Climate and best Travel Time
The average temperature is 82°F (28°C) which means that you will encounter ideal holiday conditions throughout the whole year. The country has different climatic and vegetation zones: a tropical, warm-humid climate at sea level, a moderate climate in the mountains. The rainy season in the north is from November through January, in the south from July through September. Short, heavy rainfalls are possible all year round, tropical storms occasionally in August and September.
Money
The official currency of the country is the Dominican Peso (RD$). US-Dollars and Euros are only accepted in tourist areas and bigger cities. There, you can also pay with your credit card almost everywhere. Banks and exchange offices change cash and traveler’s checks. Re-exchange is only possible at a loss. Cash machines accept ATM- and ec/maestro-cards.
Electricity
The voltage is 110-120 V/60Hz, the same electrical system as in the USA and Canada. Flat-pronged plugs are common practice; you need an adapter to run electrical appliances brought from Europe. Frequent power failures are unfortunately part of the daily agenda but usually there is a private emergency power supply.
Internet and Telephone
Internet cafés and telephone centers are found in all towns and cities. If you bring a triband/quad mobile phone, you can buy a local card and use it in your phone. The international area codes are: +1 – 809 and +1 – 829.
Time Zone
The Dominican Republic is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and on USA East Coast Time respectively. The country does not adjust to daylight saving time.
Transportation
The country runs a very good and low-priced public transportation network. Coach transportation lines cover the long routes between major cities while gua-guas (mini-buses) and carro publicos (public taxis) go along the main roads into the city neighborhoods and from town to town. Motoconchos are motorbike-taxis; they are mainly used on short distances between villages and in town.
Domestic air travel service is provided to major tourist destinations.
Airports and International Airlines
Various scheduled and chartered flights go to the Dominican Republic like: American Airlines, Continental Airlines and JetBlue from the US; Air Canada, Sky Service, Air Transat from Canada; ThomsonFly from Great Britain; Condor and LTU from Ger-many; Edelweiss and BelAir from Switzer-land; MartinAir from The Netherlands; Iberia from Spain; Air France from France.
The major ports of entry are: Santo Domin-go (SDQ), Puerto Plata (POP), Punta Cana (PUJ), Santiago de los Caballeros (STI), La Romana (LRM), and Samana (AZS).
Entry regulations
In general, foreigners traveling to the Dominican Republic need a valid passport or equivalent national identity document and a visa. All non-resident travelers need to show a round trip ticket as proof of their departure. Citizens of the US, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain and several others do not need a visa. You are allowed to enter the country after purchasing a tourist card for USD 10.- Usually, there is also an airport tax of USD 20.- to be paid when departing.
Please contact the local embassy in charge or your state department for more detailed information.
Security
Compared to other Caribbean countries, the Dominican Republic is still one of the safest places. Travelers should follow the common rules for being in a foreign country like: do not carry valuables or expensive jewelry, take just small amounts of cash with you, avoid lonely, dark streets and in bigger cities certain districts at night.
Vaccination
No particular immunization is required by law for traveling to the Dominican Republic. You may decide to get vaccinations – please contact your doctor for more detailed information.
Insurances
We recommend that you purchase travel cancellation insurance, baggage insurance and travel health insurance.