diff --git a/doc/source/whatsnew/v0.24.0.rst b/doc/source/whatsnew/v0.24.0.rst
index b4331aab3085f..cca15f26cbf99 100644
--- a/doc/source/whatsnew/v0.24.0.rst
+++ b/doc/source/whatsnew/v0.24.0.rst
@@ -411,6 +411,7 @@ Other Enhancements
 - :meth:`DataFrame.to_stata` and :class:`pandas.io.stata.StataWriter117` can write mixed sting columns to Stata strl format (:issue:`23633`)
 - :meth:`DataFrame.between_time` and :meth:`DataFrame.at_time` have gained the ``axis`` parameter (:issue:`8839`)
 - The ``scatter_matrix``, ``andrews_curves``, ``parallel_coordinates``, ``lag_plot``, ``autocorrelation_plot``, ``bootstrap_plot``, and ``radviz`` plots from the ``pandas.plotting`` module are now accessible from calling :meth:`DataFrame.plot` (:issue:`11978`)
+- :meth:`DataFrame.to_records` now accepts ``index_dtypes`` and ``column_dtypes`` parameters to allow different data types in stored column and index records (:issue:`18146`)
 - :class:`IntervalIndex` has gained the :attr:`~IntervalIndex.is_overlapping` attribute to indicate if the ``IntervalIndex`` contains any overlapping intervals (:issue:`23309`)
 - :func:`pandas.DataFrame.to_sql` has gained the ``method`` argument to control SQL insertion clause. See the :ref:`insertion method <io.sql.method>` section in the documentation. (:issue:`8953`)
 
diff --git a/pandas/core/dtypes/inference.py b/pandas/core/dtypes/inference.py
index 241a1b471f677..b11542622451c 100644
--- a/pandas/core/dtypes/inference.py
+++ b/pandas/core/dtypes/inference.py
@@ -398,8 +398,11 @@ def is_dict_like(obj):
     >>> is_dict_like([1, 2, 3])
     False
     """
+    for attr in ("__getitem__", "keys", "__contains__"):
+        if not hasattr(obj, attr):
+            return False
 
-    return hasattr(obj, '__getitem__') and hasattr(obj, 'keys')
+    return True
 
 
 def is_named_tuple(obj):
diff --git a/pandas/core/frame.py b/pandas/core/frame.py
index 99ae551d3c55b..99653248216f5 100644
--- a/pandas/core/frame.py
+++ b/pandas/core/frame.py
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@
                            OrderedDict, PY36, raise_with_traceback,
                            string_and_binary_types)
 from pandas.compat.numpy import function as nv
-
 from pandas.core.dtypes.cast import (
     maybe_upcast,
     cast_scalar_to_array,
@@ -49,6 +48,7 @@
     maybe_upcast_putmask,
     find_common_type)
 from pandas.core.dtypes.common import (
+    is_dict_like,
     is_object_dtype,
     is_extension_type,
     is_extension_array_dtype,
@@ -1540,7 +1540,8 @@ def from_records(cls, data, index=None, exclude=None, columns=None,
 
         return cls(mgr)
 
-    def to_records(self, index=True, convert_datetime64=None):
+    def to_records(self, index=True, convert_datetime64=None,
+                   column_dtypes=None, index_dtypes=None):
         """
         Convert DataFrame to a NumPy record array.
 
@@ -1557,6 +1558,20 @@ def to_records(self, index=True, convert_datetime64=None):
 
             Whether to convert the index to datetime.datetime if it is a
             DatetimeIndex.
+        column_dtypes : str, type, dict, default None
+            .. versionadded:: 0.24.0
+
+            If a string or type, the data type to store all columns. If
+            a dictionary, a mapping of column names and indices (zero-indexed)
+            to specific data types.
+        index_dtypes : str, type, dict, default None
+            .. versionadded:: 0.24.0
+
+            If a string or type, the data type to store all index levels. If
+            a dictionary, a mapping of index level names and indices
+            (zero-indexed) to specific data types.
+
+            This mapping is applied only if `index=True`.
 
         Returns
         -------
@@ -1598,6 +1613,23 @@ def to_records(self, index=True, convert_datetime64=None):
         >>> df.to_records(index=False)
         rec.array([(1, 0.5 ), (2, 0.75)],
                   dtype=[('A', '<i8'), ('B', '<f8')])
+
+        Data types can be specified for the columns:
+
+        >>> df.to_records(column_dtypes={"A": "int32"})
+        rec.array([('a', 1, 0.5 ), ('b', 2, 0.75)],
+                  dtype=[('I', 'O'), ('A', '<i4'), ('B', '<f8')])
+
+        As well as for the index:
+
+        >>> df.to_records(index_dtypes="<S2")
+        rec.array([(b'a', 1, 0.5 ), (b'b', 2, 0.75)],
+                  dtype=[('I', 'S2'), ('A', '<i8'), ('B', '<f8')])
+
+        >>> index_dtypes = "<S{}".format(df.index.str.len().max())
+        >>> df.to_records(index_dtypes=index_dtypes)
+        rec.array([(b'a', 1, 0.5 ), (b'b', 2, 0.75)],
+                  dtype=[('I', 'S1'), ('A', '<i8'), ('B', '<f8')])
         """
 
         if convert_datetime64 is not None:
@@ -1620,6 +1652,7 @@ def to_records(self, index=True, convert_datetime64=None):
 
             count = 0
             index_names = list(self.index.names)
+
             if isinstance(self.index, MultiIndex):
                 for i, n in enumerate(index_names):
                     if n is None:
@@ -1627,13 +1660,66 @@ def to_records(self, index=True, convert_datetime64=None):
                         count += 1
             elif index_names[0] is None:
                 index_names = ['index']
+
             names = (lmap(compat.text_type, index_names) +
                      lmap(compat.text_type, self.columns))
         else:
             arrays = [self[c].get_values() for c in self.columns]
             names = lmap(compat.text_type, self.columns)
+            index_names = []
+
+        index_len = len(index_names)
+        formats = []
+
+        for i, v in enumerate(arrays):
+            index = i
+
+            # When the names and arrays are collected, we
+            # first collect those in the DataFrame's index,
+            # followed by those in its columns.
+            #
+            # Thus, the total length of the array is:
+            # len(index_names) + len(DataFrame.columns).
+            #
+            # This check allows us to see whether we are
+            # handling a name / array in the index or column.
+            if index < index_len:
+                dtype_mapping = index_dtypes
+                name = index_names[index]
+            else:
+                index -= index_len
+                dtype_mapping = column_dtypes
+                name = self.columns[index]
+
+            # We have a dictionary, so we get the data type
+            # associated with the index or column (which can
+            # be denoted by its name in the DataFrame or its
+            # position in DataFrame's array of indices or
+            # columns, whichever is applicable.
+            if is_dict_like(dtype_mapping):
+                if name in dtype_mapping:
+                    dtype_mapping = dtype_mapping[name]
+                elif index in dtype_mapping:
+                    dtype_mapping = dtype_mapping[index]
+                else:
+                    dtype_mapping = None
+
+            # If no mapping can be found, use the array's
+            # dtype attribute for formatting.
+            #
+            # A valid dtype must either be a type or
+            # string naming a type.
+            if dtype_mapping is None:
+                formats.append(v.dtype)
+            elif isinstance(dtype_mapping, (type, compat.string_types)):
+                formats.append(dtype_mapping)
+            else:
+                element = "row" if i < index_len else "column"
+                msg = ("Invalid dtype {dtype} specified for "
+                       "{element} {name}").format(dtype=dtype_mapping,
+                                                  element=element, name=name)
+                raise ValueError(msg)
 
-        formats = [v.dtype for v in arrays]
         return np.rec.fromarrays(
             arrays,
             dtype={'names': names, 'formats': formats}
diff --git a/pandas/tests/dtypes/test_inference.py b/pandas/tests/dtypes/test_inference.py
index 0c22b595bc74d..d9b1b0db90562 100644
--- a/pandas/tests/dtypes/test_inference.py
+++ b/pandas/tests/dtypes/test_inference.py
@@ -178,6 +178,33 @@ def test_is_dict_like_fails(ll):
     assert not inference.is_dict_like(ll)
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("has_keys", [True, False])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("has_getitem", [True, False])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("has_contains", [True, False])
+def test_is_dict_like_duck_type(has_keys, has_getitem, has_contains):
+    class DictLike(object):
+        def __init__(self, d):
+            self.d = d
+
+        if has_keys:
+            def keys(self):
+                return self.d.keys()
+
+        if has_getitem:
+            def __getitem__(self, key):
+                return self.d.__getitem__(key)
+
+        if has_contains:
+            def __contains__(self, key):
+                return self.d.__contains__(key)
+
+    d = DictLike({1: 2})
+    result = inference.is_dict_like(d)
+    expected = has_keys and has_getitem and has_contains
+
+    assert result is expected
+
+
 def test_is_file_like(mock):
     class MockFile(object):
         pass
diff --git a/pandas/tests/frame/test_convert_to.py b/pandas/tests/frame/test_convert_to.py
index f1eb6a33eddeb..b875559169205 100644
--- a/pandas/tests/frame/test_convert_to.py
+++ b/pandas/tests/frame/test_convert_to.py
@@ -191,6 +191,157 @@ def test_to_records_with_categorical(self):
                                 dtype=[('index', '=i8'), ('0', 'O')])
         tm.assert_almost_equal(result, expected)
 
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("kwargs,expected", [
+        # No dtypes --> default to array dtypes.
+        (dict(),
+         np.rec.array([(0, 1, 0.2, "a"), (1, 2, 1.5, "bc")],
+                      dtype=[("index", "<i8"), ("A", "<i8"),
+                             ("B", "<f8"), ("C", "O")])),
+
+        # Should have no effect in this case.
+        (dict(index=True),
+         np.rec.array([(0, 1, 0.2, "a"), (1, 2, 1.5, "bc")],
+                      dtype=[("index", "<i8"), ("A", "<i8"),
+                             ("B", "<f8"), ("C", "O")])),
+
+        # Column dtype applied across the board. Index unaffected.
+        (dict(column_dtypes="<U4"),
+         np.rec.array([("0", "1", "0.2", "a"), ("1", "2", "1.5", "bc")],
+                      dtype=[("index", "<i8"), ("A", "<U4"),
+                             ("B", "<U4"), ("C", "<U4")])),
+
+        # Index dtype applied across the board. Columns unaffected.
+        (dict(index_dtypes="<U1"),
+         np.rec.array([("0", 1, 0.2, "a"), ("1", 2, 1.5, "bc")],
+                      dtype=[("index", "<U1"), ("A", "<i8"),
+                             ("B", "<f8"), ("C", "O")])),
+
+        # Pass in a type instance.
+        (dict(column_dtypes=np.unicode),
+         np.rec.array([("0", "1", "0.2", "a"), ("1", "2", "1.5", "bc")],
+                      dtype=[("index", "<i8"), ("A", "<U"),
+                             ("B", "<U"), ("C", "<U")])),
+
+        # Pass in a dictionary (name-only).
+        (dict(column_dtypes={"A": np.int8, "B": np.float32, "C": "<U2"}),
+         np.rec.array([("0", "1", "0.2", "a"), ("1", "2", "1.5", "bc")],
+                      dtype=[("index", "<i8"), ("A", "i1"),
+                             ("B", "<f4"), ("C", "<U2")])),
+
+        # Pass in a dictionary (indices-only).
+        (dict(index_dtypes={0: "int16"}),
+         np.rec.array([(0, 1, 0.2, "a"), (1, 2, 1.5, "bc")],
+                      dtype=[("index", "i2"), ("A", "<i8"),
+                             ("B", "<f8"), ("C", "O")])),
+
+        # Ignore index mappings if index is not True.
+        (dict(index=False, index_dtypes="<U2"),
+         np.rec.array([(1, 0.2, "a"), (2, 1.5, "bc")],
+                      dtype=[("A", "<i8"), ("B", "<f8"), ("C", "O")])),
+
+        # Non-existent names / indices in mapping should not error.
+        (dict(index_dtypes={0: "int16", "not-there": "float32"}),
+         np.rec.array([(0, 1, 0.2, "a"), (1, 2, 1.5, "bc")],
+                      dtype=[("index", "i2"), ("A", "<i8"),
+                             ("B", "<f8"), ("C", "O")])),
+
+        # Names / indices not in mapping default to array dtype.
+        (dict(column_dtypes={"A": np.int8, "B": np.float32}),
+         np.rec.array([("0", "1", "0.2", "a"), ("1", "2", "1.5", "bc")],
+                      dtype=[("index", "<i8"), ("A", "i1"),
+                             ("B", "<f4"), ("C", "O")])),
+
+        # Mixture of everything.
+        (dict(column_dtypes={"A": np.int8, "B": np.float32},
+              index_dtypes="<U2"),
+         np.rec.array([("0", "1", "0.2", "a"), ("1", "2", "1.5", "bc")],
+                      dtype=[("index", "<U2"), ("A", "i1"),
+                             ("B", "<f4"), ("C", "O")])),
+
+        # Invalid dype values.
+        (dict(index=False, column_dtypes=list()),
+         "Invalid dtype \\[\\] specified for column A"),
+
+        (dict(index=False, column_dtypes={"A": "int32", "B": 5}),
+         "Invalid dtype 5 specified for column B"),
+    ])
+    def test_to_records_dtype(self, kwargs, expected):
+        # see gh-18146
+        df = DataFrame({"A": [1, 2], "B": [0.2, 1.5], "C": ["a", "bc"]})
+
+        if isinstance(expected, str):
+            with pytest.raises(ValueError, match=expected):
+                df.to_records(**kwargs)
+        else:
+            result = df.to_records(**kwargs)
+            tm.assert_almost_equal(result, expected)
+
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("df,kwargs,expected", [
+        # MultiIndex in the index.
+        (DataFrame([[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6], [7, 8, 9]],
+                   columns=list("abc")).set_index(["a", "b"]),
+         dict(column_dtypes="float64", index_dtypes={0: "int32", 1: "int8"}),
+         np.rec.array([(1, 2, 3.), (4, 5, 6.), (7, 8, 9.)],
+                      dtype=[("a", "<i4"), ("b", "i1"), ("c", "<f8")])),
+
+        # MultiIndex in the columns.
+        (DataFrame([[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6], [7, 8, 9]],
+                   columns=MultiIndex.from_tuples([("a", "d"), ("b", "e"),
+                                                   ("c", "f")])),
+         dict(column_dtypes={0: "<U1", 2: "float32"}, index_dtypes="float32"),
+         np.rec.array([(0., u"1", 2, 3.), (1., u"4", 5, 6.),
+                       (2., u"7", 8, 9.)],
+                      dtype=[("index", "<f4"),
+                             ("('a', 'd')", "<U1"),
+                             ("('b', 'e')", "<i8"),
+                             ("('c', 'f')", "<f4")])),
+
+        # MultiIndex in both the columns and index.
+        (DataFrame([[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6], [7, 8, 9]],
+                   columns=MultiIndex.from_tuples([
+                       ("a", "d"), ("b", "e"), ("c", "f")], names=list("ab")),
+                   index=MultiIndex.from_tuples([
+                       ("d", -4), ("d", -5), ("f", -6)], names=list("cd"))),
+         dict(column_dtypes="float64", index_dtypes={0: "<U2", 1: "int8"}),
+         np.rec.array([("d", -4, 1., 2., 3.), ("d", -5, 4., 5., 6.),
+                       ("f", -6, 7, 8, 9.)],
+                      dtype=[("c", "<U2"), ("d", "i1"),
+                             ("('a', 'd')", "<f8"), ("('b', 'e')", "<f8"),
+                             ("('c', 'f')", "<f8")]))
+    ])
+    def test_to_records_dtype_mi(self, df, kwargs, expected):
+        # see gh-18146
+        result = df.to_records(**kwargs)
+        tm.assert_almost_equal(result, expected)
+
+    def test_to_records_dict_like(self):
+        # see gh-18146
+        class DictLike(object):
+            def __init__(self, **kwargs):
+                self.d = kwargs.copy()
+
+            def __getitem__(self, key):
+                return self.d.__getitem__(key)
+
+            def __contains__(self, key):
+                return key in self.d
+
+            def keys(self):
+                return self.d.keys()
+
+        df = DataFrame({"A": [1, 2], "B": [0.2, 1.5], "C": ["a", "bc"]})
+
+        dtype_mappings = dict(column_dtypes=DictLike(**{"A": np.int8,
+                                                        "B": np.float32}),
+                              index_dtypes="<U2")
+
+        result = df.to_records(**dtype_mappings)
+        expected = np.rec.array([("0", "1", "0.2", "a"),
+                                 ("1", "2", "1.5", "bc")],
+                                dtype=[("index", "<U2"), ("A", "i1"),
+                                       ("B", "<f4"), ("C", "O")])
+        tm.assert_almost_equal(result, expected)
+
     @pytest.mark.parametrize('mapping', [
         dict,
         collections.defaultdict(list),