Punta Cana Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Planning your first trip to Punta Cana? Or returning and want to make this visit even better? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know—from what to pack to how to stay safe, from weather patterns to money matters. Consider this your essential survival guide to paradise!

Essential Travel Documents

Passport Requirements

U.S. Citizens:

• Valid passport required
• Must be valid for duration of stay
• No visa needed for stays under 30 days
• Keep a photocopy separate from original

Tourist Card:

• $10 USD fee (often included in airfare)
• Valid for 30 days
• Can extend at immigration office
• Keep it safe—needed for departure!

Other Nationalities:

• Check specific requirements
• Some need visas
• Verify at Dominican consulate

Customs Declaration

What You Can Bring:

• Personal items
• Reasonable amount of gifts
• 200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco
• 2 liters of alcohol

What's Prohibited:

• Drugs (severe penalties!)
• Certain foods
• Pornographic material
• Weapons without permits

Money Matters

Currency

Dominican Peso (RD$ or DOP)

• Official currency
• About 55-60 pesos = 1 USD (rates fluctuate)

U.S. Dollars Widely Accepted:

• Hotels
• Tours
• Restaurants
• Taxis
• But often at worse exchange rate

Pro Tip: Use pesos for better value with local vendors!

ATMs & Banking

ATM Availability:

• Plentiful in tourist areas
• Dispense both pesos and dollars
• Daily withdrawal limits (~10,000-20,000 pesos)
• Small fees apply

Best Practices:

• Use ATMs in banks during business hours
• Notify your bank before travel
• Have backup cards
• Avoid stand-alone street ATMs

Credit Cards:

• Widely accepted in resorts
• Visa and Mastercard most common
• Sometimes 3-10% surcharge
• Keep receipts

Tipping Guide

Restaurants:

• 10% usually added to bill
• Extra 5-10% for great service
• Cash tips preferred

Bars:

• $1-2 per drink
• All-inclusive: still tip bartenders

Tour Guides:

• $5-10 per person per tour
• More for exceptional service

Taxi Drivers:

• 10% of fare
• Round up for good service

Hotel Staff:

• Bellman: $1-2 per bag
• Housekeeping: $2-3 per day
• Concierge: $5-10 for special help

Weather & When to Visit

Best Times to Visit

Peak Season (December-April):

• Perfect weather (75-85°F)
• Minimal rain
• Most expensive
• Crowded resorts
• Book well in advance

Shoulder Season (May, November):

• Great weather still
• Lower prices
• Fewer crowds
• Best value

Hurricane Season (June-November):

• Hotter and more humid
• Afternoon rain showers
• Best deals
• September-October highest hurricane risk
• Hotels have storm protocols

What to Pack for Weather

Dry Season:

• Light, breathable clothing
• Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Light jacket for AC

Rainy Season:

• Everything above plus:
• Light rain jacket
• Quick-dry clothing
• Waterproof phone case
• Umbrella (small, travel)

Packing Essentials

The Must-Haves

Documents:

• Passport (+ photocopy)
• Travel insurance
• Hotel confirmations
• Tour reservations
• Emergency contacts
• Credit cards (+ backup)

Sun Protection:

• Reef-safe sunscreen (mandatory!)
• After-sun lotion
• Lip balm with SPF
• Wide-brimmed hat
• UV-protective sunglasses
• Rash guard for water activities

Clothing:

• Swimsuits (at least 2)
• Cover-ups
• Lightweight shirts/shorts
• Sandals
• Walking shoes
• Nicer outfit for restaurants
• Light cardigan/jacket

Tech & Accessories:

• Phone + charger
• Power bank
• Camera
• Waterproof phone case
• Universal adapter (not usually needed)
• Headphones

Health & Hygiene:

• Prescriptions (in original containers)
• Basic first-aid kit
• Motion sickness medicine
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• Insect repellent
• Hand sanitizer

What NOT to Pack:

• Expensive jewelry
• Unnecessary valuables
• Too many clothes (you'll wear swimsuits mostly!)
• Hair dryer (hotels provide)

Health & Safety

Staying Healthy

Water:

• Don't drink tap water
• Use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth
• Ice in resorts is usually safe
• Avoid ice from street vendors

Food Safety:

• Resort food is generally safe
• Be cautious with street food
• Avoid raw/undercooked food from questionable sources
• Wash hands frequently

Sun Safety:

• Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours
• Seek shade during peak hours (11AM-3PM)
• Stay hydrated
• Wear protective clothing

Mosquitoes:

• Use DEET repellent
• Especially at dawn/dusk
• Wear long sleeves/pants in jungle areas
• Resorts usually spray regularly

Medical Care:

• Quality hospitals in Punta Cana
• Bring travel insurance
• Many doctors speak English
• Pharmacies widely available

Staying Safe

Generally Very Safe, But:

Resort Safety:

• Keep room locked
• Use in-room safe
• Don't leave valuables on beach
• Be aware of surroundings

Outside Resorts:

• Stay in tourist areas
• Don't flash expensive items
• Use official taxis
• Travel in groups at night
• Avoid deserted areas

Scams to Avoid:

• Fake tour operators (book through reputable companies)
• Overcharging taxis (agree on price first)
• "Free" gifts that aren't free
• Timeshare presentations (unless you're interested)

Emergency Numbers:

• Police: 911
• Tourist Police: 809-200-3500
• Ambulance: 911
• Fire: 911

Getting Around

Airport to Hotel

Official Taxis:

• Fixed rates
• Available at airport
• ~$30-50 to Bavaro/Punta Cana
• Safer than random offers

Uber:

• Available but limited
• Works from airport
• Often cheaper than taxis

Shuttle Services:

• Pre-booked through hotels
• Reliable and comfortable
• Usually $25-35 per person

Private Transfers:

• Book in advance
• Most convenient
• Good for groups
• $40-80 depending on group size

Around Punta Cana

Resort Shuttles:

• Many resorts offer free shuttles to beaches/shopping
• Check with concierge

Taxis:

• Negotiate price BEFORE entering
• Should be $10-20 for short trips
• More for distant destinations

Rental Cars:

• Available but not necessary
• Driving can be chaotic
• Good for independent exploration
• Need valid driver's license
• Insurance recommended

Tour Transportation:

• Most tours include pickup/dropoff
• Convenient and included in price

Language Tips

Spanish Basics:

• Most resort staff speak English
• Learn basic Spanish phrases
• Dominicans appreciate the effort!

Essential Phrases:

• Hola - Hello
• Gracias - Thank you
• Por favor - Please
• ¿Cuánto cuesta? - How much?
• No entiendo - I don't understand
• ¿Habla inglés? - Do you speak English?
• La cuenta, por favor - The check, please
• Baño - Bathroom

Download Translation App:

• Google Translate works offline
• Download Spanish pack before trip

Communication

Phone & Internet

Wi-Fi:

• Free in most resorts
• Quality varies
• Usually good in main areas
• Ask for password

Cell Phone:

Option 1: International Plan

• Check with your carrier
• Usually $10/day
• Most convenient
• Can be expensive

Option 2: Local SIM Card

• Buy at airport or Claro/Orange stores
• ~$20-30 for week of data
• Need unlocked phone
• Best value for heavy users

Option 3: Wi-Fi Only

• Use messaging apps on Wi-Fi
• WhatsApp very popular in DR
• Download offline maps

Cultural Tips

Dominican Culture

Friendly & Welcoming:

• Dominicans are warm and hospitable
• Expect friendly greetings
• Handshakes common
• Personal space smaller than US

Pace of Life:

• Things move slower
• "Dominican time" is flexible
• Don't rush or get frustrated
• Enjoy the relaxed vibe!

Dress Code:

• Beach attire fine at resorts
• Cover up when leaving resort
• Modest dress in towns/churches
• Dominicans dress well in cities

Music & Dance:

• Merengue and Bachata everywhere!
• Dominicans love to dance
• Don't be shy—join in!

Etiquette

Do's:

• Greet people warmly
• Be patient and friendly
• Tip service workers
• Try local food
• Learn some Spanish

Don'ts:

• Don't be loud or rude
• Don't photograph people without asking
• Don't discuss politics
• Don't compare to other countries negatively
• Don't be stingy with tips

Shopping & Souvenirs

What to Buy

Best Souvenirs:

• Larimar jewelry (blue stone, found only in DR)
• Amber
• Cigars (world-famous!)
• Rum (Brugal, Barceló)
• Chocolate and coffee
• Handcrafted items
• Dominican art

Where to Shop:

• Hotel gift shops (convenient, expensive)
• Local markets (bargain expected!)
• Palma Real Shopping Village
• Downtown Higüey (authentic, cheaper)
• Airport duty-free (last chance!)

Bargaining:

• Expected at markets
• Start at 50% of asking price
• Be friendly and patient
• Walk away if too high (often called back!)

All-Inclusive Resort Tips

Making the Most of It:

Dining:

• Make reservations early for à la carte restaurants
• Try different restaurants each night
• Room service usually included
• Snacks available 24/7 at most resorts

Drinks:

• Specify brand names for quality
• Tip bartenders (better service!)
• Hydrate with water between drinks
• Try local drinks (mamajuana!)

Activities:

• Sign up early for popular activities
• Non-motorized water sports often included
• Entertainment every night
• Gym and spa facilities

Upgrades:

• Ask about room upgrades at check-in
• Honeymoons/anniversaries mention it!
• Sometimes free, sometimes small fee

Final Essential Tips

Before You Go:

• ✓ Buy travel insurance
• ✓ Register with embassy (STEP program for US)
• ✓ Make copies of documents
• ✓ Check tour cancellation policies
• ✓ Download offline maps
• ✓ Notify banks of travel
• ✓ Get vaccinations if needed

At the Airport:

• Arrive 3 hours early for international
• Keep valuables in carry-on
• Declare everything at customs
• Keep tourist card for departure
• Check duty-free limits

During Your Stay:

• Relax and enjoy!
• Don't over-schedule
• Try local experiences
• Take lots of photos
• Stay hydrated
• Use sunscreen religiously

Returning Home:

• Check-out times (usually 12 PM)
• Keep receipts for customs
• Tip final day housekeeping
• Exchange remaining pesos
• Share your experience (review your resort/tours!)

Why Book with Tolhuin Tours?

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🎫 Best Prices: Local company, no middlemen
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💯 Trusted: 4.9★ rating from thousands of travelers
🌟 Local Experts: We know Punta Cana inside and out
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Final Thoughts

Punta Cana is an incredible destination that offers something for everyone. With these travel tips in your back pocket, you're well-prepared for an amazing vacation. Remember: relax, be open to new experiences, respect local culture, stay safe, and most importantly—have the time of your life!

¡Buen viaje! (Have a good trip!)

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Questions before your trip? We're here to help:
📞 +1 (849) 516-9555
📧 tolhuintours@gmail.com
🌴 Your Punta Cana experts since day one