# Going to the Dominican Republic, anything I should know? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 11, 2006, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-the-dominican-republic-anything-i-should-know/339566 "2006-01-11T21:57:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mittu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@mittu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mittu)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2006, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-the-dominican-republic-anything-i-should-know/339566/1 "2006-01-11T21:57:24Z")
In a couple of months I will be going on holiday to the Dominican Republic, is there anything in particular that I should know or read up on before I go? There are obvious things such as preparing for the weather and mosquitoes but I am wondering if there is anything I should know about local customs that could land me in hot water. I would rather not live up to the ‘ignorant foreigner’ stereotype if at all possible (perhaps I am hoping for too much!!). ---
**Author:** ![beckwall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@beckwall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beckwall)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2006, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-the-dominican-republic-anything-i-should-know/339566/2 "2006-01-11T23:47:24Z")
It’s been awhile since I was there, so my info may be obsolete. We stayed at a small resort between the Puerto Plata airport and town. They turned the power off at night! Don’t eat any seafood that was prepared hours ahead of time (like a buffet), I got deathly ill there. The people were fantastic, big smiles all the time. Be sure to buy some art there, even small postcards are intricately painted and make nice gifts. The amber is supposedly world-class, I’m not sure about gems so you might want to read up on that. Just try to kick back, do some sightseeing, ride a bike, swim in the ocean. Have a great trip! ---
**Author:** ![Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-the-dominican-republic-anything-i-should-know/339566/3 "2006-01-12T00:06:38Z")
I was there last month and had a good time. I found useful information online in the following places: [www.debbiesdominicantravel.com/](http://www.debbiesdominicantravel.com/) > **[Dominican Republic 2021: Best of Dominican Republic Tourism - Tripadvisor](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g147288-Dominican_Republic-Vacations.html)** > > Dominican Republic Tourism: Tripadvisor has 1,514,189 reviews of Dominican Republic Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Dominican Republic resource. [www.cdc.gov/travel/caribean.htm](http://www.cdc.gov/travel/caribean.htm) [www.dr1.com](http://www.dr1.com) Also, here’s a related thread, where some gave me good advice (the books were great, BTW, **Martha** ): [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=347973&highlight=dominican+republic](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=347973&highlight=dominican+republic) Ther first two are travel sites, both with lots of resort reviews and tips. The first one also has more general DR information, as does the fourth. The second and fourth include message boards devoted to DR issues. The third link shows cuurent CDC health warnings, including a malaria warning for certain DR provinces, including the one that includes Punta Cana. ---
**Author:** ![Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-the-dominican-republic-anything-i-should-know/339566/4 "2006-01-12T00:08:38Z")
Correction: the message boards are part of the first and fourth links. ---
**Author:** ![Martha\_Medea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@Martha\_Medea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martha_Medea)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-the-dominican-republic-anything-i-should-know/339566/5 "2006-01-12T00:39:42Z")
**Random** , I’m pleased that you found the advice helpful and liked the books. I hope you had a great time in the DR. **mittu** , [this link](http://www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk/01_whatyoucando.asp) contains the sort of information you’re looking for - click on Dominican Republic - in addition to the websites mentioned in **Random** ’s post. The forums have threads on DR dos and don’ts, what offends Dominicans, and much more.