{"metadata":{"generated":{"timestamp":1393624894,"date":"2014-02-28 23:01:34"}},"data":{"country-iso":"DO","advisory-state":1,"has-advisory-warning":0,"has-regional-advisory":0,"has-content":1,"update-metadata":"","eng":{"name":"Dominican Republic","url-slug":"dominican-republic","friendly-date":"February 27, 2014 11:07 ","advisory-text":"Exercise a high degree of caution","recent-updates":"A minor editorial change was made.","advisories":"
<\/p>","security":"
The decision to travel is your responsibility. You are also responsible for your personal safety abroad. The purpose of this Travel Advice is to provide up-to-date information to enable you to make well-informed decisions.<\/p>\n
The security situation is stable. However, demonstrations and protests occasionally occur, particularly in the areas of Santiago, Salcedo, Bonao and Santo Domingo. Even though these demonstrations are not targeted at foreigners and do not happen near resorts, they have the potential to turn violent without notice and should be avoided. Exercise caution and monitor local news reports.<\/p>\n
Violent crime (including assault) against foreigners occasionally occurs. Petty crime (including pickpocketing) is common in urban areas. Thefts have been reported in resorts, including in hotel rooms and hotel room safes. Exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings, especially after dark. Avoid showing signs of affluence and do not leave your personal belongings unattended on the beach. Ensure that your personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times. Limit the valuable items you bring into the country.<\/p>\n
Theft of items from checked baggage at airports has been reported. These thefts have taken place most frequently when travellers are departing. Money and personal items have also been stolen from carry-on luggage while travellers are going through security checks. Do not pack valuables in your checked luggage. Items most likely to disappear include electronics (especially digital cameras), jewellery and perfume. All bags are routinely X-rayed upon arrival and departure.<\/p>\n
In the event that documents are lost or stolen, obtain a police report in order to receive a passport or an appropriate travel document from the Embassy of Canada in Santo Domingo, the Consulate of Canada in Puerto Plata or the Office of the Embassy of Canada in Punta Cana.<\/p>\n
Unaccompanied female travellers should exercise caution in dealing with strangers or recent acquaintances, especially regarding the acceptance of rides or other invitations. Incidents of assault, rape and sexual aggression against foreigners have been reported, including at beach resorts. In some cases, hotel employees have been implicated.<\/p>\n
Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum, or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as they may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery. Anyone who is a victim of sexual assault or other crime should report the crime immediately. No criminal investigation is possible without a formal complaint to the Dominican authorities.<\/p>\n
The Dominican Republic has one of the highest road accident rates in the world. Driving is hazardous due to aggressive driving habits, a significant number of trucks and motorcycles, reckless passing, excessive speeds, poorly marked lanes, construction, vehicles travelling in the wrong direction on one-way streets, and poorly maintained roads and cars. Driving after dark is not recommended due to poor lighting.<\/p>\n
Traffic laws are similar to those in Canada but are often not respected. Roadside assistance is not available. There have been reports of police officers, or criminals posing as police officers, demanding immediate payment of traffic fines. Drivers should insist on paying any traffic fine at the nearest police station. Pedestrians should take extra care.<\/p>\n
Public transportation is not recommended. Private companies operate reliable buses between cities. Taxi-plane services are also available.<\/p>\n
Taxis are fairly reliable. You should always negotiate the fare prior to departure. Avoid using or renting motorcycle taxis (motoconchos<\/em>), as they are very dangerous. Route taxis (gua-guas\/carros publicos<\/em>) are not recommended as they may disregard traffic laws, often resulting in serious accidents involving injury and sometimes death. They may also be used by thieves to rob passengers.<\/p>\n Consult our Transportation Safety<\/a> page in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.<\/p>\n Credit card and debit card fraud occurs. Pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others during payment. Be cautious when using automated banking machines, and only do so to withdraw money during business hours inside a bank.<\/p>\n Water safety standards may not be comparable to Canadian safety standards. Hotels and resorts may not have lifeguards on beaches, and appropriate safety and rescue equipment may not be available. It is imperative that you keep informed of local water conditions and warning systems (including at your hotel) and follow instructions accordingly. Strong undertows could pose threats, especially in the Macao area. Swimmers who enter the water do so at their own risk. Remain in well-marked and supervised areas. Avoid walking on deserted or unsupervised beaches after dark.<\/p>\n It is also possible that aquatic equipment offered at the beach does not meet Canadian safety standards. Check that your travel insurance covers accidents related to recreational activities. Avoid participating in any water activities under the influence of alcohol or other substances.<\/p>\n Avoid excursions that are not recommended by tour operators. Ensure that tour operators have taken proper safety measures, including the use of safety equipment such as helmets and life jackets, before undertaking extreme or eco-tourism types of activities.<\/p>\n A number of cases have been reported of Canadians losing large sums of money while playing progressive keno, super keno and other keno or progressive roulette games at casinos. These games operate on a progressive wagering basis, and large amounts of money can be lost rapidly. Exercise caution in hotel casinos where these games are offered, especially when requested to provide credit card information.<\/p>\n The tourist police (POLITUR), a cooperative effort between the national police, secretary of the armed forces and the secretary of tourism, provide a security presence in tourist areas and first response assistance to tourists. They can be reached toll-free at 1-809-200-3500 and can help get tourists to a police station to file a report and to seek further assistance.<\/p>\n Dial 911 for emergency services in Santo Domingo.<\/p>","entry-exit":" It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the authorities of the Dominican Republic. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is your responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Dominican Republic<\/a> or one of its consulates<\/a> for up-to-date information.<\/p>\n Official (special and diplomatic) passport holders must consult the Official Travel<\/a> page, as they may be subject to different entry requirements.<\/p>\n A valid passport<\/a> is now required for Canadians intending to visit the Dominican Republic. The passport must be valid until the date of expected departure from the country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country's entry rules. Canadian tourists must also be in possession of a return airline ticket.<\/strong><\/p>\n Tourist visa: Not required Canadians entering the Dominican Republic for tourist purposes must purchase a tourist card at a cost of US$10, which is valid for 30 days. The tourist card can be purchased at the airport upon arrival to the country. Those wishing to stay for a longer period than allowed on the tourist card must pay a surcharge at the airport upon departure, which ranges in cost depending on length of stay, or request an extension by visiting the Department of Immigration in Santo Domingo. Those wishing to work in the Dominican Republic must apply for a business visa. For more information, contact the Embassy of the Dominican Republic<\/a>.<\/p>\n Foreigners may gain the right to reside in the Dominican Republic by acquiring a residence visa from the Foreign Relations Ministry and a temporary or permanent residence card from the Immigration Department. A student visa is also required. For more information, contact the Embassy of the Dominican Republic<\/a>.<\/p>\n A departure tax of US$20 is charged for stays of up to 30 days. The departure tax for stays longer than 30 days varies depending on length of stay and nationality. The tax applies to all international flights, and may be included in the price of the airline ticket.<\/p>\n The Dominican Republic is actively working to fight drug trafficking by enforcing strict border controls and increasing its capacity to screen narcotics. As part of standard local procedure, you may be subjected to drug screening measures by authorities upon departure from the country. Your luggage may be searched and you may be asked to sign a form (written in Spanish and for internal use only) stating that the search was performed within procedural requirements. In some cases, you may be required to undergo an x-ray either at the airport or at a local hospital. If your results come back clear, you will be immediately returned to the airport. Should you be found transporting illegal substances, you will be taken into custody. In accordance with Dominican law, a person detained or arrested by the authorities may be held without charges for up to 48 hours before the case is presented to a judge. For consular assistance, contact the Embassy of Canada in the Dominican Republic.<\/p>\n Children need special documentation to visit certain countries. Please consult our Children<\/a> page for more information.<\/p>\n Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before allowing entry. Consult the World Health Organization’s country list<\/a> to obtain information on this country’s requirements.<\/p>","health":" Be sure that your routine vaccines<\/a> are up-to-date regardless of your travel destination.<\/p> You may be at risk for these vaccine-preventable diseases while travelling in this country. Talk to your travel health provider about which ones are right for you.<\/p> \n\tHepatitis A<\/a> is a disease of the liver spread by contaminated food or water. All those travelling to regions with a risk of hepatitis A infection should get vaccinated.<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tHepatitis B<\/a> is a disease of the liver spread through blood or other bodily fluids. Travellers who may be exposed (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment or occupational exposure) should get vaccinated.<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tSeasonal influenza<\/a> occurs worldwide. The flu season usually runs from November to April in the northern hemisphere, between April and October in the southern hemisphere and year round in the tropics. Influenza (flu) is caused by a virus spread from person to person when they cough or sneeze or through personal contact with unwashed hands. Get the flu shot.<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tMeasles occurs worldwide but is a common disease in developing countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia. Measles<\/a> is a highly contagious disease. Be sure your vaccination against measles is up-to-date regardless of the travel destination. \n\tRabies<\/a> is a disease that attacks the central nervous system spread to humans through a bite, scratch or lick from a rabid animal. Vaccination should be considered for travellers going to areas where rabies exists and who have a high risk of exposure (i.e., close contact with animals, occupational risk, and children).<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tTyphoid<\/a> is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among travellers going to rural areas, visiting friends and relatives, or with weakened immune systems. Travellers visiting regions with typhoid risk, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation should consider getting vaccinated.<\/p>\n<\/details> Yellow fever is a disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito.<\/p> Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.<\/p>Fraud<\/h3>\n
General security information<\/h3>\n
Emergency services<\/h3>\n
Passport<\/h3>\n
Visas<\/h3>\n
Business visa: Required
Student visa: Required<\/p>\nDeparture tax<\/h3>\n
Drug screening<\/h3>\n
Children and travel<\/h3>\n
Yellow fever<\/h3>\n
Vaccines<\/summary>
Routine Vaccines<\/h3>
Vaccines to Consider<\/h3>
Hepatitis A<\/summary>
Hepatitis B<\/summary>
Influenza<\/summary>
Measles<\/summary>
\n\t <\/p>\n<\/details>Rabies<\/summary>
Typhoid<\/summary>
Yellow Fever Vaccination<\/h3>