Skip to content
wheretotravel.info
Turquoise beach with palm trees and clouds

Dominican Republic travel guide

Caribbean coast and a historic capital, with January as the best month to go

Best: Jan

Photo: Mr Pixel / Pexels

Capital
Santo Domingo
Language
Spanish
Currency
Dominican peso (DOP)
Time zone
UTC-04:00
Plugs
Type A, B · 110 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
911

Why visit Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic suits a Caribbean trip that mixes city time with the coast. Start in Santo Domingo, the capital on the sea. Then head to coastal towns such as La Romana, Santa Cruz de Barahona or Pedernales, or go inland to La Vega. Our data points to January as the best month to visit. One practical limitation: Spanish is the main language, so a few phrases help. Plugs are type A and B at 110 V, so check that your chargers work.

Dominican Republic right now: October

7.0/10
Avg high
23°C
Avg low
15°C
Rain days
20

Averages for Dominican Republic.

Weather by month

The chart shows 2015–2024 data for the Dominican Republic as a whole, since the source names no single city, and January scores best (7.5) with the fewest rain days (12.4), 82 mm of rain and highs of 19.6°C. Every other month scores 7, but April and May bring the most rain (143–145 mm) and September has the most wet days (21.6).

Average highs and lows in Dominican Republic by month January: high 20°C, low 12°C , 12 rain days . February: high 19°C, low 12°C , 15 rain days . March: high 20°C, low 12°C , 16 rain days . April: high 21°C, low 13°C , 20 rain days . May: high 22°C, low 14°C , 19 rain days . June: high 23°C, low 15°C , 16 rain days . July: high 23°C, low 15°C , 17 rain days . August: high 24°C, low 15°C , 18 rain days . September: high 23°C, low 15°C , 22 rain days . October: high 23°C, low 15°C , 20 rain days . November: high 21°C, low 14°C , 18 rain days . December: high 20°C, low 13°C , 16 rain days . 20°C 12°C JAN 12d 19°C 12°C FEB 15d 20°C 12°C MAR 16d 21°C 13°C APR 20d 22°C 14°C MAY 19d 23°C 15°C JUN 16d 23°C 15°C JUL 17d 24°C 15°C AUG 18d 23°C 15°C SEP 22d 23°C 15°C OCT 20d 21°C 14°C NOV 18d 20°C 13°C DEC 16d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Dominican Republic (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Dominican Republic: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Capital and coast in one week

  1. Day 1–3

    Santo Domingo

    Start in the capital and largest city. Walk its seafront, try local food and pick up Dominican pesos (DOP) and adapters for type A and B plugs.

  2. Day 4–5

    La Romana

    Move to this smaller coastal city for a slower pace. Spend your days by the sea and enjoy quiet evenings after the busy capital.

  3. Day 6–7

    Higüey

    Finish inland in Higüey, a city away from the coast. Explore its streets and markets and see daily life in a town that is not built around the beach.

10 days

From the capital to the far southwest

  1. Day 1–3

    Santo Domingo

    Spend 3 days in the capital to settle in. Walk the waterfront, eat well and sort out cash in Dominican pesos. Remember that traffic drives on the right if you rent a car.

  2. Day 4–5

    La Vega

    Head inland to La Vega, a mid-sized city away from the sea. Walk the centre, visit local markets and enjoy a change from the coast.

  3. Day 6–8

    Santa Cruz de Barahona

    Return to the sea in this smaller coastal city. Use 3 days to relax by the water and explore the coast at an easy pace.

  4. Day 9–10

    Pedernales

    End in Pedernales, the smallest town on this route. Enjoy the quiet coast and a slower rhythm. Save 911 as the emergency number before you travel to remote areas.

Food to try in Dominican Republic

La bandera dominicana

The everyday lunch plate: white rice, stewed red beans and stewed meat, often chicken, with a small salad. Most Dominicans eat it at midday, and it is served in simple local eateries across the country.

Mangú

Boiled green plantains mashed with butter or oil and topped with pickled red onions. It is a classic breakfast, often served with fried salami, fried cheese and eggs, a combination called 'los tres golpes'.

Sancocho

A thick stew of several meats with root vegetables such as yuca, yam and plantain, usually eaten with rice and avocado. Families cook it for gatherings, celebrations and rainy days.

Tostones

Slices of green plantain fried, pressed flat and fried again until crisp. They are a common side dish with fried fish or chicken, especially at beach shacks and roadside stalls.

Habichuelas con dulce

A sweet, creamy dessert of red beans cooked with coconut milk, evaporated milk, sugar, spices and sweet potato. It is traditionally made and shared during Lent and around Easter.

Morir soñando

A cold drink of orange juice mixed with milk, sugar and ice. The name means 'to die dreaming'. It is sold at juice stands and local eateries and drunk on hot afternoons.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Sockets take plug types A and B, with two flat pins, sometimes with a round earth pin. The supply is 110 V. Check that your chargers and devices work at 110 V before you plug them in.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right. If you rent a car and usually drive on the left, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts for the first few days.
  • Emergency number: Call 911 for emergencies. Save it in your phone before you arrive so you can find it quickly if something happens.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Dominican peso (DOP). Check the current exchange rate before you travel so you can spot a poor rate when you change money.
  • Language: Spanish is the official language. Learning a few basic phrases for greetings, directions and ordering food will make daily life easier, especially away from the main resorts.
  • Time zone: The Dominican Republic uses UTC-04:00. Check the difference from your home time zone to plan calls and avoid surprises with flight and transfer times.
  • Calling code: The country calling code is +1. Check with your mobile provider about roaming charges before you go, or plan to buy a local SIM card on arrival.

Dominican Republic: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit the Dominican Republic?

January is the best month, with a score of 7.5 out of 10. It has the fewest rain days of the year, 12.4, and 82 mm of rain. Every other month scores 7, so the weather is fairly even through the year. All climate figures on this page are averages for the whole country, not for one city.

Is the Dominican Republic good in September?

Yes, September still scores 7 out of 10, but it has the most rain days of any month. Expect rain on about 22 days, with 121 mm in total. The warmth partly makes up for it. Highs average 23.4°C and lows 15.1°C, with about 10.4 hours of sunshine a day.

What is the rainy season in the Dominican Republic?

Rain falls all year, but it peaks at two times. April and May bring the most rain by volume, 143 mm and 145 mm. September and October have the most rain days, 21.6 and 20.4. The driest months by volume are December, with 74 mm, and February, with 80 mm.

How warm is the Dominican Republic during the year?

Temperatures change little from month to month. Average highs range from 19.4°C in February to 23.5°C in August. Average lows range from 11.6°C in January to 15.3°C in August. These are averages for the whole country, not for a single city. Sunshine ranges from 9.8 hours a day in October and November to 11.8 hours in June.

What plugs and voltage does the Dominican Republic use?

The Dominican Republic uses plug types A and B, with a voltage of 110 V. If your devices use a different plug or only work at a higher voltage, bring an adapter. You may also need a converter.

What currency and language are used in the Dominican Republic?

The currency is the Dominican peso (DOP), and the language is Spanish. The time zone is UTC-04:00, and the calling code is +1. For emergencies, dial 911. If you plan to hire a car, note that traffic drives on the right.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Dominican Republic.