TRAVEL TIPS
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
OVERVIEW TRANSPORTATION VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES
WHERE TO STAYONDE WHERE TO EAT SHOPPING COMPRAS FICAR ONDE COMER
OVERVIEW The Dominican Republic, the first place where
The Dominican people are also an attraction
Christopher Columbus arrived in America,
because of their kindness and joy. Visitors
is known for its vibrant colors and great
witness a unique cultural experience, because
landscapes and has many attractions to every
the country had different cultural influences such
kind of tourist.
as Spanish, French, Haitian and even African.
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the
Spanish is the official language, but as a country
Caribbean Sea, it has miles of coast are filled
that attracts many tourists, the professionals
with crystal clear waters. With pleasant
who work in tourist hotels also speak English.
temperatures all year round, beaches and waterfalls become even more charming.
People that go to the Dominican Republic usually say that country provides a sensory
You can have fun practicing outdoor sports,
feast for visitors. There are countless attractions
adventuring in the numerous parks, or
for the entertainment of tourists and to admire
relaxing on the beaches. For those who enjoy
the stunning beaches, venture into the majestic
the excitement, the nightlife is definitely
forests, delight in the simple and tasty cuisine,
lively and effervescent festivals at the world-
and gain knowledge with local stories and learn
famous casinos.
about the surprising past of the island, still present in the architectural monuments.
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It’s definitely a fascinating destination where
EAST
nature did not spare efforts and produced
The region has one of the most popular items
stunning landscapes with multiple shades
in tourism. The east coast is the sought after
of green and blue. To understand what each
destination for those seeking peaceful days
region has the best to offer follow the tips below, divided by regions:
NORTH The north coast is known as the Amber Coast because of the abundance of moonstones. Have fun practicing kite boarding, riding on the bed of rivers or unraveling the mysteries through mountains and beautiful beaches. It is essential to try the local cuisine based on fresh fish.
NORTHEAST For nature lovers, this region offers amazing experiences for its beauty and simplicity. Frequented by naturalists and ecotourists, you can admire splendid beaches with beautiful
in their picturesque beaches. You can also meet one of the most celebrated national parks for their conservation. For those who like luxury, La Romana is the place of the most sophisticated resorts.
SOUTHEAST Responsible for the modern part of the country, is where the capital of the country is. With its great cultural diversity, Santo Domingo is where the first university, the first hospital and the first cathedral of America are. In addition to this history, this place also shows itself as a metropolis with shops and international cuisine restaurants. Great place for a cultural journey with numerous theaters and museums.
coral reefs. In Samana history remains alive because it was the port where Christopher
The tropical climate is predominant on the
Columbus arrived at the ‘New World’.
island, and pleasant during all four seasons. During the summer months, the temperature is around 32 °C, while during the winter it drops to 20 °C. In the mountains, the weather becomes cooler, reaching 0 °C. There is no specific rainy season, it rains at any time of the year, which usually occurs in short periods during the afternoon or evening. The temperatures are pleasant all year round, but for those who prefer the best of the sun, the best months to travel are between June and September, the hottest months of the year.
The regional festivals occur throughout the
January: New Year’s Day (1.), Day of the Three
year and they are always exciting and a lot of
Kings (6), Day of Our Lady of Altagracia (21)
fun. Some of them are the Merengue Festival
and Juan Pablo Duarte Day (26).
in Santo Domingo, that happens between the last days of July and early August, and the Puerto Plata Merengue Festival, which is celebrated on the third week of October. At the same time, there is the Jazz Festival,that takes place in the Dominican Republic in the cities of Puerto Plata, SosĂşa and Cabarete. The holidays are also celebrated with a lot of music and dances. Below you can check the main celebrations:
February: Carnival (entire month), Independence Day (27). April: Good Friday (Religious Holiday) May: Labour Day (1.) June: Corpus Christi (23) September: Day of the Mercedes (24) November: Constitution Day (6) December: Christmas (25)
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TRANSPORT
where you can “book” a taxi, you can order a taxi in advance.
METRO The island offers great options for getting
Opened in 2009, the subway is present only
around. See below how each service works.
in the capital, connecting Santo Domingo to La
CAR RENTAL
Feria North, passing through busy highways such as Maximo Gomez y Correa and Cidrón.
Available at major airports and tourist cities in
In addition, part of its route, goes by the
the country, there are several companies that
Autonomous University of Santo Domingo and
rent cars. If your destination is the north coast,
important buildings and shopping centers.
this is an excellent choice. There are good roads and you will be amazed at every turn
PRIVATE BUS
with the amazing Dominican countryside.
As the Dominican Republic is a tourist country,
TAXI
there are numerous companies that offer transportation throughout the island, every day
It is safe and reliable to go around the streets
of the week. Depending on the distance, you
of the Dominican Republic by taxi. The hotels
can pay about $ 10 for a trip of 140 miles.
and airports have registered companies
MOTOCONCHO Just like the conchos but on bikes. This transport is great for short distances.
HELICOPTERS For those who want comfort and speed, there are some companies specialized in the transportation by helicopter. Besides the convenience, the view promises to make it worthwhile.
ATTRACTIONS There are plenty of things to do when you go to the Dominican Republic with its endless attractions. There are so many things to do that you have to categorize them, so you do not miss anything. The country is a true paradise of forests and stunning beaches and a
BUS There is a lot of buses throughout the island. Running from 7am until 9pm, it is possible to go from Santo Domingo to Santiago for less than a dollar. There are also ‘guaguas’, smaller buses that you can scheduled to travel fixed routes.
CONCHOS ‘Conchos’ are vehicles like vans and are quite similar to the ‘guaguas’ because both can drive by specific routes and stop where the passenger requests. They are all over the country with the highest concentration in the capital, inner cities and some villages.
culture rich in history.
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CARNIVAL In February is when the most cheerful, colorful and fun festival of the Dominican popular culture takes place. With bright costumes, Carnival gets everyone with its vibrant energy. Every Sunday of February, a different city is filled with excitement with the parades. The main one happens in La Vega and the party is a must go, just like the Grand Carnival in Santo Domingo, that usually happens on the last Sunday of the month. Many people participate of the parades that are held in dozens of floats creating an incredible, huge rug seen from above.
CASINOS There are several casinos throughout the island. Have fun trying to get lucky in these environments filled with lights, colored panels, beautiful people and dozens of table games. It is almost irresistible! Most of them are in the resorts and some are open 24 hours. ATMs are also available, for the tourists comfort.
MUSEUMS With so much history to tell, this beautiful
waterfalls and rivers. Located in the north
country has cultural relics. One of the main
of the island, be sure to visit the Goat
museums is the Amber Museum which hosts
Island National Park, which hosts the most
fossil resin collections, including from the
important colony of American crocodiles.
movie Jurassic Park, with the famous mosquito.
There is also the Eastern National Park,
There is also the Museum of Royal Houses, the
located near La Romana, which has beautiful
Museum of the Dominican Family, the Alcázar
beaches with spectacular caves.
de Colón and La Isabela, showing the country’s history. The Museum of Dominican Man is the
These are just some of the many Dominicans
right place to find art before the discovery.
National Parks, each of them is known by
NATIONAL PARKS
its own characteristics, secluded beaches, beautiful lakes, trails ready for discoveries,
The Dominican lands are excellent to the
and many other experiences that only the
practice of ecotourism. There are numerous
Dominican Republic can provide.
national parks, full of nature with magnificent
SANTO DOMINGO Santo Domingo is probably the most exciting place around the Caribbean. In this cosmopolitan city you can admire an exotic situation: luxury cars share the streets with horse-drawn carriages and sophisticated hotels next to old and simple houses. The capital is the oldest city in the ‘New World’ and displays its Colonial City as a living museum. It was declared World Heritage by UNESCO and is carefully preserved. The committee of the American Capital of Culture, elected seven local treasures: the Cathedral Santa Maria La Menor (first cathedral of the Americas), Columbus Palace (built in 1510), Fort Ozama (oldest fortress of the Americas), the Museum of Royal Houses (an incredible collection of objects of the first conquerors until independence in 1821), the National Botanical Garden (the largest in the Caribbean with exotic flora and fauna), the Malecon (boardwalk to the beach, 10 miles long) and the Palace of Fine Arts (where events are held such as concerts, dances and exhibitions).
PUNTA CANA Punta Cana is best known for its amazing beaches, sophisticated hotels, golf courses and romantic mood. For those who like music, this is the perfect place to enjoy the rhythms of merengue and bachata. Frequented by celebrities, Punta Cana has even been a film set.
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PUERTO PLATA
La Romana, Santiago and many others that will
Its coastline is about 62 miles long and is
certainly be forever in your memory. It may be
definitely a special place because of the
the charm, the beauty or even the surprises,
waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the stunning
there is a lot to admire in the Dominican land.
mountains of the Cordillera del Norte. In this region you can enjoy a bit of everything, such as clean beaches such as SosĂşa, Cabarete and Playa Dorada, water sports, adventures in
WHERE TO STAY
the mountains and, of course, visit the TaĂno Museum and the Temple of the American. All
The Dominican Republic is one of the top
of them tell the story of the first inhabitants of
destinations in the world, where tourists and
the island. A real back to the past situation.
celebrities go, everyone who is looking for a
Whatever your destination is, the Dominican Republic is ready to surprise you. In addition to Santo Domingo, Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, there are also fascinating places like Samana,
tropical climate and a beautiful place. To keep this charm, the island offers a wide range of hotels and resorts.
To please all types of tourists and families, executive couples, adventurers, and many
DINING OUT
others, it is possible to chose from a luxury and sophisticated five star hotel, or a simple and
The Dominican Republic has a broad, rich
comfortable inn. Regardless of your preference,
and colorful cuisine that pleases everybody.
each one of them has its own characteristics,
With simplicity, even the most demanding
such as incredible views or even the quiet
tourists like it.
sound of a nearby stream.
Each region has a specialty, but overall, the
Many hotels have great restaurants, bars,
Dominican cuisine has a strong influence of
swimming pools, sports courts, activities for
the West Indies with dishes made of rice, fish,
children, beauty salons and even meeting rooms.
chicken and vegetables.
At some resorts there are golf courses, polo courts for practice and even private marinas.
At breakfast, there is the traditional ‘Mangú’, a blend of banana, cheese and bacon. Most restaurants offer the ‘stew’, a kind of soup made with banana, avocado, corn and
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different kinds of meat. It is usually served
‘cassava bread’ - the basis of cassava pie; and
with rice, making it a more daring delicacy.
‘yaniqueques’ - flour bread fried in oil.
Another traditional dish is the “Dominican flag” consisting of rice, beans, meat,
For dessert, they put caramel over the fruits,
vegetables and fried plantains.
puddings and pies. There is also the ‘majarete’, made with milk, sugar, corn and cinnamon.
Many sauces, especially for fish, are made of coconuts. The ‘locrian’, made of seafood, meat,
Be sure to try the Dominican rum. Considered
garlic and oregano, reminds the Spanish paella.
one of the best in the world, it is worth trying
Other typical dishes are the ‘shofar’ - the type
it for its softness.
of rice; and the ‘sopon’, a sort of thick soup of veal, chicken and fish. Prepared on the Samaná Peninsula, the ‘fish with coconut’ is very popular for its unique taste. Also try ‘tostones’ - pieces of fried green bananas; the ‘acatibia’ - a slurry of cassava pie;
An important tip: the additional 10% service is already included on the check, but people usually add another 10% if the service is really satisfying.
SHOPPING When it comes to shopping, the country is not behind a metropolis by comparison. There are from large shopping malls with international brands and even small shops with local crafts. In the capital, Santo Domingo, there is a concentration of shopping malls offering all kinds of necessities and luxuries such as clothes, leather goods, shoes, handbags, perfumes, cosmetics, books, jewelry, drinks
ART
and even games.
The Dominican culture is a mixture of various civilizations, as well as creating beautiful
The Dominican Republic is fascinating in
pieces, you can also find unique pieces made
breathtaking scenery, but the souvenirs cannot
of bone, cow horn and coconut shell. In
be forgotten. Some products are delicacies,
addition to handbags, shoes and hats made
found only in this region:
from sugarcane. Be sure to enjoy the ‘Lime’,
AMBER / LARIMAR
faceless dolls, symbol of the country.
Many jewelry designers use in their production
COFFEE
amber and larimar with gold and silver. These
Dominican coffee is famous for its unique flavors
beautiful semi-precious stones are genuine
and aromas. Produced in different regions of the
‘treasures’. The Dominican amber is considered
country, each one has a specific characteristic. All
the world’s most valuable, as well as being the
of them are hand-picked and processed within
most transparent ever found, it also has other
24 hours after harvest, this way it preserves
shades like purple, and even the rare blue.
the good quality of the grain. Found in major
Larimar, also called ‘Dominican turquoise’ is the
supermarkets and souvenir shops.
result of volcanic activity that occurred millions of years ago, it is found only in the southern region of the country and has some variations in color as blue with shades of green, white, brown or red. Its beauty is exceptional. The best place to buy them is at the Museum Amber and Larimar Museum in Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata.
CIGARS The cigars are part of culture and history of this country. Since its discovery, tobacco is used for religious activities, social and local ceremonies. It currently has a wide variety of scents, colors and prices. They are produced manually and you can check this process at Centro Cultural
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invites you to take a ‘vitamin B’ do not be surprised. This is how they invite people to drink rum. This expression comes from the name of the top three brands in the country beginning with the letter B.
STREET MARKETS The street markets in the Dominican Republic happen at different times of the day. You should talk to the local residents to learn more. The main ones are in Santo Domingo, where there are many tourists and traders. The Market Model, in Santo Domingo, is at Avenida Mella. You can find all kinds of handicrafts, souvenirs and gifts. Another place worth mentioning is the Mercado Modelo, in Santiago. Where you can find all kinds of souvenirs with a great difference, it is not as crowded as the other markets in the capital. In Punta Cana, there is the Higüey Public Market, located on Avenida Libertad. This can be considered a giant fair as there are numerous food stalls, from meats to fruits and local vegetables. León in Santiago. Even those who do not appreciate, it’s worth checking the dedication
CURRENCY
and care in its manufacture.
The official currency is the Dominican Peso or
RUM
RD$. Four coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents. There are seven different values
Besides tobacco, the Dominican Republic is
​​for the grades: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000
also famous for producing rum. Considered
and 2000 Dominican pesos. One U.S. dollar is
one of the world’s best rum, the Dominican
about 40 Dominican pesos.
rum has smoothness and flavor as its main features. With many sugar cane plantations,
Dollars and Euros can be easily exchanged
the production does not stop, serving different
at currency exchange house or at any of
markets around the world. If any local resident
the various exchange authorized banks. It
is important to know that it is forbidden to enter and leave the country with more than $
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
10,000 in cash, if so you need to declare the value at the customs.
809
COUNTRY CODE
EMERGENCY
809-688-8727 LAS AMERICAS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SANTO DOMINGO)
809-947-2225 809-947-2297 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GREGORIO LUPERON (PUERTO PLATA)
809-291-000 PRESIDENT JUAN BOSCH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SAMANA)
809-338-5888 POLICE
809-455-1041 TOURIST INFORMATION
809-221-4660 TRANSPORT INFORMATION
809-530-9796