Central America

Dominican Republic

Location

Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti.

Whilst violent crime is rare, armed muggings and robberies against the local population is on the increase. You should take precautions to reduce the risk of being targeted. Be particularly careful after dark and avoid quiet, poorly lit areas. Vehicle security, personal security, corruption, checkpoints, general travel, drugs, navigation, off road driving, building / office security, hot weather injuries, personal hygiene, sanitation / sterilisation, clothing & equipment, emergency first aid, cultures / customs, communications, emergency shelters.

Use bottled water.

Rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed.

Tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall.

Lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts. Earthquakes and tremors.

Bilharzia, dengue fever, hepatitis A, HIV/AIDS, malaria, polio, rabies, typhoid.
Hospital: Hospital Dr Dario Contreras, Santo Domingo. Tel: 596 3686 / 596 7231

Water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation.

Although roads are reasonably good, the standard of local driving is erratic. Most vehicles are in a poor state, often resulting in collissions. Motorcycles are numerous and pose a real danger. If involved in an accident you are liable to be detained by the police until the circumstances have been investigated.

For more in-depth general information please download our Preparation and Training document.