 Information / News about Dominican Republic :
Shopping :
Craftwork markets are abundant in all the tourist spots. Jewellery is particularly present because the country has two very specific stones : larimar and amber.
Amber : resin from a dead tree, fossilized for millions of years.
Larimar : (Dominican turquoise) : the Dominican Republic is the only country in the world where Larimar is found. Light blue in colour with shades of white or brown, it is a real little beauty.
Black coral : a marine plant which develops very slowly in the seabed at the rate of 2cm every 100 years ! The Dominican Republic is one of the last places in the world where it may be freely sold.
Various craftworks : simplistic paintings, mahogony sculptures, terracotta dolls. The Dominican Republic is a mixture or Spanish and African art. Amongst the objects representative of the local culture, there are handmade dolls, smooth faced ceramic figurines dresses in traditional costume. But also brown rum and very good quality cigars.
Alo to take home with you : rum, cigars or CDs and cassettes of merengue and salsa music. A few names : Juan Luis Guerra, Antony Santos et Teodoro Reyes (bachata), Fulanito with his famous gallando (merengue), La Banda Gorda, La Banda Chula with Que Olla.
Baggage
Don’t forget to keep in your hand luggage :
Your passport
Your medicine if you are following treatment
Your camera films
Bibliography :
Before your departure, some suggested reading :
Jesus de Galindez L’Ere de Trujillo
Elena de la Souchère Crime à Saint Domingue
Arturo Espailla Les dessous d’une dictature
Jacques Thibau Le temps de Saint Domingue, l’esclavage et la Révolution française
Juan Bosch Contes écrits en exil et Contes écrits après l’exil
Joaquim Balaguer Histoire de la littérature dominicaine
Jean Baptiste Labat Voyage aux Isles, chronique aventureuse des Caraïbes
Les quotidiens dominicains...Listin Diario & Hoy
Climate
Like its Caribbean neighbours, the Dominican Republic has a subtropical climate, moderate at high altitude. The sea winds and north-east trade winds break the heat.
The average temperature is 25°C with little variation throughout the year.
The temperature wavers between 21°C and 30°C.
Sea temperature is on average 26°C.
Electrical Current
110Volts – 60Hertz and flat pinned plugs
A plug adapter is necessary (flat pinned plugs) (NB : not a transformer)
Check that your electrical appliances and battery chargers, video cameras, electric razors, hairdryers are bi-voltage or supplied with a transformer.
Time difference
There is six hours’ time difference in summer and five in winter. When it is midday in Paris it is 6 or 7 o’clock in the morning in Santo Domingo.
Customs
A customs form will be distributed in the plane before arrival. Customs are relatively obliging towards tourists.
Normal customs tolerance :
Tobacco : 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars
Alcohol : 1 litre
Firearms : forbidden
Food and vegetable products : forbidden
Formalities
For those from the European Community
Valid passport (minimum 6 months from the date of your return journey) and a tourist card are obligatory ; we will be responsible for obtaining your tourist card.
For those from other countries
Thank you for contacting the Dominican Republic Consulate
Local time
Summer : 6 hours behind : when it is midday in Santo Domingo it is 18h00 in Paris.
Winter : 5 hours behind : when it is midday in Santo Domingo it is 17h00 in Paris.
Internet
You will easily find somewhere to connect : if you have your own computer the hotel rooms are generally equipped with an internet socket , otherwise each hotel has a business centre.
Language
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No vaccination is necessary
Nevertheless, beware of mosquitos : bring insect repelent
Do not drink the tap water. Mineral water is found everywhere.
Don’t forget very high protection sun tan lotion.
Taxes and Tipping
Your personal spending (cleaners, telephone, room service…..) must be paid personally at the end of your stay, before leaving the hotel.
It is usual to leave a 10% to 15% tip if you take a taxi or dine outside the hotel complex.
Telephone
To phone the Dominican Republic from France : 00 1 809 + correspondant’s number
To phone France from the Dominican Republic : 00 11 33 + correspondant’s number (without the 0 for the region)
Recommended Attire
Bring light cotton clothing, open shoes, trainers and a pair of smart shoes . Also bring something for cooler temperatures for the evening and for air conditioned areas.
The Dominicans love dressing up to go out, especially when going to the casino.
Remember your suncream, sunglasses and sunhat .
Use of familiar form of language
The Dominicans use the formal form of addressing each other only with official contacts. Do not take offense if you are immediately addressed in the familiar fashion.
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