Return to the Dominican Republic
| General Information On The Dominican Republic |
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The Dominican Republic is a country that occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola. The other third of the island is occupied by the country of Haiti. The island of Hispaniola is located south of the Bahamas Islands between Cuba and Puerto Rico. The population of the Dominican Republic is a little over 4 million. For information on the Dominican Republic, contact the Dominican Republic tourist Office at 1-888-374-6361. And, for a good book to help you plan your visit to the Dominican Republic, Click on Explore the Dominican Republic. For more information on the Dominican Republic, check out the CIA World Factbook or the Official Dominican Republic website. Another good source for information is The Dominican Republic Page. Be sure to check it out!
Because the country has a reputation for crime and social unrest, many tourists have mixed feelings about the Dominican Republic. There are still the characteristic white sand beaches and natural beauty of the Caribbean, but there is also a feeling of fear of visiting this area. There are amazing possibilities for visitors to this country, and the people of the Dominican Republic are genuinely friendly. Both the government and resort owners are making strides in providing tourists with increased security and as a result, petty crime is on the decline in many of the tourist areas.
The People
of the Dominican Republic
Travel Etiquette
for the Dominican Republic
Entry Requirements
Health and Safety
Climate And Weather
Geography
Currency
Electricity
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The People of the Dominican
Republic
It is well known that the Dominican Republic has had a history of violence and social unrest.
The country also has a poor reputation when it comes to crime. But in spite of
it all, most
Dominicans are genuinely friendly towards
tourists. Tourism is still very important to the economy of the area, and
everyone is working hard to regain the trust of world travelers. If you are
polite to them, you will find this policy on your part is one of the best ways to guarantee good
treatment. Islanders typically view Westerners as lacking in politeness, and
good manners are highly valued in local culture.
Travel
Etiquette
Behavior and customs vary greatly from country to country. We
discuss the correct travel etiquette so that you won't be caught out.
TravelEtiquette was formed to offer a unique reference
point on essential etiquette advice and information for worldwide
travel. Our features and articles are written by professional
journalists and experts - who have a particular interest, or a
background in this area. So – know before you go. Visit
TravelEtiquette so you will know how to, as the old adage states, “When in Rome,
do as the Romans do.”
Entry Requirements
All visitors* to the Dominican Republic, even those from within the Caribbean,
need a valid passport and visa and, upon arrival, must purchase a tourist card
for about $10(USD). Keep track of your passport and tourist card at all times.
| *The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. This includes United States citizens! In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future. For additional information, go to http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html. |
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Health and Safety
Most of the crime problems are limited to the less visited areas of Santo Domingo.
Nonetheless, as many north of the coast resorts are isolated and lack proper security,
you will want to use caution in these areas. If
you are planning on staying in the north coast area, be sure to check with the hotel or resort
about security offered to visitors. In any event, you should always exercise caution with
handbags and wallets, avoid wearing expensive-looking clothes and jewelry, and
don't flash your cash about. When visiting here it is important that you follow the same common
sense rules that apply in any major American or European. After dark you will
want to stay in well-lighted areas and avoid dark, deserted areas and alleyways, don't talk to
strangers, and never walk alone after dark. As far as water goes, I would stick to bottled water,
even in hotels and restaurants. Although the water is filtered, it is still
questionable.
Climate And Weather
Like many Caribbean islands, the Dominican Republic is extremely
tropical. In fact, as there is usually about 70 inches of rainfall annually, you
may well expect a bit of moisture during a visit. August is
the warmest month of the year, and January the coolest, although it is still
usually warm enough to swim as the January temperatures range from 70 to
81 degrees. In July you could expect temperatures from 77 to 87 degrees.
Geography
Situated near Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico, Hispaniola is often said
to be the heart of the Caribbean archipelago. One of the main features of the Dominican Republic is
the highest mountain peak in the West Indies at over 3,000 feet above sea
level. Approximately 33 percent of the country's 870 miles of shoreline are
devoted to public beaches.
Currency
The official currency of the Dominican Republic, the Peso (RD$), is a
floating currency, so check the current exchange rate when planning a vacation.
Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare. Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious!
Electricity
The Dominican Republic uses the 110-volt system, so visitors from the U.S.
and Canada do not need adapters; all other visitors should consider this when
packing.
