Good to know before you go

To travel to the Dominican Republic you need a valid passport and upon your arrival you need to buy a tourist entry visa of US $20 dollars and again upon leaving you pay the fee of Us $20. This income is used by the Dominican Republic to upgrade its local infra structure.

Make sure you carry some cash with you as not every shop or restaurant except credit cards. Most retailers accept dollars, euros and English pounds, traveller cheques are a bit of a hassle. The best exchange rates to buy the local currency 'pesos' are at the exchange offices in Puerto Plata

Don't drink tap water. Ice cubes usually come from a clean water source but be careful with salads and or too much fried foods.

in case you have a baby, bring enough supplies, and in case you are on medication pack enough supplies and bring insect repellent, sunscreen, casual clothes and shoes and sun hats and of course your camera. Cary travel insurance with you, especially if you plan to practise extreme sports.

The best souvenirs are the beautiful baby blue larimar stone, only found in the Dominican Republic, precious amber stones, wooden figures and colourful paintings, Dominican Rum, Dominican Cigars and coffee. Also good buys are reasonably priced jeans, sneakers

and clothes in the large department stores in the main cities.

Enjoy the Latin beats of this tropical island, people love to dance and enjoy almost impossibly loud music such as merengue, baciata and salsa. The food is excellent and bountiful, fish such as Mero

(Sea Bass) Lobster, fresh shrimps, roasted pork and fried chicken, white rice and beans and plenty of fresh tropical fruit.

There are several ways of transportation such as: Caribe Tours (809 221 4422) and Metro (809 586 6566), air conditioned buses that take you fast and comfortable through most of the country for reasonable prices. Travelling from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata takes about 7 hours! Local 'guaguas': small buses travelling on local routes jammed packed with people, playing loud merengue music. Tourist taxis which you can find in most resort and the famous motor cycles taxis: 'motoconchos', travelling in the cities and neighbourhoods, please be careful in rainy conditions.

Leave your valuables in the hotel safe and don't wear expensive jewellery or carry large amounts of cash around with you. Act smart, like any where else in the world, a thief always looks for a easy victim.

Phoning: dial a one before a cell phone number from a land line and

also when calling outside of the district.

You will find that many Dominicans speak English or German and are help full and eager to get to know you.

Did you know that the Dominican Republic received near 4 million tourists in 2005? Come and Join them by booking with us!