Destination Guide - Puerto Plata Entry RequirementsUS and Canadian citizens are required a valid passport or an original birth certificate along with a valid photo-bearing official document (driver's license or voter's registration). Minors may enter with their passport or an original birth certificate. A tourist card (US$10.00) must be purchased prior to arrival to the country at select Dominican consulates, at airline counters abroad, or at the airport upon arrival. Citizens of other countries should contact their closest Dominican Consulate. Visitors in general should reconfirm travel documentation requirements with the nearest Dominican consulate or tourism office. Things to doWhether you rent a car, drive a jeep or buy a ticket on an air-conditioned, luxury highway cruiser, this bewitching tropical land of contrasts awaits your discovery. When Christopher Columbus, the Dominican Republic’s first tourist, stepped ashore on this land over 500 years ago, he marveled at its beauty. Writing to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabela, he called it the most beautiful land the eyes of man have ever seen. To this day, there is no record of any visitor ever having contradicted him. Once you've visited the Dominican Republic, you may also agree that Columbus was right. It is certain that no other country could hope to match the profuse splendor of its intensely green valleys punctuated by scores of sparkling rivers, nor equal the awesome majesty of its towering mountains, nor rival the primitive beauty of its cactus-filled deserts, nor compete with the silvery allure of its innumerable beaches. Uniquely varied in its ecology, the Dominican Republic’s startlingly diverse landscape –together with its bustling metropolitan centers– is packed into just 18,712 square miles (48,484 square kilometers). From the glorious mountaintops of the Cordillera Central –known as the Dominican Alps– to the vast cultivated plains of the verdant Cibao, to the emerald slopes of the Southwest’s rugged coast rising straight from the sea, to the dazzling cities, to the golden, palm-lined shores stretching for kilometers, the warm and hospitable Dominican people will open their doors, their arms and their hearts to bid you welcome. Dominican HolidaysStores, banks and most businesses close on:
In the Dominican Republic, the following holidays will be celebrated on the closest Monday to the actual date:
Other holidaysGood Friday and Corpus Christi Day do not have fixed dates. Although most stores will remain open all day, note that it is customary among many Dominican businesses to work only half day on Holy Thursday, and December 23rd and 24th in preparation for Christmas festivities. This is important especially when planning a business gathering. General Information GeographyThe Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola Island, which it shares with Haiti, and is the second largest country in the Caribbean comprising an area of 18,712 square miles (48,484 square kilometers). It is bordered on the North by the Atlantic Ocean, and the South by the Caribbean Sea. LanguageSpanish is the official language. English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. Knowledge of German, Italian and French is becoming more widespread. Traffic signs and most menus in restaurants are in Spanish, although menus in tourist regions tend to be multilingual. TimeYear round the Dominican Republic is on the Atlantic Standard Time. Clocks are one hour ahead of time on the eastern seaboard of the US in the fall-winter and on the same time in the spring-summer. The DR is four hours ahead in regards to GMT time. ClimateThe average annual temperature is 77 degrees Fahrenheit with August being the warmest month and January the coolest. Summer temperatures range from 89 to 95 degrees and in the winter, from 75 degrees to 90 degrees. The most usual weather forecast is partly cloudy. Rain showers usually last five to ten minutes. PopulationThe nation's population is approximately 8 million inhabitants. Almost 3 million people live in Santo Domingo, the capital city. ElectricityAppliances run on 110 volts/60 cycles, the same as the U.S. Medical FacilitiesA doctor is on call at major hotels. These are stocked with medicine for the most common ailments. Ambulances are available, as is air ambulance evacuation. Emergency dental treatment can be provided if needed. Twenty-four hour pharmacies can be found in every major city. For travel health guidelines. Pet RegulationsThe Department of Animal Health requires proof of a rabies vaccination for dogs indicating that the inoculation was given 30 days prior to the animal’s arrival in the country. For both dogs and cats, a Health Certificate issued not more than 15 days prior to the animal’s arrival in the country is also required. If these requirements are not met, the animal will be quarantined upon arrival from 8 to 30 days, depending on its country of origin. Religious ServicesThough the country is 90% Roman Catholic, there are many Christian denominations, including Anglican, Baptist, Evangelical, Seventh Day Adventist, and Mormon. English services are held in some churches of the capital city. Santo Domingo’s synagogue holds a weekly service on Friday evenings at sundown. CommunicationsThe country's privately owned telephone company CODETEL, a Verizon subsidiary, and Tricom provide the Dominican Republic with one of the most sophisticated telecommunications systems in Latin America. France Telecom and Centennial Corporation are the newcomers to the Dominican telecommunications market. Services include international direct dialing, faxing, teleconferencing, electronic mail and videoconferencing. There is direct dial to the Dominican Republic using area code 809. Lifestyle Holidays Location:Right on Cofresi Beach |
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