edit Dominican Republic Travel Guide

By plane

By train

By car

By bus

By boat

Most companies do not require anything more than a Passport to work. There are a lot of North American companies in the country, especially in Santo Domingo and DN (aka National District). There are good opportunities for English speaking employees. The country has several free zones, lots of them in the Call Center area.

Malaria has been an issue, especially in the rainforests. Be sure to consult with a physician before departure.

There is a risk of dengue fever which is contracted through mosquitos that bite during the day. No vaccine is available, so using mosquito repellent is advisable.

Additionally, many of the local foods are safe to eat including the meats, fruits, and vegetables.

Visitors, however, should not drink any of the local water and should stay with bottled water or other beverages. It is important for visitors to stay hydrated in the hot, humid climate.
Sunburn and sun poisoning are a great risk. The sun is very bright here. Use at least SPF30 sunblock. Limit sun exposure.

Options for getting around the country include bus service, 'gua-guas' (pronounced "Gwa-Gwas": small battered vans or trucks that serve as a collective taxi running fixed routes that are very cheap but can also very overloaded), domestic air flights and charter air service. There is no rail system in the country. A small company offers domestic air service (with Santo Domingo's Herrera airport as hub). Schedule well in advance, as flights fill up fast. A more expensive option is chartering an air flight. You can actually book your charter flight online with Dominican Airport Transfers There is typically a minimum of three passengers for charter flights. Most towns and cities have regularly scheduled bus service, if not by one of the big bus companies, than by gua-gua. The bus lines are most often simple, independently run operations, usually only connecting two cities within a region (Southwest, East, North) or between one city and the capital (with stops made for any towns on the route). Because of the geography of the country, to get from one region of the country to another you have to go through the capital.

Caribe Tours , based out of the capital, is the biggest bus company, and has coverage in most regions that are not well-served by the other 'official' bus companies. Unlike taxis and gua-guas, Caribe Tour rates are fixed by destination and are extremely reasonable due to government subsidies. Expect to pay under 250 pesos (Dom) or $10 (US) for even the longest trips. Caribe Tour buses typically run from 7am to 4pm (with departures approx. every two hours) and cover most major cities. On longer trips, expect a short (10 minute) stop for coffee and lunch. Buses are fairly luxurious with movies playing for the entire trip and air conditioning (which can be extremely cold - bring a sweater). The 'unofficial' gua-gua system covers nearly every road on the island for some moderate savings (if you don't mind being packed in).

Taxi services are available but potentially dangerous when dealing with unlicensed drivers. In all cases, it's a good idea to go with a licensed driver and negotiate a price for your destination before you leave. Good drivers are often easy to identify by licenses worn around the neck, uniforms, and clean air conditioned vehicles. When calling a taxi company, you will be given a number to verify your driver. When being picked up, make sure your driver gives you the right number as 'false pickups' are often a prelude to robbery.


You can also book your airport transfers in advance from the comfort of your home with Dominican Airport Transfers one of the Dominican Republic's leaders in airport transfers servicing all airports and tourist destinations. You can actually get an instant quote and book online on their automated site. Dominican Airport Transfers office is located in Santo Domingo City.






Another way to get out and about is to book an excursion or transfers with Cocotours, one of the Dominican Republic's leading inbound tour operators. Cocotours has offices in:

• La Romana
• Puerto Plata
• Punta Cana
• Samana.