Dominican Republic Fact Sheet
Information provided by the Caribbean Tourism Organization
The Dominican Republic comprises the eastern two thirds of Hispaniola island and is the second largest country in the Caribbean with an area of 30,000 square miles. It is bordered on the North by the Atlantic Ocean and the South by the Caribbean Sea.
Over 400 kilometers of sparkling beaches span the South, East,
Southwest and North coasts. These include the beaches of Boca
Chica, JuanDolio-Guayacanes, La Romana, and Bayahibe in the
Southeast; Punta Cana and Bavaro in the East; Paraiso and Enriquillo
in the Southwest; and on the North Coast, Puerto Plata, Sosua,
Cabarete Playa Grande and Luperon.
The Dominican Republic has sixteen national parks protecting and
conserving its wildlife and natural resources. Meanwhile, the thrill of
adventure is nowhere more alive than along the country's north coast
and mountain region. For those seeking adrenaline pumped action, or
just a brand new experience, there is river rafting for shooting the
rapids; mountain biking for master single track terrain; caving; and
canyoning.
PASSPORT AND VISA REQUIREMENTS: Visitors should reconfirm
travel documentation with the nearest Dominican consulate. In general,
passport bearing visitors from Argentina, South Korea, Ecuador, Israel,
Japan, Liechtenstein, Peru, UK and Uruguay are exempt from visas or
tourist cards.
TOURIST CARDS (sold at US$10) are required for citizens of Albania,
Andorra, Antigua,
Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados,
Belgium, Brazil,
Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czechoslovakia, Chile,
Curacao, Denmark, Dominica, Slovenia, Spain, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica,
Luxembourg,
Mexico, Monaco, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Rumania,
Russia, San Marino, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Sweden,
Switzerland, Surinam, Tunisia, Turks & Caicos Islands, United States,
Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela and Yugoslavia. Nationals of other
countries may require visas. Passports are the preferred travel document.
CITIZENS OF THE USA may enter with passport or with an original birth
certificate and additional photo bearing document (such as voters
registration or drivers license.)
LANGUAGE: Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken,
especially in tourist areas. Traffic signs and most menus in restaurants
are in Spanish, although menus in tourist regions tend to be multilingual.
AIRLINES: Air Atlantic, American Airlines, Continental, Queen Air,
Tower Air, TWA from North America. Inter Caribbean flights are
operated by: Air Guadeloupe, American Eagle Copa, Dominair, TCCA,
ALM. Aces, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeropostal and Lanchile provide
service to South America. To Canada: Air Transat, Royal Airlines,
Canada 3000, To Europe: Air France, Air Europa, Air Portugal, AOM,
Britannia, Condor, Hapag Lloyd, Iberia, LTU, Martinair.
AIRPORT: Seven international airports: Las Americas (20 minutes east
of Santo
Domingo); Puerto Plata International Gregorio Luperon (15
minutes from
Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata and Sosua); Punta Cana
(serving the far east); La Romana; Maria Montez in Barahona (the
country's newest); and two smaller ones in Santiago and Herrera.
The Samana-Arroyo Barril airport is expected to be able to receive its
first flights by March 2000.
FLIGHT TIMES: New York: 31/2 hours, Miami: 1 hour, San Juan:
35 minutes, Toronto: 4 hours, most European cities: 8 - 10 hours.
DEPARTURE TAX: US$10.00
CURRENCY: The rate of exchange fluctuates around RD$16.35 =
US$1.00 (as of Sept. 2000)
BANKING HOURS: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.
Airport booths remain open to service all incoming flights, up to 24
hours if necessary. ATM's in many branches Some banks are now
opening on Saturdays.
ELECTRICITY: 110 volts/60 cycles, same as the US
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2000
01 JAN - New Years Day
Closest Mon or Fri to 06JAN - Epiphany Day
21JAN - Our Lady of Altagracia Day
Closest Mon or Fri to 26JAN - Juan Pablo Duartes Birthday
27FEB - Independence Day
21APR - Good Friday
Closest Mon or Fri to 01MAY - Labor Day
Closest Mon or Fri to 16AUG - Dominican Restoration Day
24 SEP - Our Lady of Mercedes Day
Corpus Christi Day
Closest Mon or Fri to 06NOV - Constitution Day
25 DEC - Christmas Day
FESTIVALS:
Week of Independence Day (27FEB) - Carnival
Last week in JUL to first week in AUG - Merengue Festival
Second week in OCT - Puerto Platas Merengue Festival
Early DEC to Epiphany Day (06JAN) - Christmas Celebrations