Helpful Tips
Money
The Dominican Peso (DOP) tends to sit around 64 DOP to the U.S. Dollar.
While most businesses accept major credit cards, we strongly encourage you to carry cash for those that don’t. Additionally, many transactions are small (bottle of water, coffee, etc.) and foreign transaction fees add up.
Additionally, it is common to tip waiters, drivers, guides, and other people who provide services.
Tipping
Tipping is welcomed in the DR, though 20% is not usually necessary.
We’ll handle payment, including tips, for group meals, but you should tip your servers after meals you eat on your own.
There are some occassions where you will be expected to tip tour guides, but we’ll make sure you’re aware of those ahead of time. Usually, this will entail a tip of about $100 DOP - $500 DOP ($1.50 USD - $8 USD).
Phone Service
We recommend you check with your phone carrier to see what packages they offer for international travel. Some carriers offer e-SIMs at little to no additional cost, which allows you to connect to local cell towers without needing a SIM card.
Connection can be helpful for using maps as well as communicating with the group, but if you choose not to use an international plan, we’ll stick with you so you don’t get lost.
We also strongly encourage downloading WhatsApp prior to departing as it is the main form of communication for the group. WhatsApp works with data as well as when connected to WIFI, which will be available at our accommodations and occassionally at restaurants.
Water
We will remind you often, but you should NOT drink the tap water in the Dominican Republic, especially when we’re in Las Terrenas.
We will provide water bottles in the residences and for all excursions.
You should keep purified water next to the sink in the bathroom to brush your teeth.
Wildlife
The DR has lots of street dogs, known as viralatas (“[trash] can-tippers”). They tend to be quite friendly and are known to ask for food. You should always be cautious around any animal you don’t know, but for the most part, you don’t need to be afraid of them. And if you do feed them, they might stick with you.
You’ll also notice groups of stray cats and kittens, especially in the Zona Colonial. Most of these strays are taken care of by the community, with people feeding them nightly.
You’re unlikely to encounter any dangerous wildlife, as the island has no large land predators or dangerous snakes.
On the beach, you might even be lucky enough to see dolphins, manatees, or, if the time is right, migrating humpback whales!
Safety
We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.