Dominican Republic
The pristine white sands and turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea in the Dominican Republic attract travelers year-round, even the most seasoned ones. It is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The official language is Spanish, but English is often used in the tourism industry. The official currency is the peso. It is advisable to bring dollars with you, but it’s better to exchange them for the local currency. When exchanging pesos for dollars, you need to have a document confirming the purchase of currency in the country (so keep your receipts). It is recommended to use credit cards exclusively in banks.
Seasonality of Recreation:
This is a country of eternal summer, where the air temperature never drops below 25 degrees Celsius. The best time for vacation is considered to be the dry winter – the period from December to April. Summer is considered the cheapest season for vacation, however, note that it is the period of rains (May-July) and hurricanes (August-November). The rains can be heavy but short-lived.
Visa Regime:
Visa-free regime is in effect; upon arrival, you need to purchase a tourist card for 30 or 60 days at the border; pay a fee of $10 upon arrival and $20 upon departure from the country. Documents required include a passport (valid at the time of leaving the country), flight ticket, and insurance policy.
Etiquette and Country Specifics:
It’s a very poor country, so residents try to earn money by any means necessary. Do not use water from the tap even for brushing teeth. If you plan to rent a car, remember that locals often violate traffic rules, so it’s better to use taxi services.
National Cuisine:
A traditional dish in the Dominican Republic is the thick soup “Asopao” with meat, rice, and vegetables. Enjoy tropical fruits: coconuts, guavas, mangoes. The national drink is rum. You can snack on “Pastel en hoja” – turnovers wrapped in banana leaves. An unusual dish is grilled pork with fried bananas, and an exotic one is a whole roasted pig cooked in a pit.
Interesting Places to Visit:
Visit the most famous cave with three lakes, Los Tres Ojos, where crystal clear water with its unique chemical composition resides. Diving enthusiasts can enjoy not only the clear sea but also sunken pirate ships. If you want to see the first city of the “New World” and step into the 15th century, be sure to visit the colonial city of Santo Domingo. Here you will also see the Columbus Lighthouse – one of the main landmarks of the Dominican Republic.
What to Bring Back:
Rum and cigars, which are as popular as Cuban ones. Good coffee at a fairly attractive price. Amber and larimar stone products (can only be bought in the Dominican Republic). Cosmetics with snail extract. The alcoholic beverage Mamajuana, which Dominicans attribute healing properties to.
