travel tips | dominican republic (eng.)

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

TRAVEL TIPS

VISÃO GERAL ATRAÇÕESTRANSPORTE COMPRAS ONDE FICAR ONDE COMEROVERVIEW ATTRACTIONSTRANSPORTATION SHOPPINGWHERE TO STAY WHERE TO EAT

OVERVIEW

The Dominican Republic, the first place where Christopher Columbus arrived in America, is known for its vibrant colors and great landscapes and has many attractions to every kind of tourist.

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, it has miles of coast are filled with crystal clear waters. With pleasant temperatures all year round, beaches and waterfalls become even more charming.

You can have fun practicing outdoor sports, adventuring in the numerous parks, or relaxing on the beaches. For those who enjoy the excitement, the nightlife is definitely lively and effervescent festivals at the world-famous casinos.

The Dominican people are also an attraction because of their kindness and joy. Visitors witness a unique cultural experience, because the country had different cultural influences such as Spanish, French, Haitian and even African.

Spanish is the official language, but as a country that attracts many tourists, the professionals who work in tourist hotels also speak English.

People that go to the Dominican Republic usually say that country provides a sensory feast for visitors. There are countless attractions for the entertainment of tourists and to admire the stunning beaches, venture into the majestic forests, delight in the simple and tasty cuisine, and gain knowledge with local stories and learn about the surprising past of the island, still present in the architectural monuments.

DUFRY TRAVEL TIPSDOMINICAN REPUBLIC

EASTThe region has one of the most popular items in tourism. The east coast is the sought after destination for those seeking peaceful days 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.

SOUTHEASTResponsible 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.

The tropical climate is predominant on the 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.

It’s definitely a fascinating destination where nature did not spare efforts and produced stunning landscapes with multiple shades of green and blue. To understand what each region has the best to offer follow the tips below, divided by regions:

NORTHThe 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.

NORTHEASTFor nature lovers, this region offers amazing experiences for its beauty and simplicity. Frequented by naturalists and ecotourists, you can admire splendid beaches with beautiful coral reefs. In Samana history remains alive because it was the port where Christopher Columbus arrived at the ‘New World’.

The regional festivals occur throughout the year and they are always exciting and a lot of fun. Some of them are the Merengue Festival 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, Sosúa and Cabarete.

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

January: New Year’s Day (1.), Day of the Three Kings (6), Day of Our Lady of Altagracia (21) and Juan Pablo Duarte Day (26).

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)


TRANSPORT

The island offers great options for getting around. See below how each service works.

CAR RENTALAvailable at major airports and tourist cities in the country, there are several companies that rent cars. If your destination is the north coast, this is an excellent choice. There are good roads and you will be amazed at every turn with the amazing Dominican countryside.

TAXIIt is safe and reliable to go around the streets of the Dominican Republic by taxi. The hotels and airports have registered companies

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

METROOpened in 2009, the subway is present only in the capital, connecting Santo Domingo to La Feria North, passing through busy highways such as Maximo Gomez y Correa and Cidrón. In addition, part of its route, goes by the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo and important buildings and shopping centers.

PRIVATE BUSAs the Dominican Republic is a tourist country, there are numerous companies that offer transportation throughout the island, every day of the week. Depending on the distance, you can pay about $ 10 for a trip of 140 miles.

BUSThere 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.

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

HELICOPTERSFor 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 culture rich in history.


CARNIVALIn 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.

CASINOSThere 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.

MUSEUMSWith so much history to tell, this beautiful country has cultural relics. One of the main museums is the Amber Museum which hosts fossil resin collections, including from the movie Jurassic Park, with the famous mosquito. There is also the Museum of Royal Houses, the Museum of the Dominican Family, the Alcázar de Colón and La Isabela, showing the country’s history. The Museum of Dominican Man is the right place to find art before the discovery.

NATIONAL PARKSThe Dominican lands are excellent to the practice of ecotourism. There are numerous national parks, full of nature with magnificent

waterfalls and rivers. Located in the north of the island, be sure to visit the Goat Island National Park, which hosts the most important colony of American crocodiles. There is also the Eastern National Park, located near La Romana, which has beautiful beaches with spectacular caves.

These are just some of the many Dominicans National Parks, each of them is known by its own characteristics, secluded beaches, beautiful lakes, trails ready for discoveries, and many other experiences that only the Dominican Republic can provide.

SANTO DOMINGOSanto 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 CANAPunta 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.


PUERTO PLATAIts coastline is about 62 miles long and is definitely a special place because of the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the stunning mountains of the Cordillera del Norte. In this region you can enjoy a bit of everything, such as clean beaches such as Sosúa, Cabarete and Playa Dorada, water sports, adventures in the mountains and, of course, visit the Taíno Museum and the Temple of the American. All of them tell the story of the first inhabitants of the island. A real back to the past situation.

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,

La Romana, Santiago and many others that will certainly be forever in your memory. It may be the charm, the beauty or even the surprises, there is a lot to admire in the Dominican land.

WHERE TO STAY

The Dominican Republic is one of the top destinations in the world, where tourists and celebrities go, everyone who is looking for a 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 others, it is possible to chose from a luxury and sophisticated five star hotel, or a simple and comfortable inn. Regardless of your preference, each one of them has its own characteristics, such as incredible views or even the quiet sound of a nearby stream.

Many hotels have great restaurants, bars, swimming pools, sports courts, activities for children, beauty salons and even meeting rooms. At some resorts there are golf courses, polo courts for practice and even private marinas.

DINING OUT

The Dominican Republic has a broad, rich and colorful cuisine that pleases everybody. With simplicity, even the most demanding tourists like it.

Each region has a specialty, but overall, the Dominican cuisine has a strong influence of the West Indies with dishes made of rice, fish, chicken and vegetables.

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


different kinds of meat. It is usually served with rice, making it a more daring delicacy. Another traditional dish is the “Dominican flag” consisting of rice, beans, meat, vegetables and fried plantains.

Many sauces, especially for fish, are made of coconuts. The ‘locrian’, made of seafood, meat, garlic and oregano, reminds the Spanish paella. Other typical dishes are the ‘shofar’ - the type 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;

‘cassava bread’ - the basis of cassava pie; and ‘yaniqueques’ - flour bread fried in oil.

For dessert, they put caramel over the fruits, puddings and pies. There is also the ‘majarete’, made with milk, sugar, corn and cinnamon.

Be sure to try the Dominican rum. Considered one of the best in the world, it is worth trying it for its softness.

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 and even games.

The Dominican Republic is fascinating in breathtaking scenery, but the souvenirs cannot be forgotten. Some products are delicacies, found only in this region:

AMBER / LARIMARMany jewelry designers use in their production amber and larimar with gold and silver. These beautiful semi-precious stones are genuine ‘treasures’. The Dominican amber is considered the world’s most valuable, as well as being the most transparent ever found, it also has other shades like purple, and even the rare blue. Larimar, also called ‘Dominican turquoise’ is the 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.

ARTThe Dominican culture is a mixture of various civilizations, as well as creating beautiful pieces, you can also find unique pieces made of bone, cow horn and coconut shell. In addition to handbags, shoes and hats made from sugarcane. Be sure to enjoy the ‘Lime’, faceless dolls, symbol of the country.

COFFEEDominican coffee is famous for its unique flavors and aromas. Produced in different regions of the country, each one has a specific characteristic. All of them are hand-picked and processed within 24 hours after harvest, this way it preserves the good quality of the grain. Found in major supermarkets and souvenir shops.

CIGARSThe 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


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

RUMBesides tobacco, the Dominican Republic is also famous for producing rum. Considered one of the world’s best rum, the Dominican rum has smoothness and flavor as its main features. With many sugar cane plantations, the production does not stop, serving different markets around the world. If any local resident

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 MARKETSThe 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.

CURRENCYThe official currency is the Dominican Peso or RD$. Four coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents. There are seven different values â€‹â€‹for the grades: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 Dominican pesos. One U.S. dollar is about 40 Dominican pesos.

Dollars and Euros can be easily exchanged at currency exchange house or at any of the various exchange authorized banks. It

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

809-947-2225809-947-2297

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

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

travel tips | dominican republic (eng.)

Documents