Destination overview
Passport/visa requirements
Language
Tourist offices
Airlines
Airport
Taxi fares from airport
Departure tax
Currency conversion
Banking hours
Principal banks
Driving
Electricity
Public holidays/Festivals
 

DESTINATION OVERVIEW: The Dominican Republic comprises the eastern two thirds of Hispaniola island and is the second largest country in the Caribbean with an area of 30,000 square miles. It is bordered on the North by the Atlantic Ocean and the South by the Caribbean Sea.

Over 400 kilometers of sparkling beaches span the South, East, Southwest and North coasts. These include the beaches of Boca Chica, JuanDolio-Guayacanes, La Romana, and Bayahibe in the Southeast; Punta Cana and Bavaro in the East; Paraiso and Enriquillo in the Southwest; and on the North Coast, Puerto Plata, Sosua, Cabarete Playa Grande and Luperon.

The Dominican Republic has sixteen national parks protecting and conserving its wildlife and natural resources. Meanwhile, the thrill of adventure is nowhere more alive than along the country's north coast and mountain region. For those seeking adrenaline pumped action, or just a brand new experience, there is river rafting for shooting the rapids; mountain biking for master single track terrain; caving; and canyoning.

PASSPORT AND VISA REQUIREMENTS: Visitors should reconfirm travel documentation with the nearest Dominican consulate. In general, passport bearing visitors from Argentina, South Korea, Ecuador, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Peru, UK and Uruguay are exempt from visas or tourist cards.

Tourist Cards (sold at US$10) are required for citizens of Albania, Andorra, Antigua, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czechoslovakia, Chile, Curacao, Denmark, Dominica, Slovenia, Spain, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Russia, San Marino, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Sweden, Switzerland, Surinam, Tunisia, Turks & Caicos Islands, United States, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela and Yugoslavia. Nationals of other countries may require visas. Passports are the preferred travel document.
 

Citizens of the US may enter with passport or with an original birth certificate and additional photo bearing document (such as voters registration or drivers license.)

LANGUAGE: Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. Traffic signs and most menus in restaurants are in Spanish, although menus in tourist regions tend to be multilingual.

AIRLINES: Air Atlantic, American Airlines, Continental, Queen Air, Tower Air, TWA from North America. Inter Caribbean flights are operated by: Air Guadeloupe, American Eagle Copa, Dominair, TCCA, ALM. Aces, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeropostal and Lanchile provide service to South America. To Canada: Air Transat, Royal Airlines, Canada 3000, To Europe: Air France, Air Europa, Air Portugal, AOM, Britannia, Condor, Hapag Lloyd, Iberia, LTU, Martinair.

AIRPORT: Seven international airports: Las Americas (20 minutes east of Santo Domingo); Puerto Plata International Gregorio Luperon (15 minutes from Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata and Sosua); Punta Cana (serving the far east); La Romana; Maria Montez in Barahona (the country's newest); and two smaller ones in Santiago and Herrera.

The Samana-Arroyo Barril airport is expected to be able to receive its first flights by March 2000.

FLIGHT TIMES: New York: 3 ¼ hours, Miami: 1 ¾ hours, San Juan:

35 minutes, Toronto: 5 hours, most European cities: 8 - 10 hours.

DEPARTURE TAX: US$10.00

CURRENCY: The rate of exchange fluctuates around RD$15.75 = US$1.00 (as of Jan 2000)

BANKING HOURS: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. Airport booths remain open to service all incoming flights, up to 24 hours if necessary. ATM's in many branches.

ELECTRICITY: 110 volts/60 cycles, same as the US

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2000
01JAN - New Years Day
Closest Mon or Fri to 06JAN - Epiphany Day
21JAN - Our Lady of Altagracia Day
Closest Mon or Fri to 26JAN - Juan Pablo Duartes Birthday
27FEB - Independence Day
21APR - Good Friday
Closest Mon or Fri to 01MAY - Labor Day
Closest Mon or Fri to 16AUG - Dominican Restoration Day
24SEP - Our Lady of Mercedes Day
Corpus Christi Day
Closest Mon or Fri to 06NOV - Constitution Day
25DEC - Christmas Day

FESTIVALS:
Week of Independence Day (27FEB) - Carnival
Last week in JUL to first week in AUG - Merengue Festival
Second week in OCT - Puerto Platas Merengue Festival
Early DEC to Epiphany Day (06JAN) - Christmas Celebrations