What to pack for Punta Cana

Clothes

It's hot all year: highs hover around 28 to 32 °C and the sea is between 26 and 29 °C. Pack light clothing, two swimsuits to alternate and something long-sleeved for the air conditioning.

• From May to November, a light rain jacket: the downpours are short but intense.
• For excursions, comfortable closed-toe shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty.
• For dinner at the hotel, many à la carte restaurants require men to wear long pants and a shirt or polo, and don't allow flip-flops or tank tops. Check your resort's dress code.

Sun and mosquitoes

The sun is very strong even when it's cloudy: the UV index is very high for much of the year. Bring sunscreen from home, a cap and sunglasses.

At cenotes and nature parks like Scape Park, they recommend biodegradable sunscreen.

Bring insect repellent too. There's dengue in the country, with more cases between May and November.

Plugs

The power supply is 110 volts and 60 hertz, with flat-pin plugs, types A and B.

• From the United States, Canada, Mexico or Colombia: you don't need anything.
• From Spain, the rest of Europe, Argentina or Chile: you need an adapter. Also check that your devices support 110 V; phone and laptop chargers usually say “100–240 V”.

Money

The currency is the Dominican peso (RD$). In early October 2026 the dollar was worth around 60 pesos and the euro a little under 70.

• Dollars. They're accepted almost everywhere in the tourist area, but at a worse rate than at a bank.
• Where to exchange. At banks and authorized exchange offices. The airport usually gives a worse rate.
• Euros. Bring them in bills of 100 or less: 200s and 500s are very hard to exchange.
• ATMs. There are plenty. Use the ones inside banks or malls, during the day, and choose to be charged in pesos, not your home currency. They usually have a per-withdrawal limit and charge foreign cards a fee.
• Cards. They're accepted at hotels, restaurants and shops. Keep your card in sight when paying: Spanish authorities warn of card skimming in tourist areas.

Tips

At restaurants, cafés and bars, the bill already includes two charges: the 18% ITBIS, which is the tax, and a 10% legal tip that the law requires to be shared among the staff.

Even so, it's customary to leave around 10% more if the service was good. Tips aren't expected in taxis.

At an all-inclusive, tips are optional, and some hotels discourage them. As a guide, the norm is 1 or 2 dollars per drink or per bag, and 2 to 4 a day for whoever cleans your room. Bring small bills; foreign coins are no use to them.

Water and health

• Water. Don't drink from the tap: always bottled. Hotels usually leave bottles in the room.
• Medications. Bring any you take regularly, with the prescription, plus a basic first-aid kit.
• Insurance. Private clinics in the tourist areas are good, but they ask for payment or insurance up front.
• Vaccines. None are required for most travelers. Recommendations vary by home country: the US CDC, for example, advises hepatitis A and typhoid. See a travel health clinic a few weeks before you go.

Internet

Roaming works, but it's expensive; the European Union's “roam like at home” doesn't apply here. Hotels, cafés and restaurants usually have Wi-Fi.

You have two alternatives: buy a local Claro or Altice SIM for under 5 dollars, with your passport and an unlocked phone, or install an eSIM before you leave and arrive already connected.

What not to bring back

• Tortoiseshell crafts. They're made from turtle shell and selling them is illegal in the country; customs in other countries will also confiscate them.
• Starfish, coral and seashells. Leave them where they are. Customs in Spain and the United States limit queen conch shells to three per person.

Quick facts

Time

UTC−4 all year, no daylight saving time

Language

Spanish; English is spoken in the tourist area

Emergencies

911

Tourist police

Politur, 809-200-3500, 24 hours

Dialing code

+1, with area codes 809, 829 and 849

The list

Documents

• Passport and e-Ticket with its QR code.
• Travel insurance and bookings saved offline.

Beach and pool

• Two swimsuits, a cap and sunglasses.
• Sunscreen and insect repellent.
• Flip-flops and a bag for wet clothes.

Excursions

• Closed-toe shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty.
• Waterproof phone case.
• Small bills for tips.

Tech and money

• Plug adapter, if you need one, and a power bank.
• A card and some cash in dollars.

Documents are covered in detail in the entry requirements guide.