How do I prepare to go to the Dominican Republic?

I do this automatically and without thinking. I contact the place where I'm gonna stay. Since I have family there, I stay with them. However, since you are probably tourists, you need to look for a hotel.

Then, since it's a flight to the Dominican Republic, the airlines usually let you carry one carry on. However, I would take advantage of having a backpack and pay for an extra suitcase. Jet Blue states that this extra suitcase it must not exceed 62 inches (157.48 centimeters) in overall dimensions (length + width + height) and cannot exceed 50 pounds (22.68 kg). However, it is important to check with your respective airline first. If you are not sure how many bags the airline lets you carry o the dimensions that are permitted. It's important that you call and ask them.

In my suitcases I carry the following:

• In my carry-on suitcase, I put clothes that are not made with a lot of fabric, such as t-shirts, shorts, and underwear. Phone charger, and others.
• In the bigger suitcase, I keep my personal care or hygiene products (travel size toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, sunscreen, and the like), big clothes like jeans or other pants, long sleeve shirts, at least one jacket (the malls are cold), and anything else that I would like to take over there. However, I usually leave some space in my bigger suitcase because sometimes I buy clothes, souvenirs, or other stuff that I want to bring back to where I live.

Money

At first, I try to calculate entirely how much money am I going to spend over there. Then, I bring with me a little more U. S. dollars than what I calculated, and little by little, I exchange them for Dominican Pesos. 

Cellphone

I bring an unlocked phone with me. This makes thing easier because I can go to any cell phone retailer, and ask for a SIM card. The best cellphone retailers that have signal all around the country are Orange and Claro. Remember to be careful when using a smartphone.