Dominican Republic
From CruisersWiki
Dominican Republic Cruising Guide
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to the Dominican Republic.
| Dominican Republic | |
 Dominican Republic | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | Santo Domingo |
|---|---|
| Language: | Spanish |
| Currency: | Peso (DOP) |
| More notes about the country | |
The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean country that occupies the eastern two-thirds of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. The western one-third of Hispaniola is occupied by the country of Haiti. To the north lies the North Atlantic Ocean, while the Caribbean Sea lies to the south. There are many small offshore islands and cays that are part of the Dominican territory. The two largest islands near shore are Saona Island in the southeast and Beata Island in the southwest.
Info on cruising in the region?
Climate & Weather
The climate is tropical. The wet season is from May to November, and possible hurricanes between June and November. Most rainfall is in the northern and eastern regions. The average rainfall is 1346 mm, with extremes of 2500 mm in the northeast and 500 mm in the west. The main annual temperature ranges from 21 °C in the mountainous regions to 25 °C on the plains and at the coast. The average temperature in Santo Domingo in January is 25 °C and 30 °C in July.
Submit sources of weather forecasting here.
Charts
Submit details of the charts required for safe navigation of the area.
Any navigation notes here.
Local Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Submit details of Cruiser's Nets and VHF operating/calling channels here.
Arrival/Departure procedures
Also see: Check-in procedures/prices at Zar-Par Marina
The Q flag must be flown and do not leave the yacht until the officials have boarded and issued clearance. A port official will board the yacht with immigration and customs officials. The ship's papers, passports and clearance certificate from your last port must be presented. A visitor's card for each person aboard will be issued. A new law started the 1 of July that will make arrival and departure easier, less expensive and nicer.
Vessels must report arrival and departure between EACH port, this can now be done in the marina where you are staying. It is now a lot easier to both go in and out of the country as well as cruising between different ports.
Immigration, Visas & Customs
Immigration
Note that US citizens must be in possession of a passport.
No visa is required (only a Tourist Card is necessary) for stays of up to sixty days by nationals of:
Andorra, Antigua, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czechoslovakia, Curacao, Denmark, Dominica, El Salvador, Finland, France (includes Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Reunion and St. Kitts), Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guatemala, Holland, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Turks & Caicos Islands, Italy, Jamaica, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mexico, Monaco, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Russia, San Marino, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Surinam, Trinidad & Tobago, the United States (including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands), Ukraine, Venezuela and Yugoslavia.
Tourist Cards are valid for up to sixty days from the date of entry and can be obtained on arrival for US$10.00 for the nationals of the countries listed above. All others, including Cuba, require visas and all applications must be authorised by the authorities in the Dominican Republic.
Customs
Firearms MUST be declared and accompanied with the valid documentation. Any pets must have a valid health certificate and documentation showing recent Rabies innoculation.
Health
Dengue Fever and Malaria exist and there is a high Aids infection of the population.
Water - Locals, even in the most rural areas, will either boil their water or purchase bottled water. Eating salads or other food that may be washed in tap water is not advisable. Ice is a bad idea as well, except in luxury hotels and restaurants (which produce ice from bottled water). If you plan on cooking or washing dishes for longer stays, it is a good idea to rinse everything with bottled or boiled water before use.
Security
Tourists are advised not to travel alone in cities if possible as muggings are fairly common. Streets are largely unlit after dark, even in the captial of Santo Domingo, and are subject to routine power outages. Wild dogs are common throughout the country but largely ignore people (feeding these dogs is not recommended as this may induce aggressive behavior). Western travellers are advised to dress casually and remove rings and other jewelery when away from tourist destinations. However, common tourist destinations, in particular the more expensive, luxury hotels and areas are very safe.
Corruption is rampant and the level of professionalism of the National Police is somewhat debatable. To protect income from tourism the government has established the Polit Tour or "tourist police" which is tasked with the safety of foreign tourists. Travellers are advised to contact this agency if any problems are encountered as they will have a much more positive response than with the national police.
Ports & Popular Stops
Ports of Entry
- Casa de Campo (In La Romana)
- Luperon
- Puerto Plata (Commercial port)
- Ocean World Marina (Near Puerto Plata)
- Punta Cana
- Cap Cana
- Santo Domingo
- Zar-Par Marina (Boca Chica)
Others
- Las Salinas
- Samana
- Isla Saona
- Isla Beata
- Bahia las Agilas
- Rio Cumballasa
- Palmillas (Near La Romana)
Marinas/Yacht Clubs
- Casa de Campo Marina
- Club Nautico de Santo Domingo (members only)
- Marina Zar-Par (port of entry)
18°25.50N 69°36.67W - Ocean World Marina (Port of Entry)
19º50.095N - 070º43.535W (Near Puerto Plata)
Website - Puerto Blanco Marina
- Puerto Colon Port & Marina
- Puntacana Resort & Marina
- Cap Cana
Offshore Islands
Cruiser's Friends
Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
References & Publications
Links to Forum Discussions
External Links
- A Free CRUISING GUIDE TO:THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, 4th Edition, by Frank Virgintino (03/2010)(42 Mb)
- Guía de Navegación de República Dominicana de Frank Virgintino, en Español (01/2010) (9,06 Mb, pdf)
- Dominican Republic on Wikipedia
- Dominican Republic Cruising Guide
Personal Experiences
Tell us about cruising DR here please.
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