The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of La Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti, and is the second largest country in the Caribbean, comprising an area of 48,442 square kilometers (29,948 square miles). It is bordered on the north by the Atlantic Ocean and on the south by the Caribbean Sea. This is a big island by Caribbean standards and care should be taken to arrive at the one of seven international airports that may be closest to your final destination to avoid long car trips, sometimes of up to eight hours – for example if you land at Punta Cana international and are headed to Puerto Plata. 

Population: Approximately nine million people live in the Dominican Republic. Of these, one third lives in the capital city and environs.

Language:  Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic although English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas and large cities. Knowledge of German, Italian and French is also common in resort towns. Traffic sign are in Spanish, although menus in tourist regions are usually also available in English.

Time: The Dominican Republic is on Atlantic Standard time all year long. Clocks are one hour ahead of those on the US eastern seaboard in the fall – winter but keep the same time in the spring – summer. The Dominican Republic is four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Weather:  As with the rest of the Caribbean, the most common weather forecast is partly sunny with a chance of a shower lasting 10 minutes or less, most likely in the late afternoon. The temperatures usually fluctuate from a high of33oC (91oF) in August a chilly 17oC (62oF) on winter mornings. Temperatures between summer and winter usually fluctuate less than ten degree. For more on weather, see www.onamet.com

Airports: The D.R. posses a modern airport system, comfortable and efficient, composed of 6 airports located throughout the national geography for domestic and international flights. Cap Cana is only  seven minutes away from the Punta Cana international airport,  the  most active airport in the Dominican Republic and third in the Caribbean with direct flights from Europe (Frankfurt, Paris, London, Spain, Berlin, Viena) Latin America (Panama, Caracas, Bogota, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile), United States (Miami, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washigton D.C.) and Canada (Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, Winnipeg, Calgary).

Roads: The country’s road network is one of the best in the region and practically links all of the country’s destinations

Ports: 11 important maritime ports are located within short distance from production centers. Noteworthy are the ports of Haina, Santo Domingo and Boca Chica; the last one is one of the most modern facilities in the Caribbean. The Boca Chica port is a multi-modal free zone managed by DP World (Dubai Ports).

Telecommunications: The country’s telecommunications system is one of its main competitive advantages. This service is wholly provided by the private sector and is positioned among the most advanced and efficient worldwide.

Currency: Foreign currency can be converted to Dominican pesos at the Banc,  exchange booths found at airports, major hotels, commercial banks and authorized exchange houses. Travelers checks (which will require presentation of a passport) and major credit cards are widely accepted. ATM machine can be foud in hotel and commercial areas.

Taxes and service charges: On arrival, most visitors are required to purchase a tourist card for US$10 and pay a US$20 departure tax at the airport upon departure. The US$10 charge permits a 15-day stay. For a stay of up to 90 days, an additional US$5 is assessed. Similar additional charges apply for longer stays. Hotels collect 26% of their published prices (16% sales tax + 10% service charge). Restaurants also charge the 16% sales tax and a 10% service charge but it is nevertheless customary to tip an additional 10% for satisfactory service in restaurants.

Ground transport: Hotel taxis usually are manned by bilingual drivers who double as tour guides. Radio taxis are readily available and reasonably priced, with the possibility of setting the fare prior to booking with the radio depot operator. These cars can be hired by the ride or the hour. Car rentals are available at all or through the rental companies’ offices in the city. You must be 21 years of age to contract a rental vehicle. 

Entry Requirements: Citizens of Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Peru and Uruguay can visit without a visa or tourist card, only with a valid passport. Citizens and legal residents in the US, Canada, Spain, Mexico, and Venezuela, among other countries, need to purchase a tourist card (US$10) for a stay of up to 30 days, and an additional US $ 10 for up to 90 days stays. Thereafter, fees will vary for longer stays, and this can be paid upon departure. Tourist cards can be purchase upon arrival. Departure tax is US $20 and usually included in the price of the ticket.  The US government requires that all US citizens have a valid passport for travel to the DR. Canadians still can visit with an original birth certificate, along with a valid photo – bearing official document (driver’s license or voter registration), but they most be on a non-stop flight to the DR from Canada.  Citizens of other countries should contact their carrier or the closest Dominican consulate to reconfirm travel documentation requirements.

Business Hours: Government offices, as well as foreign consulates and embassies, open at 8am and close at 2pm Monday through Friday. Some offices stay open for meetings by appointment until later in the afternoon. Businesses typically operate from 9am to 5pm five days a week. Shops open on weekdays at 9am and usually stay open until 7pm on weeknights and until 2pm on Saturdays. Major stores remain open until 10pm and on Sunday will close at around 8pm  

Electricity:  Appliances run on 110 volts/60 cycles, just as in the United States.

Medical facilities: Doctors are usually on call at major hotels and are equipped with medicine for the most common ailments. Ambulances are available, as is air ambulance evacuation. Emergency dental treatment can be provided if needed. Twenty-four hour pharmacies can be found in every major city.

Pet regulation:  The department of animal health requires proof of a rabies vaccination for dogs indicating that the inoculation was given 30 days prior to the animal’s arrival in the country. For both dogs and cats, a health certificate issued not more than 15 days prior to the animal’s arrival in the country is also required. If this requirement are not met, the animal will be quarantined upon arrival from 8 to 30 days, depending on its country origin.

Religious services: Though the country is predominantly Roman Catholic, these are many active denominations of Christian faith, including Anglican, Baptist, Evangelical, Seven Day Adventist and Mormon. English services are held in some churches of the capital city. Santo Domingo’s synagogue holds a weekly service Friday evening at sundown.

Getting married: to marry in the Dominican Republic, you will need a valid passport, original birth certificate, single status affidavit in Spanish, Divorce act in Spanish. Legal transcripts of the single status affidavit and divorce act can be prepared at the Dominican consulate nearest your residence. You will also need two witnesses. If these are foreigners, they will need passport. If they are Dominican, then their cédulas (Dominican ID cards) will be sufficient. Caleton beach Club and Secret Sanctuary offer wedding packages..