THE
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Occupying two thirds of the eastern part of
the island of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic
covers 48,442 square kilometers, To the west,
the country shares its only border with Haiti.
The remainder of the Dominican Republic is
surrounded by water: To the north is the Atlantic
Ocean, the southern part is skirted by the
warm waters of the Caribbean. The island is
located between Puerto Rico and Cuba.
MONEY
The monetary unit of the Dominican Republic
is the Dominican Peso (R.D.$). The exchange
rate fluctuates but right now (1/3/2002) one
US dollar is approximately RD$ 26.00. The
best exchange rate is obtained when changing
US Dollars to pesos. Most hotels, restaurants
and businesses accept major credit cards and
are charged the official rate at the time
of the transaction. In the banks, you are
also able to obtain cash from credit cards
but make sure you have some form of identification
with you. Please avoid the black marketers,
who will offer you a tempting rate of exchange
for your US dollars. This is illegal.
MAIL
Postcards and stamps can be purchased in your
hotel and posted at reception. The same rates
apply for postcards and letters. Postage to
Europe will cost you approximately 10 pesos.
TELEPHONE
If you wish to telephone home you can call
from either your hotel or from your nearest
Tele-communications center such as Codetel
or Tricom. It will be more expensive to phone
from your hotel. To call an Europe number,
first dial 011 + country code and then the
area code + number. To the US and Canada dial
1 and then the area code.
THE PEOPLE
The population consists of approximately 8
million inhabitants. Some 2.5 million live
in Santo Domingo, the capital city. Dominicans
are very friendly and will do their best to
help you anytime.
WATER
Tap water is not drinkable because it is not
purified. Most hotels and restaurants serve
purified water and ice. Otherwise, we recommend
that you only consume bottled water which
can be purchased in most hotel shops or local
supermarkets.
ELECTRICITY
The electrical outlets on the walls are of
the American style. The electrical output
stands at 110 volts instead of the standard
European 220 volts. You can purchase an adapter
for your appliances in many local supermarkets.
There is a shortage of electricity and there
might be occasional power-cuts during your
stay. However, all hotels have back up generators.
VISA & DEPARTURE TAX
Non residents of the Dominican Republic have
to buy a tourist card on arrival. This costs
USD 10.00 and can only be paid in US Dollars,
it has to be filled out and presented to immigration.
This does not apply to Norwegian citizens.
There is also a USD 10.00 departure tax when
leaving the country.
CLIMATE
The year round average temperature is 25 degrees
centigrade. August is the warmest month of
the year, with January being the coolest.
Very low temperatures are often registered
in mountainous areas, especially during winter
months. The heaviest rainy season is between
May and August and the months with the least
rainfall are November and December.
HEALTH & DOCTORS
If you get ill during your stay we recommend
that your visit a Drug Store; most of the
hotel shops sell over the counter remedies
for almost all minor health problems. You
can always ask our representative where the
nearest pharmacy is. A doctor is on call at
all major hotels. They are also stocked with
medicine for the most common ailments. Doctors
who visit hotels operate within a private
health care system not included in the hotel
price. Keep all your receipts - on your return
home you may be eligible for a refund of expenses
from your insurance company if you have one.
In case you have an emergency call 616 3000
In case of no answer call 383 7582
SOME HISTORY
Inhabited by the Taino indians, the island
was discovered on December 5th, 1492 by Christopher
Columbus. Columbus and the Spanish colonizers
used the island as a launching pad for further
New World explorations. The island remained
a Spanish possession for 3 centuries. Hispaniola
became the first and most important Spanish
settlement for many years, establishing itself
as the political, cultural, religious and
intellectual center of the New World. With
the advent of large numbers of African slaves
adding to the Spanish-Taino mix, the modern
Dominican people began to emerge. Their cultural
uniqueness is present in their food, music,
arts & crafts, vocabulary and their relaxed
good natured approach to life. As time went
by, the Spaniards realized that there were
greater and better opportunities to obtain
riches in the American mainland. They started
to neglect their first American colony and
a long period of decay started. The Dominicans
became French, then Spanish again; they were
attacked by pirates, and by adventurers of
every type and origin. The neighboring state
of Haiti, which had obtained it's independence
from France more than twenty years before,
invaded the old Spanish Colony and took possession
of its lands and cities. On February 27th,
1844, the Dominican Republic became a sovereign
state and free country. Dominicans venerate
a trio of liberators: Juan PabloDuarte, Francisco
del Rosario Sanchez and Ramon Matias Mella.
U. S. troops occupied the nation in 1916 and
left in 1924 after signing a treaty. Rafael
Leonidas Trujillo, after a coup d'etat, governed
the country as a dictator from 1930 until
May 30th, 1961, when he was ambushed and shot
down. Ever since, the Dominican Republic has
remained a peaceful country with a prosperous
climate for foreign investment.
FOOD & DRINKS
The Dominican Republic has many inviting and
cozy restaurants. Most restaurants begin serving
around 6 p.m., but it is customary for Dominicans
to dine late. There are French, Italian, Mexican
and Chinese restaurants, as well as those
serving traditional Dominican food. The Dominican
cuisine is very rich and varied. Some favorite
local dishes you should try while you are
here are rice and beans with fried platanos
(plantains), Sancocho (a thick stew usually
made with different meats), arroz con pollo
(rice with chicken), Casabe (flat and round
cassava bread). There are many good brands
of local beers and rums. A variety of drinks
are prepared with rum. A variety of wines
imported from all over the world are also
available. Restaurants charge a 10% service
fee and 8% tax. These charges are imposed
by law. In spite of this, it is customary
to leave an additional tip at the discretion
of the customer.
HOLIDAYS
Jan 1: New Year
Jan 6: King's Day
Jan 21: Virgin of La Altagracia
Jan 26: Duarte's Day
Feb 27: Independence Day Mar-Apr (may vary):
Easter week
May 1: Labor Day Jun (may vary): Corpus Christy
Jul (may vary): Merengue week
Aug 16: Restoration day
Sep 24: Virgin of Las Mercedes
Dec 25: Christmas
MERENGUE
According to some historians the Dominican
Merengue originated amongst pirates of the
island of Tortuga. The Merengue originates
among the slaves. Mainly from those belonging
to the Bara Tribe from Madagascar, who originally
had a dance that they called Merengue. Every
Caribbean country gave this dance its own
identity, influenced by melodies of European
origin. Black people mixed their own cultural
elements with those of the white culture,
forming a mixture of black dance moves with
European and North American dances. Today,
the Merengue has become the centerpiece in
parties celebrated in any city of this country,
reaching international recognition.
THE CARNIVAL
Carnival is the festival of the masses and
is one of the strongest traditions in the
Dominican Republic. It started in colonial
times when the inhabitants of Santo Domingo
would masquerade in imitation of the European
carnivals. The diablos cojuelos or lame devils
are the main characters in the Dominican Carnival
They to roam the streets on weekends during
the month of February. Their costumes consist
of various decorative elements such as mirrors,
sleigh bells, cow bells, ribbons, whistles,
etc. The most impressive element of the costume
is the hand made devil masks whose particular
styles identify different regions of the country.
SHOPPING
Amber is regarded as the national stone. Amber
jewelry is in great demand as souvenirs. This
island has one of the world's largest deposits
of amber. The prices for the translucent,
semiprecious stones, which range in color
from pale lemon to dark brown, are unmatched.
The most valuable stones are those in which
prehistoric insects or small leaves are imbedded.
Santo Domingo has many shopping Centers and
specialized shops offering the best known
national, international brands and excellent
world fashion designers (It is Oscar de la
Renta's homeland). In both rural and urban
areas, the people's collective artistic expression
is manifested in a variety of crafts. Arts
and crafts can be purchased at the Mercado
Modelo (the biggest open market for crafts
in Santo Domingo) and Conde Street where you
find a variety of objects made from horn,
wood, leather, snail shell, amber, ceramics
and fabrics. The Dominican Republic is also
well known for its' rum, coffee, and cigars
. Bargaining is a must in the Dominican Republic,
especially with street vendors.
TOBACCO
On December 6th 1492, just a day after discovering
the island he had named Hispaniola, Christopher
Columbus was given some dry tobacco leaves
as a gift. It was a gesture of peace and friendship
that the Indians gave the great admiral. The
center of the island is outstanding for the
fertility of its soil and the quality of its`
tobacco. In the Santiago area, "The Tobacco
Society" was formed passing for centuries,
from father to son, the jealously guarded
secrets of curing and treating tobacco. Today
the Dominican Republic is known throughout
the world as a place where the cultivation
and curing of tobacco and the manufacture
of cigars is an art form. Tobacco is a tradition.
SPORTS
Popular sports practiced widely by Dominicans
are baseball, basketball, tennis, softball,
and volleyball. Cockfighting is another of
the country's most popular sporting events,
held mainly on Sundays. All rural communities
have cockfighting arenas where you can watch
the matches. Excellent golf courses are found.
The one designed by Robert Trent at Playa
Dorada in Puerto Plata and Los Cajuiles designed
by Pete Dye and located at Casa de Campo are
two of the most famous. Horseback riding is
offered in some hotels or can usually be arranged
by your representative. There are facilities
to play polo and good trainers in Casa de
Campo Resort in La Romana and in Sierra Prieta
in the Capital. Water sports can be tried
out in many hotels. They usually include non-motorized
sports in their programs, such as Pedal boats,
Windsurfers, Surf Boards, Boogie-Boards, Kayaks,
Sailboats and Scuba diving. Fishing can be
arranged by your representative, depending
on the hotel where you are staying. Travel
in Style recommends Cabarete ( the Windsurfers
paradise) were we offer special packages for
Windsurfing, including hotel accommodation
as well as top of the line Windsurfing equipment
at very affordable prices. We also organize
special tours for scuba diving.
THE SUN
Dermatologists have concluded that sunbathing
is not advisable between 10:00 am and 3:00
pm, due to the strong rays of the Caribbean
sun. They advise taking precautions and exposing
yourself gradually with solar protectors,
to enjoy the sun and acquire a long lasting
tan. While visiting this country, select the
sunscreen that is right for your type of skin
and use it at all times when exposed to the
sun rays. You should take special care of
your face and use a special protection as
it is the part most exposed to the sun. Don't
use perfume or cologne during sun exposure,
such products may stain your skin.
AT THE BEACH
Please do not take any valuables with you
to the beach. Parents please ensure that while
your child is in the water that they are under
constant supervision. Swimming under the influence
of alcohol is not recommended. No flag system
is in operation in the Dominican Republic,
therefore caution is advised at all times.
TIME & DISTANCES
From Las Americas International Airport (SDQ)
As Air France and many other European airlines
are arriving and departing from SDQ for individual
travel and FIT's, we here provide you with
a guide for TRANSFER times:
SDQ JUAN DOLIO 20km 35min
SDQ CITY 30km 35min SDQ
PUNTA CANA 200km 3:00h SDQ
PUERTO PLATA 250km 4:00h SDQ
SOSUA 240km 4:00h SDQ
CABARETE 220km 3:30h SDQ
SAMANA 245km 4:00h SDQ
LA ROMANA 110km 1:20h
THE LANGUAGE
The official language spoken in the Dominican
Republic is Spanish. Here are some useful
phrases that can help during your stay:
NO NO
SI YES
GRACIAS THANK YOU
DE NADA YOU'RE WELCOME
NO GRACIAS NO THANK YOU
PERDON SORRY
POR FAVOR PLEASE
ADIOS GOOD-BYE
HOLA HELLO
COMO ESTA USTED? HOW ARE YOU?
MUY BIEN GRACIAS VERY WELL THANK YOU
HASTA LUEGO SEE YOU SOON
ESTA BIEN THAT'S ALL RIGHT
BUENOS DIAS GOOD MORNING
BUENAS TARDES GOOD AFTERNOON
BUENAS NOCHES GOOD EVENING / NIGHT
QUIEN? WHO?
PORQUE? WHY?
QUE? WHAT?
CUANTO ES? HOW MUCH?
QUIERO I WANT UNA CERVEZA, POR FAVOR!! ONE
BEER PLEASE!!
BEFORE YOU LEAVE...
Check with your representative the time that
the transfer will pick you up the day of departure.
Make sure that you have settled any outstanding
bills, i.e., telephone or mini-bar bills.
Double check that you have emptied your safety
deposit box and give the key back to reception
to get your deposit back. Please have your
passports, tickets, travel documents etc.
handy but in a safe place. Remember to have
your U.S.$10 in cash to pay the departure
tax when you arrive at the airport. Hand your
room key back to reception as you check out.
Normally check -out time is at noon. Please
wait for your transfer bus in the reception
at the agreed time.
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