Dominican Republic
Health
Before you travel check that:
- your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
- you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Emergency medical number
Call 911 and ask for an ambulance if you鈥檙e in Santo Domingo.
The 911 emergency number does not have full coverage across the country. If you鈥檙e outside Santo Domingo, you can telephone the tourist police (鈥楶olitur鈥�) in an emergency: +1 809 200 3500.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you鈥檙e referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Vaccine recommendations and health risks
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
- check the latest
- see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the
See including:
- Malaria
- Oropouche virus disease
- Dengue
Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of the Dominican Republic. Read more about .
Tap water quality
Tap water in the Dominican Republic is not drinkable.
Medication
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read .
Some medicines normally only available on prescription in the UK are available in pharmacies across the Dominican Republic.
Healthcare in the Dominican Republic
FCDO has a list of medical providers in the Dominican Republic where some staff will speak English.
Public medical facilities in the Dominican Republic are generally limited. Private hospitals offer good standards of care, although they can be expensive.
Make sure you have appropriate travel health insurance and can access funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. In some cases, visitors who cannot pay their hospital bills are stopped from leaving the country until the debt is paid.
Medical tourism聽
There are risks associated with cosmetic or elective surgery overseas.
If you鈥檙e considering travelling to the Dominican Republic for medical, surgical or dental treatment:
- read advice on going abroad for medical treatment and elective surgery
- discuss plans with your UK doctor before going ahead with any medical procedures abroad
- research and verify the credentials and qualifications of any healthcare providers before you travel
Find further聽, and NHS guidance on and on .听
Travel and mental health
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also .