|
Visitor
Information and Tips
Getting Around
Air
Santo Domingo or Sapair
operate scheduled flights between the principal
tourism regions of the Dominican Republic.
Taxis
There is more than one type of taxi in the Dominican
Republic. When you step off a plane or out of
your hotel, you will almost certainly find a "tourist"
taxi. A few years ago the government funded new
taxis. They are now Hundai minivans or cars. All
are sand colored. They replace the 70's vintage
American gas guzzlers that used to transport tourists.
Tourist taxis fiercely protect their territory
against other forms of transport. Not surprising
since their prices are double those of the vintage
Japanese cars that the city taxis use. In the
large cities you will find "carro conchos"
who cruise the main streets like buses, constantly
stopping to take on or disgorge passengers.
They only charge a few pesos and are practical
for short rides along the same street. Don't look
for a taxi meter in the Dominican Republic. Tourist
taxis usually have posted rates at the entrance
to resorts.
Motorcycle taxis
Known as "moto conchos" they abound
except for downtown Santo Domingo. They charge
double at night which means 20 or more pesos instead
of 10 for a fairly short ride. They are not practical
for long trips and are involved in lots of accidents.
Buses
In contrast to car rentals and taxis, buses are
cheap, safer, and fun. You will come in contact
with real Dominicans. Metro Tours, Terra Bus and
Caribe tours are for long trips, for example Santo
Domingo to Puerto Plata. Clean modern and comfortable
they are a bargain. They work by reservation except
on Holidays.
Other intercity buses offer express and air conditioned
services. If the bus is not express it will make
lots of stops. Fine if you have all the time in
the world. Local buses (guaguas) will take you
to the next town for a dollar or so. The only
problem with buses is that they stop operating
at about 9 PM, so you can't use them at night.
Car Rentals
Major car rental companies have airport and city
locations, such as Honda, National, Avis, Budget,
Hertz, Europcar, Nelly Rent-a-Car, Dollar and
many others. A valid driver's license and major
credit cards are required to rent a car for up
to 90 days. Driving is on the right hand side
and the speed limit is 60 kph in the cities and
80 kph or 100 kph on the highways, unless otherwise
indicated.
There are only two problems with this, cost and
safety. You will find that the cost of car rentals
is higher than you are used to in your home country.
Safety is not a problem if you learn and apply
the Dominican rules of the road. Simply stated;
there are none! It is a big free for all. Most
traffic police are on foot and almost nobody stops
on their signal. With no radio and no pursuit
car, it is a mismatch. In other words traffic
law enforcement is close to zero. If renting a
car can be hazardous, renting a motorcycle is
doubly so, but it is cheaper. Be very careful.
Money
The peso is the national currency, however many
businesses would rather get paid in American dollars
if they can. The exchange rate is pegged to the
US dollar and has been fairly stable in recent
years.
You should exchange as little as possible in your
home country, as well as at the airports where
the rates are generally slightly less favorable.
Exchange bureaus in the Dominican Republic are
your best bet to get a good exchange rate, which
are usually slightly higher than the official
rate, particularly for US dollars.
Most tourist areas have bank machines from which
you can withdraw D.R. pesos directly from North
American or European bank accounts at the current
official exchange rates (ask your bank for details).
VISA and MasterCard are accepted at most hotels,
restaurants and businesses, and American Express
is accepted often but less commonly. Cash forwarding
servicing can be obtained at all Dominican banks.
Travelers checks of all major currencies can be
readily exchanged for pesos at all banks. Don't
forget to bring your passport along if you want
to avoid difficulties in using either traveler
checks or credit cards.
Mail service
You can choose between two services. The official
postal service will send your postcard to your
friends within 10 days. The private postal services
send your mails via Miami within 7 days (25 pesos
per postcard). The private postal service is more
performant. Some people using the official postal
service receive their mails within... 2 months
! The best way is to give your mails to your local
correspondent. He will send them in good conditions.
Safety
It is perfectly safe to walk around tourist areas
and towns during the day. Criminality rate is
lower than in European cities. Most resorts have
security personnel, and the beaches are also patrolled
periodically. When going into town, or out of
the resort area at night, use common sense, just
as you would anywhere else. Don't wear expensive
jewelry or flash large sums of money around !
Topless sunbathing
Topless sunbathing is quite common. It's not a
Dominican custom, just the fact that many of the
tourists are European, and topless sunbathing
is natural for them. Many hotels do not allow
topless sunbathing around the pool areas. The
best way is to choose a sunbathing place at the
end of the beach area in order to not disturb
families and people who don't want to see topless
bodies...
Electricity
The D.R. uses 110 volts, the same as in North
America (including outlets) so North Americans
can use their appliances as usual. Transformers
are necessary for European appliances. One of
the main problems in the country are the recurrent
power shortages which often occur for several
hours at all hours of the day or night, so it
may be a good idea to bring along a small flashlight
for sudden power cut-offs. Most hotels have generators
to make up for this deficiency, but some of the
smaller ones may not and you never know when it
may cut off.
Climate
DR has a tropical climate with an average temperature
of 82 in summer, 78 in winter. Remember to use
plenty of sunscreen. If however you plan to make
a trip into the mountains, bring warm clothes
as there can be frost in the upper altitudes.
Time
There are no time changes in the D.R. over the
year, which stays on Atlantic Standard time (Greenwich
Time -5) throughout the year. So in the winter,
the time is one hour ahead of New York/Montreal,
while in the summer it's the same.
Water
NEVER DRINK WATER FROM THE TAP which has not been
thoroughly boiled. Fresh, bottled drinking water
is sold everywhere.
Telephones
The country's area code is 809, and you can dial
directly to and from the USA and Canada by first
dialing 1 and then the number. There are numerous
telecommunications centers for direct international
calls or to send FAXs in all towns and cities,
and especially in the tourist centers. Prices
are very competitive between the national phone
company CODETEL, and other long distance providers
such as TRICOM, TURITEL and ALL AMERICAN, with
charges usually calculated on the spot by computer.
Taxes/Tipping
The government charges a 5% extra tax on hotel
rooms, and an 8% sales tax on food and drinks.
In most tourist centers, prices for food are usually
quite moderate (except for the occasional high
scale places) because of fierce competition. Restaurants
typically also charge a 10% service charge, but
wages in this sector are very low and most employees
rely on extra tips to survive. Generally customers
should pay an additional 5 to 10 %, especially
if the service has been good.
Bargaining
It is a tradition in the Dominican Republic. You
have to haggle, especially in gift shops and in
the street. Of course, don't try to haggle the
price of your room in a luxury complex ! If you
don't know how to haggle, just say no when the
merchant proposes his first price. He will propose
a new, cheaper rate. Dominican people are very
proud.
Don't haggle too much, it's a lack of respect.
Don't refuse to talk with them as if they were
begging something. Just smile and say "no
gracias", they will kindly answer "okay",
and they will leave you alone.
Haggle using pesos, not dollars (you will pay
more because prices are more expensive when haggling
using dollars). When the price is defined, you
can pay using dollars, but only use 1,2,5,10 dollar
bills.
Dress
Dress is casual in most of the country. Pack plenty
of loose-fitting cotton clothes. If you want to
blend in, don't wear shorts. And save your swimsuit
for the ocean or the pool. Like most other Latino
societies, the Dominican Republic tends to be
formal, and the importance of good dress cannot
be overstated. If you plan to dine at nice restaurants
and visit the nightclubs in Santo Domingo, be
sure to include some semiformal attire. Los Dominicanos,
as the residents are known, dress with class when
they go out. Men wear suits and ties (or at least
slacks and a collared shirt) and women wear cocktail
dresses
Medical Information
Medical Services and Facilities
Most resorts have a doctor on call or in-house.
Hospitals and doctors expect immediate payment
in cash or credit card after providing care. Receipts
are given for re-imbursment by your insurance
company.
In Puerto Plata the "Clinica Dr. Brugal"
has a 24hr emergency room, as does the "Centro
Medico Sosua" in Sosua. In Santo Domingo
there is the "Centro Medico Universidad Central
del Este", "Clinica Abreu" and
"Clinica Gomez Patino" which all have
24hr emergency rooms.
Note: Make sure to obtain medical insurance before
your trip.
Medication
Remember to pack all medication you use. Medication
should be packed in your carry-on just in case
your luggage is lost. Though there are doctors
that will prescribe medication for you, chances
are they might not have the same medication as
you are taking or will not prescribe it without
a medical history.
Siesta
The tradition of a long lunch, which is the major
meal of the day, is generally observed, and so
many shops close from 12:30 to 2:30 PM.
|
