All borders (air, land and sea) closed from 19 March for 15 days in the first place. The national state of emergency from 19 March has also been declared with 15 days duration in the first place.
Safety
Most trips to the Dominican Republic go safely and without special problems, but travelers should be alert and take reasonable precautions.
The crime rate is relatively low, but has shown a rising trend lately. Haiti’s border areas are particularly vulnerable to crime. Visitors should be extra cautious in the period from November to January as the crime rate is highest during this period. Pocket theft and assault are the most common form of crime that affects tourists, but from time to time more violent episodes are also reported. It is recommended to dress “easily” and not show visible signs of wealth when leaving the hotel area. Take special care after dark; It is recommended not to walk alone and avoid illuminated areas. One should at all times secure his personal belongings and documents.
Strikes, protests and political demonstrations occur periodically and previous demonstrations have sometimes been violent. It is recommended to avoid demonstrations.
Taxis are cheap and relatively reliable. However, cases of robberies committed by taxi drivers have been reported, and it is therefore recommended to keep valuables well hidden. Tourist taxis are safer but more expensive. Motorcycle taxis are popular and cheap but not harmless.
International driving license is required when driving or renting a car. Care should also be taken to keep windows closed and doors locked during car trips to avoid stealing.
The terror threat is considered low in the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic is prone to flooding and hurricanes. The hurricane season lasts from June through November. Earthquakes are also a potential threat and earthquakes are occasionally noticed.
Hurricanes: In the case of hurricanes, Norwegians staying in affected areas are encouraged to follow the advice and directions of local authorities. In addition, the National Hurricane Center as well as local media is a useful source of up-to-date information.
It is imperative to make preparations in advance of notified hurricanes. You should ensure that you have access to what you need to do in the immediate aftermath of hurricanes. During and after hurricanes, periods of weakened infrastructure, electricity outages, and telecommunications networks and damage to roads and buildings can occur. Restaurants and shops may be closed. In some cases it can be challenging to float water, food and cash. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not normally provide travel advice in connection with natural disasters.
You should be aware that most tour operators offering excursions, water sports, jeep, horseback riding, etc. are not insured, and you should therefore check the terms of your insurance before undertaking such activities.
Norway is represented by two honorary consulates in the Dominican Republic; one in Santo Domingo and one in Puerto Plata. The Norwegian Embassy responsible for the Dominican Republic is the Norwegian Embassy in Havana, Cuba. Contact information for the consulates can be found here.
Entry
Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.
For entry, passports that are valid for up to six months after the scheduled departure date are required. A 30-day visa is available upon arrival at the Dominican Republic airport. If you want to stay longer as a tourist, you can extend your stay by 30 days. This is done at one of the immigration offices in Santo Domingo.
Upon departure, a US $ 20 (or more for longer stay) departure tax is required for stays of up to two weeks, in cases where the departure tax is not included in the airfare.
Contact the Dominican Republic Embassy in Stockholm for other types of visas:
Dominican Republic Embassy in Stockholm
Kungsholmsgatan 10, 5 Tr., 112 27 Stockholm
Tel: 468-667-4611
Email: stockholm@domemb.se
Health
Coronavirus (covid-19): Dominican authorities confirm that there have been cases of coronavirus (covid-19) in the Dominican Republic. Norwegian travelers should keep abreast of the development of the coronavirus in the country. Dominican authorities have introduced measures to limit the spread of the virus. Follow local authorities’ advice, guidance and instructions on how to deal with the situation.
All borders (air, land and sea) closed from 19 March for 15 days in the first place. Declared national state of emergency from March 19 also initially in 15 days duration. From March 20, curfews were introduced (8 pm-6am) with the exception of those with special exemptions (health workers and others) or medical crisis. Major restrictions on movement and activities in the country. All major events canceled. All schools and universities closed. Bars and restaurants mainly closed but except for food delivery. Several hotels are closing their doors.
You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.
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It is recommended to obtain travel and hospital insurance before departure. Public hospitals have a lower standard than Norwegians are accustomed to, but there are private hospitals of a high standard. Medications are expensive.
One should not drink tap water and care should be taken with food that has been washed in tap water. It is also not recommended to eat food prepared on the street. Visitors may experience slightly easier stomach upset due to the unfamiliar bacterial flora. Malaria, dengue, dysentery, rabies, typhoid and hepatitis A and B occur. Seek medical advice well in advance of departure for any vaccines.
HIV/AIDS occurs and one should take the necessary precautions to avoid infection.
For official health travel advice and health professional guidance for Norwegians when traveling abroad, please refer to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
Practical information
Dominican Pesos (DOP) is the official currency, but US dollars are also common to use and accepted in most places. 1 NOK is equivalent to 7.01 DOP (as of 19.06.2019).
Credit cards (Visa, American Express, Mastercard, Diners) can be used in Santo Domingo, as well as in the major tourist areas. Cards can also be used to withdraw local currency from ATMs. Card fraud is a major problem and therefore use should be limited. To avoid copying the card, you should check for ATM irregularities and always make sure the card is visible when paying in restaurants, bars, etc. The US dollar is the easiest to exchange.
Normal opening hours are – Banks: 08: 30-16: 00, some of the larger shopping centers have banks that are open until 19:00. Public Offices: 08: 00/09: 00-18: 00; Saturdays until 13:00. Stores: 0900-1900
National Holidays – January 1, January 6, January 21, January 26, February 27 (Independence Day), Good Friday, May 1, June 23, August 16, September 24, October 12, 25. December.
Telephone – National telephone code: 1-809 (allcitycodes)
Emergency Phone – 911
The time difference to Norway is 6 hours behind Norway summer time, 5 hours normal time.
The power supply is at 110 volts 60 Hz.
The climate is subtropical, with rainy season from May to October. Temperatures are stable, with an average temperature of 24 degrees in December-March and 27 degrees in August. Humidity is relatively high, especially in the afternoons from June to November. The weather forecast can be read here.
Always bring your passport, a copy of the passport is not considered a valid travel document.
Very few speak English outside of the major tourist complexes. It will be a great advantage to be able to speak some Spanish.
Drug smuggling is punished with severe imprisonment under very demanding conditions and no special treatment is given to foreigners. Anti-drug police are very effective.
The tourist police, who usually speak satisfactory English, can provide assistance.