What you need to know about the Dominican Republic. Reminder for tourists and useful tips for holidays in the Dominican Republic

- the land of eternal summer. This little corner is a real find for those who don’t like winter and want to escape the eternal snow and blizzards in Russian reality. Clear water, amazing undersea world, snow-white sands, luxury hotels... What you need to know about Dominican Republic to relax with pleasure and without problems?

1. Customs and currency

Residents of Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine have the right to enter the Dominican Republic for a period of thirty days without a visa. The export of cash amounts exceeding ten thousand dollars is prohibited; otherwise, there are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign and national currency.

Can be imported into the country : one liter of alcoholic drink, the strength of which does not exceed twenty-two degrees, two hundred cigarettes, 500 grams of coffee. The import of personal belongings is also allowed, the total value of which does not exceed $500. Almost no products can be imported; drugs, weapons, pornography, and some medications are prohibited. Without special permission, items of cultural value, some types of orchids, and artifacts raised from the seabed cannot be exported from the country. You can take out the same amount of alcohol and tobacco as you bring in.

National currency of the Dominican Republic – Dominican peso, which is approximately equal to 1.3 rubles. You can pay in dollars in the country, since this currency is popular here, since America is relatively close. Dollars will be accepted everywhere, but change may be given in national currency. Find out the rate at which the conversion will be made immediately. In large shopping centers It is recommended to pay by cards. The Tax Free system does not operate in the Dominican Republic.

2. Mentality

The locals are simple, friendly and good-natured people. They consider all tourists with white skin to be Americans. Guests are treated with an open soul and heart. The rhythm of life of local residents is unhurried; they do not run anywhere, but simply enjoy life. Don't be surprised if your five-minute break at the store lasts a long time.

Dominicans have absolutely no desire to deceive and rob. They do not see tourists only as an object for profit; material things do not have much meaning, since they enjoy what nature has given. Local residents do not limit themselves to any conventions or stereotypes. On the street you can easily see a woman with curlers on her head - this is completely normal.

Dominicans are a bit absent-minded, so they may accidentally do something different from what you asked, for example, pouring the wrong oil into a car. Every Dominican considers himself a jack of all trades, so before you ask to have your car serviced, ask if you are dealing with a mechanic.

3. When to go?

The high season lasts from January to March. During this period, the country experiences dry and sunny weather, which may even seem cool. Prices for accommodation, food and other services are the highest. Average in January daytime temperature- twenty-seven degrees, and in March - from twenty-seven to twenty-nine.

In April, prices for everything drop a little because the flow of tourists decreases. During this period, the climate becomes hotter and rainier. Prices drop to a minimum in May and June, because the fewest travelers vacation in the Dominican Republic during these months.

In July and August, there is a possibility of hurricanes developing in the Dominican Republic, with August considered the hottest month. In September and October, the likelihood of hurricanes becomes even higher, so vacation prices drop again.

In December there is no need to be afraid of storms; the weather is warm and dry, which can be cool in the evening. In the last days of December, prices may rise, since many travelers go on vacation to the Dominican Republic at this time to celebrate the New Year.

4. Security

Before traveling to a hot country, it is recommended to be vaccinated against hepatitis, diphtheria, tetanus and typhoid fever. If you want to walk through the jungle, it would be a good idea to take some anti-malaria medication. The quality of tap water in the country is poor, so it is strictly forbidden to drink from the tap. You shouldn't even wash your face with tap water. To do this, it is better to use bottled or boiled water. Iced drinks can only be purchased in restaurants that have an excellent reputation, but it is better not to risk it at all.

Thefts do occur in the Dominican Republic, so you should leave all valuables in the hotel safe, taking only a copy of your passport with you. It is recommended to leave your car in paid parking lots, and bicycles must be secured.

5. Housing

All hotels in the Dominican Republic are assigned a certain number of stars, which is determined by the list of services. Almost everywhere there is an all-inclusive system. The hotels are surrounded by large green areas with small trains running through them. There are no tall hotels; a building has a maximum of four floors. Hotel buildings wear out quickly because they are located near water. For this reason, when choosing a place to stay, find out in what year the hotel was reconstructed. You can stay in a cottage with eight to ten rooms. If you are going on vacation on your own, you can rent a small house on the shore.

6. What food should I try?

Dominican cuisine is a mix of local, African and European cuisines. Meat, fish, bananas, legumes and vegetables are often used in the cooking process. The traditional dish is a stew made from meat, rice, beans, salad and fried plantains called bandera. The local asopao soup and fried pork are in demand. Despite the fact that the Dominican Republic is island country, seafood and fish are not particularly popular here.

7. Prices

In simple hotels, one night will cost about two thousand pesos, in more comfortable ones - from four thousand pesos. A night in a five-star hotel in Punta Cana will cost eight thousand pesos.

Works in the country a large number of restaurants and cafes serving dishes for every taste. You can have a tasty and inexpensive dinner in any part of the Dominican Republic. If you want to experience local cuisine, head to family-run cafes called comedores. In no big cities here you can have a full lunch by paying from 170 pesos, and in the capitals a visit to a family cafe for one person will cost about three hundred pesos. The average check in a decent restaurant will be about two thousand pesos. The difference is obvious, which is why tourists on a limited budget prefer family cafes of local residents.

8. Resorts

The resort area is considered the most popular Punta Cana : Four times more travelers vacation here than in other areas of the Dominican Republic. This resort offers guests a variety of entertainment and excursions, and the most prestigious hotels operate here. There are three nearby national parks with stunning nature. For fans active rest It is better to stay in this area, and lovers of peace and tranquility are advised to choose another resort.

At the resort Boca Chica You can meet a lot of Russian-speaking tourists. Reasonable prices for housing and other services are set here. Outside the hotel, real Dominican life begins, and not far from this area is the city Santa Domingo - capital. Boca Chica can be called a cozy lagoon, which is hidden from prying eyes by a coral reef. Here they ride water skiing, sailing on a sailboat.

In former times the resort La Romana was famous for the Casa de Campo hotel complex, but now there are many other new and modern hotels on its territory. The resort is located on the beach Caribbean Sea. There are no hotels in the town of La Romana - they are located next to the settlement.

Among the mountain ranges and waters Atlantic Ocean resort area located Puerto Plata . The city has its own airport. From this area it is convenient to go on a tour of the Samana Peninsula. The place is great for lovers water activities: those who engage in diving, rafting and surfing. On the territory of the resort there is an adventure park “Ocean World” and a factory where real rum is produced.

9. Beaches

Travelers planning to visit the Dominican Republic during their vacation are wondering which beach to choose. Playa Dorado – the famous Dominican beach, next to which there are many prestigious hotels. The water here is crystal clear and transparent, and the surface consists of yellow sand.

Wide and long Bavaro beach protected from high waves by a coral reef located sixty meters from the coastline. Due to the proximity of the reef, the water off the coast sometimes turns green and brings with it algae. However, the gentle entrance to the water and the pleasant white sand do not leave tourists indifferent.

On the beach Uvero Alto located most popular among Russian travelers hotel Sirenis. There are high waves here and the shore is covered with sand yellow color. Boca Chica Beach It is famous for its shallow waters and calm waves, so many couples with small children vacation here. The lagoon is protected from the high waves of the Caribbean Sea by a coral reef. On weekends, many locals gather on the beach, so the coast can be crowded.

Fabulous wild beach, free of buildings, is located in Punta Cana and is called Macau . To the right of the coastline are cliffs and cliffs, and to the left are delightful palm groves. The waves on this beach are perfect for surfing.

10. Transport

Buses are very popular. They run between resort areas and major cities. Passengers are transported by vehicles owned by big companies, and transport of private companies. Minibuses are common, which run along predetermined routes and stop at the request of passengers.

Inside cities, “moto-conchos” are popular - a kind of taxi, but only using motorcycles. The method of transportation is very extreme, since up to four people can be seated on one vehicle. It is better to use regular taxis that wait for clients near major attractions.

11. What should I bring as a gift?

Tourists vacationing in the Dominican Republic bring items with semi-precious stones, coffee drinks, rum and cigars as gifts to relatives and friends. The symbol of the Dominican Republic is amber, so the country has museums dedicated to this stone.

In the south of the island, another semi-precious stone is mined - larimar. This gem is very rare: it can only be obtained here. The first deposit was discovered quite by accident at the beginning of the last century in the province of Barahona. Larimar can be bought in its pure form, and jewelry interspersed with the mineral is also sold. Stones set in silver look especially beautiful. Currently, there are many fakes on the island that are made of plastic, so you need to be careful when buying.

On the territory of the Dominican Republic, near the city of Santiago, there are the largest plantations of tobacco, which was grown here even before the advent of Columbus. On this moment Dominican cigars are the most famous in the world and are exported to many countries. Cigars can be purchased at the market or in a specialty store. Experienced tourists recommend buying them only in a store, since you can run into fakes in the market.

The Dominican Republic is the largest supplier of rum due to its vast sugar cane plantations. The country also has established production of chocolate and cocoa; there are even several museums dedicated to these products.

The symbol of the Dominican Republic is a doll without a face, which means that there are many different peoples living in the country, so a popular souvenir is a ceramic doll in a traditional costume.

12. Useful information

• 1 Tourists give tips at their own discretion. The maid or porter will be happy with one or two dollars. Tips for waiters are included in the bill and amount to ten percent of the order.
• 2 Be sure to take out medical insurance before your trip. Doctor's services here are very expensive, and insurance will cover the costs if you urgently need help.
• 3 If you are going to the Dominican Republic not in summer, but in winter, put it in hand luggage shorts, a T-shirt and flip-flops to change into on the plane. Then you won’t have to die from the heat, standing at the airport in the Dominican Republic in sweaters and boots.
• 4 Make sure you have some small change in advance, as you will need to pay a tourist fee of ten dollars at the airport.
• 5 It is best to change money at exchange offices or banks.

The Dominican Republic is a wonderful country with a hot climate, friendly locals and stunning sea. Here you can escape from the snowdrifts and spend time enjoying yourself, knowing all the intricacies of relaxation.

Introductory provisions and terms

The company "Two Bananas" offers travel services, including excursions, tours, trips, visits, recreational and cultural... Any individual, accessing the Site and accepting these Terms and Conditions is the “Buyer”. Hereinafter, “Two Bananas” and the Buyer will be collectively referred to as the “Parties”.

By using the Site, the Buyer agrees to these Terms and Conditions, which immediately enter into legal force at the moment of starting to use the Site.

Any booking made on the Site through the booking form, email or other communication sources provided in the Contacts section automatically means the Buyer’s full agreement with these Terms and Conditions and his obligation to pay the full cost of the Services he has booked.

If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions, please do not access or use the Site.

It is completely prohibited to copy, reproduce, republish, download, post, broadcast, transmit, make available to the public or in any other way use the content of the Site, including text, images, URLs, pricing information, etc., for except for personal, non-commercial use by the Buyer.

The Buyer may use the Site solely for personal, non-commercial purposes and/or to request a reservation for the Services offered on the Site. Buyer agrees not to use this site to make speculative, fraudulent or false inquiries. The Buyer also agrees not to use robots or other automated means on the Site.

The terms and conditions may be supplemented, changed and published in modified form on the Site at any time and without additional notice.

1. Booking Services

1.1. Booking of Services and the procedure for their confirmation between “Two Bananas” and the Buyer is carried out in in electronic format, starting from the moment the Buyer sends a request to book an excursion or service. By submitting a booking request, the Buyer understands and accepts the Services as described on the Site and accepts these Terms and Conditions.

1.2. The Service booking process includes the following steps:

“Two Bananas” accepts the application and checks the availability of the date of interest to the Buyer;

After the Parties agree on the dates, “Two Bananas” sends the Buyer instructions on how to pay for the Services (if payment is not provided upon the day of the service or excursion);

The Buyer undertakes to confirm the reservation by making 100% payment for the cost of services, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties.

1.3. The reservation is considered completed when “Two Bananas” sends a reservation confirmation by email or other means of communication to the Buyer.

1.4. Prior to completing a booking, the Buyer must disclose any specific needs and services that may be required due to his or her physical condition, otherwise Two Bananas does not assume any special obligation, liability or compensation in relation to such Buyer's needs.

2. Cost and payment

2.1. Prices on the Site are indicated in dollars and if, by agreement of the Parties, the Buyer makes part of the payment on the day the Services begin in another currency, the cost of the Services will be calculated at the rate of the National Bank of the Dominican Republic on the current date.

3. Rights and obligations of “Two Bananas”

3.1. "Two Bananas" undertakes:

Make these Terms and Conditions available to the Buyer by publishing them on the Site.

Provide the Buyer with confirmation of booking of the Services by email or other means of communication after receiving payment for the Services.

Provide the reserved and paid Services in accordance with their description presented on the Site.

Inform the Buyer that Two Bananas is not responsible for services and products provided by third parties.

3.2. "Two Bananas" has the right:

Change the schedule, route or sequence of visits to attractions due to unforeseen, unavoidable or other similar circumstances.

Terminate the provision of Services if the Buyer makes their provision difficult or impossible through rude or indecent behavior. If the “Two Bananas” guides assess the Buyer’s behavior as inappropriate and disturbing the order in places of visit, especially religious and cultural ones, such Buyer will be denied further provision of Services without reimbursement of his expenses and compensation for the cost of the Services.

4. Rights and obligations of the Buyer

4.1. The buyer undertakes:

Agree to the Two Bananas Privacy Policy, booking, payment and cancellation policies as set out in these Terms and Conditions.

Provide the information necessary to make a reservation.

After receiving a booking confirmation, check the information specified in it, and if errors are found, inform Two Bananas immediately.

Purchase travel insurance while visiting the Dominican Republic.

Pay the full cost of the booked Services on the day of the excursion or service.

Arrive at the meeting point with the Two Bananas guides without delay.

It is your personal responsibility to be physically able and willing to participate in any activities/activities included in the Services booked and to wear appropriate clothing.

Conduct yourself in a manner that is appropriate and respectful of local laws and customs.

Take care of personal belongings independently, because “Two Bananas” is not responsible for the safety of the Buyer’s personal belongings.

Compensate immediately and on the spot for any damage caused to “Two Bananas” and/or third parties during the provision of Services, if the Buyer is responsible for causing such damage.

4.2. The buyer has the right:

Receive Services in accordance with their description on the Site, booking confirmation and these Terms and Conditions.

5. Cancellation, modification of conditions and termination of Services

5.1. Cancellation or modification of Two Bananas Services:

5.1.1. “Two Bananas” may cancel the provision of Services in whole or in part due to circumstances that arose against the will and desire of “Two Bananas”, and which cannot be foreseen or avoided (force majeure), including declared or actual war, civil unrest, acts of government authorities , sanctions, epidemics, blockades, earthquakes, floods, fires and other natural disasters and other similar phenomena that prevent “Two Bananas” from fulfilling its obligations.

5.1.2. “Two Bananas” reserves the right to change the date or time of the start of the provision of Services, as well as the right to change the route, in the event of unforeseen circumstances specified in clause 5.1.1., without incurring obligations to pay compensation and damages to the Buyer.

5.1.3. If the provision of Services was interrupted due to the occurrence of circumstances specified in clause 5.1.1., “Two Bananas” has the right to withhold payment for the Services actually rendered.

5.1.4. If “Two Bananas” cannot complete the provision of Services due to the occurrence of the circumstances specified in clause 5.1.1., then, at the request of the Buyer, “Two Bananas” may reimburse the Buyer part of the amount paid for those Services that were not provided, according to Two Bananas calculations.

5.1.5. "Two Bananas" may terminate the provision of Services without paying compensation to the Buyer if the Buyer makes it impossible to provide the Services through rude and inappropriate behavior. In addition, in this case, the Buyer is obliged to compensate damage caused to “Two Bananas” in the amount of the full cost of the Services and other losses.

5.2. Cancellation of booking and provision of Services by the Buyer:

5.2.1. The Buyer has the right to cancel the booked Services. Cancellation is made by sending a message by email or other means of communication specified in the contacts section. A previously unpaid excursion must be canceled at least two days before it takes place. If the excursion or service has been paid for in advance (as required internal rules company and a cooperation agreement with the contractor “Two Bananas”), a 100% refund is possible if there is a valid reason for canceling an excursion or service, as well as informing “Two Bananas” in advance (at least 4 days).

5.2.2 If on the start date of the tour/trip the Buyer does not appear at the appointed time at the meeting point, then “Two Bananas” reserves the right to withhold the full cost of the Services.

6. Responsibility of the parties and resolution of disputes

6.1. For all issues not regulated by these Terms and Conditions, the Parties agree to be governed by the laws of the Dominican Republic.

6.2. Any complaints from the Buyer must be voiced to the leaders, guides or managers of “Two Bananas” immediately and must include arguments regarding the inconsistency of the Services described on the website and the Services provided to the Buyer. The Buyer agrees to cooperate with Two Bananas and wait for its justified complaint to be resolved locally, and to accept the proposed solutions to continue providing the Services. If the Buyer’s complaint cannot be resolved immediately and on the spot, then the Buyer has the right to send it along with documents confirming his innocence, by email or other means of communication. Two Bananas will consider the complaint within a reasonable time and in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. Return Money, after consideration of the complaint, can be carried out in an amount equal to the unprovided part of the Services, according to the calculations of “Two Bananas”, but cannot exceed the full cost of all Services provided.

6.3. "Two Bananas" is not responsible for services/products provided by third parties.

6.4. "Two Bananas" is not responsible for injuries, damages, losses, accidents, delays or deviations from the schedule, expenses or other problems incurred by the Buyer in connection with the violation of obligations on the part of hotels, transportation companies or other companies and persons providing services, included in the Services purchased by the Buyer.

6.5. If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is determined to be unlawful, void or unenforceable under the laws of the Dominican Republic, it will be deleted from the Terms and Conditions and the remaining provisions of the Terms and Conditions will remain in full force and effect and continue to be binding.

Along with frequently asked questions, people often asking for advice: What time of year is it better to go, which hotel to choose, which 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 when you visit the Dominican Republic you will encounter a new culture, which at times may seem surprising to you, sometimes irritating, and maybe even frightening ! The very first advice - 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 talk about those things that travel guides about the Dominican Republic keep silent.

Dominican time

This may be due to the close proximity 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 minute by minute, then in the Dominican Republic you will have to forget about it! The Dominicans' favorite word is mañana ( Spanish Tomorrow), and not always, if a Dominican promises you a solution to some issue, then he will solve it tomorrow, and not the day after tomorrow. The same situation is with making an appointment; being 15-30 minutes late is practically a 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! During the first few days, you will find that you walk along the sidewalk much faster than most Dominicans, and you will find that they will block traffic on the entire street to chat for a few 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, unless it is Friday. In general, you will have no choice, you need to get used to it.

Everywhere you need to bargain!

Even if the store seems decent in appearance and there are price tags on the goods, do not rush to think that this is the real cost of the goods! Try, for starters, to offer the seller 5 times less and you will see how the price will immediately drop by 2-2.5 times :) This is especially true for souvenir shops and shops where the price of the goods is not indicated! There you can easily “lower” the price by 5-10 times! Don’t forget to use all the Spanish words you know, they really help bring down the price because... You will come across as a seasoned gringo, not a fresh tourist! The phrase “yo no soy turisto!” works very well. ( Spanish I'm not a tourist!), do not confuse with “ruso touristo obliko morale” - after this, as a rule, prices increase because Our compatriots very much spoil the local population with tips. The money you save 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 Pankey is a national business

You will almost certainly meet a slim, hot guy on the beach or beautiful girl who will smile sweetly at you and accompany you everywhere. Sooner or later, you will begin to develop feelings for this guy/girl and you will decide that you have finally met your knight in shining armor, or your long-awaited princess. And in the depths of your consciousness the erroneous thought will creep in that he/she loves you simply for being you, and not
for the opportunity to get a visa or your money. If you go to an Internet cafe, you will see girls/guys there who communicate via a webcam with a young man/girl and in broken English explain to him how much they miss him and that their mother needs an expensive operation and they don’t have enough only 100-200 dollars. After the conversation, as a rule, this guy or girl calls the next “client” :) And one more thing! If a girl says she's 18, ask for her sedula. Perhaps under the magical influence of overcooked chicken and rice, or perhaps because of the eternal summer and eternally fresh fruit, but Dominican girls often look and act much older than their years. So be careful.

Public transport

In one of our previous reviews we talked about, but just in case, let us remind you that when using public transport, whether it’s: carro publico or “gua-gua”, they can put another passenger on your lap. This is absolutely normal here and is one of the ways to make new acquaintances.

Features of Dominican traffic rules

Loud music is everything!

If you do not like loud music, then it is better for you to refrain from visiting Dominican beaches on weekends. Every real Dominican MACHO simply must have THESE speakers in his car. And where else can you show them off, 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 standing 3-5 meters away. The behavior of Dominicans on the beach may also seem a little wild when they go into the water (no matter the pool or the ocean) in clothes with plastic plates and drinks, this is their tradition.

Mamajuana is not Dominican Viagra!

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

Undercurrents

If suddenly, being far from the shore, you feel that you are being carried further and further, do not rush to panic. Most likely you are caught in an undercurrent and you just need to get out of it. Don't try to swim against the current - it's 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 being carried away from the shore, calmly return.

Dominican sun

The Dominican Republic has a surprisingly mild sun, so it’s very easy to miss the moment of burning! Be sure to use sunscreen, especially in the first 3-5 days! Recommended time for tanning is before 11 am and after 4 pm. If you are unlucky and get burned, you can buy panthenol at your local pharmacy. If your temperature rises and your health worsens, be sure to consult a doctor!