Our hosts at Chavón La Escuela de Diseño have generously provided helpful information for visitors to the Dominican Republic. Please review this guide before traveling.
Contents
- About the Dominican Republic
- Transportation
- Travel Requirements
About Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a vibrant Caribbean nation occupying the eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola. Home to over 11.5 million people, it is famous for its diverse landscapes—from tropical beaches and deserts to the Caribbean’s highest peak. It boasts a rich history, a booming tourism industry, and a lively cultural heritage.
Country Highlights
- Geography & Climate: It features stunning coastlines (including the world-renowned resorts of Punta Cana and Puerto Plata) as well as Pico Duarte, the highest mountain in the Caribbean.
- Capital & History: The capital, Santo Domingo, is the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the Americas. Its historic Zona Colonial is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Culture & Economy: Dominican culture blends Taíno, African, and Spanish roots. It is the birthplace of lively musical genres like merengue and bachata, and locals have a deep passion for baseball. The economy is driven by tourism, free-trade zones, and agriculture
- Language: The official language is Spanish.
- Currency: The local currency is the Dominican peso (DOP). Dominican Peso (RD$). Cash is highly recommended for street markets and small vendors, though major cards are widely accepted. Currency exchange is available at Exchange Booths at the airport and in the city. Many hotels also provide currency exchange services.
- Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (AST), which is UTC-4 year-round (no daylight saving time changes).
- Connectivity: Buy a prepaid local SIM card from major providers like Claro or Altice at the airport for continuous data access.
- Weather: Tropical and warm climate all year (~ 25°C to 31°C / 77°F to 88°F) with high humidity.
- Recommended Clothing: Pack lightweight, comfortable, and breathable clothing, preferably made from natural fibers such as cotton or linen. Given the tropical, humid climate, we recommend prioritizing cool, quick-drying garments that promote airflow and comfort throughout the day. Some conference sessions will take place in air-conditioned rooms. Therefore, we recommend bringing a very light jacket or sweater to ensure your comfort.
Essential Items for Outdoor Activities:
- Hat or cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen: We recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF for adequate protection from sun exposure.
Essential Items Throughout the Conference:
- Mosquito repellent: Recommended, especially during the evenings and in outdoor spaces.
- Reusable water bottle: Ideal for staying hydrated throughout activities, tours, and daily transportation.
- Portable charger (power bank): Highly recommended for keeping mobile devices charged throughout the day, especially during our third day of activities at the La Romana campus.
- For additional information regarding the country, you can check the official Tourism Site Go Dominican Republic Tourism Website.
Transportation
Each participant will be responsible for arranging their own transportation during their stay in the Dominican Republic.
Although the city offers safe public transportation options, including the metro system and buses, we recommend using private transportation services such as Uber, which is safe, reliable, and widely used in the country and operates similarly to many destinations around the world.
The only transportation service included in the event will be the round-trip transfer between CHAVÓN School of Design – Santo Domingo Campus and CHAVÓN School of Design – La Romana Campus (Altos de Chavón) on November 11, 2026.
Travel Requirements
To verify official travel requirements, you should consult the embassy or consulate of your destination country. Airlines also provide updated travel information.
Typically, travelers are required to have the following essential documents:
- A passport valid for at least six (6) months.
- An airline, maritime, or ground transportation ticket for both entry and return travel.
- A permanent address in the Dominican Republic.
- Proof of sufficient financial means to cover expenses during your stay in the Dominican Republic.
Visas
The Dominican Republic issues tourist, business, work, student, and residency visas. Tourist visas can be issued for one or several entries.
Tourist visas may be issued for either single or multiple entries. Individuals of any nationality may visit the Dominican Republic if they are legal residents of, or hold a valid visa in their passport from, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or a Schengen member country. Travelers who do not hold a passport or a valid visa from one of the countries listed above, or from another authorized country, must apply for a Dominican Republic visa. To obtain a visa, the passport must be valid for at least six (6) months from the date of application.
The Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the institution that issues visas. They have a chat line available in English and Spanish, where you may contact them for specific visa questions or for other inquiries: https://mirex.gob.do/en/
Click HERE to check if your country requires a tourist visa.
Nations in the European Union, the United States of America, Canada, or Great Britain do not need a visa, but simply a tourist card.
See the list of Dominican consulates abroad here. Please make sure to always check for updated requirements before traveling.
The departure tax is US$20. It is already included in your airline ticket fare.
Be sure to always check for up-to-date requirements before traveling.
E-Ticket
All foreign and Dominican passengers entering or departing the Dominican Republic on commercial flights must complete the free electronic Entry and Exit Form (E-Ticket) at: https://eticket.migracion.gob.do
The form can be completed as soon as you have your flight information, even several months in advance. However, it must be completed before arriving at the airline check-in counter at the airport, as the airline requires it. To avoid delays at the airport, travelers are advised to complete the form before their trip.
If your specific city of residence does not appear in the form, you may select the nearest major city within your state or province. If you are staying in a vacation rental, ask your host to provide the complete address, including province, municipality, and neighborhood/sector.
If you are traveling with your family, you must include the information for all family members traveling together. However, only one user account is required in the system, and that user may complete the information for all family members included in the trip, up to six additional members (a total of seven people per form). It is not necessary for each traveler within the same family to complete a separate form. If more than seven people are traveling together, an additional form must be completed for each additional traveler. Children are not required to complete the Customs section; only adults must do so. A single QR code will be generated for the entire family.
You may print or take a screenshot of your arrival and departure confirmation QR codes. If you need to make changes to your E-Ticket, you may access your application using the request code issued when you first started completing the form and make the necessary updates.
Customs
You are allowed to bring the following items into the Dominican Republic:
- A maximum of 20 packs of cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 200 grams of tobacco.
- Up to three (3) liters in total of wine, beer, rum, whiskey, or liquor.
- You may also bring in gifts valued up to US$500 (five hundred United States Dollars) once every three months.
- Medicines for personal use, in quantities that justify the exclusive use of the passenger. In the case of medicines that contain psychotropic substances, you must present the prescription for their use.
You can view the Traveller Information and List of Allowed and Prohibited Items for more information.
Chavon, La Escuela de Diseño
For more than 40 years, Chavón The School of Design, affiliated with Parsons School of Design, has been one of the Caribbean’s leading institutions for art and design education. Since its founding in 1983, Chavón has nurtured generations of artists, designers, entrepreneurs, and creative leaders whose work has had an impact both locally and internationally.
The school’s original campus is nestled within Altos de Chavón—a breathtaking cultural village inspired by 16th-century Mediterranean architecture and overlooking the Chavón River. This extraordinary setting offers students and visitors an immersive environment where history, culture, craftsmanship, and contemporary creativity converge.
In 2015, Chavón expanded with a second campus in Santo Domingo, bringing its internationally recognized design education into the heart of the oldest continuously inhabited European city in the Americas. Together, the two campuses embody the school’s commitment to innovation, creative excellence, and global collaboration while remaining deeply connected to the rich cultural heritage of the Dominican Republic.
Whether exploring its inspiring studios, engaging with its vibrant creative community, or simply enjoying its remarkable surroundings, a visit to Chavón is an experience where design, culture, and place come together in unforgettable ways.