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Dominica Travel Information
CURRENCY:
The Dominican monetary unit is the peso (RD$), made up of 100 centavos. Coin
denominations are 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos, and 1 peso. Bill denominations
are RD$5, RD$10, RD$20, RD$50, RD$100, RD$500, and RD$1,000. Price quotations in
this section sometimes appear in U.S. and sometimes in Dominican currency,
depending on the policy of the establishment. The use of any currency other than
Dominican pesos is technically illegal, but few seem to heed this mandate. At
press time, we got about RD$16 to US$1 (meaning that centavos are practically
worthless). When dollar figures stand alone, they are always U.S. currency. Bank
booths at the international airports and major hotels will change your currency
at the prevailing free-market rate.
DOCUMENTS:
To enter the Dominican Republic, citizens of the United States, Canada, and the
United Kingdom need a valid passport. Upon your arrival at the airport in the
Dominican Republic, you must purchase a tourist card for US$10. You can avoid
waiting in line by purchasing this card when checking in for your flight to the
island.
ELECTRICITY:
The country generally uses 110-volt AC (60 cycles), so adapters and transformers
are usually not necessary for U.S. appliances.
EMERGENCIES:
Call tel. 911.
EMBASSIES:
All embassies are in Santo Domingo, the capital. The United States embassy is on
Calle Cesar Nicholas Penson at the corner of Leopold Navarro (tel.
809/221-2171). The embassy of the United Kingdom is located at Febrero 27, #233
(tel. 809/472-7111). The embassy of Canada is found at Avenida Máximo Gómez 39
(tel. 809/685-1136).
LANGUAGE:
The official language is Spanish; many people also speak some English.
SAFETY:
The Dominican Republic has more than its fair share of crime. Avoid unmarked
street taxis, especially in Santo Domingo; you could be targeted for assault and
robbery. While strolling around the city, beware of hustlers selling various
wares; pickpockets and muggers are common here, and visitors are easy targets.
Don't walk in Santo Domingo at night. Locals like to offer their services as
guides, and it is often difficult to decline. Hiring an official guide from the
tourist office is your best bet.
TAXEX:
A departure tax of US$10 is assessed and must be paid in U.S. currency. The
government imposes a 13% tax on hotel rooms, which is usually topped by an
automatic 10% service charge, bringing the total tax to staggering heights.
TELEPHONE:
The area code for the Dominican Republic is 809. You place calls to or from the
Dominican Republic just as you would from any other area code in North America.
You can access AT&T Direct by dialing tel. 800/222-0300. You can reach MCI at
tel. 800/888-8000 and Sprint at tel. 800/877-7746.
TIME:
Atlantic standard time is observed year-round. Between November and March, when
it's noon in New York and Miami, it's 1pm in Santo Domingo. However, during U.S.
daylight saving time, it's the same time in the Dominican Republic and the U.S.
east coast.
TIPPING:
Most restaurants and hotels add a 10% service charge to your check. Most people
usually add 5% to 10% more, especially if the service has been good.
WATER:
Stick to bottled water.
WEATHER:
The average temperature is 77°F. August is the warmest month, and January the
coolest month, although even then it's warm enough to swim.
CUSTOMS:
Articles classified as personal baggage have no problem clearing Customs. You
are allowed to bring two liters of alcoholic liquor, 200 cigarettes, and gift
articles to the value of US$ 1,000.
However, depending on where your flight originated and the tourist sensibility
of the customs inspector welcoming you, he/she will either let you go through
with a pleasant smile hardly inspecting your bags; will ask you to show him/her
its contents, or, he/she will inspect them silently, under the protection of
Dominican law.
If you are traveling on a business trip, for health purposes or on vacation,
everything will undoubtedly turn out well. If, on the contrary, you are part of
a group smuggling firearms, explosives, or illegal drugs, you will probably find
yourself face to face with an Interpol agent.
In the Dominican Republic, the traffic, possession and consumption of illegal
drugs is penalized by law.
Law No. 50-88 on Drugs, in force in the Dominican Republic, states the
following:
a) Opium in all its forms;
b) All derivatives (alkaloids, salts, compounds, preparations or synthetic
substitution);
c) Coca (Erthoxilon Coca);
d) Cocaine, its derivatives or synthetic substitutes or any compound in which it
is
used as a base;
e) All plants of the Cannabinaceas family and products derived from them
containing narcotic or stimulant properties such as Cannabis Indica, Cannabi
Sativa, Marihuana and other herbs with similar properties”.
SANCTIONS:
The sanctions applicable to infractors of the aforementioned legal provisions
are:
For simple possession, there is a fine of RD$ 500.00 to RD$ 2,000 or
imprisonment from six months to two years, or both. There is no bail.
When the drug confiscated or involved in the operation falls under the Dealer or
Seller category, the penalty is RD$ 10,000 to RD$ 50,000 and imprisonment from
three to ten years. There is no bail.
When the drugs confiscated or implicated in the operation fall under the
Smuggler (Trafficker) category, the penalty is RD$ 50,000 to RD$ 250,000, and
imprisonment from five to twenty years with forced labor. There is no bail.
DRESS CODE:
Due to the climate, it is advisable to bring a wardrobe of natural fibers such
as cotton or linen, for comfort and to ease perspiration during the day while
touring the country’s urban and rural areas.
Regardless of what the thermometer indicates when packing, include a bathing
suit, sun protection, sun glasses and a loose, comfortable dress to relax in the
evening to the palm trees’ lullaby under a beautiful tropical moon.
When visiting churches, men uncover their heads as a sign of respect. Ladies are
not required to cover their heads as in the past, although many continue to wear
long sleeves and mantillas during church services. It is considered offensive to
enter a temple inebriated or wearing shorts.
Men traveling to attend a conference or for business reasons will need to bring
a coat and tie. Some events, according to their nature, may require a tuxedo. On
certain formal occasions, a white suit is required.
VOLTAGE:
American-style plugs are used; power is 110-120 volts, 60 cycles. As in all
cities of non petroleum producing countries, power cuts occur. However, it must
be pointed out that the circuits servicing clinics, hospitals, and tourist zones
are considered high public interest sectors. Furthermore, all hotels and
restaurants have back-up generators.
Weddings and honeymoons set a moment of our lives. With no doubt, real love
deserves the frame provided by the colors of the sunset in the Caribbean or the
different shades of the blue waters of the ocean. Because of the combination of
this beautiful images, is the reason why many couples are choosing to get
married in the Dominican Republic or experience their honeymoon.
The resorts of Sosúa, Puerto Plata, Playa Dorada, Playa Grande, Punta Cana,
Bavaro, Macao, Juan Dolio, Boca Chica, Samaná, Bayahibe and La Romana have the
expert staff to plan and coordinate the perfect wedding for you. The mayority of
the wedding packages in the resorts include the judge, wedding license, flowers,
music, the traditional cake, champagne, and those special details for your room.
A sunny beach is the perfect and exotic scenario for the wedding reception.
Exotic flower arrangements are the perfect touch to complete the ambiance of
this special event. Your guests will be very grateful to share this
unforgettable moment with you.
It is recommendable to start planning your wedding six months in advanced. The
hotels prefer that you give them a three months notice in order to make the
necessary reservations for the judge and events areas as well as all the details
for the occasion.
Start your wedding with the pre-nuptial breakfast. The hotel will be pleased to
separate a special area for you and your guests. Later, enjoy a great massage,
or spend some time at the spa of the resort and then go to the beauty salon for
a nice hair do, manicure and make up. If the hotel does not offer these
facilities you can make the arrangements so an stylist can visit you in your own
room.
GETTING MARRIED:
Documents Required to Get Married in the Dominican Republic
1. To Obtain the Marriage License
Passport
Birth certificate (original)
Single certification (in Spanish)
Divorce certificate in Spanish (if previously married)
Two witnesses are required. In case they are foreigners, they should be
identified with their passports. If Dominican, personal ID will be sufficient.
2. After the Wedding
The judge will have the marriage certificate ready one day after the wedding.
This document has legal validity.