| Dominican Republic ((es)República Dominicana) | |
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| Flag | |
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| Information | |
| Capital city | Santo Domingo |
|---|---|
| Area | 48 730 km² |
| Population | 9 956 700 hab. (2011) |
| Density | 204,32 inhab./km² |
| Other languages | Spanish |
| Change | Dominican peso (DOP) |
| Electricity | 110 V/60 Hz, American plug |
| Telephone prefix | 1809, 1829, 1849 |
| Internet suffix | .do |
| Flow direction | Right-hand drive |
| Spindle | UTC-4 |
| Location | |
 18 ° 48 ′ 0 ″ N 70 ° 12 ′ 0 ″ W | |
| Official site | |
Not to be confused withcaribbean island of the Dominica.
The Dominican Republic is a country of Caribbean which occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island ofHispaniola.
Understand
Weather
All the periods are good to go, however some agree that it is better to go in winter (from December to April). Officially the hurricane season begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. According to the National Meteorological Bureau, the critical period regarding the possibility of impact of a natural phenomenon in the country is between August 15 and September 15.
Culture
The culture of the Dominican Republic in terms of its uses and customs is nourished by the mixture of Spanish, African and Tainas roots and of all the different peoples who have settled on the island over the centuries. We find the different influences whether in the mix, in the kitchen or in the music.
Music
Dominicans love music. Throughout the day in every corner of the cities, visitors discover that music is part of the daily life of Dominicans. Since the 1990s Dominican music has traveled around the world, first thanks to Juan Luis Guerra with his title "Bachata Rosa" then in the 2000s with the group Aventura and their hit "Obsesion" and since then little with more urban rhythms such as Dembow or "musica urbana".
Of course, more indigenous rhythms, such as merengue, are still very present on the island.
Holidays
| Dated | French name | Local name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, January 1, 2022 | New Year's Day | ||
| Thursday, January 6, 2022 | Epiphany | ||
| Friday, January 21, 2022 | Our Lady of Altagracia | ||
| Wednesday, January 26, 2022 | Fiesta Patria | Birth of Juan Pablo Duarte | |
| Saturday 12 February 2022 | National independence | ||
| from Sunday April 10, 2022 to Saturday April 16, 2022 | Holy Week | ||
| Sunday, April 17, 2022 | Easter | ||
| Saturday, May 1, 2021 | labor Day | ||
| Sunday, May 30, 2021 | Corpus Cristi | ||
| Monday, August 16, 2021 | Restoration of the Republic | ||
| Friday, September 24, 2021 | Our Lady of the Mercedes | ||
| Tuesday, October 12, 2021 | discovery of america | ||
| Sunday 5 December 2021 | discovery of Hispaniola | ||
| Saturday 25 December 2021 | Christmas |
Regions
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Cities
- Santo Domingo – , the capital of the Dominican Republic with many tourist attractions such as the Colonial Zone with its buildings dating from the colonial era. It is a bustling city.
- Santiago de los Caballeros – the second largest city in the country
- La Romana
- San Pedro de Macorís
- Puerto Plata
- Sosua
- Higuey, Punta cana is not a city
- Rio San Juan
- Barahona
- Samana – Santa Barbara de Samana to be exact
- Las Terrenas
- Las Galeras
- Jarabacoa
- La Vega
- Constanza
- Azua
- Boca Chica
Other destinations
Las Terrenas: at the beginning of the Samana peninsula, las Terrenas is for some the friendliest village in the Dominican Republic for others it is a real nightmare. Indeed, its brutal development makes it a real permanent construction site and has completely erased the authenticity of the fishing village that it was in the early 1990s. Similarly, there are very few indigenous people and the sex market is made in all impunity in the streets. If you are looking for authenticity this is the area not to visit.
In the southwest you have the coast south of Barahona. In the center it is the mountain with famous resorts like Jarabacoa for canyoning, Constanza the highest town around 2 000 m with temperatures around 0 degrees in winter, or even better San Jose de Occoa or Blanco near Bonao.
For extreme sports enthusiasts, such as kitesurfing, head to the small village of Cabarete on the north coast of the island.
To go
Formalities
- Dominican Republic
- Exemption from Visa
- Visa exemption but obligation to purchase a tourist card
- Visa required
Visitors must obtain a Visa, except those with a passport countries identified in blue or green above. Those from the countries identified in green need to obtain a tourist card to enter the Dominican Republic. This is obtained on arrival at the airport at the cost of 10 $ for 30 days and can be extended twice. The visa waiver also applies to permanent residents and holders of a valid visa from Canada, United States andSchengen area.
By plane
On a boat
By bus
Circulate
By boat / By plane
$ 10 usd for airport entry tax, $ 20 usd for departure tax if not included in the stay package and it is already included for a regular scheduled flight like Air France or Iberia. Check with your travel agent when you make your reservation to see if these charges are included in the price of your package,
By train
No passenger service.
By bus
It is quite easy to get around by bus in the country. There are many connections and the passage of buses is quite frequent. The price varies according to the company chosen and the comfort of the bus. For example to make Bavaro - Higuey (approximately 60 km) it takes an hour's journey and a price of 90 pesos (or almost 2 €) by luxury bus (spacious, TV and air-conditioned).
There are 2 public transport systems outside the cities with a low price: - the small guaguas buses in poor condition stopping where you want on the way - the EXPRESO regular bus connecting the big cities. Bus in good condition and comfortable. The 2 most famous companies are Metro and Caribe Tours and all major cities are connected. Please note that these buses only stop at specific stations. The extra charge is negligible. You can also do an organized tour without any hassle in this case. There are a bunch of well-known organizers and even EcoTouristic tours where you will learn more about the nature and the people of Rep Dom.
By car
Dominicans are all taxi drivers in their spare time. Indeed if many official taxis circulate in the streets, it is easy to be taken by the inhabitants for a few dollars (non adventurers abstain) and it is much more prudent than to rent a car given the legal and financial risks. incurred.
Speak
Spanish, English, some French
Buy
The currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso ($, DOP).
Real estate in the Dominican Republic appeals to many foreigners. More and more Americans and Europeans, delighted at the idea of buying their second home there, are making the trip to the Dominican Republic with the aim of making "the good deal", thus causing a boom in real estate tourism in the Dominican Republic. the country. As the engine of the local economy, tourism in the Dominican Republic attracts more and more visitors each year, half of them Europeans.
Eat
Ask for the national dish Sancocho of meats and vegetables in a simmering broth. Sancocho Royal has 7 different meats, the regular dish is called BANDERA like the flag.
Have a drink / Go out
- Le Mangu nightclub www.mangudiscobar.com
Prefer the real Dominican nightclub and the Colmadon. You will find little bars everywhere.
Housing
The Rep Dom is the domain of all inclusive but there are next to it full of charming hotels and out of the crowd with wild beaches and in the middle of the mountain. If you are interested contact me or go to the regional pages of [1] .Camping is not recommended unless it is organized.
Travelers Reviews
Learn
Cabarete Language Institute[2] Offers a variety of Spanish immersion, sports and cultural discovery in Cabarete.
To work
Communicate
security
 | Emergency telephone number: All emergency services:911 |
Even if the people are friendly, it is better to avoid hanging out too late at night In the Punta Cana area, the police are a private police (hotel zone), so security is greater than in the Puerto Plata area or other towns and villages.
Government travel advice
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Belgium (Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) 
Canada (Government of Canada) 
France (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 
Swiss (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs)
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Health
Please note that care is expensive and the system is identical to the USA with private insurance.
Respect
The lush nature that awaits you.
The Domincans are very kind and welcoming people. Never enter somewhere without greeting them with a hello ... With a smile! If you have any problem never get upset everything is resolved with patience and a smile.
