Dominican Republic travel tips

There are a number of Dominican Republic travel tips which worth knowing prior to your holiday.

Sun block

That is very obvious I hear you say ! Well the Dominican Republic enjoys warm tropical weather year round, so don`t forget to take sun block. On my first trip we took my partner`s six year old son who is very fair skinned. We applied a factor 50 sun block and he was fine. I on the other hand went swimmimg without sun blockout when it was cloudy and got burned!

Spanish is he main language although many employees in hotels and resorts speak at least some English. It can be fun to learn a few words before you leave and this will be appreciated by the Dominicans. Please be patient with employees who are trying to understand you.

Electricity

Electricity in the Dominican Republic operates at 110 Volts/60 Hertz,the same as it does in the United States. If you are from the US you will not need a converter however if you are from England you will. You will need an adapter to fit the electrical point on the left.

There are voltage irregularities in the country and which can result in either a reduction or surge in voltage. I have also experienced the occasional power cut although most resorts will have back up generators. Dominican Republic travel tips advice is to consider taking surge protection, particularly for important appliances such as computers.

Internet access

I found that all large resorts have internet access.

Telephone

Most cell phone companies have service within the Dominican Republic and telephones are widely available at resorts. To call to the United States from the country, visitors need only dial an area code and phone number as they would at home.

To dial home from the UK phone -011 44 plus the area code [but without the zero] ie 011 44 1934 123456

The local time zone is Eastern Caribbean Time (GMT -0400). The Dominican Republic is four hours ahead of GMT time, therefore if you are flying from the UK at 9am and arriving 9 hours later, it will be 2pm in the Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic travel tipsadvice for dealing with jet lag is to try to stay up when you get there. Don`t immediately go to bed, have a few drinks and stay up until later. It works !

For those coming from the USA, clocks are one hour ahead of those on the US eastern seaboard in the fall-winter, but keep the same time in the spring-summer.

The Dominican Republic does not observe daylight savings time.

Tipping is widely practiced. While restaurants automatically add 10 percent service charge to the bill it's customary to give an additional tip of up to 10 percent. Tips are also given to taxi drivers, hotel maids (even at all-inclusives) and porters. If you are going to an all inclusive a good Dominican Republic travel tipsadvise taking a quantity of dollars and leaving one or two for the maid at regular intervals. That way you tend to get great service and a few extras in the fridge !

Tourist card

On arrival, most visitors are required to purchase a tourist card for US$10 and then pay a US$20 departure tax at the airport upon departure. It is always a pain to fill this out after a long journey but what the heck!

One half of the document will be taken upon entry into the country, the other half will be taken upon departure. Put this second half in a safe place for the duration of your trip. The Tourist Card is good for up to 30 days.

Dollars must be used to purchase the tourist card. No coins or other currency, including Dominican pesos, are accepted. You won`t find ATM`s around in the immigration area so it is nearly impossible for visitors to get cash upon arrival. Travelers cheques and credit cards are also not accepted.

You`ll certainly need the cash prior to entering the immigration line otherwise you end up going to the back of the queue.

The US$10 charge permits a 15-day stay. For a stay of up to 90 days, it is an extra US$5. Similar additional charges apply for longer stays.

NB: Scheduled airlines sometimes include the above taxes in the so you should check with your tour operator or travel provider about this.

Crime

Violent crime against tourists is rare. If fact I have felt very safe in the Dominican Republic, much safer than anywhere else in the busier Caribbean countries. You should however take particular care if you are passing through isolated tourist areas on foot or on tourist scooters, especially at night.

Use common sense, if attacked, you are advised not to resist. If you leave your hotel complex, do not wear expensive jewellery or carry large amounts of cash. A Dominican Republic travel tip is to keep your valuables, including your passport, in hotel safety deposit boxes. Be particularly careful after dark and avoid quiet, poorly lit areas.

Tourism police, known as Politur, who usually speak reasonable English, are available to assist tourists.

Haiti

It is not safe in Haiti soDominican Republic travel tips advise that you do not to go there.

Drugs

Dominican Republic travel tips strongly advise you not to become involved in drugs. If you are found guilty of being in possession of drugs you are likely to receive a long prison sentence plus a hefty fine. Possession of even small quantities of illegal drugs can lead to imprisonment. All sentences are served in the Dominican Republic. Pack all your luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.

Homosexuality

Is widely accepted in the Dominican Republic.

Imports

Meat and dairy products from EU countries are currently banned from personal import. Such items are liable to be removed from luggage and destroyed by airport officials.

Dominican Republic travel tips checklist

• Passports and currency
• Travel insurance. Does it cover watersports etc?
• Check with your doctor as soon as possible re any vaccinations required
• Give a friend your contact details and details of your itinerary
• Driving? Make sure your licence is current and valid
• Don`t openly display valuables when out and about
• Check with your service provider to make sure your mobile phone works abroad
• Stick to bottled water, even for brushing your teeth

What to wear

For a relaxing resort holidayDominican Republic travel tips advise shorts, slacks and short cotton dresses for women. Men should pack some smarter clothing and shoes for evening dining or visiting churches. At least one casually elegant outfit is recommended. Some hotels may not allow men wearing sandals and shorts to dinner. Also pack a sweater and jacket for cooler temps and air-conditioned settings.

Business meetings

The DR upholds many formal customs, especially in the cities, with suits and ties being appropriate attire for men and suits for women. It is less formal for meetings at resorts.

If you were interested in Dominican Republic Travel Tips you may want to know about Bayahibe

Or Cabarete

Or the weather

Or the capital Santo Domingo

Or the famous Colonial Zone

Or my gig in a Dominican womens prison in front of the Dominican First Lady Or the town of Puerto Plata

Or excursions in Punta Cana