The pandemic still significantly affects every area of everyone’s life — travel especially. Vaccinations, tests, QR codes, and closed borders… Is it really as scary and bleak as it sounds? The Dominican Republic certainly doesn’t think so. It was one of the first countries to reopen its air borders and resume tourism — with restrictions, of course. Let’s take a look at what those actually are!
Airports and restrictions
The Dominican Republic will not check vaccination certificates at airports. At most, you’ll get a temperature check, and if symptoms are detected, a PCR test. That said, mask requirements (for people over 12) and 1.5-meter social distancing remain in place — not just at the airport, but anywhere large crowds gather!
Note: several categories of people are exempt from testing:
- passengers under 5 years old;
- crew members;
- holders of a COVID-19 vaccination certificate;
- passengers who took a PCR test in their home country (translated into English or Spanish) and received a negative result (valid for 72 hours from the time of the result).
Curfew
Heard anything about a curfew in the Dominican Republic? If not, great! And if you have, don’t worry: as of October 11, 2021, the Dominican Republic no longer has a curfew or restrictions on freedom of movement! Wonderful, isn’t it?
Hotels and resort complexes on hotel grounds More good news: you won’t need a vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test here either!
Excursions, long trips, visiting crowded places (bars, shops, clubs, etc.) outside hotel grounds Here it’s worth bringing along both your passport and your vaccination certificate — or a negative PCR test no older than 7 days. The Dominican Republic takes safety measures seriously, so it’s best not to break the rules, since doing so can lead not just to a fine but criminal liability! An establishment that lets you in without a certificate or PCR test can also face unpleasant government sanctions, so it’s best to keep track of these important documents and not forget them.
Visiting beaches Beaches are the only place where you’re officially allowed to go without a mask. That said, gathering in large groups is still not allowed.
Hours for visiting protected areas and overnight stays Visiting hours:
• Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM;
• Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
El Limón waterfall, Jima waterfall, and the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua are fully open to visitors. Armando Bermúdez National Park (Pico Duarte), Montaña La Humeadora (Valle de Dios), and José del Carmen Ramírez National Park are open to visitors with the option of overnight stays. The only condition is notifying the relevant authorities of your intent to stay overnight at least 15 days in advance, by email: yaristy@ambiente.gob.do. Note: overnight capacity in the park is limited to 100 people. To visit protected areas, you must be accompanied by a guide certified by the Ministry of Environment.
To sum up, the Dominican Republic has made a huge effort to restore tourism within its borders. This success has been helped along by full vaccination of airport, hotel, and public-transport staff, and everyone else providing services to travelers and residents, along with new, clear, strict sanitary regulations whose enforcement is constantly checked at the government level. That’s how seriously the Dominican Republic takes matters of life and safety! And for anyone who’s read all the way to the end, here’s a useful bonus: a list of places where you can get PCR and antigen tests in the Dominican Republic, along with contact information.
Places to get a PCR test to return to your home country
CGE CLINICAL LABORATORY (CENTRO GASTRODIAGNÓSTICO SRL) The clinic has three branches in different areas of Santo Domingo:
• Gazcue: Calle José Joaquín Pérez No. 208 • Naco: Avenida Tiradentes No. 14, Alfonso Comercial mall, first floor • Los Prados: Calle Nicolás Ureña de Mendoza No. 2
COVID-19 PCR tests: Available at all branches (no appointment needed). Price: 3,500 Dominican pesos (about $60 USD) Results: 15 to 24 hours.
Rapid tests: Available at all branches (no appointment needed). Price: 4,300 Dominican pesos (about $70 USD) Results: 6 to 8 hours.
Antigen tests: Available at all branches (no appointment needed). Price: 1,600 Dominican pesos (about $27 USD) Results: 1 to 2 hours.
For more information, please contact:
- Website: www.cgelaboratorio.com / www.cgegrupomedico.com
- Call center: 809-221-4190
- WhatsApp: 829-213-4395
AMADITA CLINICAL LABORATORY Amadita Clinical Laboratory has 47 branches across the country.
Antigen test: This test is available at nearly every branch in the country, including in Santo Domingo, La Romana, Bávaro, Punta Cana, Higüey, Jarabacoa, Santiago, and San Pedro de Macorís. No appointment is needed — just ask for it directly at the branch.
For more information, please contact:
- The Amadita app (available for Android and iOS)
- Website: www.amadita.com
- WhatsApp: +1 (809) 682-5414
Price: 1,700 Dominican pesos (about $30 USD). Results: 2 to 4 hours. Bring your passport!
PCR tests: PCR testing locations are in Santo Domingo and Santiago. To take the test, request and fill out the relevant form via:
- The Amadita app (available for Android and iOS)
- Website: www.amadita.com
- WhatsApp: +1 (809) 682-5414
Price: 4,100 Dominican pesos (about $72 USD). Results: 48 to 72 hours. An appointment is required! Bring your passport!
AMADITA CLINICAL LABORATORY AT SANTO DOMINGO AIRPORT Amadita Clinical Laboratory offers antigen and respiratory tests at Santo Domingo’s international airport for emergency cases only.
The lab is open Monday through Sunday, 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Antigen test price: 1,700 Dominican pesos. Respiratory test price: 8,500 Dominican pesos. Results: 2 to 4 hours.
More information available via:
- The Amadita app (available for Android and iOS)
- Website: www.amadita.com
- WhatsApp: +1 (809) 682-5414
PUNTO MÉDICO Locations:
- Santo Domingo;
- Santiago;
- La Romana;
- San Cristóbal;
- Bávaro.
PCR test: Price: $90 USD Results: 24 to 72 hours
An appointment is required! To book, please contact:
- Website: https://www.puntomedico.com.do/prueba-covid-19
- Phone: +1 (809) 338-3338 and +1 (809) 562-0040
- WhatsApp: +1 (809) 562-0040
Antigen test: No appointment needed. Branch hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Branches are located at:
- Punta Cana International Airport
- Bávaro City Center, Bávaro
- Punto Medico Plaza Coral, Santiago
- Punto Medico La Fuente, Santiago
- Punto Medico Zona Universitaria, Santo Domingo
- Punto Medico Diamond Plaza, Santo Domingo
- Punto Medico Occidental Mall, Santo Domingo
- Hospital Semma, Santiago
Price: $45 USD. Results: 30 to 40 minutes.
For more information, please visit: https://www.puntomedico.com.do
GREGORIO LUPERÓN MEDICAL CENTER, PUERTO PLATA NATIONAL AIRPORT Antigen test: Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Price: 2,000 Dominican pesos. Results: 20 to 30 minutes.
HOSPITAL SANTO DOMINGO PCR tests: Price: $125 USD. Results: 3 to 4 hours. Tests are done Monday through Friday, mornings only, starting at 8:00 AM.
For more information, please contact:
- Phone: +1 (809) 541-3000 ext. 2840
- Email: evelyn.delossantos@hospiten.com
- Website: https://hospiten.com/centros-y-hospitales/cid/4
HELICOBACTER PYLORI DIAGNOSTIC CENTER AND SPECIALIZED CLINICAL LABORATORY, SANTO DOMINGO
Antigen test: Price: 3,000 Dominican pesos Results: 1 to 2 hours.
An appointment isn’t required but is recommended. Walk-ins are served on a first-come, first-served basis. To book an appointment or get more information, please contact:
- Phone: +1 (809) 567-1996 or +1 (809) 732-7044 (for information in English, ask for Dr. Lyanne Santana).
- WhatsApp: +1 (809) 857-1952
- Email: l.helicobacter@gmail.com
- Address: Calle Frank Félix Miranda No. 11, Ensanche Naco, Santo Domingo.
LABORATORIO CLÍNICO SIRENY, LAS TERRENAS, SAMANA Antigen test: An appointment is required. Foreign visitors must bring their passport. A self-service, first-come-first-served option is also available in the lab’s parking lot.
Price: 3,500 Dominican pesos (about $62 USD) Results: within 24 hours.
PCR tests: An appointment is required. Available in the lab’s parking lot. Price: 6,500 Dominican pesos (about $114 USD) Results: 24 to 48 hours
To book an appointment or get more information, please contact:
- Phone: +1 (809) 240-5910
- WhatsApp: +1 (809) 847-3880
- Mobile: +1 (809) 756-7476
