Practical Information for Travelers
Weather
Because of its location in the tropics, climatic conditions are excellent. During the summer, the maximum temperature is around 32 ° C at noon and the lowest 23 ° C in the morning, dropping to 19 ° C in winter, while in the mountainous areas of Jarabacoa and Constanza, can drop to about 5 ° C. Due to climate change, can no longer speak of a specific rainy season as it can rain at any time of year but for short periods. The hottest months are June, July, August and September.
Gastronomy
Dominican Republic has earned an excellent reputation for its varied and tasty cuisine and the diversity of restaurants it has for all audiences. Some are refined and luxurious with a gourmet food menu, creole food with a very typical style, specialized in oriental, Mexican, Mediterranean, Italian menu, also light, vegetarian food, pizzerias and "fast food" or quick.
If you want a drink after supper, bars and cafes are open to serve drinks until 12:00 midnight to 2:00 am on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays.
Holidays (No Weekdays) 2012:
- January 1 New Year Celebration
- January 6 Three Kings Day (Moved to Monday January 9)
- January 21 Altagracia Day
- January 26 Juan Pablo Duarte Day (Moved to Monday January 30)
- February 27th Independence Day
- April 6 Friday - Religious Feast
- May 1 Labor Day (Moved to Monday April 30)
- June 7 Corpus Christi Day
- August 16 Restoration Day
- September 24 Day of Mercedes
- November 6 Constitution Day (Moved to Monday November 5)
- December 25 Christmas Day
Electricity
In Dominican Republic plugs are like the US and Canada, 110 volts. Therefore, the Europeans and visitors from some South American countries must bring a power adapter.
Embassies
To learn embassies established in Dominican Republic go to this link:
Dominican embassies abroad:
Hours:
Most shops open their doors from 8:00 or 9:00 am to 6:00 pm weekdays and until 1:00 pm on Saturdays. Large commercial establishments in cities close at 9:00 pm and later, and open on Sundays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. In small towns and many tourist destinations shops close at 6:00 pm. As for restaurants, they remain open and serve their guests until 12:00 pm Sunday through Thursday and until 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays and holidays. There are some within tourism establishments that are open 24 hours.
Language
The official language is Spanish.
Currency cards and banks
The Dominican currency is the Dominican peso. There coin denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 25 pesos. In notes 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,000. They can change dollars and euros at banks and authorized exchange houses throughout the country.
There are restrictions on the entry of more than $ 10,000 in cash to the country and must declare any value above this amount in the customs form.
It is forbidden to leave Dominican Republic with more than $ 10,000 US dollars or its equivalent in cash.
If you need cash, it is more convenient to withdraw within the bank, which are open normally from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. In large shopping centers operate bank branches until 7:00 pm.
Passports, visas and tourist cards
Citizens and residents of the United States, Canada and most European countries enter with tourist card which costs US $ 10.00 at the port of entry and is valid for 30 days. Anyone no matter their nationality can enter Dominican Republic with a tourist card if you have any of the following valid visas in your passport: United States, Canada, UK or the European Union (Schengen). If you want to extend your tourist card 90 days you must pay RD $ 800.00 migrating to leave the country.Departure tax is US $ 20.00, but is usually included in airline ticket.
For more information about the tourist card and the countries that require a visa to access the following link:
Tips
The accounts in the restaurants and include a 10 percent tip. It is customary to an additional 10 percent for good service. As for taxi drivers is not customary to tip but if you have been satisfied and comfortable with the deal can.
Smoking restrictions
The same restrictions apply as in the United States. In most restaurants and clubs smoking is not allowed.
Clothing
The Dominican likes to dress elegant, comfortable and modern and is fond of taking parts in line with fashion. Depending on the occasion, time and place usually dress casual, casual or formal. Regarding the type of clothing for hotels and resorts, you should always wear light clothing such as shirts, t-shirts, shorts, swimwear and clothing loose and fresh lines, among others.
In the months of December and January, when the nights are cooler, you can use light jackets or coats, as the temperature is cool enough, especially since the hours of the night until the early hours of the morning.
Those who go to the mountain tours, must be prepared with coats and clothes to withstand temperatures that can drop to 5 ° C, specifically in Constanza and Jarabacoa.
God Bless You
To travel to Dominican Republic does not require any vaccinations required outside normal in Europe and North America.
To better enjoy your vacation:
Even on cloudy days, use sunscreen, as the Caribbean sun is very strong.
When you eat and drink, do so in moderation.
Stay hydrated by drinking water or liquids.
If you feel ill, see a doctor. In the tourist areas and in all the cities there are health centers with modern medical services and most hotels have medical dispensaries with qualified personnel.
Animals
Cats and dogs require health certificate obtained in their home country, no less valid for 30 days and certificate of vaccination against rabies. The birds shall be quarantined for 10 days. For other animals, need an import permit from the Department of Agriculture and the National Zoo.
Security
Although Dominican Republic is one of the safest countries on the continent, it is wise to take the same precautions you would take to get to any of the great cities of the world, such as the following below:
- Always use the hotel safe to store your passport, money and other valuables.
- To navigate through the cities, it is advisable to carry a photocopy of the passport.
- Carry only what is necessary, and as for money, if possible, bring both credit card and cash.
- If you plan to leave at night, call the taxi from the hotel itself where it is hosted.
- Avoid leaving valuables in sight or briefcases in a vehicle.
- Try not to move to hours unsuitable removed and dark places.
Telecommunications
Dominican Republic uses the same system calls the United States. The main area code is 809, although there are numbers with code 829. 10-digit dialing is required for any call. If you supplement only 7 digits, it is more likely that this is a phone 809.
As most people have cell phones, pay phones are already scarce. If you need to constantly calls, up to RD $ 1,500 can buy a prepaid phone with a local number. Telephone service providing mobile phone are: Claro-Codetel, Orange, Tricom and Viva.
Viva can sell you a device to your laptop for frequent use during your visit. In any mall you can get the phone in less than an hour. You can also change the "sim card" of your phone by one local and then use the same device. There WiFi locations across the country.
Travel Information
Internal Transport
A large network of roads intercom cities and tourist destinations that mostly pass through beautiful areas like the beautiful green countryside in the Santo Domingo-Santiago-Puerto Plata, spectacular panoramic views of sea and mountains on the route which leads to Barahona, or the interesting new route through the wooded hills of Los Haitises leading to Samana and the entire north coast, to name just a few.
Following is a list of some options for land and air transportation you can take to move in Dominican territory:
Land Transportation
Rental cars
Several companies, including international rental chains like National, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, Europecar, Hertz and Dollar offer their services at major airports, tourist destinations and cities. It is advisable to rent a vehicle to visit the destinations and attractions found along the north coast, or in the Samana Peninsula. As well as to explore the variety of beaches of Punta Cana and La Romana. For more information, contact the National Association of Rent a Cars in www.andri.com.do
Taxis
There is a shuttle service private. They can be found in airports and hotels that have these vehicles. Is also made with a previous one of the companies that offer this service and you can see in the phonebook call. It's a fast, secure and reliable option that you can choose in Santo Domingo as in many towns.
Metro de Santo Domingo
It is a service that began in 2009, covering the North-South route from the town Santo Domingo Norte, better known as Villa Mella to the La Feria. Going through Maximo Gomez Avenue southbound and then make turning east-west by Correa and Cidrón Avenue, past the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, UASD, among other important institutions and ending at the center of Heroes (La Feria) where the National Congress, the City of Santo Domingo and various government offices. To address it is necessary to carry a card that has a cost of RD $ 30 and RD recharge for $ 20, which is the value of each trip, or else purchase a passenger ticket. This service is available only in Santo Domingo.
Metro Buses, Caribe Tours, Terra Bus and Expreso Bavaro
Transportation to the provinces is very good. To move out of the city to the different cities and tourist resorts there are several private bus companies that have modern and comfortable buses such as Metro Buses and Caribe Tours, at a lower cost of US $ 10 for transfers of up to 225 kilometers.
Expreso Bavaro has access several times a day just to the East region, including Bavaro, Punta Cana and other nearby areas. Be sure to bring a coat, as these buses usually have a climate at its lowest point.
While Terra Bus is a Dominican company that offers transport services on buses between Santo Domingo and Port au Prince. For more information, please call 809-530-9796.
Autobuses OMSA
They are large buses that pass through the main streets of Santo Domingo and Santiago, from 7 am to 9 pm. The frequency is not regular. The ticket for use between RD $ 5 and RD $ 10 depending if you take one without air or air-conditioning.
There are also other smaller or buses called "buses" "flying" covering predefined paths and flowing through the main streets and avenues, making stops where they enter the passenger. Your rate on longer journeys fails to RD $ 25.
Public cars or "conchos"
The mode called "concho cars", is very similar to the buses, because circulating on specific routes and stop at the point where passengers request for an overall price of RD $ 15. In the capital, inner cities and towns, can also take a "race" which is addressing a public car without passengers. The price is negotiable.
"Motoconcho"
Is a transport mode involves the use of motorcycles, generally, usually comprises relatively short distances. Its cost should agree in advance, but should not be more than RD $ 100 for a long route.
Air transport
Helicopters
In Punta Cana makes sense to take a helicopter if you want to get first class to your hotel. It is a quick and easy option of knowing everything there is in this area about 50 miles of beach. There are helicopter companies that offer transportation to Santo Domingo and other destinations, connecting different cities and tourist spots.
Domestic flights
There are local companies that fly to and from Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and Samana on charter flights. Air Century offers two daily flights to Punta Cana and from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo La Isabela International Airport (AILI).You can access www.aircentury.com/ .
Aerodomca offers daily flights from the area AILI Portillo, in Samana. Once daily stops at the International Airport of the Americas (AILA): www.aerodomca.com .
Takeoff offers flights from AILI to Punta Cana (PUJ) and this area to Puerto Plata (POP) and Punta Cana Samana-Arroyo Barril (ABA): www.takeoffweb.com
Table of distances between major cities in Dominican Republic:
From Santo Domingo to:
|
Travel Time
| Distance |
Barahona
|
3 hrs.
| 200 km. |
Bayahibe
|
2 hrs.
| 140 km. |
Boca Chica
|
30 mins.
| 35 km. |
Jarabacoa
|
1 hr. 30 mins.
| 155 km. |
Juan Dolio
|
50 mins.
| 65 km |
La Romana
|
1 hr. 45 mins.
| 110 km. |
Puerto Plata
|
3 hrs.
| 215 km. |
Punta Cana
|
3 hrs. 30 mins.
| 205 km. |
Samaná
|
2 hrs. 30 mins.
| 245 km. |
Santiago
|
1 hr. 30 mins.
| 155 km. |
From Puerto Plata to:
|
Travel Time
| Distance |
Barahona
|
7 hrs.
| 365 km. |
Cabarete
|
30 mins.
| 35 km. |
Cofresi
|
5 mins.
| 6 km. |
La Romana
|
5 hrs.30 mins.
| 320 km. |
Playa Dorada
|
5 mins.
| 4 km. |
Punta Cana
|
7 hrs.30 mins.
| 425 km. |
Samaná
|
3 hrs.30 mins.
| 210 km. |
Santiago
|
1 hr.
| 69 km. |
Santo Domingo
|
3 hrs.
| 215 km. |
Sosúa
|
20 mins.
| 25 km. |
From Punta Cana to:
|
Travel Time
| Distance |
Barahona
|
7 hrs.30 mins.
| 410 km. |
Bayahibe
|
2 hrs.
| 75 km. |
Boca Chica
|
3 hrs.
| 169 km. |
Jarabacoa
|
5 hrs.30 mins.
| 365 km. |
Juan Dolio
|
2 hrs.50 mins.
| 149 km. |
La Romana
|
2 hrs.15 mins.
| |
No comments:
Post a Comment