Santo Domingo
Port of Call – Santo Domingo
The beaches are decent, and the people very welcoming, helping to ensure cruise passengers have a memorable experience of the Dominican Republic’s capital and largest port. The Port of Santo Domingo has two main terminals for cruise passengers. The Sans Souci cruise terminal opened in 2009, part of an overall $1 billion port expansion project, while Don Diego terminal also serves passengers. Cruise ships generally dock at San Diego Quay, which is only a few minutes walk from the old town.
Shopping in Santo Domingo
Go to the open-air Mercado Modelo for a great range of collectibles, crafts and basic commodities. Puerto Plata is the area for quality art, carvings and jewellery. For more upscale shopping, including stylish boutiques, head to Las Atarazanas.
Best Buy:
Amber jewellery, cigars, pottery
Dining in Santo Domingo
Pat E Palo – this brasserie has been operating since 1505!
Meson D’Bari – sensational fish and stewed goat, a national delicacy
Meson de La Cava – the city’s best loved restaurant in an underground cave
Best Dish:
Sancocho, the national soup
Travel to Dominican Republic
Overview
The Dominican Republic is renowned as an affordable beach destination, and brims with package tours and enticing all-inclusive resorts. A captivating blend of culture, history, and stunning natural beauty, its main tourist magnets are the areas around Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, La Romana, and Samana. However, the capital, Santo Domingo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the country’s cultural jewel.
In addition to well-developed beach resorts and world-class golf courses, the Dominican Republic is home to vast coral reefs, waterfalls, jungles, secluded islands, pine forests, and the highest peaks in the Caribbean. Thanks to these diverse ecosystems, recreational opportunities abound. Adventure seekers can head to the mountains to raft the white waters of the Yaque del Norte River, while the rugged, alpine mountain trails will appeal to hikers and bikers. Along the coast, water lovers can snorkel, dive, kayak, kite board, sail, and surf.
Climate in Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is hot and tropical, and there is little seasonal variation in temperatures, which average about 77F (25C). Seasons can, however, be determined by rainfall; October to April is the rainy season on the north coast, while May to November is the wettest period in the south of the country. Temperatures are generally cooler and conditions less humid between November April, but the mountainous interior is always cooler than the rest of the country.
On average, Hurricanes occur once every two years on the island, with most striking the south between August and September. The busiest time of year to visit the Dominican Republic is between December and April, when North Americans take a tropical break from their winters, and from June to September, which coincides with European summer holidays.
Health Notes when travelling to Dominican Republic
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if travellers are over the age of one and are arriving from the states of Mina Gerais, Espirito Santo, Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is also required of travellers who have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in those same states.
Precautions are recommended against hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies and polio for those who plan to spend time outside the main tourist resort areas, and travellers heading to certain parts of the country should take prescription medication to prevent malaria. Between May and September there is a risk of dengue fever, which is contracted from mosquitoes that bite during the day, so it is advisable to use mosquito repellent.
Travellers should rely on bottled water in undeveloped areas, as other sources of water will potentially be contaminated, and some species of fish, including tropical reef fish, may be poisonous to eat even when well cooked. There are good hospitals and other private medical facilities located in Puerto Plata, Santiago and Santo Domingo, but facilities are limited outside of these cities, and the staff are unlikely to understand English. Most resorts have doctors that can treat minor medical complaints. Health insurance, including provision for medical evacuation, is recommended.
Safety Notes when travelling to Dominican Republic
Though most visits to the Dominican Republic are trouble free, travellers should not ignore the crime rate. Incidences of violent crime are infrequent but it’s worth taking normal precautions against petty crime. Travellers should also check the situation before venturing to the Haitian border, as tensions in the region sometimes flare up. The Dominican Republic is vulnerable to hurricanes from June to November.
Customs in Dominican Republic
Being polite to others and having respect for elders is integral and is expected from visitors. If taking a photograph of a local, tourists should ask permission first and then offer a gift afterwards. Dominicans take care in their appearance and form judgements based on what people wear; they are likely to look down on tourists that are unkempt or wear clothes that are too revealing.
Duty Free in Dominican Republic
Travellers to the Dominican Republic over 16 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of alcohol and gifts up to a maximum value of $100.
Doing Business in Dominican Republic
Good working relationships are vital and trust is an integral part of doing business in the Dominican Republic, as knowing the right people is half the battle won. Appearances are considered important so dressing smartly is advised. Meetings are initially rather formal and a polite greeting accompanied by a handshake is common practice. Punctuality is important, as is courtesy. Business cards are usually exchanged on introduction and it is useful to have all business material printed in English and Spanish, even though English is widely spoken and understood. Business hours are usually 8am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Communication in Dominican Republic
The international access code for the Dominican Republic is +1, as with the US, Canada and most of the Caribbean, followed by 809 or 829. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the UK) but this is not required for calling North America. WiFi is generally available in most cafes, hotels and restaurants.
Tipping in Dominican Republic
Hotels and restaurants generally include a 10 percent service charge as well as tax, but additional tips should be given for good service, as the charge often does not go to the staff who provided the service. Waiters usually receive 10 percent extra for good service. For other services, including taxi drivers, tipping is discretionary depending on the service provided.
Passport/Visa Note
A return or onward ticket is required by all visitors, as is the travel documentation needed for their next destination. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry Requirements
- Entry requirements for Americans:
US citizens must have a passport valid for period of intended stay in the Dominican Republic. A visa is not required for touristic stays.
- Entry requirements for Canadians:
Canadian citizens must have a passport valid for period of intended stay in the Dominican Republic. A visa is not required for tourist stays.
- Entry requirements for UK nationals:
British citizens must have a passport valid for period of intended stay in the Dominican Republic. A visa is not required for holders of British passports endorsed ‘British Citizen’ or ‘British Overseas Territories Citizen’ travelling as tourists. Visitors are required to obtain a Tourist Card on arrival; these are generally valid for 30 days, but can be extended. Holders of passports with any other endorsement should contact the relevant embassy to confirm entry requirements.
- Entry requirements for Australians:
Australian citizens must have a passport valid for period of intended stay in the Dominican Republic. A visa is not required for those travelling as tourists.
- Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish citizens must have a passport valid for period of intended stay in the Dominican Republic. A visa is not required for those travelling as tourists.
- Entry requirements for New Zealanders:
New Zealand citizens must have a passport valid for period of intended stay in the Dominican Republic. A visa is not required for those travelling as tourists.
- Entry requirements for South Africans:
South African citizens must have a passport valid for period of intended stay in the Dominican Republic. A visa is not required for those travelling as tourists.
Tourist Offices
Ministry of Tourism: http://www.godominicanrepublic.com
Dominican Republic Embassies
- In the United States:
Embassy of the Dominican Republic, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 332 7670.
- In Canada:
Embassy of the Dominican Republic, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 569 9893
- In the United Kingdom:
Embassy of the Dominican Republic, London, United Kingdom: +44 20 7262 6856.
- In Australia:
Consulate-General of the Dominican Republic, Sydney, Australia: +61 2 4620 3247
- In South Africa:
Embassy of the Dominican Republic, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 362 2463
Foreign Embassies in Dominican Republic
- American Embassy
United States Embassy, Santo Domingo: +1 809 567 7775
- Canadian Embassy
Canadian Embassy, Santo Domingo: +1 809 262 3100.
- British Embassy
British Embassy, Santo Domingo: +1 809 472 7111
- Australian Embassy
Australian High Commission, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (also responsible for Dominican Republic): +1 868 822 5450
- South African Embassy
South African Embassy, Havana, Cuba (also responsible for Dominican Republic): +53 7204 9671
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Public Holidays Around the World
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