Fees · Country Guide
A two-ocean Caribbean country where easy southeast reefs, north-coast bays, and Samana whale season can all fit one trip
Updated Mar 27, 2026 • 22 sources
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
There is no national dive permit for ordinary recreational diving, so the main paperwork burden is entry formalities rather than underwater licensing. Costs that matter most are the tourist card structure, E-ticket compliance, any overstay fee beyond the standard tourist period, and activity-specific charges embedded inside park or excursion pricing. Whale watching in Samana is regulated through authorized operators rather than a casual pay-on-the-day swim product.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist card | USD $10 Usually aligned with standard tourist entry | Most foreign leisure arrivals | Often included in commercial air tickets; sea arrivals should verify current collection method | For commercial air travelers the cost is commonly built into the airfare. Do not pay twice without checking your ticket details. |
| Commercial flight E-ticket | Free Per arrival and departure movement | All foreign and Dominican passengers on commercial flights | Official online E-ticket portal | Complete it before reaching the airline counter. Families can usually submit one form for up to seven travelers total. |
| Departure tax | US$20 Per departure | Commercial air passengers | Normally already included in airline tickets | Treat this as a built-in airfare component unless your carrier explicitly states otherwise. |
| Overstay fee beyond 30 days | Variable sliding scale Based on total length of stay | Tourists remaining beyond the standard stay period | Online before departure or at airport immigration after check-in | If you extend your trip, settle the fee before you reach the gate to avoid last-minute stress. |
| Whale-watching authorization structure | Varies by operator and vessel Seasonal | Topside whale-watching activity in Samana | Through authorized Samana operators, not as an individual traveler permit | Use licensed operators only. This is a regulated wildlife activity with management rules rather than an open-access boat trip. |
| Protected-area and excursion access fees | Varies by site and operator Usually day use | Trips such as Los Haitises, freshwater reserves, and selected island outings | Bundled into excursion pricing or paid at attraction entry | Read the inclusion list carefully, because lunch, transfers, snorkel gear, and conservation fees are sometimes combined into one price. |
Fee
Usually aligned with standard tourist entry
For commercial air travelers the cost is commonly built into the airfare. Do not pay twice without checking your ticket details.
Per arrival and departure movement
Complete it before reaching the airline counter. Families can usually submit one form for up to seven travelers total.
Per departure
Treat this as a built-in airfare component unless your carrier explicitly states otherwise.
Based on total length of stay
If you extend your trip, settle the fee before you reach the gate to avoid last-minute stress.
Seasonal
Use licensed operators only. This is a regulated wildlife activity with management rules rather than an open-access boat trip.
Usually day use
Read the inclusion list carefully, because lunch, transfers, snorkel gear, and conservation fees are sometimes combined into one price.