Located in the heart of the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. It was discovered in 1492 by Christopher Columbus and is the second largest and most diverse Caribbean country. With direct flights from the main cities of Latin America, the United States, Canada and Europe, it is well-known for the warm weather and hospitable people. It has a population of 9,980,243 (2015 Census). Santo Domingo is the capital city. The Dominican Republic is a unique destination, featuring astounding nature, a fascinating history and a very rich culture.
The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of The Hispaniola, an island shared with the Republic of Haiti. It has a surface area of 18,704 square miles (48,442 square kilometers).
Local time is GMT -4, an hour ahead of Atlantic Standard Time in the United States in winter.
The capital of the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo, the oldest city in the New World. Greater Santo Domingo has a population of around three million people.
The Dominican Republic is a representative democracy. There are three branches of government: Executive, Legislative and Judicial. Every four years the country elects its president, vice president, legislators and city government officials. President Danilo Medina and Vice President Margarita Cedeño were elected for a second four-year term that began on 15 May 2016 and ends on 16 August 2020.
Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic. However, in many hotels and tourist destinations, English, French, German and Italian are fluently spoken.
The Dominican Peso (RD$) is the official currency. One Dominican peso equals to USD 0,021. Major credit cards are accepted at most tourist locations, but it is advisable to check acceptance in advance at small hotels, restaurants and shops.
ATMs are located in almost all cities of the country, as well as in most resorts. Large supermarkets and malls have ATMs that are open until late.
The Dominican Republic enjoys a tropical climate all year round, with average temperatures ranging from 66 °F to 93 °F (19 °C to 34 °C). The coldest season is between November and April, and the hottest season, between May and October. August is the hottest month.
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In the Dominican Republic, electric outlets are 110 volts, the same as in the United States and Canada. Because of this, visitors from other countries needing power adapters are advised to bring their own.
Restaurant bills already include a 10% tip. However it is customary to give an additional 10% for good service. Most people do not tip taxi drivers, but if the client wants to reward for good service, a tip will certainly be appreciated.
A valid passport is required. You may also need a tourist card (US$10 or €10) or a visa.
Citizens of countries who are legally able to enter the European Union, Great Britain, the United States of America or Canada may enter the Dominican Republic by presenting a Tourist Card.
The Tourist Card is valid for a year from the date of purchase and is valid for an up to 30-day visit for one person who will only be able to use it once. The Tourist Card can be acquired at point of sale locations in land, air or sea ports in the country (cash only). It is also sold at Dominican embassies and consulate offices overseas and by tour operating companies. It can be purchased online at www.dgii.gov.do/tarjetaTuristica/EN/about/Paginas/default.aspx
Visitors from the following countries do not need a visa or a tourist card: Argentina, Chile, South Korea, Ecuador, Israel, Japan, Peru and Uruguay.
However, it is advisable to check if a visa or a tourist card is required according to each case and find out the requirements to begin the process. For a list of citizens who need to request a visa at Dominican consulates abroad click HERE
Vaccines
There are no required vaccines to enter Dominican Republic. However, it is recommended to get protection from yellow fever: the Dominican Republic Ministry of Public Health has recently indicated that a certificate of vaccination should be submitted by those travelers who come from ‒or go to– risk areas, especially Brazil, due to a recent outbreak. Other risk countries are Peru and Colombia, in South America.
Additional information: when a person travels from a yellow fever endemic country, those countries visited along the travel may request him/her the International Certificate of Vaccination in order to enter the country; therefore certain airlines may also request such certificate before embarking. It is recommended to check this requirement with the embassy or consulate of the countries to be visited and with the respective airlines. Please bear in mind that, according to the International Sanitary Regulations, this vaccine should be administered 10 days before entering the country; it is therefore convenient to make consultations with enough time in advance.
We further recommend to include in the luggage insect repellent containing picaridin or DEET in order to avoid mosquito bites.
This city has a population of about three million and it is the oldest city in the New World. The Colonial City, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, is a grid of 16 cobbled short streets with jewels of 16th to early 20th century architecture. Visitors can also find many small museums, shops, hotels, restaurants, and bars. When leaving the colonial area, one can marvel at the lushness of the Botanical Gardens or walk over to the Malecón to enjoy the view of the Caribbean Sea.
Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) is also known as José Francisco Peña Gómez Airport. It takes only 30 minutes to get there from the capital city of Santo Domingo and it is also very close to the tourist areas of Boca Chica and Juan Dolio.
www.aerodom.com/app/do/lasamericas.aspx
Convento de los Dominicos (Dominicos Convent)
It is a 16th century building that housed the first university in the Americas. In this church, Fra Antón de Montesinos became the first advocate of human rights in the Americas by speaking out against the abuses suffered by the Taíno people. (Colonial City).
Parque Colón (Columbus Park)
Located beside the Cathedral, this shaded square is surrounded by colonial, republican and modern architecture and is a magnet for Dominicans and tourists alike. In the center one can see the statue of Christopher Columbus with the Taíno Indian heroine Anacaona. (Colonial City).
Parque Independencia (Independence Park)
It is a white-marble mausoleum where the remains of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic are buried: Juan Pablo Duarte, Matías Ramon Mella and Francisco del Rosario Sánchez. The park is also the city’s largest outdoor art exhibition. (Colonial City).
Malecón
This nine-mile (14,5 km) boulevard runs along the Caribbean Sea front. The Malecón leads into the Avenida del Puerto cruise ship port and to the Colonial City area.
Acuario Nacional (National Aquarium)
The Aquarium has a long shark tunnel and a manatee observation point.
Alcázar de Colón (Columbus Fortress)
This Gothic and Renaissance-style palace was built around 1512 by Columbus’ son Diego and his wife, Maria de Toledo, niece of the King of Spain. It is the oldest viceregal residence in the Americas. The expeditions and conquest of the Americas were planned from here. (Colonial City).
Museo Bellapart (Bellapart Museum)
This private museum houses an outstanding art collection by famous 19th and 20th century Dominican artists. The exhibit includes paintings and sculptures made by Spanish great masters who arrived as exiles of Franco dictatorship.
Museo de Arte Moderno (Modern Art Museum)
It displays works of the best 20th century Dominican art, as well as temporary exhibitions.
Museo del Hombre Dominicano (Museum of Dominican Man)
This museum tells the history of the island from the Taínos days to the Spanish conquest, including insights into African heritage.
Faro a Colón (Columbus Lighthouse)
It contains the remains of the famous European explorer Columbus. The large museum also exhibits historical objects of other countries. (Boulevard del Faro).
Museo de las Casas Reales (Royal Houses Museum)
This small museum provides an overview of Dominican history from 1492 to the independence from Spain, in 1821. In the 16th century, the Palace of the governor general, the treasury and the law courts were located in this building.
Fortaleza Ozama (Ozama Fortress)
It was the first permanent military structure built by the Spaniards in the Americas in early 16th century. It has in its center a five-floor tower and a lookout platform with impressive views of the Ozama River. (Colonial City).
Catedral de Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo Cathedral)
The first cathedral in America, more than 500 years old, is well cared for and illuminated. It has an impressive Gothic ceiling and colonial period oil paintings. (Colonial City).
Jardín Botánico Nacional (National Botanical Garden)
Without any doubt it is the largest and best kept botanical garden in the Caribbean and Central America. It occupies one square mile (2 km²) and is a tropical lushness paradise, an ideal place for long strolls. (Av. República de Colombia).
Shopping
Visitors can find a great diversity of shops along the city streets and in many large malls. These include Bella Vista Mall, Ágora Mall, Acrópolis, Blue Mall, Galería 360, and Sambil. Local items to look for are designer clothes (including “guayaberas”), original art, coffee, chocolate sweets, Dominican sweets, macadamia nuts, leather handbags and belts, amber and larimar jewelry, faceless dolls, beer, rum and cigars.
The largest collection of souvenirs can be found at the Mercado Modelo, walking distance from the Colonial City. On Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday craftsmanship pieces are sold at the park located on the corner of Padre Billini and Arzobispo Meriño streets, in the Colonial City.
Nightlife
Most nightspots are located in Winston Churchill, Gustavo Mejía Ricart, Abraham Lincoln, Roberto Pastoriza, Sarasota, Rómulo Betancourt and Venezuela avenues; in the Malecón; and in many streets of the Colonial City. Main hotels have their own music spots.
Visitors can also find bars and restaurants at Plaza de España, facing the Alcázar de Colón.
Gastronomy
Most restaurants are located in the Polígono Central (Naco and Piantini areas), including the busy Gustavo Mejía Ricart and Winston Churchill avenues, the Malecón, Chinatown or the Colonial City areas. Santo Domingo has more restaurants than any other city in the Caribbean or Central America. They serve Dominican, Caribbean, Latin, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Scandinavian, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Japanese dishes, many of them with a Dominican twist and prepared, of course, with fresh local ingredients.
Well-known restaurants serving Dominican food in Santo Domingo are Adrian Tropical, in the Malecón; Mesón de la Cava and El Higüero, in the Mirador del Sur Park; Cafetería El Conde and Mesón de Bari, in the Colonial City, and Cane, in modern Santo Domingo.
Golf
Isabel Villas Golf & Country Club
It is a simple course with nine par 3 holes bordering the Isabela River near residential communities.
Santo Domingo Country Club
Built in 1947 as the first golf course in the Dominican Republic, is the capital city’s most exclusive club. There are two golf courses: Senior (18 holes) and Los Robles (9 holes).
Cayacoa Golf Club
Located just 15 minutes away from the city of Santo Domingo, this 18-hole course is laid over an immense rolling terrain with lush greenery right next to crystal clear lakes.
For the social meetings, elegant casual clothes are recommended, no jeans. No tie is necessary.
Punctuality is indispensable and will be welcomed for all programmed events.
You will be requested to show your identification card / badge at all the social and academic events to be allowed into the meeting rooms.