DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TRAVEL GUIDE

All Inclusive
If you book a hotel with "All Inclusive" Service, you pay only once - when you
pay your vacation ... in the hotel you have everything free ! From drinks to food, some hotels offer 24 hour All Inclusive, others have the time limited to special hours. Please check back with your travel agent, what's actual included in the All Inclusive plan of each hotel.

Important :

To experience more of the Dominican Republic then only the hotel beach..., you need to take extra money or CreditCards to be able to book excursions to local sights or to do amazing actions tours. An excursions costs around 70.- USD. Also you need to take some money for souvenirs and as well you should try a good Dominican bar/restaurant - outside the hotel, that's where the Caribbean lives !



Beach
There are more than 300km of finest caribbean beaches to discover. Each area of the Island offers some special beach features, so you will find exactly - what you like most.

Specially known is Samana for swallow waters and unnumbered palm trees, as seen in various TV Commercials which have been taken here.


Business Services
Should you travel with business-purpose or need to stay in contact ...
you are right in the Dominican Republic. Many hotels offer services to
keep you in touch. There are Services from Secretary, Fax, Computers,
Meeting Facilities, Video Conference, Bodyguards, ... beside if the
basic services as Cellular Phones and Rent-a-Cars. For more information,
please contact us at http://www.domrom.com or eMail business@domrom.com


Carnival
Each Year in February, there is Carnival in the Dominican Republic and 500 years
of tradition comes to live. With new colors and each time with new, even more fascinating costumes, to honor the tradition.

The roots of the Dominican carnival are in Europe, Spain. As Columbus discovered the island 500 years ago, the Spanish settlers brought this tradition. Since this moment the European tradition has been adapted from the new, multicultural, Dominican Civilization and developed by their culture.

What you see in today's carnival is a, primary colorful and crazy spectacular with costumes and masks developed in 500 years of history. Each part of the Dominican Republic has a special kind of costumes and masks, which reflect their surrounding and live.

Beside of the "new" Costumes, you also find costumes and masks, which have their
roots in Africa. They came in the Dominican Republic in the process of slavery,
so with the Spanish conquerors in the late 15th century.

Without paying attention to the historic facts of the Dominican carnival, you will enjoy the colorful and wild spectacle. If you are visiting the Dominican
Republic in February you should not miss to visit "La Vega" or "Santiago", the cities with the oldest carnival tradition. Every weekend in February are big carnival happenings on the streets.


Casinos, Shows and Nightlife
After sun, beach and vacation-day you will find the tropical, lush nights of the Dominican Republic a true dream of a Caribbean night. With nightly temperatures
around 25°C you may find no time to sleep.

After dinner you may relax at the beach and when some time passed, check the Casino to try Ladies Luck ... most Casinos offer free entrance, free complementary drinks for players and live entertainment - like in Las Vegas !

When the party atmosphere rises to the top, you may change the location and move
to the Disco inside or outside the hotel area. With local people and tourists from all over the world, you will celebrate to Latin rhythms as well as to the
latest hits from Europe and the USA.

The party slows down, when the sun rise takes place and you may go to the beach,
to get the first warm rays of the Caribbean sun - all year long summer !


Children
Welcome to the children's paradise. Should you travel with your kid's ... there is no other tropical country which is predestinated like the Dominican Republic.

Basically the Dominican mentality is very children friendly and as an additional
feature, most local hotels offer special services - all around your kid's. No matter in which age, there is something to do and people who take care of them.

You will find plenty of time, for your personal recreation - while the kid's can waste all their energy with the trained hotel staff... sound's nice, isn't it !

Please check our hotel database for details on children facilities and check with you travel agent.


Clothing
The Dominican Republic is a country with SUMMER - all year long !
Bring summer, preferred 100% cotton clothing. Don't forget you hat or cap, to
protect you from sun. In general take you "home-clothing" to feel well. For events like the Casino, Disco or Dinner, you may choose some non-formal, but nice clothing. All depending on how YOU want to spend your vacation !


Communication
In the Dominican Republic, you are in the Caribbean paradise - but not in the jungle ! The Dominican Republic offers the modern and most complete communication network in Latin America, which is comparable with the USA or
Europe.

Hotels offer direct dialing telephones and fax-service. As well you may rent
a Cellular Handy-Phone, to keep contact with your people, wherever you are in
the Dominican Republic. For more information, please send us en eMail to handy@domrom.com .


Disease
The Dominican Republic is a tropical country, WITHOUT the usual tropical diseas.

The only things you have to watch out for is, not to eat too many fresh fruits, do not eat any "open" fruits on the street, do not drink too much alcohol in combination with fruits, do not eat ice-cream - unless offered from the hotel.

Check back with your doctor to prepare some standard medicine, which you always should carry when you travel.


Diving and Snorkeling
Welcome to Divers and Snorklers paradise. Here you will find, what you are looking for. With the professional dive guides, you will discover the Dominican
Republic - from the bottom ...

Most hotels have a Dive Base, which offers dive excursions for divers and snorklers, courses and equipment rentals.

For more information, please see what Treasure Divers - Boca Chica prepared for you.


Drugs
There is no kind of drug permitted in the Dominican Republic. The punishments are hard and direct. A Tourist trapped with drugs can be happy if he/she just have to leave the country - in general you would find yourself in a Dominican
Jail and even the embassy of your country wouldn't be able to help you out !


Enriquillo
Guarocuya, baptised as Enriquillo, was the most successful Taino-Indian Leader in the resistance against the Spanish conquerors. He leaded his tribe successfully against various attacks
of the Spanish conquerors. Finally, to honor the superior Indian leader, the Spanish conquerors decided to declare Guarocuya and his tribe as free and untouchable.

Enriquillo became the first hero of the Dominican Independence history. Today
you may find an Enriquillo monument in every bigger town.


Entrance and Departure Regulations
Citizen of all European and US American Countries may enter the Dominican Republic with an, at least, 3 month valid passport. When entering the Dominican
Republic you have to fill-out a Tourist Card and to pay 10.- USD, if not already
done by your travel agent. As well you need to pay 10.- USD departure tax.

Please check back with your travel agent if the entry- and departure tax are already paid with your ticket. If so, there should be a remark on your ticket.

For further information, please visit us in the Internet at http://www.domrom.com or send us an eMail to tax@domrom.com


Electricity
The Dominican Republic offers a 110Volt System, like in the USA.
Please get adaptor plugs for the American Plug System.


Excursions
Do not miss to see the real beauty of the Dominican Republic, while laying on the beach ! As the Dominican Republic is the second biggest island in the Caribbean, there are endless things to see and to explore. In the average, each visitor makes 2 excursions, because it's just fascinating to discover the beauty
of an exotic, tropical country with friendly people and without dangerous animals.

When doing your fist excursion, you will be impressed and realize, that there is never enough time to see it all.

When doing your second excursion, you will be even more curious.

When doing your third excursion - you want to stay ...


Fauna
More then 60 species of Amphibis and around 140 of reptiles form the biggest versatility in the area of the Antilles. Beside of peaceful turtles, there is also the American crocodile, which you may discover in the Lago Enriquillo.

More then 258 species of exotic birds make up the colorful program in the air.

There are also registered more than 30 kinds of mammals, which enclose the Dominican whales and the very rare Manati - the SeaCow.


Flora
There are more then 5600 kinds of registered plants in the Dominican Republic.

The photographer or nature-friend may find may different zones of vegetation,
among steppe, tropical forest, Pine Forest, Swamp and even Rainforest.

The most frequent domestic kinds are the orchids. With 67 splendid species and
approx. 300 classified varieties.


Food and Beverages
Experience the versatility of the Creole and international cuisine. Hotels and Restaurants offer the finest choice of fish, meat and vegetable dishes ... All Inclusive(Link) or "A La Carte". Try everything you wanted to try, here you can get it ! Tasty native Dominican dishes, Mexican, Brazilian, Italian, Spanish,
French, ... there is everything available in the touristic areas of the Dominican Republic, at prices you would not think about ... especially friends
of seafood will love the Dominican Republic.

Local brands of beverages have a well reputation, all over the world and you may
drink as much as you can ... in an All Inclusive plan. If you are an individual
visitor, without All Inclusive plan, you will find the prices very reasonable.


Fruits and Vegetables
The high amount of exotic fruits and vegetables may impress you. There are fruits, you never saw before and you will like to taste them all. Please
take your time, don't eat them all at once - so you can enjoy your vacation,
without spending a entire day in your hotel rooms "lonely place" ...


General Information
The Dominican Republic is located in the heart of the Caribbean and occupies 2/3 of the island of Hispaniola with a total surface of 77.914km2. The other part of the island is occupied from Haiti.

In the year 1492 Columbus discovered Hispañola. Before his discovery, the island
was populated by the aborigines - the Taino Indians(Link) and was called "Mother Earth - Quisqueya".


Island Name        Hispaniola = little Spain
Country Name    Republica Dominicana / Dominican Republic
Language        Spanish / In touristic areas also English
Population     9 Mio
continent     Continental America
Ocean in the north     Atlantic Ocean
Ocean in the south     Caribbean Sea
Neighbors        Haiti in the west
Highest point     Pico Duarte 3175m
Deepest point     Lago Enriquillo -40m under sea-level
Capital         Santo Domingo around 3Mio citizen
Independence     27.02.1844
Surface     48.442 km2
   
Religion        Roman-Catholic
Export     Iron-Nickel, Sugar, Gold Coffee, Cocoa, Tobacco
Import Petrol, Consumption Goods


Golf
Lush tropical, green valleys, long beaches and bizarre coastlines are the perfect base for world class Golf Course designers to create some of the worlds
greatest courses. Wherever you are in the Dominican Republic, you will find a great Golf Course, always with the special characteristics of the location and always with a great program to entertain your entire family, even if they don't like Golf !

Please see our Golf-Course descriptions :

Links on our DOMROM CD-ROM :
Casa de Campo Golf - La Romana
Bavaro Beach Resort Golf - Bavaro
Metro Golf & Coutry Club - Juan Dolio
Playa Dorada Golf Club - Playa Dorada
Playa Grande Golf Club


Holidays
01.01 New Year
06.01 Holy three kings
21.01 Day of the holy virgin of Altagracia
26.01 Birthday of the national hero Juan Pablo Duarte
27.02 Independence Day
April Easter week / Semana Santa
01.05 Int. Labor Day
16.08 Restoration Day
24.09 Day of the Patrons
06.11 Constitution day
25.12 Christmas


History
4800 b.C.
The "Siboneyes" occupied the island

200 a.C.
The Taino Indians settled from South America, through the Small Antilles, to "Hispañola" - which they called Quisqueya (Mother of the Earth).

05.12.1492
Christoph Columbus landed the first time on the Island, which he named Hispaniola (little Spain). He arrived with 3 boats, the "Santa Maria", the "Nina" and the "Pinta" near of today's Cap Haitien, where he constructed "Fortress Navidad", the "Fort Christmas".

1493
On his second journey Columbus found the fortress destroyed and decided to settle on an other part of Hispañola, in "La Isabela" next to todays city of Luperon.


1519 - 1533
Enriquillo leaded the most successful resistance against the Spanish conquerors.

11.01.1586
The English pirate, Sir Francis Drake, robbed Santo Domingo.

1605
The French started setlements at the north and west side of the island.

1697
By contract was defined, that France owns the west part of Hispañola and that Spain owns the eastern part.

1802
Napoleon's troops entered into Santo Domingo.

1804
Independence of Haiti from the French empire

09.02.1822
the Haitian president, Jean Pierre Boyer, entered with his troops into Santo Domingo and declared an undevideable Island of Hispaniola, what should have meant, that the entire island should be haitian.

16.07.1838
Juan Pablo Duarte founded the secret league called "Trinitaria" that later lead the land to the independence of Haiti.


27.02.1844
Proclamation of Independence.
Juan Pablo Duarte, Ramon Mella and Francisco de Rosario Sanchez (Trinitaria), declared the first Republic. Today, these men are honored by monuments, street names, parks, ...

1861
The Republic annexed to spain and lost the independence.

1865
Leaded by  General Luperon, the restauration of the Republic was declared.

1885
Ulices Hereaux (Li Li) inicialized the first dictature, until he was murdered in 1899.

1907
An agreement which allowed to overtake control and administration of all taxes was signed with the U.S..

1916
The first invasion of USA, the independence of the Republic was lost.

1924
The USA retire their troops and leave the country.

16.08.1930 - 1961 ( 30.5 Years )
Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina, shortform : Trujillo, build up one of the worst
dictatorship of Latin America. He renamed Santo Domingo in "Ciudad Trujillo", the Pico Duarte in "Pico Trujillo", just to point out his force. His dictatorship took until his murder ...

1947
Trujillo paied all debbits of the Republic and created the Dominican currency,
the Dominican Peso - Peso Oro, as well as the Central Bank.

1961
Trojillo was murdered

1961-65
The country lived various political crisises under different governments.

1965
The second invasion of US Troops in the Dominican Republic.

10.07.1966
Joaquin Balaguer became president.

1990
Balaguer became president of the Dominican Republic, for the 7th time.

1992
To honor Columbus, Balaguer realized the construction of the Columbus Lighthouse, the Faro a Colon - 500 years after the discovery of Hispaniola.


Insects
Hotels are mostly free of insects. A general problem are ordinary mosquitoes.
You should bring plenty of Insect-Repellant Spray, or you may buy it here.


Internet
We offer complete OnLine Information on the Dominican Republic and the most
useful Links to related sites. Visit us at www.domrom.dom or send us an eMail with your questions to questions@domrom.com


Ice-cream
Please be careful when eating ice-cream, make sure you prefer Ice-cream from the
hotels kitchen or from the hotels minimarkets, as these places are taking care about the security of food and the good time of your vacation.

In tropical countries you should always be careful with the consumption of certain kinds of food, especially food which needs to be stored cold.


Money
The Dominican currency is the "Peso Oro Dominicano", short form "Peso" or RD$.
1 Peso consists of 100 Centavo and the actual exchange rate is
16 RD$ = 1 USD (24.10.1999)

Everywhere welcome are USD in cash or Travelers Checks. Also well accepted are
Visa, Master and the American Express Credit Cards.

To receive a better value for your money, travel with USD or USD Travelers Checks.


Motoconchos
Motoconchos are motorbike taxis, for the transportation of the local population.
Please do not use this way of transportation, even if it is unexpensive and fast. Motoconchos are not supposed to be used for the transportation of tourists and there is no permission for them to do it.

If you should have an accident while riding on one of the "wild bikes", no insurance will cover the costs.

The Dominican Taxis are well equipped, very comfortable and economic.


Motorbikes
Should you plan to rent a motorbike, you have to be aware ... there is not insurance for rent-a-bike's for the touristical use. That means, that you would probably have to pay all damages, which result from an accident, from your own
pocket ! You also would have to replace the Motorbike if it gets lost / stolen !

Beside of this, it is very dangerous to drive in the Dominican Republic !

Just observe the traffic on one of the mainroads located in your area ... if you
still decide to rent a bike do NEVER drive at night, as the danger becomes incalculable !

Please consult your tour guide for the best place - where to rent a bike !


Music
Bachata and Merengue are you steady company in the Dominican Republic. No matter where you sit, stand, walk ... the rhythm is always around and you should not miss it to take some of this music home.

Bachata is the native Dominican music, wich has it's roots here. You won't find it on other Caribbean islands, expected it's imported from the Dominican Republic. Merengue in the contrary has become a Music style, which varies from country to country.


Mail
There are governmental and private mail services in the Dominican Republic.
The Services are relaible and more or less fast.

Partys
To party is the main interest, of the Dominican population. Preferred is the beach and you will find it quite understandable with around 30°C at daytime and around 25°C at night.


Photo & Film
If you are one of many, who visit the Dominican Republic with the interest
of photography, you will find well developed Photo-Shops all over the island.

The company "Planet Photo" has established a network of shops, in all touristical areas of the Dominican Republic.


Prices
The Dominican culture has certain specialties, you just need to know.

When we talk about prices, we are usual talking about bargain, at least in
places where tourist buy their souvenirs. So, if you are going to shop for souvenirs, you always should ask for a discount, or better - tell the price you would like to pay ! Usual you should ask for a good discount...


Quisqueya
As the Taino Indians discovered the Island today called Hispaniola, around 200 a.C., they named this peace of land - in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, Quisqueya. Which means in the Taino Language "Mother Earth"


Rent-a-Car
If you should to decide to discover the beauty of the Dominican Republic, the best way is to do a guided tour with your travel agent. There are lot's of excursions in different price ranges.

However, if you decide to rent a car, you should go with a local company. To prevent problems with small Rent-a-Car companies and not insured cars - best if you ask your tour guide for a good tip - where to rent a car.

We do not suggest you to rent a car, but if you do it - drive only at daytime !

to rent a car, you have to be able to present a valid drivers license, passport and a Credit Card.


Security
Most hotels offer security boxes in the rooms - use them. It's NOT that the Dominican Republic is a "criminal" county, the contrary - it's one of the countrys with the lowest crime-rate worldwide !

You just should avoid to look like a millionaire, when walking on the beach or when going shopping in the close located villages. Put on your jewelry when dining or visiting the Casino or the Hotel Disco.


Siesta
That's what we like most about the daytime, the Siesta. It's the break in the middle of the day, generally begins at 12.00 and finishes at 2pm. Enough time
to have a good meal and to rest some in the shadow of a palm tree.

At this time the sun burns hot and does not allow you to move too much ...


Sun
The rays of the sun are very intensive in the Dominican Republic and the entire
Caribbean. You should use a high protecting sun-blocker (>20). At Siesta time you should avoid the sun and look for the shadow. Even when sitting in the shadow, you will get more "tan" than you would ever expect !

When bathing in the sun, you may not realize the intensity of the sun, as there is always a fresh breeze from the ocean and you will feel comfortable - but the sun burns !


Sport
The Dominican Republic offers you all the sports activities you can imagine.
There is even a worlwide known Windsurf area in Cabarete - north coast of the
Country.

The hotels offer lot's of activities, so almost all hotels offer :
Sauna, Gym, Sailing, Bikes, Diving, JetSki, Deep Sea Fishing, Wind Surfing, Horseback riding, Tennis, different ball games, and much more ... check the hotel database for detailles. Sorry, but you cannot ski in the Dominican Republic ...


Shopping
In general the opening hours are from 9am-1pm and from 2pm-7pm, may vary from
your location. You may find a rich selection of domestic and foreign products of all necessities.

The Dominican Republic has worldwide good reputation for the gem-stones Amber, the light blue Larimar and Dominican Black Coral. Harrison's Fine Caribbean Jewelers is the leading company in this branch.


Souvenirs
The most common souvenirs are Rum, Cigars, Cigarettes, Coffee, Music, Native Art, Taino Ceramics and other handcrafted articles.

Be aware not to pay more than necessary, just ask your tour guide for the best places to buy or check for local shopping guides (maps).

Some dealers offer Shells, Coral Stones, Turtle Shells, dried Fishes, ... all this is illegal and you should be aware to buy this things, as the export and import to foreign countries is against international law. With not buying this kind of souvenirs, you will support the local wildlife protection and later, when your children visit the Dominican Republic, they may be able to see a still perfect nature.


Taino Indians
The Taino Indians were the aborigines of what is the Dominican Republic today.

200 a.C. the Tainos came from South America and left parts of their culture and civilization on all their stops on the islands of the Small Antilles.

The Tainos have been organized into tribes and lived together in a big, round house - called "Caney". Only the leader lived in his own house called "Bohio"

The Taino culture had a highly developed artistic knowledge and they created ceramic works for religious and daily use. There have been found unnumbered pieces of ceramics for ceremonies, rituals, ambulates.

A company with a worldwide reputation for Taino Art Replications are the Brother Guillen, who are located in Santo Domingo - Dominican Republic. They deliver reconstructions of Taino Art Relicts to museums, as well as for the private collector - for very reasonable prices.

Please see the Taino Art Section for more exiting pictures.

As Columbus discovered Quisqueya (the island of the Dominican Republic) and the Spanish settlement took place, conflicts occurred between the Tainos and the conquerors. To the late 16th century, the Taino Indian Civilization was eliminated.

The most successful Taino Indian Leader, in protecting his tribe from the conquerors, was Enriquillo.


Telephone
See communication


Temperatures
You only will feel the tropical heat, if there is no wind - which is very rare.
In general the temperature is around 30°C in the shadow at daytime and around
25°C at night.

If you like it a little colder, no problem. Turn on the air-condition in your hotel room or visit the hotel Disco or Casino, which are mostly air-conditioned.


Tips & Tax
If you leave your hotel to go shopping or to enjoy some Dominican or International dishes in local restaurants there are certain tips and tax to pay.

Check in the restaurant, if the taxes are included - just ask the waiter.
If not, you have to calculate 10% Service Fees and 8% Tax. Further you may give a tip of around 10%.

Hotels with "All Inclusive" do not give you the opportunity to give a "tip", as you do not need to pay for anything. However, if you are satisfied with the service, you are very welcome to show this with a small "tip" and you help the always friendly and busy waiter/waitress a lot. The quality of service is very high, but a little "tip" is always wellcome...


Taxi
Taxis are a comfortable and safe way of transportation. Taxi in touristic areas are especially licensed and the drivers know almost everything, which is worth to be seen. There are fixed prices for specific distances, however you should negotiate the complete price for your Taxi-Trip, before you start it. Signs in your hotel should give you information on the prices, if not just ask the hotel staff. If you use a Taxi for the entire day, you are supposed to pay a "common" lunch for the driver, that's about USD 3.-.

A Taxi ride should be on your program, when visiting the Dominican Republic, as
it brings you very close to the local people and life. If you go with some friends in one Taxi, you can divide the costs and share the fun ...


Vaccinations
In general there are no vaccinations needed, consult your doctor for "thinks you always should carry".


Weddings
You will never forget - Your wedding in paradise. The Dominican Republic is worldwide known as a wedding-paradise, as there are only some paperwork's to do, which may be done by your travel agent. To marry in paradise is as easy
as to marry at home - or even easier ... but much more exiting ! Ask your travel agent for details.


Water
You CAN NOT drink the tap-water, even if it is in very good conditions, it is NOT drinkable ! Drinkwater is available in smaller and bigger bottles, however in an All Inclusive hotel - every kind of beverage is included in the price you paid for your vacation.