5 things that you should know before visiting the Dominican Republic
If you are preparing for a tropical holiday to Punta Cana, then you should be ready for a beautiful and enjoyable stay. This beach town has transformed from a barren farmland into a renowned tourist destination. You will definitely enjoy the palm-fringed beaches, lavish resorts, crystal-clear waters and an 80-degree all year-round weather. Here are a few things that you should know when planning your punta cana vacaciones.
Entry Requirements and Visa
To enter the Dominican Republic, you should have a valid passport and tourist card or Visa depending on your country of origin. Tourist cards have varying lengths from 30, 60 to 90 days. If you want to stay longer than 3 months, then you should request for an extension from the Migration Department in Santo Domingo. You may be fined when leaving the country if you overstay without seeking an extension.
Official language
In the Dominican Republic and in Punta Cana, Spanish is the official spoken language. However, most people working in the tourism sector understand and even speak English. Therefore, you should not be worried about having problems with language barriers especially if you do not understand Spanish. Areas that have more tourists will have locals who speak French, Portuguese and German. You do not have to be fluent in Spanish to go to Punta Cana, however, learning a few Spanish phrases and words will sweeten your holiday experience.
Suitable clothing
When vacationing in Punta Cana, then you should wear light clothing. It is best to go for pant legs and long sleeves as it will help to keep off mosquitoes. Make sure that you go for natural fibers that can easily beat the humidity. The tiempo en república dominicana is suitable for sight-seeing and sun-bathing. However, you should also carry a few sweaters to keep you warm through cold nights especially during the dry seasons.
Currency
The official currency that is used in the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso. However, there are some tourist spots that accept the U.S dollars or credit card. If you are not planning to do any outside shopping, dining or visiting non-tourist areas, then there is no need to convert your dollars to the local currency. However, the exchange rate may be more expensive because the exchange rates will not be based on bank charges but local restaurants or stores. If you opt to carry dollars, then you must ensure that you carry smaller bills to make purchase of products easier for you.
Taxes and tips
Taxes are usually included in restaurant and hotel prices and you can easily get this information when you are making reservations for your vacation. When tipping, it is ideal to give 5-10% of the actual service price. You should ensure that you give tips to room maids, bartenders, serves, bellmen or airport porters, security personnel and gardeners. For excursions, tipping is usually $5 is given for half day trips and $10 for a whole day trip.
When travelling for your punta cana vacaciones, you should ensure that you purchase travel insurance. This is important because you will never know what may happen during your holiday. You may be required to return home early, have a medical emergency or cancel arrangements. All these things can set you back especially if you do not have an insurance cover. You can easily access affordable travel indemnity from your bank, independent companies or tour operators.
Entry Requirements and Visa
To enter the Dominican Republic, you should have a valid passport and tourist card or Visa depending on your country of origin. Tourist cards have varying lengths from 30, 60 to 90 days. If you want to stay longer than 3 months, then you should request for an extension from the Migration Department in Santo Domingo. You may be fined when leaving the country if you overstay without seeking an extension.
Official language
In the Dominican Republic and in Punta Cana, Spanish is the official spoken language. However, most people working in the tourism sector understand and even speak English. Therefore, you should not be worried about having problems with language barriers especially if you do not understand Spanish. Areas that have more tourists will have locals who speak French, Portuguese and German. You do not have to be fluent in Spanish to go to Punta Cana, however, learning a few Spanish phrases and words will sweeten your holiday experience.
Suitable clothing
When vacationing in Punta Cana, then you should wear light clothing. It is best to go for pant legs and long sleeves as it will help to keep off mosquitoes. Make sure that you go for natural fibers that can easily beat the humidity. The tiempo en república dominicana is suitable for sight-seeing and sun-bathing. However, you should also carry a few sweaters to keep you warm through cold nights especially during the dry seasons.
Currency
The official currency that is used in the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso. However, there are some tourist spots that accept the U.S dollars or credit card. If you are not planning to do any outside shopping, dining or visiting non-tourist areas, then there is no need to convert your dollars to the local currency. However, the exchange rate may be more expensive because the exchange rates will not be based on bank charges but local restaurants or stores. If you opt to carry dollars, then you must ensure that you carry smaller bills to make purchase of products easier for you.
Taxes and tips
Taxes are usually included in restaurant and hotel prices and you can easily get this information when you are making reservations for your vacation. When tipping, it is ideal to give 5-10% of the actual service price. You should ensure that you give tips to room maids, bartenders, serves, bellmen or airport porters, security personnel and gardeners. For excursions, tipping is usually $5 is given for half day trips and $10 for a whole day trip.
When travelling for your punta cana vacaciones, you should ensure that you purchase travel insurance. This is important because you will never know what may happen during your holiday. You may be required to return home early, have a medical emergency or cancel arrangements. All these things can set you back especially if you do not have an insurance cover. You can easily access affordable travel indemnity from your bank, independent companies or tour operators.