Dominican Republic
República Dominicana
Punta Cana and Santo Domingo. Uber, DiDi, and InDrive all work. WhatsApp for tour operators and resorts.
🚖Rideshare & Taxi
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The most widely available rideshare service globally. Works in 70+ countries.
Wide coverage in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana.
China's dominant ride-hailing app, also big in Latin America. China uses a separate app (DiDi China) from the DiDi Rider app used everywhere else.
Often cheaper.
Driver-negotiated rideshare popular in Latin America, Africa, Central Asia, Pakistan.
Driver-negotiated alternative.
🗺️Navigation & Maps
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Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.
Strong.
📱Messaging
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The dominant messenger in Europe, Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa.
Universal — resorts and excursions.
🍱Food Delivery
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Latin America's home-grown delivery app — the most used in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and several Central American and Caribbean countries.
Main food delivery app in the Dominican Republic.
Is Dominican Republic one stop of several?
Add your other destinations and get one combined app list, with the adapters and currencies for the whole trip.
The practical basics
Power & plugs
- Plug type
- A / B
- Voltage
- 110V
- Frequency
- 60Hz
- Type A: Two flat parallel pins. Common in North America, Japan, parts of Central America and Asia.
- Type B: Two flat pins + grounding pin. Standard in North America for grounded appliances.
Same as the US.
Tipping
A 10% service charge ('la propina') is legally added to most restaurant bills, but it is customary to leave an additional 5-10% for good service; tipping hotel staff, drivers, and tour guides a few dollars is also appreciated.
CurrencyDOP
Spanish you'll actually use
Etiquette and scams to know
✓ Do
- Greet with a friendly 'Buenos días/tardes' and a handshake; close friends may exchange a cheek kiss
- Dress neatly and avoid beachwear away from the beach, as Dominicans value tidy appearance
- Use titles like 'Señor' and 'Señora' with people you do not know well
- Be patient and warm in interactions; relationships and friendliness matter more than rushing
- Accept offers of food or coffee when visiting a home as a sign of respect for hospitality
- Ask before taking photos of people, especially in rural communities
✕Don't
- Do not confuse Dominicans with Haitians or make insensitive remarks about Haiti, as it is a sensitive topic
- Avoid flashing expensive jewelry, cameras, or large amounts of cash in public
- Do not be overly blunt or publicly critical, which can be seen as rude; Dominicans favor warmth and indirectness
- Avoid disrespecting religious symbols or making light of local Catholic and folk beliefs
⚠️ Common scams to know
- Unmetered taxis and 'motoconcho' drivers overcharging tourists; agree on the fare before getting in or use a ride app
- Resort-area vendors and excursion sellers using high-pressure tactics or selling fake-branded goods and overpriced tours
- Currency exchange shortchanging or poor rates from unofficial street changers; use banks, ATMs, or official 'casas de cambio'
- Counterfeit bills given as change; check large notes, especially in markets and nightlife areas
This page was last reviewed in September 2026. Apps launch, rebrand and pull out of countries all the time, so confirm anything your trip depends on. Spotted something out of date? Tell us — here's how we check.