Paradise on Earth - Dominican Republic: everything a tourist needs to know. What do you need to know before traveling to the Dominican Republic? Tips for new arrivals What a tourist should know in the Dominican Republic

  • 10.10.2020

The Republic of the Dominican Republic, along with the Maldives, is a real Mecca for romantic couples and newlyweds. Thousands of them cross the ocean to spend their honeymoon or a long-awaited vacation together in this distant and attractive tropical country for a measured island vacation.

Getting to know the country

The Dominican Republic is a small country, occupying only half of the island of Haiti, and living off the tourism industry. The state can be completely crossed by car in just 6 hours. The climate of the Dominican Republic is tropical, and the average air temperatures are kept at + 26 - +29 degrees. Night earthquakes are a local natural feature, but they should not be scared - Haiti shakes constantly and only slightly.

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Travel Moscow - Punta Cana takes 12 hours, after which you can completely indulge in a measured half-asleep rest. But do not be lazy, break away from the beach and the hotel, visit the capital city of the Dominican Republic - Santo Domingo. It is not in vain that UNESCO declared it the heritage of mankind. There are many beautiful narrow winding streets, ancient monuments and churches. The center is rich in buildings of the colonial era, since it was built up by Europeans in the 16th century, so its architecture leaves a feeling not of the Caribbean, but rather of Spain.

Recommended for visiting, built from scratch half a century ago at the expense of some eccentric philanthropist, "city of artists" (Altos de Chavon). Creative natures (designers, artists, artisans) live here, and film crews of world film studios meet at work (filming here is a common thing).


Currency, tastings, shopping

With this versatile cash, you can bring excellent gifts from the island, especially for men. First, rum! The local factories produce as many as 15 varieties of rum, and their doors are always open to tourists.

Also noteworthy is the local drink "Mama Juana", delicious coffee and, of course, tobacco. Dominican cigars are in no way inferior to Cuban ones.

Among Caribbean dishes, Russian tourists celebrate green bananas ("tostones") fried with garlic and salt - this is a real exotic!

You can shop right in Punta Cana: at the Plaza Bavaro souvenir market (next to the Bavaro Princess hotel) or at the resort grounds, as prices do not vary much here.


Excursions

Choosing among long excursion programs, pay attention to Fr. Saona is the largest in the Dominican Republic. The trip takes a whole day. You will also have the opportunity to see, touch and hold starfish in your hands. Echinoderms are even allowed to be taken out of the water, but for no more than 5 seconds.


Entertainment

For those vacationers who find it not quite enough to lie all the time on the most delicate beaches of the Dominican Republic with white sand, looking into the endless expanses of the turquoise ocean, local services are able to offer a number of options for outdoor activities:

Of course, the Dominican Republic is a paradise for lovers, where all conditions are created for solitude and immersion in the local luxurious nature. For lonely tourists, such a vacation may even seem boring, but not for those who flew here together, on the wings of great feelings.

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In the Republic of the Dominican Republic tourism allows all vacationers to plunge into a relaxing atmosphere upon arrival. Tourists have the opportunity to enjoy its unique nature, touch the local culture and experience the unforgettable island flavor. And the year-round warm weather allows holidaymakers to organize travel to the Dominican Republic regardless of the season.

What you need to know

So that the atmosphere of relaxation does not leave the guests of the country, it is important to remember that seasonality is also present here. The rainy season from May to mid-July can especially create discomfort. That is why this period is not so popular with tour operators. The features of the tropical climate mainly affect what to take with you to the Dominican Republic.

Note!Before packing your suitcase, you need to understand the need for certain things on the island. In particular, any apartment already has an iron and a hairdryer for the comfort of tourists, so you shouldn't take them. All attention should be paid to clothing and its compactness, so as not to drag heavy suitcases to such a distant country.

The question of what to take to the Dominican Republic is very simple. Any tourist will need light beach clothes, light colors, pleasant to the body. It is desirable that the clothing is loose, breathable, free of synthetic fibers and protects against burns and overheating. Experienced tourists advise not to pack a lot of things, but to bring a few warm capes in winter.

Dominican Republic

Going to the Dominican Republic, what to take with you on a trip from shoes is also easy to decide. You will definitely need beach and sports shoes, and because of the strict dress code, sandals or shoes will not be superfluous in hotels. From accessories on vacation you will need glasses and a hat.

Vaccinations in the Dominican Republic

Most often, experts advise turning to vaccinations before traveling to such an exotic country as the Dominican Republic, precisely for preventive purposes. Before a trip to the Dominican Republic, you can do vaccinations based on general medical recommendations, as well as your own preferences in taking care of your health. Recommended vaccines include immunization against:

  • hepatitis viruses (especially if there is a high risk of disease or kidney failure);
  • tubercle bacillus;
  • measles, diphtheria and tetanus (if more than 10 years have passed since the last vaccination).

Vaccinations

Also, experts advise to get vaccinated against yellow fever and rabies, if there is a desire to visit remote areas of the republic. It is not recommended to get vaccinated against typhoid and malaria when traveling to the Dominican Republic.

In any case, you should definitely consult your doctor before vaccination.

First aid kit

It is important to remember that while resting, the most important thing is to observe safety measures and not forget about basic safety rules. To help preserve the health of both adults and children, not only vaccinations will help, but also a properly composed first-aid kit, which you should definitely take with you on vacation.

You should not treat this issue with disdain, because no one has canceled the process of acclimatization in a new place and various life situations that can force, and more than once, to turn to medications while on vacation. And the peculiarity of the Dominican Republic, which does not allow buying certain medicines without a prescription, will once again remind you of the importance of thinking over this issue in advance.
A first aid kit for this sunny country should include:

  • antipyretic and pain relievers;
  • drugs for the normalization of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as drugs for motion sickness;
  • medicines for coughs, sore throats and runny nose;
  • repellents and bite ointments.

It will not be superfluous to supplement the first-aid kit with remedies for bruises, sprains and cuts, on vacation brilliant green, iodine and peroxide, as well as a plaster, bandage and cotton wool, as well as sunscreens, will be useful.

Independently to the Dominican Republic

Traveling around the Dominican Republic on its own, each tourist will discover a new feeling of freedom and ease from movement, if the rest is thought out and organized in the country of the Dominican Republic on their own. The absence of a visa regime for the countries: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan, the ability to solve everything not through a travel agency, but directly through the embassy, \u200b\u200benables the tourist to solve problems on his own and in the order he personally chooses.

Traveler

Such a trip is not dangerous, but before you go, you should pay attention to the list of necessary documents and familiarize yourself with the rules of stay on the island. Everything about the Dominican Republic for tourists can be studied on any site for independent travelers, where there is data about the Dominican Republic, a memo to the tourist with the rules of conduct at the resort. There are many positive aspects of relaxation, the main ones include:

  • length of stay;
  • freedom of movement and the opportunity to see all the beauty and sights of the Dominican Republic;
  • savings on travel arrangements to such a distant country.

An important point when organizing a trip to the Dominican Republic is the choice of air tickets, which should be done 1 ... 3 months before departure. Various services allow you to do this cheaply, reliably and quickly. After purchasing the tickets, you need to start choosing a resort and hotel.

A huge plus for independent recreation is the all-inclusive system in the hotels of the Dominican Republic. The region of Punta Cana is suitable for such a holiday. Also, tourists are offered private apartments, villas, mini-hotels at fairly reasonable prices. If a company goes on a trip, then such a service is also economically beneficial.

Entry to the Dominican Republic for Russian citizens

No visa required

Any citizen of the Russian Federation without obtaining a visa has the right to visit this island country if the entry is for a tourist purpose. Dominican Republic: what a Russian tourist needs to know - Russian citizens will be able to relax on paradise beaches if they have:

  • a valid passport from the date of departure for at least 6 months;
  • vouchers;
  • tourist voucher;
  • round-trip air tickets;
  • migration card for registration.

Additional Information.In addition to filling out a migration card, a tourist from Russia must pay a tax fee and apply for registration at the local migration control office. The official period of stay here is 30 days, but it can be extended by contacting the migration control in advance.

Import of animals to the Dominican Republic

A fairly long flight to the Dominican Republic does not prohibit the import of pets into its territory, but creates obstacles in coordinating this issue with the air carrier. The fact is that it is the airline that gives written permission for the carriage of pets. If the request is confirmed by the air carrier, it remains to collect the necessary documents. These include:

  • veterinary passport with vaccination marks;
  • form for exporting an animal abroad (fill out 3 days in advance);
  • a day before departure, an exchange form at the airport veterinary service for an international certificate and a boarding pass for the plane.

Note!It should be borne in mind that it is allowed to import dogs and cats into the territory of the Dominican Republic, but it is absolutely impossible to transport birds. You should also clarify in advance the issue of settling in the hotel with animals, so that there are no problems. Most hotels in the Dominican Republic do not consider accommodation with pets.

What not to do in the Dominican Republic

Compared to the countries of the Caribbean and Central America, the Dominican Republic is considered quite safe. When visiting the Dominican Republic, advice to tourists on how to behave and what to do is strictly forbidden will be useful. This knowledge will help you avoid negative situations and problems. Upon arrival, it is important to remember that filming both on the plane and at the airport is prohibited.

Important!political considerations also prohibit tourists from taking pictures of hospitals, military installations and more. Sometimes local residents may prohibit taking photographs at a time when, for example, they will weed a vegetable garden. Museum complexes often contain information about whether shooting is possible or not, and whether this service is paid. When visiting restaurants, bars and cafes, you should ask the owners if you can take pictures here ..

The proper rules should be followed in relation to religion. Tolerance of the Dominicans and their belonging to the Catholic faith requires tourists to observe elementary rules based on respect. It is worth adhering to certain rules in clothing and behavior. You should not wear short shorts and keep your shoulders open, it is advisable for women to cover their heads.

We must not forget that smoking is prohibited on the island in most public places. Tourists who like to swim on wild beaches should remember that the seabed is unpredictable and beware of poisonous sea urchins, moray eels, and jellyfish. It is worth remembering about the strong sea currents in the open sea and not swimming far.

Important!The country has strict customs regulations. Products of animal origin, agricultural and horticultural products, drugs and some types of medicines have a ban on import. It is strictly forbidden to export items of historical or other value from the country.

Dangers for tourists

Hurricane in the Dominican Republic in autumn

When visiting the country, the following rules should be observed:

  • not to come into contact with body fluids and blood of other people;
  • refuse to swim in fresh water;
  • beware of insect bites;
  • hide from the scorching sun;
  • wear a headdress;
  • boil drinking water;
  • thermally process food;
  • be careful on the roads;
  • do not attract the attention of criminals by demonstrating their income.

Other subtleties of tourism

When visiting a country like the Dominican Republic, the intricacies of tourism reveal its characteristic unique features that allow you to get to know it better. The Dominican Republic provides tourists with a relaxing holiday, and this is clearly seen upon arrival at the hotel. All-inclusive service allows vacationers not to think about anything, and completely relax without worries and worries. Even when visiting restaurants and cafes, tips are already included in the price of meals. Such care of the tourist allows vacationers to take with them a minimum of cash. If the rest is organized independently, then it is better to take dollars with you. They are easily exchanged for local currency and much more readily than the Euro. Currency transactions can be performed at exchange offices, banks. Locals willingly accept dollars.

Dominican, truly paradise vacation is organized efficiently and will not leave indifferent any of the tourists. Having visited here once, you will definitely want it to happen again.

Nature is the main value of the Dominican Republic. These are its picturesque landscapes, and the paradise coast of the Caribbean Sea, and wild jungle, and national parks created to protect flora and fauna. All this is available to guests of the country and offers a lot of opportunities for active recreation.

The Dominican Republic is a charming country full of surprises and interesting places. Rest in it will be remembered for a long time, especially if you successfully choose a means of transportation around the country and its cities. Our article will tell you about what types of transport are available in the Dominican Republic and which of them is suitable for tourists.

Rafting is one of the types of outdoor activities available to tourists traveling in the Dominican Republic. This is an extreme way to get acquainted with the nature of the country, with its turbulent rivers and rapids. Rafting in the Dominican Republic is possible for tourists with any skill level.

Ideally, a trip to the Dominican Republic should be timed to coincide with some of the local holidays. This will allow you to get better acquainted with the cultural traditions of the country and have great fun with the Dominicans at lush carnivals, costumed processions with songs and dances.

A wedding in the Dominican Republic is what you need to remember this day for your entire long married life. And it doesn't matter at all whether the ceremony will be official or simply symbolic: the newlyweds and their guests will have vivid impressions if they hold a wedding on the seashore or on a deserted island.

Night rest is what young people go to the Dominican Republic for. Its cities and resorts have a variety of nightclubs, decorated in a variety of styles and offering a variety of music, delicious Dominican cocktails, and even hotel transfers.

Rest in the Dominican Republic is attractive for its pristine scenic nature. You can get to know her by climbing her mountains - not high, but very beautiful. They offer stunning views. Find out which mountains in the Dominican Republic are the most interesting in terms of tourism.

The Dominican Republic attracts tourists not only by its beautiful beaches, but also by its very beautiful nature. This category also includes picturesque caves, of which there are about 5000. Tourists can go on a tour of the island's underground kingdom and see a lot of interesting things.

Costa del Ambar is one of the most popular tourist regions of the Dominican Republic. It stretches along the northern coast of the country and attracts foreign visitors with the bright lights of Puerto Plata, the beautiful beaches of Sosua, comfortable hotel complexes and dozens of types of entertainment.

Going on vacation to the Dominican Republic, you should take care of your own safety in advance. Our article will tell you about whether it is safe to move around the country, what are the risks and dangers for travelers, and how they can be avoided.

Safari is a modern type of excursion where tourists take an active part. Those who wish can go on an unforgettable trip to the provinces of the Dominican Republic, admire the picturesque nature of its wildest places, get acquainted with the locals and their way of life outside the resort towns.

The nature of the Dominican Republic captivates all tourists with its magnificent beaches, picturesque national parks, lush jungle. It is interesting to visit the lakes of the Dominican Republic, to plunge into their cool waters, to admire the beauty of underground reservoirs.

Uvero Alto is a young developing resort in the Dominican Republic. People come here for beach-hotel rest and fun entertainment, which are presented in a wide range. The beauty of the natural landscapes of the town of Uvero Alto pleasantly surprises tourists.

Fishing in the Dominican Republic is one of the most exciting outdoor activities possible on a paradise island. Here tourists will find a wide variety of fishing options: from the shore or from a boat, in the Caribbean Sea or in the Atlantic Ocean. Learn about all the features of fishing in the Dominican Republic!

Rest in the Dominican Republic is not only about beautiful beaches, palm trees and rum. For those who like gambling it is also an opportunity to visit the best gambling houses in the Caribbean. Find out everything about casinos in the Dominican Republic: what they offer tourists, in which resorts they are located and how they differ.

Waterfalls are perhaps the most beautiful component of nature in the Dominican Republic. On the paradise island, tourists will find many picturesque cascades. The path to many of them will allow you to test your strength and courage, and the reward will be a magnificent view and the opportunity to swim in the reservoirs at the foot of the waterfalls.

Diving is one of the most common types of outdoor activities in the Dominican Republic. The country is washed by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and has a large number of sites, dive centers, a magnificent underwater world with unique inhabitants and ancient shipwrecks.

Punta Cana is the most popular Caribbean resort in the Dominican Republic. Tourists will enjoy a great vacation here, the best hotels and beautiful beaches. The easiest way to get here is by air, especially since Punta Cana is served by the international airport of the same name, which receives Aeroflot flights.

Car rental is a very profitable way to travel in a foreign country, including the Dominican Republic. However, a tourist planning to rent a car should be careful and take into account many factors: non-compliance with local traffic rules, a worn-out car fleet and strict Dominican laws.

Metro Santo Domingo is one of the most comfortable ways to travel around the capital of the Dominican Republic using public transport. It surprises tourists with its cleanliness, novelty, convenient location of stations and the presence of an air conditioning system.

The Dominican Republic is located on one of the Caribbean islands, and the easiest way to get here is by air. The country has 12 airports, half of which have international status. This allows you to fly to the airport that is closest to your resort.

Santo Domingo Airport is the central air harbor of the capital and the entire state of the Dominican Republic. It is a large airport with well-developed infrastructure, and its runways can accommodate huge Boeing 747 aircraft.

The national cuisine of a foreign country is always very interesting, and not only for adherents of gastronomic tourism. Every tourist can taste the dishes that have been cooked in the Dominican Republic from time immemorial, especially since here it is quite safe and always very tasty!

The Dominican Republic is a wonderful place for water activities, especially when it comes to surfing. There is a well-developed infrastructure: surf schools, spots, equipment rental points. The coasts of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean offer tourists the conquest of all kinds of waves.

Rest in the Dominican Republic promises to be very exciting. Here foreign tourists will find beautiful beaches, enchanting nature, interesting sights, well-developed resort infrastructure, warm tropical climate and many different entertainments.

The traditions of the Dominican Republic will not leave indifferent any tourist. In addition to the natural beauty of this country and the opportunities for recreation, the Dominican Republic strikes with an amazing combination of poverty and happiness, Catholic and pagan beliefs, exquisite products and simple dishes from them.

People go to the Dominican Republic to relax on magnificent beaches, get acquainted with the exotic nature, and practice their favorite sports. However, it will also be interesting to study the culture and history of this unusual country. Dominican museums offer to do this in the most exciting way.

The Dominican Republic is a hospitable country that does not impose special requirements on tourists regarding clothing. Packing a suitcase should be based on personal preference and given the hot tropical climate. Read about how to dress in the Dominican Republic and what clothes to take with you.

Playa Dorada is one of the most luxurious resorts in the Dominican Republic. It is located on the Atlantic coast and offers holidaymakers the best hotels, a high level of service, the cleanest beach, a warm climate and a variety of entertainment.

Along with frequently asked questions, people often ask for advice:what time of year is it better to go, what hotel to choose, what excursions to go on? In this post, we tried to collect all the most important tips that will help save not only your money, but also your nerves, because visiting the Dominican Republic you will encounter a new culture, which for an hour you may seem surprising, sometimes irritable, and maybe even frightening ! The very first tip is read this article to the end,after all forewarned is forearmed! In this article, we will not talk about what you need to take with you on vacation or on the road. This article will focus on those things about which travel guides about the Dominican Republic are silent.

Dominican time

Perhaps this is due to the close proximity of the Bermuda Triangle, but time here works according to completely different laws than we are used to! If you hate waiting, if you are used to planning your day in minutes, then in the Dominican Republic you will have to forget about it! The favorite word of the Dominicans is manyana ( isp. tomorrow), and not always, if a Dominican promises you a solution to some issue, then he will solve it exactly tomorrow, and not the day after tomorrow. The same situation with the appointment of a meeting, being 15-30 minutes late is an almost mandatory norm, being an hour late is also not considered critical. Even if the Dominican completely forgets about your meeting, he will be sincerely surprised by your indignation about this, because in this country it is generally not customary to rush anywhere! The first days you will notice that you are walking on the sidewalk much faster than most Dominicans, you will be faced with the fact that they can block traffic throughout the street in order to chat for a couple of minutes with their friend Jose, with whom they live in the next house. Please note that most Dominicans do not wear watches! Almost no one knows what day of the week it is, if it's not Friday. In general, you will have no choice, you need to get used to it.

Everywhere you have to bargain!

Even if the store looks decent and the goods have price tags, do not rush to think that this is the real value of the goods! Try, for a start, to offer the seller 5 times less and you will see how the price will immediately decrease by 2-2.5 times :) This is especially true for souvenir shops and shops in which the price of goods is not indicated! There you can easily "lower" the price by 5-10 times! Do not forget to use all the Spanish words you know, they help a lot to bring down the price. You will come across as an already "grated" gringo, not a fresh tourist! The phrase "yo no soy turisto!" Works very well. ( isp. I'm not a tourist!), do not confuse with "light tourist appearance to morality" - after that, as a rule, prices increase since our compatriots very much spoil the local population with tips. The money you saved can be considered earned! And remember, the fact that you are bargaining is not an insult to the Dominicans, but rather the opposite - a kind of entertainment!

Sankey Panki - national business

You will almost certainly meet a slender, hot guy or a beautiful girl on the beach, who will smile at you sweetly, accompany you everywhere. Sooner or later, feelings for this guy / girl will begin to arise in you and you decide that you finally met your knight in shining armor, or your long-awaited princess. And in the depths of your consciousness will creep in the mistaken thought that he / she loves you simply because you are, and not
for the opportunity to get a visa or your money. If you go to an Internet cafe, then you will see girls / guys there who communicate through a webcam with a young man / girl and explain to him in broken English how much they miss him and that their mother needs an expensive operation and is missing only $ 100-200. After the conversation, as a rule, this guy or girl calls the next "client" :) And more! If a girl says she is 18, ask for her saddle. Perhaps under the magic of overcooked chicken and rice, or perhaps because of the everlasting summer and ever-fresh fruit, Dominican girls often look and act much older than their age. So be careful.

Public transport

In one of our previous reviews, we talked about, but just in case, we remind you that when using public transport, be it: carro public or "gua gua", another passenger may be put on your lap. This is absolutely normal here and is one of the ways to make new acquaintances.

Features of the Dominican traffic rules

Loud music is our everything!

If you do not like loud music, then you better refrain from visiting the Dominican beaches on weekends. Every real Dominican MACHO is simply obliged to have in his car HERE SUCH speakers. And where else can you boast about them, if not on the beach? So they arrive in their super-fashionable cars, hung with speakers, and try to make their music so loud that you can't hear the music playing from another car, which is 3-5 meters away. The behavior of the Dominicans on the beach may also seem a little wild, when they enter the water (it does not matter the pool or the ocean) in clothes with plastic plates and drinks, this is their tradition.

Mamahuana is not a Dominican Viagra!

Be careful if you are offered to try the Dominican folk drink - Mamahuana! After all, each manufacturer has his own recipe for its preparation and, in fact, this is an ordinary Dominican moonshine, which can cause various unexpected effects on your body, with the exception of an increase in patentability. By the way, Viagra in the Dominican Republic is sold at every step without a prescription, but do not forget that it absolutely must not be mixed with alcohol! Heart complication is guaranteed!

Underwater currents

If suddenly, being far from the coast, you feel that you are being carried further and further, do not rush to panic. Most likely you are caught in an underwater current and you just need to get out of it. Don't try to swim against the current - it is useless! Try to take a little to the left or to the right, in the direction of the current, and when you feel that you are no longer carried away from the shore - calmly return.

Dominican sun

The sun is amazingly soft in the Dominican Republic, so the moment of combustion can be easily missed! Be sure to use sun creams, especially in the first 3-5 days! The recommended time for sunbathing is before 11 am and after 4 pm. If you are unlucky and burned out, you can buy panthenol at your local pharmacy. If the temperature rises and the state of health worsens, be sure to consult a doctor!