Dominican Republic Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews
Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in the Dominican Republic? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in the Dominican Republic
For an introduction to shooting in the Dominican Republic see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.
Dominican Republic Film Locations
The Dominican Republic offers an impressive variety of locations that can be easily reached within a few hours drive from Santo Domingo. The country is known for its tropical beauty of black and white sand beaches, turquoise waters, coral reefs, surf breaks, mountains, forests, river valleys, and tropical waterfalls. It also has a wealth of impressive man-made locations to choose from such as modern waterfront mansions, resorts, golf courses and marinas.
Agricultural film locations include plantations of avocados, papayas, pineapple, bananas, oranges, sugarcane, cocoa, palm oil, coconuts, rice, and cassava. The country has cattle, sheep, and goat farms. Fishing boats are available for filming. The Dominican Republic mines gold, silver, bauxite, and nickel. Factories produce apparel, medical devices, as well as a range of sauces and seasonings.
The Dominican Republic has played host to many international productions including Shotgun Wedding (2022), Old (2021), Fast & Furious (2009), The Good Shepherd (2006), Miami Vice (2006), The Lost City (2005), Fast & Furious 7 (2015), Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988), Sorcerer (1977), The Godfather: Part II (1974), and The Godfather (1972).
Film locations can be divided into three main regions:
Este / Sureste
This southeastern region includes the provinces of Distrito Nacional, Santo Domingo, Hato Mayor, Monte Plata, San Pedro de Macorís, El Seibo, La Romana, and La Altagracia.
Santo Domingo is the Dominican Republic’s vibrant capital and main production service centre where film crews and equipment are based. It is best known for its Spanish colonial looks found in the old town, Zona Colonial. Film locations of note include Alcázar de Colón, National Palace, Museo de las Casas Reales, Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, Fortaleza Ozama, Pantheon of the Fatherland, Plaza de España, Columbus Park, and Jardin Botanico Nacional. Columbus Lighthouse is an impressive colossal structure. Quisqueya baseball stadium is available for visiting productions. Los Tres Ojos is a beautiful cave system located inside the city. Santo Domingo has doubled for Havana in The Lost City (2005), The Godfather: Part II (1974), and The Godfather (1972), as well as doubled for Port au Prince in Miami Vice (2006), and Leopoldville (Congo) in The Good Shepherd (2006).
Heading east from Santo Domingo there are several locations of interest to filmmakers and photographers…
Some of the best beaches can be found in Punta Cana, a 3.5 hour drive from Santo Domingo. Beaches of note include Playa Bavaro, El Cortecito, Arena Gorda, Playa Macao, Uvero Alto, Cabeza de Toro, Playa Blanca, Playa Boca Chica, and Juanillo.
Altos de Chavon is a re-created medieval European village, 2 hours drive from Santo Domingo.
Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia is a unique structure in Higüey.
Isla Catalina and Isla Saona are beautiful tropical islands.
Parque Nacional del Este, also located in the east of the country, is home to a great diversity of flora and fauna.
Cueva de las Maravillas is a beautiful cave location.
Hoyo azul is a beautiful blue water cenote.
Sur
This southwestern region includes the provinces of Azua, Peravia, San José de Ocoa, San Cristóbal, Elías Piña, San Juan, Barahona, Bahoruco, Independencia, and Pedernales.
The city of Jarabacoa lies in the Central Cordillera Mountains, a landscape of sweeping pine forests, rivers, waterfalls, and the Dominican Republic’s highest peak, Pico Duarte. Salto Jimenoa is a spectacular waterfall in this area.
Bahía de las Águilas is a remote paradise beach location.
Dunas de Bani are beach sand dunes.
Lake Enriquillo in Isla Cabritos National Park is a beautiful film location.
Parque Eólico Los Cocos is a wind farm.
Norte / Cibao
This northern region includes the provinces of Duarte, Hermanas Mirabal, María Trinidad Sánchez, Samaná, Dajabón, Monte Cristi, Santiago Rodríguez, Valverde, Espaillat, Puerto Plata, Santiago, La Vega, and Monseñor Nouel, Sánchez Ramírez.
Puerto Plata, Playa Rincon, Playa Dorada, Playa Sosua, Playa Grande, and Playa Coson are beautiful beaches in the north of the Dominican Republic. Playa El Valle is the beach that featured in Old (2021). Monte Cristi featured in Fast & Furious 7 (2015).
Cayo Levantado, is a paradise island in Samaná Bay.
El Salto del Limón and Damajagua Falls are beautiful waterfalls.
Laguna Gri-Gri is a magnificent mangrove clear water lagoon.
Los Haitises National Park is known for its limestone islands, mangroves, and diversity of birdlife.
The Pueblo Viejo mine is a gold mine.
Fortaleza San Felipe is located in Puerto Plata.
Castillo Mundo King is an eccentric castle located in Sosúa.
Dominican Republic Film Location Permits
A Film and Photography Shooting Permit is required when shooting in the Dominican Republic. It must be presented in the event of a random check by authorities. This permit can be obtained through a registered production service provider. Please contact us for location specific information.
When To Shoot?
The Dominican Republic has a hot, tropical climate. Coastal areas are warmer than the mountainous central regions. The hot, rainy season runs from May to October, although there are still plenty of dry, sunny days during this period. Hurricanes occur during the rainy season. The cool, dry season runs from November to April and is the best time to film for weather. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
• Humpback whales can be spotted from December to March.
• The colourful Carnaval de la Vega takes place in February.
Christianity is the main religion, so those holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in the Dominican Republic.
Unique Local Stories
Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.
If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.
If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.
Costs & Tax Incentives
Costs. The Dominican Republic is a cost efficient place to shoot. The Dominican Republic has a more established film infrastructure than most Caribbean countries, so crew and equipment do not usually need to be brought in. Our Dominican fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. The Dominican Republic offers qualifying productions a 25% Transferable Tax Credit. In addition there is a 18% customs and duties exemption. See here for more information.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. The Dominican Republic has a small but good pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Key crew is available locally. Larger and more specialized shoots may require you to bring in some crew such as a production designer, stunts or special FX teams. Local crews are experienced in servicing foreign productions and most speak fluent English.
Contact us if you are looking for a Santo Domingo based director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew in the Dominican Republic.
Talent is non-union. Day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Spanish is the official language.
Most Dominicans are of mixed African and European descent. There are also small black and white communities. Smaller ethnic minorities include Lebanese, Syrians, Palestinians, Chinese and Japanese people. All other talent needs to be cast abroad. There is a constant pool of US and European visitors if ever looking for western extras.
Dominican Republic Film Equipment
Equipment. The Dominican Republic has a good depth of standard lighting, grip and camera equipment including cranes, jimmy jibs, Fisher and Panther dolly, 35mm and RED cameras, scuba-cams. Rental gear is owned by local production companies and studios. More specialized equipment can be brought in from Miami, a short 2.5hr flight away.
If bringing in gear from abroad, a Temporary Entry of Goods Permit is required to clear equipment through customs. To obtain this permit you must first have a Film and Photography Shooting Permit. This application must also go through a registered production service company or fixer. The paperwork takes about 5 days.
The following documentation is required to bring in gear:
• Third Party Liability Insurance / Covering All Crew And Gear.
• Copies Of All Passports
• All Flight Details / Arrivals And Departures / Airline / Airline Number
• Letter To Dgcine-film Commision Including Local Fixer / Producer Information.
• List Of All Equipment / Including Serial Numbers And Prices
• Project Synopsis
Original documents must be presented at customs where agents will check equipment in front of you and your service producer / fixer. Inability to produce required documents may result in non-release of gear and hefty fines.
Communications. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.
Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.
For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction. Some good art directors. Construction crews are hard working and talented.
Studios and backlots. Located a one hour drive from Santo Domingo, Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios has 4 stages and an 8 acre water effects facility including a 60,500 sq ft natural ocean horizon water tank with blue screen capabilities and fully equipped diving and marine department. The location is also nearby other tropical filming locations.
Located a 20min drive from Santo Domingo, Estudio QuitaSueño also offers large studio and equipment facilities.
Post Production. Best to post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Film crew travelling on Western passports can obtain tourist cards on arrival for stays of up to 30 days. For US passport travellers, see here for more information. Contact your local Dominican Republic embassy or representative for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. The Dominican Republic has a good network of well maintained roads. Rural roads are slower going, especially during wet weather when travel by 4WD’s is recommended. The Dominican Republic has 10 International airports with over 200 scheduled flights each week from North America and Europe.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotel and resort options in the Dominican Republic include:
Santo Domingo: (Base for colonial looks)
El Embajador
Hilton
Holiday Inn
Punta Cana: (Base for beaches)
Tortuga Bay Punta Cana
Iberostar Grand Bavaro Hotel
Majestic Colonial Punta Cana
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. The Dominican Republic is a safe place for foreign productions to visit. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Eat! — Sancocho, Mangú, Habichuelas Guisadas, Pollo Guisado, Tostones, Bizcocho Dominicano.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in the Dominican Republic, please see below:
Hire Dominican Republic Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in the Dominican Republic, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in the Dominican Republic, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
