If you think of the Dominican Republic (often abbreviated as Dom Rep or Domrep), you have endless dream beaches, huge palm trees and a clear, blue sea in mind, but that’s not all that this exciting travel destination (especially for a package tour) in the Caribbean. Of course, around 30 ° C sounds very tempting in summer, but there are other facts that speak in favor of a vacation there.

The most beautiful sights can be found in the historic capital Santa Domingo. There are still buildings here that were built by the Spaniards. For gemstone lovers, the Amber Coast with its associated museum is an interesting place to go.

However, these are just a few highlights of a vacation in the Dominican Republic, intended to show that this country has much more to offer than one would expect.

According to ehealthfacts, the Dominican Republic fought for a long time against the reputation of the mass tourism island. For some time now, the country has been concentrating on exclusive vacations. With the fascinating landscapes and beaches it is no wonder that so many people come to the Dominican Republic every year. In many regions, temperatures even reach 21 degrees in winter. Since the Dominican Republic is located in the Caribbean, water temperatures of 26 to 28 degrees prevail here all year round. Hand on heart: Who doesn’t dream of a vacation in the Domrep?

The south of the Dominican Republic is a little drier and has significantly fewer rainy days than the other regions of the country. The southern part of the country is in the rain shadow, as the clouds rain down on the Cordillera Central. As everywhere, the temperatures in the high elevations of the mountains are a bit lower and quite refreshing if you go on a hike or bike ride there. In winter, temperatures can even drop below freezing here.

Caution is advised during the storm season, the Dominican Republic is in the hurricane catchment area.

Dominican Republic climate

The entire Dominican Republic has a tropical climate with high temperatures, high humidity and rain in all seasons. Except in the central mountains, temperatures in the Dominican Republic do not vary much. On average, the summer temperatures are between 28 and 31 ° C. In the mountains, temperatures can climb up to 24 ° C on sunny days, but can just as easily fall into single digits at night or on cloudy days. In the Cordillera Central, for example in the city of Constanza (1,400 m altitude), temperatures down to below freezing point can occur in winter.

Due to the high humidity, the temperatures can feel higher, but fresh sea winds weaken this effect. The water temperatures in both the north (Atlantic Ocean) and the south (Caribbean) are between 26 and 28 ° C throughout the year.

There are two rainy seasons in the Dominican Republic, on the northern coast from October to May, in the south from May to October. Particularly heavy precipitation falls on the north and east slopes of the mountains, where the trade winds rise and have to give off moisture as a result of the cooling. The south is drier as many of the southern regions are in the rain shadow of the Cordillera Central. Here the plants suffer from drought in the winter months.

If you plan to travel across the country, be sure to bring an umbrella. The rains are often very heavy and can last up to half a day.

The island of Hispanola lies in the path of tropical cyclones (hurricanes), which can occur especially in the autumn months.

Best time to travel to the Dominican Republic

The main tourist seasons are between December to February, July to August and the week before Easter (Semana Santa). During this time, you can expect higher prices and crowded beaches. It should also be noted that most water sports activities are prohibited during Semana Santa. From June to August there is a small chance that a hurricane will hit the island.

All in all, February and November are perhaps the best months to visit – both have good weather, the crowds are smaller, and you can attend baseball games and the carnival. Whale watching is also possible.

Health and Diseases in the Dominican Republic

Vaccination protection

The Federal Foreign Office’s health service recommends vaccination against tetanus, hepatitis A and diphtheria, and protection against hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies for longer stays (more than 4 weeks).

Dengue fever

In the Dominican Republic, epidemics of dengue fever occur almost every year during and after the rainy season (around May to November). This disease is transmitted by the diurnal mosquito Stegomyia aegypti, in isolated cases serious damage to health, including fatal results, is possible.

Malaria

Malaria occurs all year round in the Dominican Republic (only tropical malaria without resistance). There is a medium risk of malaria in the lowlands of the western provinces (Hondo Valle, Castanuela and Pepillo Salcedo), and a low risk of malaria in the lowlands of the provinces in the east including the wetlands on the coasts. There is a very low risk of malaria in the tourist resorts on the coast, in the capital Santo Domingo and the rest of the country.

Malaria outbreaks can occur in the Dominican Republic from time to time (several years apart), tourists can also be affected and (mostly after their return) become ill. In this case, chemoprophylaxis with chloroquine is often recommended. Please also note the current information from the tropical institutes.

Major outbreaks of disease are often not reported by the authorities of the Dominican Republic or warnings are only issued with delay, so you should consistently protect yourself against mosquito bites.

It is recommended for all travelers in the Dominican Republic (including in the cities)

• wear light-colored clothing covering the whole body (long trousers and shirts). This both during the day (dengue fever) and in the evening (malaria).
• Regularly apply insect repellent to all exposed parts of the body
• to use a mosquito net in the regions mentioned above

If you are planning a stay in a malaria area, it is essential that you seek advice from a tropical or travel doctor before you travel.

Diarrheal diseases

Most diarrheal diseases are preventable with proper drinking water and food hygiene. When traveling in the Dominican Republic, travelers should take special hygiene measures before consuming fruit and vegetables; they should preferably be freshly cooked or freshly peeled. The tap water is not suitable for drinking in the country. Drinking water in plastic bottles is recommended. From April to September (the warm season) there is a risk that fish ingest poisonous algae, which can also cause severe poisoning in humans (Ciguatera). No changes can be seen in the fish themselves. It is therefore imperative that you pay attention to local warnings.

HIV / AIDS

The risk of a life-threatening infection with HIV / AIDS always arises from sexual contact and drug use (for example unclean cannulas or syringes or cannulas). The use of condoms is therefore always recommended, especially with casual acquaintances.

Rabies

There are isolated cases of rabies in the Dominican Republic, mostly in dogs, cats or bats. Every year between one and three people develop rabies in the country (reported cases).

In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:

A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information and liability for any damage that may occur cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.