Located in the Caribbean Sea to the east of Haiti, the Dominican Republic is a sun-washed island that is well known as a tourist’s paradise.

The island is known not only for lovely beaches but also swamps and rainforests that offer a bewildering array of flora and fauna.

The capital, Santo Domingo, is a quaint town with bustling nightlife and friendly locals. Besides the land and seascape, there are numerous sugar plantations (the nation's chief export) and lots of mountainous terrain with hiking trails. It is also well known as the place where Columbus landed in 1492 during his epic voyage from Spain.

Before you visit the Dominican Republic, do not forget that you need travel insurance. Unfortunate events do occur. Should anything happen, you would want the best medical care possible without having to worry about emptying your bank account. Most tourists spend a short trip here, no more than a week, but you have to be prepared.

In light of the COVID-19 scenario, what does travel to the Dominican Republic entail? We share the details to make your trip easier.

Is Travel to the Dominican Republic Safe?

If you want to visit the Dominican Republic, feel free to do so! The nation has opened its skies to commercial flights from abroad, and tourism has begun again. Of course, you have to be vigilant and maintain social distancing and other norms as you would at home, but you can enjoy your holiday without worry.

1. Is COVID Testing Necessary?

   A COVID test is not mandatory for those visiting the Dominican Republic. There is a thermal screening at the airport and a questionnaire that has to be filled and submitted at the hotel. At public places like the airport and hotel lobby, it is mandatory to wear a mask and cooperate with the authorities regarding coronavirus-related regulations.

   Note: This could change at the time of your travel, so please remember to check the latest guidelines before traveling.

2. Are There Any Restrictions?

   The government has put into place the usual restrictions, including night curfew. Bars are closed except those located inside hotels and resorts. At all locations, there are measures to ensure minimum physical contact or closeness.

   There is no restriction on travel and sightseeing within the island.

3. Insurance

   It is quite impossible to travel without insurance to help you out in a time of need. Any vacation could turn into a disaster of some sort at a moment's notice. It is better to be prepared for misfortune and reduce the risks in advance than to be worried and anxious when it strikes.

   The Dominican Republic has a public-funded healthcare system. The level of treatment available at public hospitals is below standard, and the average tourist would not like the delay and discomfort.

   For this reason, it is better to buy travel medical insurance and take advantage of private healthcare should something untoward happen. At Santo Domingo and Santiago (not to be confused with the capital of Chile), there are world-class facilities that offer top-tier treatment. However, it is not cheap at all, and travel insurance in the Dominican Republic would allow you to defray expenses.

Must-Visit Sites in the Dominican Republic

One thing you can be sure of – a tourist will never get bored during his stay in the Dominican Republic. There are fantastic beaches at Punta Cana and La Romana. But this island offers much more than the sun and the sea. Head inland, and you will find quite a few gems.

1. Zona Colonial

   This is the old city area in the capital, Santo Domingo. The architecture is Spanish mid-17th century and exceptionally charming. Calle El Conde, or Main Street, has shops selling memorabilia. There are tiny lanes that dart off here and there and lead to museums and churches galore. Of special mention is the Catedral Primada de América, the first cathedral on the western side of Atlantic.

2. Playa Dorada

   Playa Dorada is an enormous beach that is several kilometers in length. Your feet will sink deep into the soft golden sand, and the surrounding mountains will take your breath away. Unlike busy Punta Cana at the Playa Dorada, you can relax in silence and restore yourself.

3. Kite Beach

   Situated at the southern tip of the island at Cabarete, this place is quite unique. It is famous for kite flying. Hundreds of kiteboarders head here to take advantage of the strong winds. For the uninitiated, kiteboarding is an energetic sport that consists of standing atop a surfboard while being pulled by a huge sail or kite. Not only is it exhilarating to participate in, it’s also just as fun to observe from a distance.

Visiting The Dominican Republic – Are There Risks?

Any vacation could turn into a nerve-wracking situation, and the Dominican Republic is no exception. The country has developed a solid reputation for their low crime rate and being clean and tourist-friendly. But in case anything happens, it is best to buy travel insurance for your trip to the Dominican Republic.

1. Baggage Loss

   You arrive at a tropical paradise eager for a swim as soon as you check into your hotel. Sadly, your luggage is nowhere to be seen at the airport’s baggage claim. You are crestfallen and left with the overnight bag on your shoulders. This is an unfortunate fact of life, and it does happen even with the best airlines. The only way to get back the monetary value of your belongings is to buy travel insurance.

2. Medical Emergency

   There is no possible way to foretell when acute gallbladder pain will strike, or when you will feel out-of-breath enough to need oxygen and an ECG. Since you are on foreign land where you do not understand the rules or language, never underestimate the cost of a medical emergency. A travel insurance policy is the best way to meet this disaster head-on.

3. Flight Cancellation

   You are packed up and ready to board, but your flight is not available. On inquiry, you learn that the aircraft and its standby are both declared unfit to fly that day. Your expensive vacation and the down payment to the resort is a considerable loss—unless, of course, you have travel insurance.

Dominican Republic Travel Insurance – Make Sure Your Vacation Is Happy

There is no need to panic and worry. A suitable travel insurance policy is all you need. Make sure that the following are covered.

Cashless Medical Care

The importance of this factor cannot be over-exaggerated. The expenses at a hospital may mount rapidly, and all you have is a credit card that is almost maxed out. It would be impossible for you to pay upfront and get reimbursed later. Buy an insurance plan in Dominican Republic that may offer cashless facilities.

Trip Cancellation Benefits

Life is not perfect. Just before your departure, an emergency may happen to your siblings. You cannot go on vacation, and your down payment is wasted. This will not be the case if you have travel insurance with trip cancellation benefits. If you have to cancel for a valid reason listed in the certificate wording, they would pay you back the cost of the holiday, and you could visit the Dominican Republic later.

There are a plethora of good travel insurance policies. Inspect a few good ones thoroughly and buy any riders that you think can be beneficial. You are all ready for a stress-free weekend drinking daiquiris and watching the surf break.

DISCLAIMER: The information within this article is intended as a broad summary of benefits and services and is meant for informational purposes only. The information does not describe all scenarios, coverages or exclusions of any insurance plan. The benefits and services of an insurance plan are subject to change. This is not your policy/certificate of insurance. If there is any discrepancy between the information in this article and the language of your policy/certificate wording, the language of the policy/certificate wording will prevail.