The Facts For Your Dominican Republic Vacation

Dominican Republic Vacation guests have mixed feelings about the Dominican Republic. On one hand, it offers the characteristic white sand beaches and natural beauty of the Caribbean; on the other hand, the country has a reputation for poverty, crime, and general social unrest. These opposing qualities may deter Dominican Republic travel visitors who are unaware of the amazing possibilities this country has to offer.

Despite these concerns, the people of the Dominican Republic are genuinely friendly and the Dominican Republic vacation industry is booming. The government and Dominican Republic resort owners are making strides in providing Dominican Republic vacation guests with increased security: As a result, petty crime is on the decline in tourist areas.

Getting To your Dominican Republic Vacation

Dominican Republic vacation guests have two international airports for Caribbean travelers. Las Americas International Airport is located in Santo Domingo in the south; farther north is La Union International Airport, 23 miles east of Puerto Plata. Las Americas can be confusing and chaotic. Overworked and underpaid customs officials are sometimes sharp with Dominican Republic travel guests, and insist on very thorough customs checks. Remember to continue to be polite, as being rude can only make the process more difficult. Dominican Republic vacation guests should be wary of letting anyone handle your bags, since thieves frequently pose as porters. Keep valuables in carry-on luggage, not your checked bags; stolen luggage is not uncommon. Keeping an eye on your bags is helpful, but keeping a hand on them is better. For these reasons most Caribbean traffic passes through La Union which, though farther from Dominican Republic travel destinations, makes for an easier arrival and departure.

Entry Requirements

All Dominican Republic vacation guests, even those from within the Caribbean, need a valid passport and visa and, upon arrival, must purchase a tourist card for about $10(USD). Keep track of your passport and tourist card at all times. Although entry customs and immigration may be difficult, be tenacious; all the work is worth the end benefits for an enjoyable Dominican Republic vacation.

Like many islands of the Caribbean, Dominican Republic travel visitors find the Dominican Republic is an extremely tropical country, experiencing nearly 70 inches of rainfall annually. August is the warmest month of the year, and January the coolest, although it is still usually warm enough to swim at this time on Dominican Republic beaches. January temperatures range from 70 to 81 degrees, and July temperatures from 77 to 87 degrees (Fahrenheit).

Geography

Dominican Republic vacation guests find that Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the island of Hispaniola, or"Little Spain." Situated amid Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico, Hispaniola is often said to be the heart of the Caribbean archipelago. The Dominican Republic is home to the highest mountain peak in the West Indies at a startling 3,125 feet above sea level. Approximately 33 percent of the country's 870 miles of shoreline are devoted to public Dominican Republic beaches.

Health and Safety

Although the Dominican Republic is known for social unrest and crime, most of these problems are limited to the less visited areas of Santo Domingo. Nonetheless, many north coast Dominican Republic resorts are isolated and lack proper security. If looking into the north coast area, be sure to check with the Dominican Republic hotel or resort about security offered to Dominican Republic vacation guests. Always exercise extreme caution with handbags and wallets; avoid wearing expensive-looking clothes and jewelry; and don't flash lots of cash. When visiting the Caribbean, follow the same common sense rules that apply in any major American or European city such as Chicago, New York, or London: Dominican Republic travel guests should avoid dark, deserted areas and alleyways, don't talk to strangers, and never walk alone after dark. As far as water goes, it is advisable for Dominican Republic vacation guests to stick to bottled water. Although the water is filtered, it is still questionable.

People

Despite a history of violence and social unrest, and a reputation for crime, Dominicans are lovers of hospitality, and are genuinely friendly towards Dominican republic vacation travelers, since tourists provide most Caribbean islanders with their daily bread. Politeness and modesty in behavior are the best ways to guarantee good treatment. Islanders typically view Westerners as lacking in these traits, and good manners are highly valued in local culture.

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