Most importantly, I cannot emphasize enough.......travel light!  Now days, air travel has become more of a chore and less of a pleasure with the increasing security requirements, reduced airline employee staff and additional charges for checked baggage the passenger needs to travel light.  There is nothing worse than arriving at your final vacation destination only to realize that you don't have a tooth brush or a change of clothes because your bags did not come up the carousel and are still sitting on the ramp at your departure airport.  You were looking forward to your caribbean vacation with your newly aquinted Dominican Sweetheart but now you must spend the the first couple days tracking your bags and shopping for a new wardrobe.

Most airlines allow two carry on items (one bag in the overhead compartment and laptop case under the seat in front of you).  Check with your airline for the allowed qauntity and size of your carry on bags and pack within these limits.  Remember, if you have packed for a week then you have packed for a month.  If you are planning a trip to the beach or just want to lay around the pool then don't forget the sun block, sun glasses, swimming trunks and flip flops or sandals.  For the disco, brown or black shoes with dress pants and a nice collared shirt works. 

Do not bring large sums of cash, but do bring some, no more than a few hundred dollars is sufficient.  Travelers checks, Debit cards and Credit cards are widely accepted in the major cities and tourist towns of the Dominican Republic.  If you can exchange money into Dominican pesos before you arrive, I recommend that you do so.  The first opportunity you may have to exchange money might be in your hotel and you usually will not get the most favorable rate.  If you need to exchange money at the hotel then exchange only what you need for that day.  Also, do not bring your expensive jewerly like necklaces, watches and rings. These items are not necessary here and you will only make yourself stand out.

Bring your travel documents.  A passport is required to enter and exit the country.  It is a good idea to make a copy of your passport, leave the original in safe place, such as the safe in your hotel room and carry the copy with you.

Lastly, because you are not checking bags and only bringing carry-on bags, remember the Transportation Security Administrations 3-1-1 policy as it pertains to your liquid toiletry items like shampoo, shaving creme, cologne...etc.  What this means is all of the liquids you bring aboard the aircraft must be 3 oz. (3) or less in each container, and fit into one (1), one (1) qaurt size ziplock bag.  You can check out this and other security requirements from TSA's website at www.tsa.gov.