Travel Tips | Dominican Republic (Eng.)

TRAVEL TIPS

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

OVERVIEW TRANSPORTATION VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES

WHERE TO STAYONDE WHERE TO EAT SHOPPING COMPRAS FICAR ONDE COMER

OVERVIEW The Dominican Republic, the first place where

The Dominican people are also an attraction

Christopher Columbus arrived in America,

because of their kindness and joy. Visitors

is known for its vibrant colors and great

witness a unique cultural experience, because

landscapes and has many attractions to every

the country had different cultural influences such

kind of tourist.

as Spanish, French, Haitian and even African.

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the

Spanish is the official language, but as a country

Caribbean Sea, it has miles of coast are filled

that attracts many tourists, the professionals

with crystal clear waters. With pleasant

who work in tourist hotels also speak English.

temperatures all year round, beaches and waterfalls become even more charming.

People that go to the Dominican Republic usually say that country provides a sensory

You can have fun practicing outdoor sports,

feast for visitors. There are countless attractions

adventuring in the numerous parks, or

for the entertainment of tourists and to admire

relaxing on the beaches. For those who enjoy

the stunning beaches, venture into the majestic

the excitement, the nightlife is definitely

forests, delight in the simple and tasty cuisine,

lively and effervescent festivals at the world-

and gain knowledge with local stories and learn

famous casinos.

about the surprising past of the island, still present in the architectural monuments.

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It’s definitely a fascinating destination where

EAST

nature did not spare efforts and produced

The region has one of the most popular items

stunning landscapes with multiple shades

in tourism. The east coast is the sought after

of green and blue. To understand what each

destination for those seeking peaceful days

region has the best to offer follow the tips below, divided by regions:

NORTH The north coast is known as the Amber Coast because of the abundance of moonstones. Have fun practicing kite boarding, riding on the bed of rivers or unraveling the mysteries through mountains and beautiful beaches. It is essential to try the local cuisine based on fresh fish.

NORTHEAST For nature lovers, this region offers amazing experiences for its beauty and simplicity.

Frequented by naturalists and ecotourists, you can admire splendid beaches with beautiful

in their picturesque beaches. You can also meet one of the most celebrated national parks for their conservation. For those who like luxury, La Romana is the place of the most sophisticated resorts.

SOUTHEAST Responsible for the modern part of the country, is where the capital of the country is. With its great cultural diversity, Santo Domingo is where the first university, the first hospital and the first cathedral of America are. In addition to this history, this place also shows itself as a metropolis with shops and international cuisine restaurants. Great place for a cultural journey with numerous theaters and museums.

coral reefs. In Samana history remains alive because it was the port where Christopher

The tropical climate is predominant on the

Columbus arrived at the ‘New World’.

island, and pleasant during all four seasons.

During the summer months, the temperature is around 32 °C, while during the winter it drops to 20 °C. In the mountains, the weather becomes cooler, reaching 0 °C. There is no specific rainy season, it rains at any time of the year, which usually occurs in short periods during the afternoon or evening.

The temperatures are pleasant all year round, but for those who prefer the best of the sun, the best months to travel are between June and September, the hottest months of the year.

The regional festivals occur throughout the

January: New Year’s Day (1.), Day of the Three

year and they are always exciting and a lot of

Kings (6), Day of Our Lady of Altagracia (21)

fun. Some of them are the Merengue Festival

and Juan Pablo Duarte Day (26).

in Santo Domingo, that happens between the last days of July and early August, and the Puerto Plata Merengue Festival, which is celebrated on the third week of October. At the same time, there is the Jazz Festival,that takes place in the Dominican Republic in the cities of Puerto Plata, SosĂşa and Cabarete.

The holidays are also celebrated with a lot of music and dances. Below you can check the main celebrations:

February: Carnival (entire month), Independence Day (27).

April: Good Friday (Religious Holiday) May: Labour Day (1.)

June: Corpus Christi (23) September: Day of the Mercedes (24) November: Constitution Day (6) December: Christmas (25)

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TRANSPORT

where you can “book” a taxi, you can order a taxi in advance.

METRO The island offers great options for getting

Opened in 2009, the subway is present only

around. See below how each service works.

in the capital, connecting Santo Domingo to La

CAR RENTAL

Feria North, passing through busy highways such as Maximo Gomez y Correa and Cidrón.

Available at major airports and tourist cities in

In addition, part of its route, goes by the

the country, there are several companies that

Autonomous University of Santo Domingo and

rent cars. If your destination is the north coast,

important buildings and shopping centers.

this is an excellent choice. There are good roads and you will be amazed at every turn

PRIVATE BUS

with the amazing Dominican countryside.

As the Dominican Republic is a tourist country,

TAXI

there are numerous companies that offer transportation throughout the island, every day

It is safe and reliable to go around the streets

of the week. Depending on the distance, you

of the Dominican Republic by taxi. The hotels

can pay about $ 10 for a trip of 140 miles.

and airports have registered companies

MOTOCONCHO Just like the conchos but on bikes. This transport is great for short distances.

HELICOPTERS For those who want comfort and speed, there are some companies specialized in the transportation by helicopter. Besides the convenience, the view promises to make it worthwhile.

ATTRACTIONS There are plenty of things to do when you go to the Dominican Republic with its endless attractions. There are so many things to do that you have to categorize them, so you do not miss anything. The country is a true paradise of forests and stunning beaches and a

BUS There is a lot of buses throughout the island.

Running from 7am until 9pm, it is possible to go from Santo Domingo to Santiago for less than a dollar. There are also ‘guaguas’, smaller buses that you can scheduled to travel fixed routes.

CONCHOS ‘Conchos’ are vehicles like vans and are quite similar to the ‘guaguas’ because both can drive by specific routes and stop where the passenger requests. They are all over the country with the highest concentration in the capital, inner cities and some villages.

culture rich in history.

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CARNIVAL In February is when the most cheerful, colorful and fun festival of the Dominican popular culture takes place. With bright costumes, Carnival gets everyone with its vibrant energy. Every Sunday of February, a different city is filled with excitement with the parades. The main one happens in La Vega and the party is a must go, just like the Grand Carnival in Santo Domingo, that usually happens on the last Sunday of the month.

Many people participate of the parades that are held in dozens of floats creating an incredible, huge rug seen from above.

CASINOS There are several casinos throughout the island. Have fun trying to get lucky in these environments filled with lights, colored panels, beautiful people and dozens of table games. It is almost irresistible! Most of them are in the resorts and some are open 24 hours. ATMs are also available, for the tourists comfort.

MUSEUMS With so much history to tell, this beautiful

waterfalls and rivers. Located in the north

country has cultural relics. One of the main

of the island, be sure to visit the Goat

museums is the Amber Museum which hosts

Island National Park, which hosts the most

fossil resin collections, including from the

important colony of American crocodiles.

movie Jurassic Park, with the famous mosquito.

There is also the Eastern National Park,

There is also the Museum of Royal Houses, the

located near La Romana, which has beautiful

Museum of the Dominican Family, the Alcázar

beaches with spectacular caves.

de Colón and La Isabela, showing the country’s history. The Museum of Dominican Man is the

These are just some of the many Dominicans

right place to find art before the discovery.

National Parks, each of them is known by

NATIONAL PARKS

its own characteristics, secluded beaches, beautiful lakes, trails ready for discoveries,

The Dominican lands are excellent to the

and many other experiences that only the

practice of ecotourism. There are numerous

Dominican Republic can provide.

national parks, full of nature with magnificent

SANTO DOMINGO Santo Domingo is probably the most exciting place around the Caribbean. In this cosmopolitan city you can admire an exotic situation: luxury cars share the streets with horse-drawn carriages and sophisticated hotels next to old and simple houses.

The capital is the oldest city in the ‘New World’ and displays its Colonial City as a living museum. It was declared World Heritage by UNESCO and is carefully preserved.

The committee of the American Capital of Culture, elected seven local treasures: the Cathedral Santa Maria La Menor (first cathedral of the Americas), Columbus Palace (built in 1510), Fort Ozama (oldest fortress of the Americas), the Museum of Royal Houses (an incredible collection of objects of the first conquerors until independence in 1821), the National Botanical Garden (the largest in the Caribbean with exotic flora and fauna), the Malecon (boardwalk to the beach, 10 miles long) and the Palace of Fine Arts (where events are held such as concerts, dances and exhibitions).

PUNTA CANA Punta Cana is best known for its amazing beaches, sophisticated hotels, golf courses and romantic mood. For those who like music, this is the perfect place to enjoy the rhythms of merengue and bachata. Frequented by celebrities, Punta Cana has even been a film set.

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PUERTO PLATA

La Romana, Santiago and many others that will

Its coastline is about 62 miles long and is

certainly be forever in your memory. It may be

definitely a special place because of the

the charm, the beauty or even the surprises,

waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the stunning

there is a lot to admire in the Dominican land.

mountains of the Cordillera del Norte. In this region you can enjoy a bit of everything, such as clean beaches such as SosĂşa, Cabarete and Playa Dorada, water sports, adventures in

WHERE TO STAY

the mountains and, of course, visit the TaĂ­no Museum and the Temple of the American. All

The Dominican Republic is one of the top

of them tell the story of the first inhabitants of

destinations in the world, where tourists and

the island. A real back to the past situation.

celebrities go, everyone who is looking for a

Whatever your destination is, the Dominican Republic is ready to surprise you. In addition to Santo Domingo, Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, there are also fascinating places like Samana,

tropical climate and a beautiful place. To keep this charm, the island offers a wide range of hotels and resorts.

To please all types of tourists and families, executive couples, adventurers, and many

DINING OUT

others, it is possible to chose from a luxury and sophisticated five star hotel, or a simple and

The Dominican Republic has a broad, rich

comfortable inn. Regardless of your preference,

and colorful cuisine that pleases everybody.

each one of them has its own characteristics,

With simplicity, even the most demanding

such as incredible views or even the quiet

tourists like it.

sound of a nearby stream.

Each region has a specialty, but overall, the

Many hotels have great restaurants, bars,

Dominican cuisine has a strong influence of

swimming pools, sports courts, activities for

the West Indies with dishes made of rice, fish,

children, beauty salons and even meeting rooms.

chicken and vegetables.

At some resorts there are golf courses, polo courts for practice and even private marinas.

At breakfast, there is the traditional ‘Mangú’, a blend of banana, cheese and bacon.

Most restaurants offer the ‘stew’, a kind of soup made with banana, avocado, corn and

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different kinds of meat. It is usually served

‘cassava bread’ - the basis of cassava pie; and

with rice, making it a more daring delicacy.

‘yaniqueques’ - flour bread fried in oil.

Another traditional dish is the “Dominican flag” consisting of rice, beans, meat,

For dessert, they put caramel over the fruits,

vegetables and fried plantains.

puddings and pies. There is also the ‘majarete’, made with milk, sugar, corn and cinnamon.

Many sauces, especially for fish, are made of coconuts. The ‘locrian’, made of seafood, meat,

Be sure to try the Dominican rum. Considered

garlic and oregano, reminds the Spanish paella.

one of the best in the world, it is worth trying

Other typical dishes are the ‘shofar’ - the type

it for its softness.

of rice; and the ‘sopon’, a sort of thick soup of veal, chicken and fish. Prepared on the Samaná Peninsula, the ‘fish with coconut’ is very popular for its unique taste.

Also try ‘tostones’ - pieces of fried green bananas; the ‘acatibia’ - a slurry of cassava pie;

An important tip: the additional 10% service is already included on the check, but people usually add another 10% if the service is really satisfying.

SHOPPING When it comes to shopping, the country is not behind a metropolis by comparison. There are from large shopping malls with international brands and even small shops with local crafts. In the capital, Santo Domingo, there is a concentration of shopping malls offering all kinds of necessities and luxuries such as clothes, leather goods, shoes, handbags, perfumes, cosmetics, books, jewelry, drinks

ART

and even games.

The Dominican culture is a mixture of various civilizations, as well as creating beautiful

The Dominican Republic is fascinating in

pieces, you can also find unique pieces made

breathtaking scenery, but the souvenirs cannot

of bone, cow horn and coconut shell. In

be forgotten. Some products are delicacies,

addition to handbags, shoes and hats made

found only in this region:

from sugarcane. Be sure to enjoy the ‘Lime’,

AMBER / LARIMAR

faceless dolls, symbol of the country.

Many jewelry designers use in their production

COFFEE

amber and larimar with gold and silver. These

Dominican coffee is famous for its unique flavors

beautiful semi-precious stones are genuine

and aromas. Produced in different regions of the

‘treasures’. The Dominican amber is considered

country, each one has a specific characteristic. All

the world’s most valuable, as well as being the

of them are hand-picked and processed within

most transparent ever found, it also has other

24 hours after harvest, this way it preserves

shades like purple, and even the rare blue.

the good quality of the grain. Found in major

Larimar, also called ‘Dominican turquoise’ is the

supermarkets and souvenir shops.

result of volcanic activity that occurred millions of years ago, it is found only in the southern region of the country and has some variations in color as blue with shades of green, white, brown or red. Its beauty is exceptional. The best place to buy them is at the Museum Amber and Larimar Museum in Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata.

CIGARS The cigars are part of culture and history of this country. Since its discovery, tobacco is used for religious activities, social and local ceremonies.

It currently has a wide variety of scents, colors and prices. They are produced manually and you can check this process at Centro Cultural

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invites you to take a ‘vitamin B’ do not be surprised. This is how they invite people to drink rum. This expression comes from the name of the top three brands in the country beginning with the letter B.

STREET MARKETS The street markets in the Dominican Republic happen at different times of the day. You should talk to the local residents to learn more.

The main ones are in Santo Domingo, where there are many tourists and traders.

The Market Model, in Santo Domingo, is at Avenida Mella. You can find all kinds of handicrafts, souvenirs and gifts. Another place worth mentioning is the Mercado Modelo, in Santiago. Where you can find all kinds of souvenirs with a great difference, it is not as crowded as the other markets in the capital.

In Punta Cana, there is the Higüey Public Market, located on Avenida Libertad. This can be considered a giant fair as there are numerous food stalls, from meats to fruits and local vegetables.

León in Santiago. Even those who do not appreciate, it’s worth checking the dedication

CURRENCY

and care in its manufacture.

The official currency is the Dominican Peso or

RUM

RD$. Four coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents. There are seven different values

Besides tobacco, the Dominican Republic is

​​for the grades: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000

also famous for producing rum. Considered

and 2000 Dominican pesos. One U.S. dollar is

one of the world’s best rum, the Dominican

about 40 Dominican pesos.

rum has smoothness and flavor as its main features. With many sugar cane plantations,

Dollars and Euros can be easily exchanged

the production does not stop, serving different

at currency exchange house or at any of

markets around the world. If any local resident

the various exchange authorized banks. It

is important to know that it is forbidden to enter and leave the country with more than $

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

10,000 in cash, if so you need to declare the value at the customs.

809

COUNTRY CODE

EMERGENCY

809-688-8727 LAS AMERICAS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SANTO DOMINGO)

809-947-2225 809-947-2297 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GREGORIO LUPERON (PUERTO PLATA)

809-291-000 PRESIDENT JUAN BOSCH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SAMANA)

809-338-5888 POLICE

809-455-1041 TOURIST INFORMATION

809-221-4660 TRANSPORT INFORMATION

809-530-9796