Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 911 first — then consider private ambulance for faster response. Resort staff coordinate medical emergencies for guests — follow their guidance. Main private hospitals: HOMS Punta Cana (+1 809-686-7474, Bávaro, Punta Cana) — primary tourist emergency hospital for the east. Hospital General de la Plaza de la Salud (+1 809-565-7000, Santo Domingo) — highest quality nationally. Clínica Abreu (+1 809-688-4411, Santo Domingo) — long-established, good reputation. Centro Médico Bournigal (+1 809-586-2342, Puerto Plata) — north coast main facility. Private ambulance: MOVIMED (+1 809-541-4141 Santo Domingo). Tourism Police (POLITUR) can assist with coordination in tourist areas.
Response time: Santo Domingo: 10-20 minutes (private ambulance faster than 911). Punta Cana: resort medical staff immediate; transfer to HOMS Punta Cana 15-30 minutes. Puerto Plata / north coast: 15-30 minutes. Rural interior and border regions: 45 minutes to several hours. 911 response quality varies significantly — private ambulance (MOVIMED or similar) often faster.
Cost: Resort medical centre: DOP 500-3,000 ($10-55) minor consultation. Private ER (HOMS Punta Cana, HGPS Santo Domingo): DOP 3,000-15,000 ($55-275) ER entry + treatment. Hospital admission private: DOP 5,000-20,000/day ($90-365). Minor surgery: DOP 15,000-80,000 ($275-1,450). Major surgery: DOP 100,000-500,000+ ($1,800-9,000+). Air evacuation to Miami: $8,000-25,000. ICU care without insurance: DOP 50,000-150,000/day ($900-2,700).
Healthcare System
The Dominican Republic has a stark two-tier healthcare system that directly reflects its status as the Caribbean's most-visited nation (9+ million tourists annually) and simultaneously one of its most economically divided. The public sector (SNS — Servicio Nacional de Salud) is severely underfunded: public hospitals suffer from equipment shortages, overcrowding, and variable staffing quality. The private sector, however, is robust in key tourist areas and the capital — and this is where the entire tourist healthcare experience lives. The country's healthcare geography divides into four zones of relevance to visitors: (1) Punta Cana and the East — the all-inclusive resort strip that hosts the majority of tourists. HOMS Punta Cana (Hospital Operativo Médico Sociedades) and Clínica Bavaro are the primary private facilities; resort medical centres handle minor issues first. (2) Santo Domingo — the capital, where the highest-quality private hospitals are concentrated: Hospital General de la Plaza de la Salud (HGPS, the best overall), Clínica Abreu, and Hospital Ney Arias Lora. (3) Santiago — the second city, with Clínica Corominas and Hospital General Regional José María Cabral y Báez. (4) Puerto Plata / Sosúa / Cabarete — northern coast tourist zone, served by Centro Médico Bournigal and smaller private clinics. Resort medical centres across the country follow the Caribbean pattern: on-site doctor for minor ailments, stabilisation for emergencies, transfer to private hospital for anything beyond first aid. The Dominican Republic sits along a significant risk corridor: dengue is hyperendemic (one of the highest rates in the region), malaria is present in specific border and rural areas (La Altagracia province bordering Haiti is the main risk zone near resort areas), and Zika circulates. Medical evacuation to Miami (3.5 hours) or Puerto Rico (1.5 hours) is the standard for cases requiring advanced intervention. Travel insurance with medical evacuation is strongly recommended — the gap between a good private hospital bill ($3,000–20,000) and a public hospital experience makes this non-negotiable.
Designed for: Dominican residents via SENASA (public insurance) or private ARS plans. Tourists use private clinics and hospital emergency rooms — no public coverage for visitors.
GP Access & Costs
Three pathways: (1) Resort médico on-site — immediate for guests, minor ailments only, billed to room. (2) Private clinic or hospital walk-in — same-day access throughout tourist areas, Spanish-speaking, some English in tourist zones. (3) Emergency room at private hospital — always available, no referral needed. No GP registration system — walk-in to private clinics is the norm. Public polyclinics not appropriate for tourists.
Typical wait: Resort médico: immediate. Private clinic walk-in: 30-60 minutes. Private hospital ER (non-emergency): 30-90 minutes. Private specialist: same-day to 2 days.
Availability: Good in Punta Cana/Bávaro (largest tourist concentration), Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Sosúa. Adequate in Samaná, Las Terrenas, Juan Dolio. Very limited in rural interior provinces. Haitian border zone (Dajabón, Elías Piña): extremely limited — avoid healthcare dependence in these areas. All major resort areas have private clinic or hospital nearby.
GP Visit
Private GP consultation: DOP 1,500-4,000 ($27-73)
Private GP
DOP 1,500-4,000 ($27-73) private GP. Specialist: DOP 2,500-6,000 ($45-110).
ER Without Insurance
Private ER: DOP 3,000-15,000 ($55-275). Hospital admission: DOP 5,000-20,000/day. Major surgery: DOP 100,000-500,000+. Air evacuation to Miami: $10,000-25,000+. Private hospitals may request large deposits upfront from uninsured patients.
Medication
Medications are reasonably affordable by Caribbean standards. Pharmacias (pharmacy chains: Carol, Farmacia Carol, Farmacia Antigua) found nationwide. Brand-name medications expensive; Dominican generics cheaper. Prescription required for antibiotics and controlled substances. Popular medications (ibuprofen, antihistamines, antacids, oral rehydration) widely available OTC at pharmacies in tourist areas. Bring specialty medications from home — availability of niche drugs is unreliable.
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Farmácia Carol and major chains: Mon–Sat 8am–9pm, Sun 9am–6pm. Many private hospital pharmacies: 24/7. Hotel pharmacies in resort areas: daily until 10pm. Duty pharmacy rotation in cities — ask hotel for nearest 24-hour farmácia.
OTC: Good for common medications — ibuprofen, paracetamol, antihistamines, antacids, antidiarrheals, basic wound care, oral rehydration salts all widely available. Antibiotics formally require prescription but enforcement variable. Specialty prescription drugs: less reliable — bring from home. Sunscreen and insect repellent widely available at resorts (at premium prices) — bring from home.
Controlled substances: Carry doctor's letter and original packaging for all prescription medications, particularly opioids, sleep aids, ADHD medications, and psychiatric drugs. Dominican drug laws are strict — importation of controlled substances without documentation is a serious offence. Do not bring recreational drugs of any kind — penalties are severe.
Practical Tips
- DEET insect repellent (30-50%) is essential — apply morning and evening. Dengue has no vaccine (for most visitors) and no specific treatment.
- HOMS Punta Cana (+1 809-686-7474) — call this number first for medical emergencies in the Punta Cana/Bávaro area. English-speaking staff available.
- Hospital General de la Plaza de la Salud (+1 809-565-7000, Santo Domingo) — best hospital in the country for serious cases.
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation: minimum $100,000 medical, $500,000 evacuation recommended. Confirm it covers Dominican Republic.
- Water: drink bottled water only — even at resort buffets, be aware that ice may be from filtered tap water. Most large resorts use filtered/treated water for ice and cooking.
- Malaria: if visiting rural areas, border regions, or planning activities outside resort grounds, discuss malaria prophylaxis with your GP or travel medicine clinic before departure.
- POLITUR (Tourism Police, free 1-800-420-5000): dedicated tourist police present in major tourist areas — helpful for lost documents, theft reports, and general tourist safety issues.
- Private ambulance: MOVIMED (+1 809-541-4141 Santo Domingo) — more reliable than 911 in urban areas. Save the number.
- Prescription medications: Dominican brand names differ from US/UK names. Bring a list of generic names (INN names) for all your medications — any pharmacist or doctor can identify these.
Who can get care in Dominican Republic?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Dominican Republic treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.
Public system for visitors
The public system does not cover visitors, so care is paid privately or through insurance.
Seeing a Doctor as a visitor
Three pathways: (1) Resort médico on-site — immediate for guests, minor ailments only, billed to room. (2) Private clinic or hospital walk-in — same-day access throughout tourist areas, Spanish-speaking, some English in tourist zones. (3) Emergency room at private hospital — always available, no referral needed. No GP registration system — walk-in to private clinics is the norm. Public polyclinics not appropriate for tourists. Typical cost: Private GP consultation: DOP 1,500-4,000 ($27-73). Specialist: DOP 2,500-6,000 ($45-110). Resort médico: DOP 500-2,000 ($10-36). Blood tests (private lab): DOP 500-3,000 ($10-55). X-ray: DOP 800-2,500 ($15-45). Typical wait: Resort médico: immediate. Private clinic walk-in: 30-60 minutes. Private hospital ER (non-emergency): 30-90 minutes. Private specialist: same-day to 2 days.
Insurance needed for entry or visa
Not a formal entry requirement, but medical cover is strongly recommended. Emergency care without cover: Private ER: DOP 3,000-15,000 ($55-275). Hospital admission: DOP 5,000-20,000/day. Major surgery: DOP 100,000-500,000+. Air evacuation to Miami: $10,000-25,000+. Private hospitals may request large deposits upfront from uninsured patients..
Documents worth having ready
- Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation (strongly recommended — private hospital costs are substantial)
- Passport (valid 6 months)
- Tourist Card (tarjeta turística, $10 — often included in airline ticket price)
- ALL prescription medications for full trip duration
- Doctor's letter for prescription medications
- Yellow Fever certificate (if arriving from endemic country)
Local contacts in Dominican Republic
Emergency services
911 (unified emergency — police, ambulance, fire) / 809-533-0505 (AMET traffic police) / 1-800-420-5000 (Tourism Police — POLITUR)
Call 911 first — then consider private ambulance for faster response. Resort staff coordinate medical emergencies for guests — follow their guidance. Main private hospitals: HOMS Punta Cana (+1 809-686-7474, Bávaro, Punta Cana) — primary tourist emergency hospital for the east. Hospital General de la Plaza de la Salud (+1 809-565-7000, Santo Domingo) — highest quality nationally. Clínica Abreu (+1 809-688-4411, Santo Domingo) — long-established, good reputation. Centro Médico Bournigal (+1 809-586-2342, Puerto Plata) — north coast main facility. Private ambulance: MOVIMED (+1 809-541-4141 Santo Domingo). Tourism Police (POLITUR) can assist with coordination in tourist areas.
Pharmacies
Farmácia Carol and major chains: Mon–Sat 8am–9pm, Sun 9am–6pm. Many private hospital pharmacies: 24/7. Hotel pharmacies in resort areas: daily until 10pm. Duty pharmacy rotation in cities — ask hotel for nearest 24-hour farmácia.
Good for common medications — ibuprofen, paracetamol, antihistamines, antacids, antidiarrheals, basic wound care, oral rehydration salts all widely available. Antibiotics formally require prescription but enforcement variable. Specialty prescription drugs: less reliable — bring from home. Sunscreen and insect repellent widely available at resorts (at premium prices) — bring from home.
What is the emergency number in Dominican Republic?
911 (unified emergency — police, ambulance, fire) or 809-533-0505 (AMET traffic police) or 1-800-420-5000 (Tourism Police — POLITUR) in Dominican Republic. Call 911 first — then consider private ambulance for faster response. Resort staff coordinate medical emergencies for guests — follow their guidance. Main private hospitals: HOMS Punta Cana (+1 809-686-7474, Bávaro, Punta Cana) — primary tourist emergency hospital for the east. Hospital General de la Plaza de la Salud (+1 809-565-7000, Santo Domingo) — highest quality nationally. Clínica Abreu (+1 809-688-4411, Santo Domingo) — long-established, good reputation. Centro Médico Bournigal (+1 809-586-2342, Puerto Plata) — north coast main facility. Private ambulance: MOVIMED (+1 809-541-4141 Santo Domingo). Tourism Police (POLITUR) can assist with coordination in tourist areas.
How much does a Doctor visit cost in Dominican Republic?
Private GP consultation: DOP 1,500-4,000 ($27-73). Specialist: DOP 2,500-6,000 ($45-110). Resort médico: DOP 500-2,000 ($10-36). Blood tests (private lab): DOP 500-3,000 ($10-55). X-ray: DOP 800-2,500 ($15-45). Private consultations: DOP 1,500-4,000 ($27-73) private GP. Specialist: DOP 2,500-6,000 ($45-110)..
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Sources: Dominican Republic Ministry of Public Health (MSP), UK FCDO Travel Advice Dominican Republic 2025, US State Department DR Travel Advisory 2025, CDC Travelers' Health — Dominican Republic 2025, WHO Dominican Republic country profile, HOMS Punta Cana, POLITUR (Dominican Tourism Police)
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare