Dominican Republic info

 

when to come

The best time to visit the Dominican Republic depends on a variety of factors that only you can assess for yourself. When making your decision you may want to consider peak travel season – December through May when many North Americans escape colder climates and July to August, when all of Europe takes off for vacation.

 

getting here

A number of commercial airlines offer service from North America to various airports around the country.

Airport codes:

SDQ – Santo Domingo
LRM – La Romana
PUJ – Punta Cana
POP – Puerto Plata
STI – Santiago
 

when you arrive

All visitors are required to purchase the US$10 tourist card good for up to a 90-day stay. Fees for extended stays vary. Visitors must also pay a US$20 departure tax. Sometimes this fee is included in the cost of your ticket, so check with your booking agent. Please read important information before you travel to Dominican Republic.

what to wear

Depending on where you plan to spend your time in the country you could need anything from a bikini and sandals to foul-weather gear and maybe warm socks.  The Dominican Republic is a country of diverse landscapes, and so, diverse climates.   Temperatures in the mountains are significantly cooler than in the city and along the coastlines.  For most resort areas you’ll need, well, resort wear: swim attire and shorts for days, casually elegant clothes for evenings.  This includes men, who should pack at least one pair of slacks and dress shoes since many resorts and restaurants have a no-shorts-at-dinner policy.  Capitelños (these are people who live in the capital) really glam it up for nights out.  If you’re visiting on business the expectation is a business suit for men as well as women – no matter how hot it is that day.  And if you happen to be part of the generation of workers who have redefined the workplace anything hip, cool, and comfortable will do.

 

getting around

Public Transportation
The country has two overland coach companies, Caribe Tours and Metro Tours providing regularly scheduled service to many of the visitor destinations in the country.  If you find yourself using either, it’s a good idea to travel with a warm sweater or light jacket to protect yourself against super cold air conditioning.

 
Taxi

In the capital and in visitor destinations around the country dispatch taxi services provide another option for getting around.  Contact information for many of these companies is posted in hotels. It’s a good idea to confirm the fare prior to boarding the taxi to avoid any confusion or ill feelings when you arrive at your destination.

 

 
Private Car
There are several North American and European car rental companies in the Dominican Republic where you can hire a compact or luxury vehicle.  No special licenses are necessary aside from a valid driver’s license from your home country as well as a valid passport and credit card.  Bear in mind, though, that the Dominican Republic operates under French law, which means in the event of an accident, the driver is considered culpable until proven otherwise.  Alternatively, many rental companies offer chauffer service.

 
Staying Safe
We won’t beat around the bush yon this.  There is crime in the Dominican Republic. Just as there is crime in New York City, London, Miami, and every other major tourist destination in the world.  On the other hand, the country has never experienced one of those awful crimes against visitors stories you hear about on national news.  Still, to be safe, take the same precautions you would as if you were at home: don’t flash money, be wary of overly-friendly people, and if something or somebody makes you feel uncomfortable, then it’s probably with good reason.  The best advice we can offer in this case is – trust your instincts.

 
Currency
The official currency in the country is the Dominican peso, however; Euros and Canadian and American dollars are also widely accepted.Hardly anyone will refuse to accept your dollars or Euros if for whatever reason you prefer not to change money, but if you do decide to cash in for some Dominican pesos, do so at a bank or an official change house. Your hotel may also provide this service. Bear in mind that rates fluctuate daily.

Alternatively, you may use your credit cards or travelers checks at your resort or for other major purchases. Some restaurants and shops do not accept credit cards, and less so, traveler’s checks, so it is a good idea to confirm this beforehand.

Taxes and Service Charges
There is a service charge of 26% (16% sales tax and 10% service charge) added to hotel and restaurant bills. In restaurants, it s customary to leave an additional ten percent for satisfactory service.