Dominican Republic / Island Essentials

Remember that the Dominican Republic is Spanish-speaking, so the moment you are away from tourist hubs you will need to know a few words. Bring a phrase book to help you along. Some vocabulary differs from Castilian Spanish but on the whole the wide ranging regional accents are quite easy to understand.

Measurements provide a conundrum: some are Imperial, others metric, so be prepared to convert. For example petrol is sold in gallons and cooking oil by the pint, but rum and beer are in litre or half litre bottles. Distances are in kilometres but land areas are measured in tareas, a local unit equivalent to 624 square metres. Food is measured in ounces and pounds.

All travellers to the Dominican Republic will need to know the essential island facts.  The information on the Dominican Republic shown below is current (2011-12).

Airports

Most international airlines fly into Santo Domingo and/or Punta Cana airports. Puerto Plata is used by some airlines and charter flights, and the new El Catey airport, in Samana, also receives charters. Flights from the USA serve all six of the coastal airports.

Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) – Santo Domingo
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) – east coast resorts
Gregorio Luperón International Airport/Puerto Plata (POP) – north coast
El Catey Airport (AZS) – for the Samana peninsula
La Romana International Airport (LRM) – for La Romana and Bayahibe
El Cibao International Airport (STI) – for Santiago
La Isabela International Airport (JBQ) – Santo Domingo domestic flights and some Caribbean destinations
Maria Montez Airport, Barahona, is only used by local charters and military aircraft.

Check-in/Check-out

Check-in time is 2 or 3 pm, and check-out a standard 12pm. Late check-outs can sometimes be arranged subject to availability. Most international flights arrive late afternoon and depart early evening, so these times work well.

Departure Tax/Taxes

There is a departure tax in the Dominican Republic of US$20. It is generally included in the price of the airline ticket so you will probably not have to pay in cash before you board the plane.

Electricity

Generally the electricity operates at 110 Volts/60 Hertz (same as North America). American style two pin plugs are standard so remember to bring adapters if needed. Voltage irregularities can be quite common in the Dominican Republic so you may want to travel with a surge guard to protect your electrical goods. 

There have been considerable efforts to improve the country’s electrical network in recent years, but if you travel around the island you should still expect power cuts. The large resort hotels tend to have their own generators.

Embassies/Consulates

British Embassy, Av 27 de Febrero No 233, Edificio Corominas Pepin, Santo Domingo, t 472 7111 

Canadian Embassy, 30 Maximo Gomez, Santo Domingo, t 685 1136 

US Embassy, Cesar Nicolas Penson, Santo Domingo, t 221 2171

Emergencies

In an emergency you can contact the Policia Turistica in Santo Domingo on t 221 4660 ext 285/286/287, or Puerto Plata on t 586 2331. The police generally don’t speak much English. 

Call 911 in any emergency medical situation.

Nudity

Nudity is not part of the Dominican beach scene. However topless sunbathing (mainly European women) is common on the tourist beaches of Punta Cana and round many hotel pools in that area, as well as on more secluded beaches near Las Terrenas and Cabarete. It is not advisable on beaches frequented by Dominican families. Caliente Caribe Resort near Puerto Plata is the only full naturalist resort in the country.

Service Charge/Tipping

In restaurants and hotels, a 10% service charge is added to your bill on top of the 16% sales tax, so be prepared for this when checking out prices. Waiters appreciate extra tips on top, if deserved.  Remember service is slower here, so relax and wait. Bell boys and maids should be tipped, roughly 50–100 pesos, again depending on time and effort.

Guides expect tips according to time spent and the size of group. Keep a stash of small notes for all these situations.

Time Zone

The Dominican Republic is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, which is four hours behind GMT, ie Britain in winter, and five hours behind Europe. During the winter it is an hour ahead of the eastern seaboard of the USA.

The Dominican Republic has no daylight saving time, so when the clocks change in summer in the northern hemisphere the island is five hours behind Britain, six behind Europe and on the same time as the American eastern seaboard.

Water

Local tap water should be avoided. Bottled water is sold in corner colmados, supermarkets and hotels (where it is often supplied free or for a minimal amount). Some hotels provide jugs of filtered water which is also reliable. Make sure you have a bottle with you if going on treks or long walks. It is not necessary to use bottled water for brushing teeth.