Travel Health Advisory
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Source Authority
CDC Travelers' Health
Vaccines and Medicines
Expert VerifiedCOVID-19
All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.
Cholera
There is no longer active cholera transmission and vaccine is not recommended.
Hepatitis A
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to the Dominican Republic.Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, are immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.
Hepatitis B
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to the Dominican Republic. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to the Dominican Republic.
Malaria
CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of the Dominican Republic take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.Transmission areasPrimarily in the provinces (including resort areas) of Azua, Elias Piña, La Altagracia, San Juan, and Santo DomingoIn the Distrito Nacional, city of Santo Domingo (the capital), primarily in the La Ciénaga and Los Tres Brazos areasRare transmission in other provincesDrug resistanceNoneSpeciesP. falciparum(100%)Recommended chemoprophylaxisProvinces (including resort areas) of Azua, Elias Piña, La Altagracia, San Juan, and Santo Domingo: Atovaquone-proguanil, chloroquine, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine2All other areas: No chemoprophylaxis recommended (insect bite precautions and mosquito avoidance only)4Updated April 23, 2025See footnotes
Measles
Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Rabies
Dogs infected with rabies are sometimes found in the Dominican Republic.Rabies is also present in some terrestrial wildlife species.If rabies exposures occur while in the Dominican Republic, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.For more information, seecountry rabies status assessments.
Typhoid
Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.
Yellow Fever
CDC recommendations:Vaccine isnotrecommended.Country entry requirements:Direct travel from United States: Vaccine isnotrequired.Vaccine isrequiredfor travelers ≥1 year old arriving from the following states in Brazil: Espírito Santo, Mina Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in any of these states.Updated April 23, 2025
Non-Vaccine Diseases
Leptospirosis
Avoid contaminated water and soilAvoid floodwater
Melioidosis
Avoid floodwater and contact with soil or muddy water, particularly after heavy rainsBandage open wounds, cuts, or burns to protect them from coming into contact with soil or water
Dengue
Avoid bug bites
Leishmaniasis
Avoid bug bites
New World Screwworm Myiasis
Avoid bug bitesClean and cover woundsSleep in a room with screened windows, or under a bed net, or inside a screened tentAvoid spending time around livestock
Zika
Avoid bug bites
Hantavirus
Avoid rodents and areas where they liveAvoid sick people
Tuberculosis (TB)
Avoid sick people
General Travel Advice
- Be up to date on routine vaccinations.
- See a doctor 4-6 weeks before travel.
- Carry a small first-aid kit.
"The information on this page is for general awareness. Please seek professional medical help for your specific travel needs."