Country info for backpacking in the Dominican Republic

Climate

Tropical maritime with little seasonal temperature variation There is a seasonal variation in rainfall. The island lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and is subject to severe storms from June to October. It experiences occasional flooding and periodic droughts.

Terrain

Rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed. Elevation extremes  lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m

History

Explored and claimed by Columbus on his first voyage in 1492, the island of Hispaniola became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821, but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative, rule for much of its subsequent history was brought to an end in 1966 when Joaquin Balaguer became president. He maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. The Dominican economy has had one of the fastest growth rates in the hemisphere.

The age of consent is 18. Tourists who have sex with minors may also be prosecuted by their home country. Using common sense is the best way to stay safe. Tourists are advised not to travel alone in cities if possible as muggings are fairly common. Streets are largely unlit after dark, even in the captial of Santo Domingo, and are subject to routine power outages. Wild dogs are common throughout the country but largely ignore people (feeding these dogs is not recommended as this may induce aggressive behavior). Western travellers are advised to dress casually and remove rings and other jewelery when away from tourist destinations. However common tourist destinations, in particular the more expensive, luxury hotels and areas are very safe. Corruption is rampant and the level of professionalism of the National Police is somewhat debatable. To protect income from tourism the government has established the Polit Tour or "tourist police" [5] which is tasked with the safety of foreign tourists. Travellers are advised to contact this agency if any problems are encountered as they will have a much more positive response than with the national police.

Malaria has been an issue, especially in the rainforests. Be sure to consult with a physician before departure. There is a risk of dengue fever which is contracted through mosquitos that bite during the day. No vaccine is available, so using mosquito repellent is advisable. Additionally, many of the local foods are safe to eat including the meats, fruits, and vegetables. Visitors, however, should not drink any of the local water and should stay with bottled water or other beverages. It is important for visitors to stay hydrated in the hot, humid climate. Sunburn and sun poisoning are a great risk. The sun is very bright here. Use at least SPF30 sunblock. Limit sun exposure.