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| General
Information |
Area: 48,422 sq km (18,696 sq miles).
Population: 8,190,000 (1997).
Population Density: 169.1 per sq km.
Capital: Santo Domingo. Population: 2,138,262 (1993).
Geography: The Dominican Republic is in the Caribbean, sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and constituting
the eastern two-thirds of land. The landscape is forested and mountainous, with valleys, plains and plateaux. The
soil is fertile with excellent beaches on the north, southeast and east coasts, rising up to the mountains.
Government: Republic. Gained independence in 1884. Head of State and Government: President Hipoliti Mejia since
2000.
Language: Spanish is the official language. Some English and French are spoken.
Religion: Roman Catholic; small Protestant and Jewish minorities.
Time: GMT - 4.
Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style 2-pin plugs are in use.
Communications:
Telephone: Full IDD available. Country code: 1 809. Outgoing international code: 011. CODETEL, Dominican Republic's
telecommunications company has produced the Caribe Card, which enables tourists visiting the country to phone anywhere
abroad from any touchtone phone. For further information contact CODETEL, Av. Tiradentes 1169, Santo Domingo (tel:
220 5168; fax: 549 4721; e-mail caribecard@codetel.com.do).
Mobile telephone: GSM 1900 network exists.
Fax: There are facilities at most locations and many hotels offer this service.
Internet/E-mail: ISPs include Codetel (website: www.codetel.net.do).
Telegram: These may be sent from RCA Global Communications Inc., Santo Domingo, or from ITT-America Cables and
Radio Inc., Santo Domingo. Large hotels have facilities.
Press: All daily papers are in Spanish and include Hoy, Diario and El Nacional. The English-language Santo Domingo
News is published weekly on Wednesday and may be obtained in hotels. Dominicana News, a monthly Tourism Promotion
Council publication, has the main Dominicana tourism industry items. |
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| Travel |
AIR: The Dominican Republic's national airline is
Aerolinas Santo Domingo (EX). American Airlines offers daily flights from Miami. Direct flights from the USA are
operated by Continental Airlines (from New Jersey), and TWA (from New York). Iberia operates every day to Santo
Domingo via Madrid. Other airlines operating flights from Europe are Air France, Air Portugal, Condor and Martinair.
American Airlines offers daily flights from London via Miami.
International airports: Santo Domingo (SDQ) (Internacional de las Americas), 30km (18 miles) east of the city (travel
time - 30 minutes). Taxi services are available to Santo Domingo. Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free
shop with perfumes, designer fashions, cigarettes, cameras and spirits; post office; bank/bureau de change (24
hours); restaurants and bars (some are open 24 hours) and car hire.
Puerto Plata International Airport (POP) (Internacional General Gregorio Luperón). Airport facilities include
outgoing duty-free shop with perfumes, spirits, cameras and cigarettes; banking and exchange facilities; restaurant;
bar and car hire (Avis).
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is 10-30 minutes travel time from the Punta Cana and Bávaro resorts.
Airport facilities
include gift shops, duty-free shop and taxi.
Departure tax: US$10. Passengers in direct transit and children under two years of age are exempt. A 'stay tax'
is also levied on all passengers staying longer than 3 months: peso60.48 (3-9 months); peso100.80 (9-12 months)
or peso160.16 - peso600.32 (1 year or more).
Note: When buying an international air ticket in the Dominican Republic a tax of approx 12 per cent is levied on
the carrier by the Government. This expense is passed on directly to the customer on the price of the ticket. If
the ticket is bought outside the Dominican Republic there is no tax.
SEA: Cruise lines calling at the Dominican Republic include Seabourn, Holland America and Windjammer. |
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| Entry |
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Passport |
Visa |
Return Ticket Required |
| Australian |
Yes |
3 |
Yes |
| British |
Yes |
3 |
Yes |
| Canadian |
1 |
3 |
Yes |
| Japanese |
Yes |
3 |
Yes |
| Other EU |
2 |
3 |
Yes |
| USA |
1 |
3 |
Yes |
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PASSPORTS: Passports valid for 6 months after date
of departure required by all except:
(a) 1. nationals of Canada and the USA holding appropriate ID such as a Birth Certificate or a Driver's Licence;
(b) 2. nationals of Germany holding a National Identity Card.
Note: These nationals will also require Tourist Cards, which may be purchased on arrival.
Tourist Cards: Issued to travellers visiting the Dominican Republic for touristic purposes for stays of up to 90
days. Tourist cards may be issued on arrival at a cost of US$10, though this can be a lengthy process. Extensions
are possible.
Nationals of the following countries are eligible for a Tourist card:
(c) 3. nationals of the countries mentioned in the chart above;
(d) nationals of Albania, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Bulgaria,
Chile, Croatia, Curaçao, Czech Republic, Dominica, Ecuador, French Overseas Territories, Hungary, Iceland,
Israel, Jamaica, Korea (Rep. of), Liechtenstein, Mexico, Monaco, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russian
Federation, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Martin, St Vincent & the Grenadines, San Marino, Slovenia, Surinam,
Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, Uruguay, US Virgin Islands, Venezuela and Yugoslavia
(Serbia & Montenegro);
(e) foreign nationals who are permanent residents of Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy,
The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK, USA and Venezuela. Proof of residency in one of these countries is required,
stamped on a valid passport.
Additional Visa Information:
http://www.domrep.org |
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| Misc.
Info |
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Dominican customs authorities strictly enforce regulations concerning the importation
of firearms. Persons bringing firearms into the country, even temporarily, may face jail sentences and heavy fines.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Protests, demonstrations, and general strikes, often called by labor
and political groups, occur periodically. Protests have the potential to turn violent, with participants rioting
and erecting roadblocks. In the past, police have used deadly force to respond to violent protests. At these times,
American citizens should review their security practices and maintain a low profile. Although these events are
not targeted at foreigners, it is advisable to exercise caution when traveling throughout the country. In urban
areas, travel should be done on main routes whenever possible. Street crowds should be avoided.
CRIME: Petty street crime involving U.S. tourists does occur, and normal precautions should
be taken. Valuables left unattended in parked automobiles, on beaches and in other public places are subject to
theft. Burglaries of private residences have increased as have crimes of violence. Some incidents of violent crime
have involved foreign residents and tourists, including U.S. citizens.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care is limited, especially outside Santo Domingo. Within
Santo Domingo, there is an emergency 911 service, but outside the capital, emergency services are extremely limited.
A private nationwide ambulance service, "Movi-med", operates out of Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata
and La Romana, telephone 532-0000 in Santo Domingo, 1-200-0911 outside Santo Domingo.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with
their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and
if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health
costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and
Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents
and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency
services such as medical evacuations.
When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals
require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the United States may cost
well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties.
When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas
healthcare provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies
also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter
road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning the
Dominican Republic is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location
or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor
Driving in the Dominican Republic is on the right side of the road. Speed limits vary from 28 mph in the city to
48 mph on rural roads, but they are generally not enforced. Traffic laws are similar to those in the United States,
but undisciplined driving is common, due to a lack of adequate traffic controls.
A local traffic custom is that the larger the vehicle, the greater the right of way, regardless of the traffic
laws. Driving is aggressive and erratic, and drivers often do not yield the right of way even when road signs or
signals indicate they should. Defensive driving is advised at all times. Travel at night on inter-city highways
and in rural areas should be avoided, due to vehicles being driven at excessive speeds, often with malfunctioning
headlights or taillights. Turning right on red lights is permitted, but it should be done with caution.
Motorcycles and motor scooters are ubiquitous in the Dominican Republic and are often driven erratically. While
helmets for motorcyclists are required by law, the law is not enforced.
Seat belts are required by law, but that law is also not generally enforced. There are no child car seat laws.
Penalties for those driving under the influence and those involved in accidents resulting in injury or death can
be severe.
There are a variety of options for inter-city travel in addition to travel by car. Inter-city travel by tourists
is safest on one of the more reputable tourist bus companies. Local buses known as "guaguas" and taxis
also offer transportation but are not generally as safe. |
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