# What to Do Before Traveling to Punta Cana: Pre-Trip Checklist > Prepare for your Punta Cana vacation with our essential pre-trip checklist. Discover what to do before traveling to Punta Cana and ensure a stress-free trip. - **Canonical:** https://baraglo.com/blog/what-to-do-before-traveling-punta-cana - **Published:** 2026-03-15T21:38:04.301457+00:00 - **Updated:** 2026-05-24T21:08:43.224836+00:00 - **Category:** Punta Cana Travel - **Author:** Baraglo Travel Team — Editorial team — international travel insurance specialists - **Expertise:** Punta Cana travel insurance, Dominican Republic entry requirements, eTicket DR, Caribbean travel insurance, Hurricane season travel, Schengen visa insurance, US emergency medical for travelers - **Keywords:** before traveling punta cana, punta cana preparation, pre trip checklist DR, punta cana planning, prepare for punta cana ## About the author Editorial team at Baraglo On Trip Protect, a licensed travel insurance brokerage in the Dominican Republic, focused on Caribbean and Punta Cana inbound travelers. **Credentials** - Licensed travel insurance brokerage in the Dominican Republic - Underwritten by OneAlliance / HAS Companies (25-year TPA, 800,000-provider global network, ISO/HIPAA certified) - 5,000+ policies issued to inbound and outbound Caribbean travelers (2024-2026) - Focus area: Punta Cana inbound, Schengen visa compliance, US emergency medical --- ## What to Do Before Traveling to Punta Cana A great Punta Cana trip starts before you even pack. This 10-step checklist covers everything you need to handle in the weeks leading up to your departure so your vacation is stress-free from the moment you board the plane. ### 1. Check Your Passport Ensure it's valid for **at least 6 months beyond your travel dates**. Some airlines deny boarding if your passport expires within 6 months. If you need to renew, US renewals take 6–8 weeks (or 2–3 weeks expedited). [Passport requirements for the DR →](/blog/passport-requirements-dominican-republic) ### 2. Fill Out the E-Ticket Complete the **free digital migration form** within 72 hours of your flight (both arrival and departure). It's mandatory and asks for hotel address, flight info, and basic health questions. [Step-by-step guide →](/dominican-republic-eticket) ### 3. Get Travel Insurance Medical costs in the DR are expensive for foreigners — $80–200 for an ER visit, $250–600 per night of hospitalization, and up to $50,000 for medical evacuation. Coverage from **{{basic_price}}/day** with Baraglo includes medical, evacuation, and trip protection. [Compare plans →](/travel-insurance-dominican-republic?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=blog-relinked-v2) ### 4. Book Airport Transfer Pre-booked is **cheaper and safer** than airport taxis. Private transfers cost $40–80 USD and include a driver waiting with your name at arrivals. Shared shuttles run $25–35. ### 5. Notify Your Bank Tell your bank and credit card company you're traveling to **avoid card blocks** at restaurants, ATMs, or gift shops. Most major US banks (Chase, BofA, Wells Fargo) let you set travel notices in their app in 60 seconds. ### 6. Check Entry Requirements You need: valid passport, completed E-Ticket QR code, and proof of return flight. The **tourist card ($10 USD) is included** in nearly all airline tickets — verify on your booking. [Full requirements →](/travel-insurance-dominican-republic?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=blog-relinked-v2) ### 7. Download Offline Maps & Apps WiFi outside resorts can be spotty. Download: - Google Maps offline area for Bávaro / Punta Cana - Google Translate Spanish offline pack - WhatsApp (locals use it more than calls) - Uber and DiDi (where available) - Your airline's app for boarding passes ### 8. Pack Smart Essentials for the DR climate (avg. 28–32°C / 82–90°F year-round): - Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+) - Insect repellent with DEET (dengue/Zika risk) - Light, breathable clothing + 1 light sweater for AC - Swimwear (2 sets so one is always dry) - Sandals + comfortable walking shoes - Refillable water bottle - Small first-aid kit (bandaids, antidiarrheal, pain reliever) - Universal power adapter (outlets are US-style 110V) ### 9. Learn Basic Spanish English is widely spoken at resorts but limited outside. A few words go a long way: - "Hola" — Hello - "Gracias" — Thank you - "Por favor" — Please - "¿Cuánto cuesta?" — How much does it cost? - "La cuenta, por favor" — The check, please - "No hablo español" — I don't speak Spanish ### 10. Set Up Your Phone Plan Three options: - **International roaming** (T-Mobile and Google Fi include free DR data; AT&T/Verizon charge $10/day) - **Local SIM** (Claro or Altice prepaid SIM for $10–20 USD with 5–10GB data — buy at PUJ kiosks) - **eSIM** (Airalo, Holafly — activate before you leave, ~$15 USD for 5 days) Resort WiFi is free but slow. Plan for offline use. ### Bonus: 48 Hours Before You Fly - Print or save your **insurance policy PDF** offline - Confirm flight time and gate - Check in online (saves 20 min at PUJ) - Pack your carry-on with: meds, swimsuit, change of clothes (in case checked bag is delayed), passport, charger - Set out-of-office on email - Take a photo of your passport and email it to yourself ## FAQ **How early should I book travel insurance?** Ideally when you book your flight. Trip cancellation coverage only protects events that happen *after* you buy the policy. **Do I need vaccines for the DR?** No mandatory vaccines for tourists from the US, EU, or Canada. CDC recommends being up to date on Hepatitis A and Typhoid for off-resort travel. **Can I drink the tap water?** No. Stick to bottled water (provided free at most resorts) and use it for brushing teeth too. **What currency should I bring?** USD is widely accepted at resorts. Bring small bills ($1, $5, $10) for tips. ATMs at the airport and resorts dispense Dominican pesos (DOP) for off-resort purchases. **Is travel insurance really necessary if I never leave the resort?** Yes. The most common claims are food poisoning, sun stroke, slip-and-fall in pools, and beach injuries — all happen *inside* resorts. [Get covered from $3.19/day →](/travel-insurance-dominican-republic?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=blog-relinked-v2) ### Related - [Punta Cana Travel Insurance Guide](/travel-insurance-dominican-republic?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=blog-relinked-v2) - [Punta Cana Airport Guide (PUJ)](/travel-insurance-dominican-republic?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=blog-relinked-v2) - [Punta Cana Transportation Guide](/travel-insurance-dominican-republic?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=blog-relinked-v2) - [Cheap Travel Insurance from $3.19/day](/travel-insurance-dominican-republic?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=blog-relinked-v2) - [Passport Requirements for the Dominican Republic](/travel-insurance-dominican-republic?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=blog-relinked-v2) --- _Source: Baraglo On Trip Protect (licensed travel-insurance brokerage, Dominican Republic). Underwritten by OneAlliance / HAS Companies. See https://baraglo.com/blog/what-to-do-before-traveling-punta-cana for the live, fully-formatted version._