Mosquitos carry and spread diseases that can cause illness. Severe infections from mosquito-borne diseases may even cause fatalities.
Therefore the prevention of mosquito bites is an important factor in travel health that you need to plan for in advance of your trip.
The Dominican Republic is a low-risk area for mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria. Therefore, in order to enjoy your tropical vacation, you will need to prevent mosquito bites.
Read on for the essential guide to protecting yourself from mosquitos in the Dominican Republic.
Are Mosquitoes Bad in the Dominican Republic?
Unfortunately, there are mosquitos in the Dominican Republic. And therefore, you need to bring and use repellant.
That said, mosquitos are not a huge problem in the Dominican Republic as long as you take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from their bites.
Is there a Mosquito Season in the Dominican Republic?
No, there isn’t really a mosquito season in the Dominican Republic.
The Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which is endemic to the territory of the Dominican Republic, is always active, especially in the rainy season, because of the island’s location in the tropics and it’s having mild to high temperatures year round.
Are there Mosquitoes in the Dominican Republic in December?
Yes, there are mosquitos in the Dominican Republic in December.
While December marks the start of the driest season of the year in the Dominican Republic, you can still get bitten by mosquitoes if you fail to protect yourself.
It doesn’t really make much of a difference in what month of the year you visit the Dominican Republic as some people will get bitten, while others rarely will.
The rule of thumb is to always bring a good mosquito repellent when visiting any tropical region.
How Can I Avoid Mosquitoes in the Dominican Republic?
Here are some preventative measures to minimize the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes in the Dominican Republic:
- Always cover up whenever there are insects that bite around.
- Minimize exposure of skin and sensitive bite spots such as the arms and ankles by wearing light-colored long-sleeved shirts, baggy pants, socks and shoes.
- Always use mosquito repellent on exposed skin whenever you’re outdoors.
- Apply mosquito repellent to your clothing if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors.
- Spray your hotel room with bug spray each evening.
- Always sleep under a mosquito net which has been treated with mosquito repellent.
- In the absence of a net, use mosquito coils or an electric mosquito killer.
- Avoid using perfume/ cologne as they may attract mosquitoes.
- Avoid wearing spandex as it is very easy for a mosquito to bite through.
Do I Need Mosquito Repellent in the Dominican Republic?
Yes, you do need mosquito repellent in the Dominican Republic.
Beware that although it is possible to buy mosquito repellent in the Dominican Republic, prices for tourists tend to be much higher.
Therefore it is recommended that you bring your own repellent to protect yourself from mosquitos.
How Do I Choose the Right Repellant?
Here are some points to consider when choosing the right repellent:
- For how long will you require protection? Eight hours a day for 2 weeks, or just a couple hours while hiking in nature and the outdoors?
- Are insect repellent products locally available in the Dominican Republic? If so, are they affordable?
- How will you transport the repellent to the Dominican Republic? How much space will it need inside your suitcase/ carry-on/ backpack?
Should I Use Natural or Commercial Repellants?
Although commercial mosquito repellents such as Picaridin and DEET have been proven to be both safe and effective, some people may prefer to use natural repellents.
Several natural compounds have been found to possess anti-mosquito properties, including garlic, citronella, eucalyptus, and vitamin B.
Among these, the most effective is citronella derived from cymbopogon grass. Citronella candles and incense can be used to repel mosquitoes in rooms, porches and backyards. Sitting near such candles will reduce your chances of getting bitten.
But although natural compounds such as citronella have been proven to protect from bites, they tend to do so for shorter periods than commercial repellents. As a result, they need to be applied more frequently for effective protection.
What is the Best Mosquito Repellent for the Dominican Republic?
Picaridin is the best mosquito repellent for the Dominican Republic.
Picaridin is better than DEET because it discourages mosquitos from landing on your skin in the first place.
However, if you prefer to use DEET, buy a mosquito repellent that contains at least 20% DEET.
Can You Get Malaria in the Dominican Republic?
Yes, you can get malaria in the Dominican Republic.
There is a risk of malaria for those traveling outside the cities of Santiago and Santo Domingo, and heading into malaria-endemic areas such as the provinces near the Haitian border.
Is the Dominican Republic High Risk for Malaria?
No. In fact, the Dominican Republic is considered a low-risk area for malaria.
However, some places are malaria-endemic and have a risk of malaria. These include areas in the west, on the border with Haiti and the provinces (including resort areas) of La Altagracia.
How common is Malaria in the Dominican Republic?
Malaria is not that common in the Dominican Republic.
In fact, the WHO has not set up any special restrictions concerning travel to or from the Dominican Republic due to malaria.
Therefore you don’t need to be worried about getting malaria while on vacation in the Dominican Republic.
How Many Cases of Malaria Are there in the Dominican Republic?
In 2017, the Dominican Republic reported a total of 395 cases of malaria, of which 1 was fatal.
Do You Need Malaria Pills for the Dominican Republic?
Maybe. It is recommended that visitors to the Dominican Republic take malaria prevention measures such as anti-malarial medication.
This is especially so if you are going to be traveling outside the cities of Santiago and Santo Domingo.
Is the Zika Virus Still a Threat in the Dominican Republic?
Yes. Zika is still a threat in the Dominican Republic.
Although such cases are becoming rare and the illnesses are not life-threatening, there is a risk of birth defects in infants born to women infected with the Zika virus during pregnancy.
Are there other Bugs in the Dominican Republic?
Yes. Because the Dominican Republic is a tropical country, it naturally has a diversity of bugs.
The sand flea is one of the most troublesome bugs in the Dominican Republic as it is difficult to see and seems immune to everything.
Use insect repellent to protect yourself from sand flea bites, as well as anti-itch cream to protect against itching and allergies brought about by sand flea bites.
Do I Need Bug Spray or Insect Repellent?
Yes, you will need bug spray or insect repellent when vacationing in the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic is a tropical destination therefore it has a diversity of bugs.
A good bug spray or insect repellent will protect you from bugs and insect bites.
