Entry- All visitors require a valid passport. Visitors from the USA and Europe do not require a visa. A tourist card, valid for 90 days, can be purchased at the airport for US$ 10. There is a US$ 20 departure tax. Vaccinations and health. Vaccinations are not stipulated officially, however, the following are recommended, as with trips to other tropical countries: Tetanus, Polio and DTP, furthermore hepatitis as prophylaxis. A malaria-prophylaxis is not necessary, the tourist areas are safe, only the borderland to Haiti passes a low danger. Don’t drink Dominican tap water, and be wary of food that may have been washed in tap water. Time – GMT minus four hours, with no adjustment for daylight saving time
Weights & measures -Metric with some US measurements
Extra expenses -In comparison to other islands in the Caribbean, the extra expenses are relatively low in the Dominican Republic. The prices vary according to item and exchange rate. A glass of beer costs between 1 to 3 dollars, a refreshment beverage between 0.75 and 2 dollars and a cocktail 2.50 to 5 dollars. A fish dinner can be had for 10 to 15 dollars, a Dominican specialty, goat-meat with tomatoes for 3 to 6 dollars. A wind-surf board cost about $15 per day, and a diving tour, can cost approximately $50. A rental car costs approximately 40 dollars per day. Make sure, however, that you rent the vehicle with comprehensive insurance incl.. It is not advisable to drive at night, since often other vehicles have sparse illumination, and different driving practices. Drive very carefully and be mindful of pedestrians and animals. A tip is approximately 1 U.S. dollars per luggage-piece for baggage carriers and 1 U.S. dollars per day for the chambermaid. In restaurants a tip from 5 to 10 percent is usual.
Transportation -Rental cars are available from all international agencies, Avis, Hertz, Budget, Enterprise etc. Prices are usually cheaper than in the USA or Europe. Local agencies offer special deals for Jeeps and motorcycles.
Comfortable, Air-conditioned buses run between all main cities. Bring a sweater, however, because the temperature is often kept quite low. The trips are very favorable: A bus trip to Santo Domingo from Sosúa (3-4 hours) costs approximately $10 U.S. Minibuses (Guaguas) are used for shorter distances. They are usually overfull, but very cheap and stop where you want. Price: From Puerto Plata to Sosúa is less than 1 US$. Within the cities, there are collective-taxis, called Públicos. You can just flag the driver at the roadside. Price: Between 7 and 10 Pesos per trip. Tourist Taxis are considerably more expensive than Públicos; the 30 minute drive from the airport to the city center of Santo Domingo costs about $25 U.S. Most taxis drive without a meter but fares are indicated at the taxi stations and can be negotiated in advance. In almost each city, you can use motorcycle-taxis (Motoconchos). For short transportation within the city, 10 Pesos is normal, this charge doubles at night. If you want to drive outside the city, negotiate the price in advance. Between Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, La Romana Samaná, Monte Cristi Santiago and Barahona there are regular small private jet hire. The prices for a one-way-flight is approximately 100 dollars, with flight times of approximately 30 to 60 minutes.
Souvenirs – The most common souvenir is jewelry made from amber. Also larimar, the blue stone that is found only in this country. Other gems, rum, Music CDs and Dominican handicrafts are also popular with vacationers. Don’t forget the first-class coffee and hand rolled cigars. Products that may not be exported are black coral, tortoiseshell, tiger-shells as well as crocodile-leathers.
Phone – To telephone from the hotel is the simplest, but also most expensive. Outside the hotels calling centers offer better value. The telephone stores are usually located in shopping centers and tourist areas.
Electricity- The voltage is standard 110 volts @ 60 hz. The sockets/plugs are also standard American style. European visitors will need adapters and special plugs to use native 220v AC devices.
Food and beverage – The native kitchen blends itself from African, Spanish, Indian and international influences. Rice and black beans are basis of the usually simple, hearty and spicy meals. A typically Dominican meal called la bandera (the flag) consists of rice, beans as well as braised meat. Green salad , fried green cooking-bananas, are served as side dishes. Miscellaneous fish are also common at mealtime, like squid, crawfishes or lobster, caught fresh from the sea. Of course, the numerous tropical fruits, like pineapple, mangos, papayas, avocados and coconut contribute to the diet. Vacationers can find typical, and international dishes at affordable prices. Comedores, found on many street corners and markets, offer cheap Dominican fair, while international restaurants, found in the cities and tourist areas cater to your culinary senses. The national beverageproduct is rum, and is found in wide variety and flavors. The common brands are Brugal, Bermúdezes and Barceló. The natives enjoy the dark brown beverage with ice only. More compatible is white Rums, that happily mix with fruits to make Caribbean cocktails, like Piña Colada, Cuba libre or Daiquiris. Specialties include Dominican coffee, that is served as espresso or cappuccino with coco. The soda beverages are usually over sweetened, so if not to your taste, another alternative: the milk of the coconuts is sold on street-stands
Sport – The national sport and passion of Dominican Republic is baseball or “Beisbol” as the Dominicans call it. No matter where you go on the island you will find a baseball stadium/park, even in the poorest of towns. Today, men of poor origins like Sammy Sosa (one of the best home runner in the world), Pedro Martinez, Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez and many others, proudly carry the Dominican Flag in the international arena. Like most Antilles islands, the Dominican republic also offers ideal prerequisites for water sports. But not only in the water, also the country. The sporty vacationer can let off steam with golf, hiking, riding and polo. In almost all Tourist areas, there are numerous possibilities. Special attraction for divers is beautiful aquatic animal and plant life as well as a number of wrecks dating back as far as five centuries. Because the Spanish ships on the way back to Europe were frequently loaded with gold and silver, pirates and violent storms have contributed to the variety of treasures that lure divers from all over the world. Some wrecks, that have smashed on the reefs, can even be admired when snorkeling. The underwater world is rich with many different fish and colorful reefs. Surfers and wind surfers come to all beaches of the island looking for excitement. Cabarete, on the north-coast has established itself as an international windsurf paradise because of the high wind force and the waves. Beginners can choose between a dozen surf schools. Para-sailing is common in Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata. Sailboats and catamarans can be rented in many areas also. The golf has become very popular on the island, with numerous golf courses located in virtually every tourist area. The “Pebble Beach” of the Caribbean at 18th hole Playa Grande, Robert Trent Jones at Playa Dorada, and the 18 hole course (Teeth of the Dog) in the luxurious Casa de Campo resort and restaurant, in La Romana (southeast), ranked one of the best links in the world.