General
Information
Nestled amid Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico
in the heart of the Caribbean archipelago, the island
of Hispaniola (Little  Spain)
is divided between Haiti, on the westernmost third
of the island, and the Dominican Republic, which
has a lush landmass about the size of Vermont and
New Hampshire combined. In the Dominican interior,
the fertile Valley of Cibao (rich sugarcane country)
ends its upward sweep at Pico Duarte, the highest
mountain peak in the West Indies, which soars to
3,125m (10,417 ft.).
What
you notice first about the Dominican Republic is
its size. This is not just another tiny Caribbean
island with a beach and a straw market. Instead,
it's a big country with spectacularly varied scenery
that includes
the tallest mountains in the region, stretches of
white sand that run unbroken for miles and the Caribbean's
oldest and -- some claim -- most cosmopolitan city,
Santo Domingo.
The
people of the Dominican Republic are among the friendliest
in the Caribbean, and the hospitality here seems
more genuine than in more commercialized destinations.
The weather is nearly perfect year-round.
The
combination of low prices and beautiful terrain
has made the Dominican Republic one of the fastest-growing
destinations in the Caribbean. Don't expect the
lavish, spectacular resorts (although excellent)
that you'll find on Puerto Rico or Jamaica, but
do expect your vacation to be that much less expensive.
Background
Explored
and claimed by Columbus on his first voyage in 1492,
the island of Hispaniola became a springboard for
Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American
mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion
over the western third of the island, which in 1804
became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then
known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence
in 1821, but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians
for 22 years; it finally attained independence as
the Dominican Republic in 1844. A legacy of unsettled,
mostly non-representative, rule for much of its
subsequent history was brought to an end in 1966
when Joaquin BALAGUER became president. He maintained
a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years
when international reaction to flawed elections
forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then,
regular competitive elections have been held in
which opposition candidates have won the presidency.
The Dominican economy has had one of the fastest
growth rates in the hemisphere over the past decade.
Dive
Centers & Accommodations
New
Travel Regulations
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The proposed implementation timeline has two
phases:
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the
United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and
South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will
be required to present a valid passport, Air
NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner
Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form
I-551, if applicable.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the
Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including
ferries), may be required to present a valid
passport or other documents as determined by
the Department of Homeland Security. While recent
legislative changes permit a later deadline,
the Departments of State and Homeland Security
are working to meet all requirements as soon
as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided
to enable the public to obtain passports or
passport cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S.
citizens traveling to or returning directly
from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning
directly from a U.S. territory are not considered
to have left the United States and do not need
to present a passport. U.S. territories include
the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
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Getting
There
The Dominican Republic has seven international airports.
The most used airports are:
Las Américas International Jose Francisco Peña
Gomez Airport, 20 minutes east of Santo Domingo
Puerto Plata International Gregorio Luperón
Airport, 15 minutes from Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata
and Sosúa
Punta Cana's International Airport (have a look at
the photo)
María Montez International in Barahona
La Romana International
Santiago International Airport
Herrera Airport in Santo Domingo
El Portillo Airport in Samaná
The Arroyo Barril International Airport in Samaná.
Flying Times: from New York (3-1/4 hrs), from Miami
(1-3/4 hrs), from San Juan (35 mins), from Toronto
(5 hrs), from Santiago de Chile (8 hrs), from most
European cities (8-10 hrs).
American
Airlines
Direct Service From New York, Miami and San Juan Puerto
Rico
Continental
Airlines
Direct Service From Newark Airport / NY City to Santo
Domingo
COPA
Airlines
Direct Service to Havana and Santiago, Cuba from Santo
Domingo
IBERIA
Airlines
Direct Service from Santo Domingo to Dusseldorf -
Germany
Lufthansa
/ Condor
Direct Service to Munich-Germany with connections
to the rest of Europe
MartinAir
Holland
Direct Service to Amsterdam - Holland. Also service
from Puerto Plata & Punta Cana Travel
Tips
All nationalities require a valid passport (except
nationals of Canada and the USA staying up to 90 days
only need holding appropriate ID such as a Birth Certificate
and a Driver's Licence which proves citizenship and
nationals of Germany holding a National Identity Card).
Visas are required for nationals of all countries
except for the following:
nationals of Argentina, Ecuador, Iceland, Israel,
Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein and Uruguay as tourists
for a maximum of 90 days.
nationals of the following countries are entitled
to travel on Tourist cards if holding valid passports:
Albania, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Australia,
Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria,
Canada, Chile, Croatia, Curaçao, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Dominica, Finland, France and French Overseas
Territories, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,
Jamaica, Mexico, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway,
Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation,
St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, San Marino,
Slovak Rep, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland,
Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, the
UK, the USA (including Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
and Hawaii), Venezuela and Yugoslavia Fed Rep.
foreign nationals who are legal residents of Canada,
Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy,
The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, the UK, the USA
and Venezuela in possession of a valid passport are
also entitled to travel on Tourist Cards.
All visitors who enter the country are required to
purchase a tourist card (tarjeta del tourista) which
cost US$ 10 This card is very often included with
the airline ticket, otherwise they can be obtained
at the airport or at the border crossings. The card
allows tourists to remain in the country for a maximum
of 90 days (single entry).
Important tip: sometimes, the tourist card given to
you by officers is not really your own card ! So you
can feel very upset not to have your personal own
card. Don't panic. As long as you have a tourist card,
it is not a problem. Your local contact will tell
you that is normal and that you won't be annoyed at
time of departure.
Travel
Tips
Getting
Around
Air
Santo Domingo or Sapair
operate scheduled flights between the principal tourism
regions of the Dominican Republic.
Taxis
There is more than one type of taxi in the Dominican
Republic. When you step off a plane or out of your
hotel, you will almost certainly find a "tourist"
taxi. A few years ago the government funded new taxis.
They are now Hundai minivans or cars. All are sand
colored. They replace the 70's vintage American gas
guzzlers that used to transport tourists. Tourist
taxis fiercely protect their territory against other
forms of transport. Not surprising since their prices
are double those of the vintage Japanese cars that
the city taxis use. In the large cities you will find
"carro conchos" who cruise the main streets
like buses, constantly stopping to take on or disgorge
passengers.
They only charge a few pesos and are practical for
short rides along the same street. Don't look for
a taxi meter in the Dominican Republic. Tourist taxis
usually have posted rates at the entrance to resorts.
Motorcycle taxis
Known as "moto conchos" they abound
except for downtown Santo Domingo. They charge double
at night which means 20 or more pesos instead of 10
for a fairly short ride. They are not practical for
long trips and are involved in lots of accidents.
Buses
In contrast to car rentals and taxis, buses are cheap,
safer, and fun. You will come in contact with real
Dominicans. Metro Tours, Terra Bus and Caribe tours
are for long trips, for example Santo Domingo to Puerto
Plata. Clean modern and comfortable they are a bargain.
They work by reservation except on Holidays.
Other intercity buses offer express and air conditioned
services. If the bus is not express it will make lots
of stops. Fine if you have all the time in the world.
Local buses (guaguas) will take you to the next town
for a dollar or so. The only problem with buses is
that they stop operating at about 9 PM, so you can't
use them at night.
Car Rentals
Major car rental companies have airport and city locations,
such as Honda, National, Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar,
Nelly Rent-a-Car, Dollar and many others. A valid
driver's license and major credit cards are required
to rent a car for up to 90 days. Driving is on the
right hand side and the speed limit is 60 kph in the
cities and 80 kph or 100 kph on the highways, unless
otherwise indicated.
There are only two problems with this, cost and safety.
You will find that the cost of car rentals is higher
than you are used to in your home country. Safety
is not a problem if you learn and apply the Dominican
rules of the road. Simply stated; there are none!
It is a big free for all. Most traffic police are
on foot and almost nobody stops on their signal. With
no radio and no pursuit car, it is a mismatch. In
other words traffic law enforcement is close to zero.
If renting a car can be hazardous, renting a motorcycle
is doubly so, but it is cheaper. Be very careful.
Money
The peso is the national currency, however many businesses
would rather get paid in American dollars if they
can. The exchange rate is pegged to the US dollar
and has been fairly stable in recent years.
You should exchange as little as possible in your
home country, as well as at the airports where the
rates are generally slightly less favorable. Exchange
bureaus in the Dominican Republic are your best bet
to get a good exchange rate, which are usually slightly
higher than the official rate, particularly for US
dollars.
Most tourist areas have bank machines from which you
can withdraw D.R. pesos directly from North American
or European bank accounts at the current official
exchange rates (ask your bank for details). VISA and
MasterCard are accepted at most hotels, restaurants
and businesses, and American Express is accepted often
but less commonly. Cash forwarding servicing can be
obtained at all Dominican banks. Travelers checks
of all major currencies can be readily exchanged for
pesos at all banks. Don't forget to bring your passport
along if you want to avoid difficulties in using either
traveler checks or credit cards.
Mail service
You can choose between two services. The official
postal service will send your postcard to your friends
within 10 days. The private postal services send your
mails via Miami within 7 days (25 pesos per postcard).
The private postal service is more performant. Some
people using the official postal service receive their
mails within... 2 months ! The best way is to give
your mails to your local correspondent. He will send
them in good conditions.
Safety
It is perfectly safe to walk around tourist areas
and towns during the day. Criminality rate is lower
than in European cities. Most resorts have security
personnel, and the beaches are also patrolled periodically.
When going into town, or out of the resort area at
night, use common sense, just as you would anywhere
else. Don't wear expensive jewelry or flash large
sums of money around !
Topless sunbathing
Topless sunbathing is quite common. It's not a Dominican
custom, just the fact that many of the tourists are
European, and topless sunbathing is natural for them.
Many hotels do not allow topless sunbathing around
the pool areas. The best way is to choose a sunbathing
place at the end of the beach area in order to not
disturb families and people who don't want to see
topless bodies...
Electricity
The D.R. uses 110 volts, the same as in North America
(including outlets) so North Americans can use their
appliances as usual. Transformers are necessary for
European appliances. One of the main problems in the
country are the recurrent power shortages which often
occur for several hours at all hours of the day or
night, so it may be a good idea to bring along a small
flashlight for sudden power cut-offs. Most hotels
have generators to make up for this deficiency, but
some of the smaller ones may not and you never know
when it may cut off.
Climate
DR has a tropical climate with an average temperature
of 82 in summer, 78 in winter. Remember to use plenty
of sunscreen. If however you plan to make a trip into
the mountains, bring warm clothes as there can be
frost in the upper altitudes.
Time
There are no time changes in the D.R. over the year,
which stays on Atlantic Standard time (Greenwich Time
-5) throughout the year. So in the winter, the time
is one hour ahead of New York/Montreal, while in the
summer it's the same.
Water
NEVER DRINK WATER FROM THE TAP which has not been
thoroughly boiled. Fresh, bottled drinking water is
sold everywhere.
Telephones
The country's area code is 809, and you can dial directly
to and from the USA and Canada by first dialing 1
and then the number. There are numerous telecommunications
centers for direct international calls or to send
FAXs in all towns and cities, and especially in the
tourist centers. Prices are very competitive between
the national phone company CODETEL, and other long
distance providers such as TRICOM, TURITEL and ALL
AMERICAN, with charges usually calculated on the spot
by computer.
Taxes/Tipping
The government charges a 5% extra tax on hotel rooms,
and an 8% sales tax on food and drinks. In most tourist
centers, prices for food are usually quite moderate
(except for the occasional high scale places) because
of fierce competition. Restaurants typically also
charge a 10% service charge, but wages in this sector
are very low and most employees rely on extra tips
to survive. Generally customers should pay an additional
5 to 10 %, especially if the service has been good.
Bargaining
It is a tradition in the Dominican Republic. You have
to haggle, especially in gift shops and in the street.
Of course, don't try to haggle the price of your room
in a luxury complex ! If you don't know how to haggle,
just say no when the merchant proposes his first price.
He will propose a new, cheaper rate. Dominican people
are very proud.
Don't haggle too much, it's a lack of respect. Don't
refuse to talk with them as if they were begging something.
Just smile and say "no gracias", they will
kindly answer "okay", and they will leave
you alone.
Haggle using pesos, not dollars (you will pay more
because prices are more expensive when haggling using
dollars). When the price is defined, you can pay using
dollars, but only use 1,2,5,10 dollar bills.
Dress
Dress is casual in most of the country. Pack plenty
of loose-fitting cotton clothes. If you want to blend
in, don't wear shorts. And save your swimsuit for
the ocean or the pool. Like most other Latino societies,
the Dominican Republic tends to be formal, and the
importance of good dress cannot be overstated. If
you plan to dine at nice restaurants and visit the
nightclubs in Santo Domingo, be sure to include some
semiformal attire. Los Dominicanos, as the residents
are known, dress with class when they go out. Men
wear suits and ties (or at least slacks and a collared
shirt) and women wear cocktail dresses
Medical Information
Medical Services and Facilities
Most resorts have a doctor on call or in-house. Hospitals
and doctors expect immediate payment in cash or credit
card after providing care. Receipts are given for
re-imbursment by your insurance company.
In Puerto Plata the "Clinica Dr. Brugal"
has a 24hr emergency room, as does the "Centro
Medico Sosua" in Sosua. In Santo Domingo there
is the "Centro Medico Universidad Central del
Este", "Clinica Abreu" and "Clinica
Gomez Patino" which all have 24hr emergency rooms.
Note: Make sure to obtain medical insurance before
your trip.
Medication
Remember to pack all medication you use. Medication
should be packed in your carry-on just in case your
luggage is lost. Though there are doctors that will
prescribe medication for you, chances are they might
not have the same medication as you are taking or
will not prescribe it without a medical history.
Siesta
The tradition of a long lunch, which is the major
meal of the day, is generally observed, and so many
shops close from 12:30 to 2:30 PM.
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