First Time Visit to the DR. Need information on travel requirements

thecomet

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Mar 25, 2021
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Hi I live in Dallas,Texas. I am traveling to the DR on 3rd of April. I need some information about the travel restrictions at place right now.

1. I have an Indian passport with a valid multiple entry American visa. I wanted to know if that's enough to travel to the DR or Do i need to apply for a visa separately. Can anyone confirm this ? or tell me where can I get this information verified. I tried calling and mailing the DR embassy in florida and DC, haven't heard back yet.
2. I understand that from 1st of april, a negative covid report is not necessary for entering into the DR. has this changed since then? where can I get updated information about travel restrictions related to COVID.
3. What is the best travel insurance i can get for 15 days of travel.
 

SKY

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Apr 11, 2004
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Citizens of India that hold a valid permanent resident card or a valid visa from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or any European Union nation, do not need to obtain a visa to Dominican Republic.

"Come on Down" says Monty Hall......................
 
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irsav

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2019
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It is very good that nationals of India begin visiting this country!
It is very good!
 
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NALs

Economist by Profession
Jan 20, 2003
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The OP is not the first Indian to visit the DR. A few years ago I remember reading a review by an Indian family living in the USA about their trip to the DR. One description I still remember is when she went on a tour of the Dominican countryside near Punta Cana and said that it reminded her of India, whatever that is worth. India is huge and there are many India's and she never mentioned from what part of India is she from, but somewhere in India looks like the Dominican countryside. lol

Also, there is a palace of sort I think near Río San Juan that was recently built I think by an Indian (he's either from India or Pakistan). The architecture seems traditional from over there, though the builder lives in the USA.
 
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NALs

Economist by Profession
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This is the place built near Río San Juan or Cabrera by an Indian living in the USA. I assume the place reminded him of India before building the palace and it's closer to his home in the USA than actual India.

 
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thecomet

New member
Mar 25, 2021
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Dallas
The OP is not the first Indian to visit the DR. A few years ago I remember reading a review by an Indian family living in the USA about their trip to the DR. One description I still remember is when she went on a tour of the Dominican countryside near Punta Cana and said that it reminded her of India, whatever that is worth. India is huge and there are many India's and she never mentioned from what part of India is she from, but somewhere in India looks like the Dominican countryside. lol

Also, there is a palace of sort I think near Río San Juan that was recently built I think by an Indian (he's either from India or Pakistan). The architecture seems traditional from over there, though the builder lives in the USA.
haha I am travelling to punta cana too. I will let you guys know which part of India it looked like. My guess it's the islands of Lakshadeep (which is not far from maldives)or Andaman nicobar.
 

thecomet

New member
Mar 25, 2021
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Dallas
I met an Indian who built a very odd house indeed in Jarabacoa.

I was supposed to retire in Sri Lanka, and there are places there that are very similar to the DR.
Much better food in Sri Lanka.
Sri lanka is some place to retire man. Beach and rainforest within 100 miles. Which is pretty unique. Sri lankan sea food is in my bucket list too.
 

CristoRey

Welcome To Wonderland
Apr 1, 2014
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Hi I live in Dallas,Texas. I am traveling to the DR on 3rd of April. I need some information about the travel restrictions at place right now.

1. I have an Indian passport with a valid multiple entry American visa. I wanted to know if that's enough to travel to the DR or Do i need to apply for a visa separately. Can anyone confirm this ? or tell me where can I get this information verified. I tried calling and mailing the DR embassy in florida and DC, haven't heard back yet.
2. I understand that from 1st of april, a negative covid report is not necessary for entering into the DR. has this changed since then? where can I get updated information about travel restrictions related to COVID.
3. What is the best travel insurance i can get for 15 days of travel.
1. Contact your nearest Dominican Consulate office which I believe is in New Orleans (about 3 blocks from where I used to live) at +1 504-522-1843.

2. USa.gov post updated travel requirements for US Citizens visiting other countries. Worth a visit.

3. Travel insurance can be purchased through almost any local travel agency ( or at least it could last time I lived in America back in 2006) with Dallas being the international city it has become, shouldn't be to difficult.
 
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TropicalPaul

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I highly respect people of India. Very intelligent. A very old and fantastic culture. Wonderful medicine. Very modest and hard working. One of the best armies in the World. Beautiful women and men. Top notch IT specialists.

No generalisations at all in that post. Everyone in India is beautiful and super intelligent. All 1.3 billion of them. RIghty ho
 

JD Jones

Moderator:North Coast,Santo Domingo,SW Coast,Covid
Jan 7, 2016
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This is the place built near Río San Juan or Cabrera by an Indian living in the USA. I assume the place reminded him of India before building the palace and it's closer to his home in the USA than actual India.

Whoa! Gorgeous place. One of the few I've seen with an elevator.
 

thecomet

New member
Mar 25, 2021
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Dallas
Also can anyone tell me what is the best currency to carry for a 15 days vacation in the DR. People say most establishments accepts USD, you will end up paying 10-15% more if I chose to pay in DR peso. Or is it preferable to pay in credit cards in most places (they put extra charges tho)?. If DR peso is the better option, where should I get the currency converted? My first stop is Punta Cana.

And for cellular coverage, I am planning to get my current T-mobile subscription for few calls some roaming data (mostly I will be using hotel wifi and whatsapp calls). Or is it a good idea to get a temporary sim card at the airport?
 

NanSanPedro

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Apr 12, 2019
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Also can anyone tell me what is the best currency to carry for a 15 days vacation in the DR. People say most establishments accepts USD, you will end up paying 10-15% more if I chose to pay in DR peso. Or is it preferable to pay in credit cards in most places (they put extra charges tho)?. If DR peso is the better option, where should I get the currency converted? My first stop is Punta Cana.

And for cellular coverage, I am planning to get my current T-mobile subscription for few calls some roaming data (mostly I will be using hotel wifi and whatsapp calls). Or is it a good idea to get a temporary sim card at the airport?
I would say it depends where you're staying. If it's an AI, then you won't need a SIM card. Their wifi is generally first rate. I've only been to 2 AIs and both of them (HardRock and Hotel Riu). If you plan on being out and about in the real DR, then yea, get a sim card, unless of course your roaming charges aren't too steep.
 

josh2203

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Dec 5, 2013
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Also can anyone tell me what is the best currency to carry for a 15 days vacation in the DR. People say most establishments accepts USD, you will end up paying 10-15% more if I chose to pay in DR peso. Or is it preferable to pay in credit cards in most places (they put extra charges tho)?. If DR peso is the better option, where should I get the currency converted? My first stop is Punta Cana.

My advise: Pay only in pesos here and with cash where you can (many will say CCs are fine, this is just my recommendation). Do not change in the airport. I would bring some USD in cash to change in casa de cambio here or you can also withdraw pesos from an ATM here (compare the charges). I would personally never pay anything else than possible accommodation-related charges in USD here... Yes, many businesses offer to "accept" USD, but I suspect they might not offer you the cheapest exchange rate...

There might also be services in your home country that change currency, but check the exchange rates first...
 
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AlterEgo

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Jan 9, 2009
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Also can anyone tell me what is the best currency to carry for a 15 days vacation in the DR. People say most establishments accepts USD, you will end up paying 10-15% more if I chose to pay in DR peso. Or is it preferable to pay in credit cards in most places (they put extra charges tho)?. If DR peso is the better option, where should I get the currency converted? My first stop is Punta Cana.

And for cellular coverage, I am planning to get my current T-mobile subscription for few calls some roaming data (mostly I will be using hotel wifi and whatsapp calls). Or is it a good idea to get a temporary sim card at the airport?
Convert to pesos, never pay in dollars. Foreign credit cards are often cloned, we only use ours for large purchases (appliances, furniture, etc).
If you have TMobile free international roaming, that’s all you’ll need. I’ve used it for up to 4 months at a time. I think calls are $.26 a minute
 

Kricke87

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Feb 16, 2021
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Use ATMs, I use "Asociación La Nacional De Ahorro Y Préstamo". They don't charge anything, and with my bank they only charge 1,5% on the exchange, which happens if I use the CC in store as well. So if you're bank don't charge so much in exchange rate or when using an ATM that is an option. I have never heard of anyone having their card cloned, but of course it depends on where you use it. I never pay with mine in restaurants, mostly because they overcharge you with the exchange rate, for example instead of getting the current rate of around 57 pesos per dollar you'd most likely only get around 50. But not because of fear of cloning. And that would also apply paying with USD in cash, so use Pesos if you can.
 

Riva_31

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Apr 1, 2013
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Never pay in USD, for example the exchange rate yesterday from dollars to Pesos in Caribe Express was 56.50, and restaurants and stores that acept payments in dollars is always lower between 5.00 and 10.00 pesos lower.
 

AlaPlaya

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Jan 7, 2021
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I think the only caveat to "only pay in pesos/with credits cards" is if you're staying at an all-inclusive and want to tip. In my experience, at an all-inclusive, tips seem to be preferred in USD.
 
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