About Dominican Republic

General Information

• Capital: Santo Domingo
• Area: 48,730 km²
• Population: 8,950,100
• Language: Spanish, English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas and large cities. Knowledge of German, Italian and French is also common in resort towns.
• Currency: Dominican Peso
• Climate: Temperatures usually fluctuate from a high of 33ºC (91ºF) in August to a chilly 17ºC (62ºF) on winter mornings. Temperatures between summer and winter usually fluctuate less than ten degrees.
• Time: Atlantic Standard Time all year long.

The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of La Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti, and is the second largest country in the Caribbean, comprising an area of 48,198 square kilometers (29,948 square miles). It is bordered on the north by the Atlantic Ocean and on the south by the Caribbean Sea. Native Indian tribes of the Caribbean and South America were the first inhabitants of this island. Spanish settlers followed on the heels of Admiral Christopher Columbus after his landing on 5 December 1492.

Travel information 

If travelling from Europe many international airport fly direct for very reasonable pricing, as form The Netherlands, Spain, France, Great Britain and Germany to one of the six (6) international Dominican Airports or have only one stop flight arrangement thru other countries. If travelling from the USA flight time is limited to about two (2) hours from Miami and only three and a half (3 1/2) hours from New York City.  

A passport or equivalent National identity document is required to travel to the Dominican Republic. All legal residents in the USA, Canada, Venezuela and the European Union, with some exceptions, may enter the country with the purchase of a tourist card at the local Dominican airport as long as they bear an uptodate passport or National identity Document. The U$10 tourist card allows a stay of thirty (30) days, extensions at an additional fee. A departure tax of U$20 is applicable, although it may be included within the Airline ticket. Citizens of other countries should contact their carrier or the closest Dominican embassy or consulate representative to reconfirm travel documentation requirements.                                    

If you are travelling with children to or from the Dominican Republic, who has either not your surname or no parenthood or legal guardianship can be prooven, special documentation will be required. Please consult your Foreign Appairs Department or closest Dominican embassy or consulate representative in such case.                                                       

Activities

Due to the diverse landscape the Dominican Republic offers a variety of activities to enjoy from sunbathing on the white sandy beaches, spectacular golf courses, and breathtaking mountain waterfalls and lush rainforests. Therefore, for either relaxation or outdoor sports activities there is much to explore and do, the nature beauty of the island and the excitement of its festivals and events, the great local cuisine and the fun filled nights with great music and drinks will capture your imagination and refresh your soul.

Places to visit

SANTO DOMINGO
Santo Domingo is the oldest city in the New World, where the settlement of all the Americas began. See the first cathedral, the first hospital. Wander down cobble stone streets among the Spanish colonial architecture and imagine how things were back in the 1600s. Santo Domingo is the most bustling and diverse city in the Caribbean. It has a population of over three million inhabitants within the city and the Province of Santo Domingo and sprawls out over 250 square kilometers.

No other city in the Caribbean has a greater variety of restaurants and night life. There are so many restaurants in this city that it is practically impossible even for those who live here to have visited them all. And it's a city that never sleeps. A great place to meet people many young single executives who come here to work end up leaving (if they leave) married to a Dominican.

CARIBBEAN SOUTH EAST COAST
South-East of Santo Domingo start the Caribbean coastline with its calm seas, breathtaking beaches, coral formations and close-by virgin islands all within reach. Following the road along Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, La Romana, Higuey towards Punta Cana and Playa Bavaro, we pass inlands endless sugar can fields and rough landscapes, ending in lush beach areas. Tourism and Sugar Industry are the main focus in this part.
A good harmony between Caribbean relaxation and adventures exploration are at hand. Guided tours are an excellent way to experience this region, since there are relatively few attractions within walking or busing distance. Some of the excursions available are: Jeep Safaris, Santo Domingo City Tour, Santo Domingo Night Tour, Altos De Chavon artists village/River boat ride, Cueva Fun (and its seven-kilometer long underground river), Los Haitises and the mangroves park, Saona and Catalina Island.

The Punta Cana destination is made up of the areas (going from south to north) of Cap Cana (Juanillo), Punta Cana, Cabeza de Toro, Bavaro, El Cortecito, Arena Gorda, Macao and Uvero Alto. Today, the East Coast beach strip is one of the best choices for those seeking the perfect beach and R&R (rest and relaxation). This is a place for vegging out miles of silky-fine white sand, deserted beaches with coconut palms. The area is attractive for explorers. If you rent a 4x4, venture out to discover a magnificent world of caves, mangroves, private beaches in the nearby Hato Mayor and El Seibo provinces.

EMERALD SOUTH WEST COAST
The South-West area is known by its strong contrast of landscape and natural beauty. Driving to San Cristobal, Bani, Azua, Barahona upto Pedernales, you pass along the sloops of the Cordillera Central Mountains ending in exotic deserted beaches combined with deep green vegetation and mangrove forest. Tourism has little catch on this area, in which fishery and agriculture (fruit/cattle/sugar cane) are main inhabitants focus. The mountain area has a great resource of minerals, which are professionally exploited on several locations. Except gold, nickel and iron ore, the larimar (green blue) precious stone is exclusive for the Dominican Republic.
Nature lover can exploit untouched Marine live and a strong variety on landscape between tropical forestry and African savanna; giving shelter to an enormous species of animal life (flamingo, colibrí, elger, parrot, fregatbird, crocodile, leguana and others).
The South-West Coast offers great perspective for ecotourism and adventures outdoor activities (canyoning, rafting, mountain trekking, diving, and bird watching) within nature’s best ambiance.

CIBAO VALLEY
The Cibao Valley is positioned diagonal through the Northern part of the Dominican Republic between Cordillera Central and de Cordillera Septentrional mountain ridges passing Bonao, LaVega, Santiago till MonteCristi. Its fertile soil taking care of Dominicans major food production, such as for instance rice, fruits, coffee and tobacco. The two inland cities of Constanza and Jarabacoa are the jewels in the crown of the Central Mountain Range, the tallest range in the Caribbean, sometimes referred to as the Dominican Alps. Santiago, a city with great historical value, forms the industrial, trade and cultural centre of Cibao area. The valley is great for extreme sports such as river-rafting, cascading, canyoning, paragliding, mountain biking, quad-riding, horseback riding, mountain trekking, in addition to less taxing hikes and bird-watching excursions. International known for its eco-tourism opportunities (more then the Emerald Coast line) and locally known for its mild climate, and relaxed “second home” atmosphere with breathtaking sceneries.

AMBER NORTH COAST & SAMANA
The north coast has been the historical start of European exploitation of the island Hispaniola. With the port of Puerto Plata as passage for settlers, traders and pirates. Nowadays authentic gingerbread houses and touristic developments are found in close harmony with each other along the coastline. Within a day, you can enjoy the beauty of the green hills of the Cordillera Septentrional Mountain, the fertile sugar cane lowlands and the rough coastline. On the road towards the penisula Samana, you pass numerous villages and resorts, offering beautiful beachfronts and rock formations. The combination of exotic beachline, continuous trade wind and rough underwater scenery offers an ideal location for adventures water sport activity. Playa Dorado, Sosua and Cabarete are specially known for its wind/kite surfing, sailing and diving opportunities.

The city of Nagua forms the entrance of the peninsula Samana. Except its beautiful beaches, panoramic sceneries and relaxed atmosphere, the main attractions are the natural Park of Los Haitises and the yearly whale watching event. Parque National Los Haitises  offers a capricious and fascinating view of rock formations, mangrove forestry in which bird -and marine wildlife is found untouched. In the months of December till April in and around the Bay of Samana numerous whales can be observed at very close range. Watching such big mammol jump out of the sea will be an experience never to forget.

Mountains of the Cordillera Samana, river creeks, white unspiled sand beaches, tropical vegetations, deep blue sea are all part of the peninsula of Samana. Tourism has discovered Samana at limited scale, along the main road through Samana peninsula, several exclusive resorts are present amongst villages like Las Terrenas, Port of Samana, Las Galeras and LoasCacaos, which still breathe an atmosphere of relaxation as if the time stood still.