May the wettest month, while the north coast's wet season runs from November to January.
How many days do I need in the Dominican Republic?
It depends on which regions you want to see. Samaná is under two hours from Santo Domingo on the 106-kilometre toll road, so it can be a day trip from the capital.
How do I get from Santo Domingo to Samaná?
Take a bus or a car on the 106-kilometre toll road, which takes under two hours. Private firms such as Caribe Tours and Metro Servicios Turísticos run daily long-distance buses.
Is the Dominican Republic safe to visit?
The country ranks 89th in the 2026 Global Peace Index. Check your government's travel advice before you go, especially for the Haiti border area.