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The Dominican Republic is a beautiful country located on the island of Hispaniola. It shares this island with Haiti, which is located on the west side of Hispaniola. The Dominican Republic is divided into 31 provinces and one capital city.

The Dominican Republic has an area of approximately 19,292mi² – about the size of Maine and Vermont combined. It has a population of about 10.5 million people and its capital city is Santo Domingo.

Travelling to the Dominican Republic

To get to the Dominican Republic, you’ll need to fly into one of eight international airports: Las Américas (SDQ) in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana (PUJ), La Romana (LRM), Gregorio Luperón (POP) in Puerto Plata, El Catey (AZS) in Samaná and El Cibao (STI) in Santiago. The seaports that regularly receive cruise ships are Santo Domingo (Sansoucí and Don Diego terminals), La Romana (east and west quays, Catalina Island and Casa de Campo Marina), Cap Cana Marina in Punta Cana, Amber Cove in Puerto Plata and the facilities of Bahía de Samaná (Cayo Levantado).

Travel By Bus

It is not hard to travel by bus between the different regions of the dominican republic. There are some private companies that can take you on modern, comfortable buses for very reasonable prices. Make sure you take a jacket because they tend to keep the air-conditioning at very low temperatures.

You will find these buses in any major city in the country. They are usually located at the main terminal or bus station, which is typically called “terminal de guaguas” (bus station). The buses leave every 15 minutes or so until midnight, and then they start again at 6:00 AM. These buses are well maintained and they have a TV screen inside so you can watch movies or listen to music while you’re on your way to your destination.

The cost of taking a bus between two cities depends on how far apart they are from each other, but generally, it’s about $40-$50 USD per person for a round trip ticket with an English-speaking guide who will tell you about everything you need to know about visiting their town!

The most popular routes are: Santo Domingo to Santiago de los Caballeros and La Vega; Santiago de los Caballeros to Puerto Plata or Puerto Plata to Samana; Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata, La Romana and Boca Chica; Santo Domingo to Higuey or La Romana; Santiago de los Caballeros to San Cristobal; and La Vega to San Francisco de Macoris.

Metro Bus: www.metroserviciosturisticos.com

Caribe Tours: www.caribetours.com.do

Expreso Bávaro: www.expresobavaro.com

Hotels

For information about Dominican Republic hotels and accommodations visit www.godominicanrepublic.com/hotels and the Hotel and Tourism Association www.asonahores.com

Visas

The Dominican Republic welcomes travellers from all around the world, and it’s easy to visit this Caribbean destination.

If you’re visiting the Dominican Republic, you’ll need to have a passport or visa. If you plan on staying at least three months, it’s best to apply for a long-term resident visa. If you’re just planning to go on vacation, then you can use a tourist visa.

Any person, regardless of their nationality, can visit the Dominican Republic if they are a legal resident or if they have one of the following valid visas in their passport: United States, Canada, United Kingdom or Schengen.

Travellers who do not have a passport or visa from the countries listed above will need to apply for a visa. To issue a visa, the passport needs to have a validity of at least six (6) months.

Visas can be issued by any Dominican consulate abroad. To find your local consulate, visit this website: www.consuladord.com

Entry Requirements

If you’re planning a trip to the Dominican Republic, you may be wondering about the requirements for entry.

If you’re coming from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union member states (excluding Bulgaria and Romania), Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and most South American countries, including Chile and Uruguay, you’ll need a passport valid for at least 30 days after your departure date from the country.

Visitors from Japan and Israel need passports valid for at least 3 months after their departure date from the country.

The Dominican Republic does not require visitors to have a visa if they are staying for less than 90 days.

The cost of the 30-day tourist card previously paid separately is now included in the airline ticket for all visitors. 

More information is available here: www.dgii.gov.do/sobretarjetaturista

Currency

The official currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican peso (RD$). Dollars and euros can be easily exchanged at banks and authorised bureaux de change nationwide. Credit cards are accepted by most shops and businesses, and ATMs are widely available in Santo Domingo, but only a handful accept foreign cards.

 

Tips & Taxes

The Dominican Republic is known for its tropical weather and warm, inviting people. It’s also an affordable destination with a wide variety of activities to choose from. If you’re planning your trip, here are some notes on tips and taxes to help you get the most out of your trip.

The hotels and restaurants charge 28% of the published price (18% sales tax + 10% service charges). An extra 10% is usually given for good service. A tip for Taxi drivers is not required but if you feel like giving a tip for good service, it will be very much appreciated.

Climate & Time Zone

The Dominican Republic’s climate is excellent all year round, thanks to its location in the Caribbean. During the summer, the temperature fluctuates between 25ºC – 31ºC; in winter it can fall to a minimum of 18ºC. In the high mountainous areas of Jarabacoa and Constanza, the climate is cooler (0ºC – 15ºC).

The local time zone is Eastern Caribbean Time (GMT -0400). The Dominican Republic does not observe daylight savings time.

Languages

Spanish is the official language. However, the majority of employees in hotels and tourist destinations speak relatively good English, French, German, Italian and more.

Phone & Internet

If you’re traveling to the Dominican Republic, you’ll need to know how to get connected. The call system is the same as in the US, so if you have a phone from back home, it should work just fine. The main area code is 809. Some numbers use 829 and 849. Communication companies include Claro, Altice and Viva. The sales outlets can be found in the main cities. SIM cards can be bought easily with a valid passport. Wi-Fi is available in numerous businesses and hotels; however, the signals are weaker in the countryside. You can buy rechargeable mobile Internet devices or prepaid packages to remain connected whilst you travel.

Electricity

The sockets in the Dominican Republic are 110 Volts/60 Hertz, the same as in the USA and Canada. Visitors from other countries are advised to bring their own electrical adapters.

Clothing

Whether you’re in the city or the country, in the Dominican Republic, you can count on a variety of styles.

The DR is known for its vibrant culture and rich history, which means there’s plenty of room to express your own individual style. If you’re looking for something more formal, you’ll find it in Santo Domingo. There’s also a growing fashion scene in Santiago that’s worth checking out if you’re looking for something more casual.

Around the hotels and tourist complexes, light clothes are usually worn such as shorts, T-shirts, bathing suits or dresses. In rural areas like Jarabacoa, men often wear jeans or khakis with a button down shirt or polo shirt and women wear sundresses or blouses with jeans or skirts with sandals.

Practical Tips

The Dominican Republic is a beautiful country, with beaches that are just waiting to be explored. But if you’re worried about the sun, don’t be! There are plenty of ways to keep yourself safe.

First, it’s hot in the Caribbean. Even if it’s cloudy, don’t forget to put on mosquito repellent and sunscreen. The sun is strong here, so keep hydrated by drinking bottled water or natural liquids. If you feel unwell, see a doctor!

Second, keep in mind that all-inclusive hotels urge you to eat and drink—but do so in moderation to avoid stomach upsets.

Medical Services

The public and private hospitals near the tourist areas have an air rescue service and hotels also offer modern medical services with qualified staff. In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1, the National Emergency and Safety System. 911.gob.do

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