🇩🇴 Dominican Republic Healthcare Guide
Santo Domingo and Punta Cana have modern private hospitals — Centro Medico UCE and Hospiten are among the most used by visitors — but public facilities, particularly in the rural Cibao region and along the Haitian border, are significantly more basic. Most resort areas have on-site or nearby clinics that can handle minor issues, but for anything serious you'll be transferred to Santo Domingo, so carrying your medical summary saved and accessible speeds up care at an unfamiliar facility.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 911
- Healthcare system: mixed
- Average GP visit: $25 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: medium
Healthcare overview
Santo Domingo has capable private hospitals (Centro Médico UCE, Clínica Abreu, HOMS) with specialist departments. Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, and other tourist zones have private clinics geared toward visitors, though capabilities are more limited. The public system is affordable but crowded and under-resourced. GP visits at private clinics cost $30–75 USD.
Tourist zone clinics
Punta Cana and Puerto Plata have private clinics oriented toward tourists. For anything beyond minor treatment, Santo Domingo is the destination.
Santo Domingo private hospitals
Centro Médico UCE and HOMS offer the country’s best-equipped facilities, with some English-speaking staff.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Pharmacies are widespread in Dominican cities and tourist areas, with many medications available over the counter at low prices. Rural areas have more limited options. Carry your full supply for travel to rural or mountain regions, as the nearest pharmacy may be in the next town.
Relaxed OTC availability
Many medications requiring a prescription elsewhere are available over the counter in the Dominican Republic. Ask at the pharmacy counter.
Tips for travellers
Santo Domingo’s private hospitals provide the broadest specialist care in the country, with growing capabilities in cardiology and oncology. For complex conditions beyond local expertise, Miami is the standard referral destination. Having your treatment history saved and accessible in Spanish helps Dominican specialists continue your care directly.
Miami referral option
For specialist treatment unavailable in Santo Domingo, Miami hospitals are the primary referral destination, about 2.5 hours by air.