Amber Coast Destination Guide

Overview of Amber Coast Named for the rich deposits of lustrous semi-precious amber found throughout the region, the Amber Coast runs along the northern Atlantic coast from Cofresi to Nagua and boasts an assortment of seaside towns and resorts. Forests, mountains and miles of golden beach provide a playground for adventure sports seekers, with activities such as mountain biking and horse riding available, as well as a host of watersports like diving, windsurfing and kitesurfing. The port city of Puerta Plata is the region's capital and the main tourism enclave. On the outskirts of Puerto Plata is the major Playa Dorada complex of low-rise hotels. Located in a country club setting of gardens and beautiful beaches, it's centred on an 18-hole golf course designed by the renowned golf-course architect, Robert Trent Jones. Seaside towns and communities that are also popular with visitors include Sosua and Cabarete to the east of Puerto Plata, and Cofresi to the west.

Key Facts

Language: Spanish is the official language, but English is spoken in the main tourist centres. Passport/Visa: In lieu of visas, Tourist Cards can be issued on-arrival to certain nationals, at a cost of USD 10 for a stay of 30 days. Extensions are possible. A return or onward ticket is required by all visitors, as well as the travel documentation needed for their next destination. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers going between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA, a valid passport will be required by immigration authorities. It is highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months validity remaining after their intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. Currency: The currency is the Dominican Republic Peso (DOP), which is divided into 100 centavos. Many of the hotels and restaurants in the main tourist destinations display their prices in US dollars as well as in Dominican Pesos, as US dollars are widely accepted. Some places will also accept Euros. The peso cannot be exchanged outside of the Dominican Republic, though major currencies can be converted into pesos at Central Bank approved bureaux. Only a small percentage of the pesos bought can be reconverted, and only if the original receipts are produced. So, it's best if travellers avoid buying more pesos than they're likely to need. Major credit cards are accepted everywhere, but a commission is usually charged. Also, it's recommended that travellers use their credit cards at their hotels, as fraud incidents have been reported. The best exchange rates are paid on US dollars in cash, and are best exchanged at exchange bureaux (casas/agente de cambio). Banking hours are Monday to Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm. Some banks also open on Saturdays. ATMs are widespread. Electricity: Electrical current is between 110 and 120 volts, 60Hz. American-style two-pin flat blade plugs are standard.

Travel guide by wordtravels.com © Globe Media Ltd. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Travmarket cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. Event details can change. Please check with the organizers that an event is happening before making travel arrangements. We cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.

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Travel to Amber Coast Health Notes when travelling to Dominican Republic No vaccination certificates are required but precautions are recommended against Hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies and polio for those who plan to spend time outside the main tourist resort areas. There is a malaria risk throughout the year. Between May and September there is a risk of dengue fever, which is contracted from mosquitoes that bite during the day. It is advisable to use mosquito repellent. Travellers should be aware of the high prevalence of the HIV/AIDS virus in the Dominican Republic and take the relevant precautions. Water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated in undeveloped areas; bottled water is available. Some species of fish, including tropical reef fish, may be poisonous to eat even when well cooked. There are good hospitals and other private medical facilities located in Puerto Plata, Santiago and Santo Domingo but, outside of these cities, facilities are limited and staff are unlikely to understand English. Most resorts have doctors that can treat minor medical complaints. Health insurance, including provision for medical evacuation, is recommended. Safety Notes when travelling to Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic is generally friendly and welcoming, with the vast majority of visits proceeding as trouble-free experiences. That said, travellers should not ignore the country's crime rate. Incidences of violent crime are infrequent; visitors should take normal precautions against petty crime. The risk of terrorism is low. Tensions sometimes flare up along the Haitian border, so travellers should check the situation before crossing or visiting the region. The Dominican Republic is vulnerable to hurricanes from June to November. Customs in Dominican Republic Being polite to others and having respect for elders is integral and is expected from visitors. If taking a photograph of a local, tourists should ask permission first and then offer a gift afterwards. Dominicans take care in their appearance and form judgements based on what people wear; they are likely to look down on tourists that are unkempt or wear clothes that are too revealing. Duty Free in Dominican Republic Travellers to the Dominican Republic over 16 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 1 box cigars; 1 bottle of alcohol, unopened and maximum of 2 litres; and up to 2 bottles of perfume for personal use. All animal products are prohibited. Doing Business in Dominican Republic Santo Domingo is the centre of business in the Dominican Republic. Good working relationships are vital and trust is an integral part of doing business in the Dominican Republic; knowing the right people is half the battle won. Appearances are considered important and therefore dressing smartly is advised. Meetings are initially rather formal and a polite greeting accompanied by a handshake is common; expect small talk. Business cards are usually exchanged on introduction. Punctuality is important. Although English is widely spoken and understood, it is still useful to have all business material printed in English and Spanish. It is important to be polite and courteous at all times. Business hours are usually 8am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm Monday to Friday. Communication in Dominican Republic The international access code for the Dominican Republic is +1, as with the US, Canada and most of the Caribbean, followed by 809 or 829. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the UK) but this is not required for calling North America. Wifi is generally available in most cafes, hotels and restaurants. Tipping in Dominican Republic Hotels and restaurants generally include a 10 percent service charge as well as tax, but additional tips should be given for good service as often the charge does not go to the staff who provided the service. Waiters usually receive 10 percent extra for good service. For other services including taxi drivers, tipping is discretionary depending on the service provided.

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Passport/Visa Note In lieu of visas, Tourist Cards can be issued on-arrival to certain nationals, at a cost of USD 10 for a stay of 30 days. Extensions are possible. A return or onward ticket is required by all visitors, as well as the travel documentation needed for their next destination. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers going between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA, a valid passport will be required by immigration authorities. It is highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months validity remaining after their intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

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Attractions in Amber Coast The Dominican Republic's north coast is very popular with tourists and adventure seekers of all kinds. A trip to the Amber Coast allows visitors to experience a unique mix of local Dominican flavour and exciting activities for the whole family. There are plenty of sights on offer, from attractions like the Amber Museum in Puerto Plata, which showcases the precious resource, to the unique colonial architecture in the capital, Puerto Plata. And of course, travellers should take in the beautiful beaches that adorn the coast. But the Amber Coast is not all about beautiful beaches and amazing coastlines. Visitors can also experience the jungle-covered mountain of Mount Isabel de Torres, which lies just a few kilometres inland. It can be climbed with a guide or ascended by the cableway, which boasts amazing views of the city of Puerto Plata below and the north coast beyond. Excursions from the capital can include a visit to the Samana Peninsula, where travellers can relax in a more remote area, reminiscent of a lost beach paradise. Or they can take a festive Dominican safari through the less touristy areas of the island, with visitors being escorted through gorgeous landscapes aboard a colourful and quirky safari-style vehicle. There are also plenty of options for adventure activities on the north coast, with most resorts catering for activities such as diving, jet skiing, beach horseback rides, cultural tours of the city and surrounds, and stopping at great sights, such as the old Spanish colonial fort of San Filipe.

Cabarete Many consider the small, laid-back seaside town, Cabarete, to be the kitesurfing and windsurfing capital of the Caribbean. The popular holiday destination has hosted international competitions since the 1980s, and is the perfect tropical setting, particularly for younger travellers seeking sun and adventure sports. Cabarete also has a buzzing beachside bar and restaurant scene. Tour operators offer plenty of other activities as well, such as hiking, surfing, canyoning, horse riding and mountain biking.

Amber Museum Opening time: Monday to Saturday 9am - 6pm An attractive Victorian building in the centre of Puerto Plata on Duarte Street houses the Amber Museum, which showcases a unique collection of valuable Dominican amber. According to experts, the amber found in this region is the most transparent, and therefore the most valued, in the world. Classified as a semi-precious stone, the substance is actually tree resin that has hardened across millennia, often enclosing fossils of plant and insect life. The museum offers guided tours in several languages, and has a shop where a full selection of Dominican amber jewellery can be purchased.

Address: 61 Duarte Street Website: http://www.ambermuseum.com

Mount Isabel de Torres Towering over the city of Puerto Plata is the 2,600 feet (792m) Mount Isabel de Torres, which is a popular tourist attraction in its own right. Visitors can take a spectacular seven-minute cable car ride up the mountainside to explore the summit. The botanical garden at the top boasts an amazing array of flora and fauna, as well as a cruciform statue of Jesus Christ. The statue replicates Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer. There is also a restaurant, from which diners can enjoy breathtaking views of the city and coastline.

Fuerte San Felipe The only remnant of Puerto Plata's Spanish Colonial past is a small fort. Built in the mid-16th century to protect the bay against pirates, it features a moat, and a collection of historical artefacts in a small museum. The fort never saw great battle, though, and was mostly used as a prison. An ocean-side road known as the Malecon lies to the

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east of the fort, and has many cafes and roadside vendors. It is a popular promenade for walks beside the beach.

Sosua To the east of Puerto Plata is the holiday destination of Sosua, a small village with a cosmopolitan character. Visitors will find a superb crescent-shaped beach and numerous cafés, bars and restaurants. The town was developed by a group of approximately 600 Jewish refugees from Europe who settled here in 1940, and founded the now-thriving dairy industry for which the village is noted. The original synagogue built by this expatriate community is still standing, and features a museum dedicated to the history of the community.

Samana Peninsula Jutting into the Atlantic like a finger, the beautiful Samaná Peninsula lies in the east of the island and is a remote area with deserted white-sand beaches, palm forests and clear, calm waters. Hidden towns and fishing villages, brightly painted Dominican homes, and a Mediterranean-influenced atmosphere characterise its communities. Mountain passes with winding roads dominate the interior. Visitors will enjoy their cool waterfalls, lush vegetation and magnificent views. The Samaná Peninsula is also known for the migration of humpback whales. This happens between January and March every year, when whales enter the sheltered warm waters along its coast.

Puerto Plata Capital to a province of the same name, Puerto Plata sits on the country's north coast and is the gateway to the many holiday towns and resorts found adjacent to the shore. The coastline itself is blessed with beautiful stretches of pristine beach and lush green valleys, and has the majestic Mount Isabel de Torres in the background. Christopher Columbus described the spot as 'the fairest land under heaven' when he arrived there in 1492, and modern-day tourists tend to agree with him. The city sports a romantic air of days gone by, enhanced by its Victorian architecture. Indeed, filigree-lace wood and ironwork, as well as 'gingerbread' motifs characterise most of the historic homesteads and public buildings. That said, the town has a buzzing atmosphere, with many restaurants and clubs pumping the sultry beats of merengue and salsa into the tropical night air.

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Airports in Amber Coast Puerto Plata Airport (POP) Gregorio Luperon International Airport

Location: Amber Coast The airport is located 12 miles (20km) from Puerto Plata. Time: GMT -4. Contacts: Tel: +1 809 291 0000. Getting to the city: Those on an air/hotel package with ground transfers included will be met by hotel reps, otherwise taxis are available. Car rental: Car rental is available. Airport Taxis: Facilities: Airport facilities include duty-free shopping, banks, bureau de change and ATMs, restaurants and bars, gift shops, first aid and a tourist help desk. Parking: Short- and long-term parking is available at the airport. However, parking charges can only be paid in Dominican pesos, as US Dollars are not accepted. Departure Tax: US$20 (for stays of up to two weeks), US$25 (for stays of more than two weeks).

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Currency The currency is the Dominican Republic Peso (DOP), which is divided into 100 centavos. Many of the hotels and restaurants in the main tourist destinations display their prices in US dollars as well as in Dominican Pesos, as US dollars are widely accepted. Some places will also accept Euros. The peso cannot be exchanged outside of the Dominican Republic, though major currencies can be converted into pesos at Central Bank approved bureaux. Only a small percentage of the pesos bought can be reconverted, and only if the original receipts are produced. So, it's best if travellers avoid buying more pesos than they're likely to need. Major credit cards are accepted everywhere, but a commission is usually charged. Also, it's recommended that travellers use their credit cards at their hotels, as fraud incidents have been reported. The best exchange rates are paid on US dollars in cash, and are best exchanged at exchange bureaux (casas/agente de cambio). Banking hours are Monday to Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm. Some banks also open on Saturdays. ATMs are widespread.

Exchange rate for 1 DOP - Dominican Peso 0.02 BMD 0.02 EUR 0.02 USD 0.02 GBP 2.38 JPY 0.03 CAD Bermudan Dollar Euro U.S. Dollar U.K. Pound Sterling Japanese Yen Canadian Dollar 0.02 CHF 0.03 AUD 0.55 UAH 7.37 KZT 32.86 LBP 0.02 LYD Swiss Franc Australian Dollar Ukrainian Hryvnia Kazakhstani Tenge Lebanese Pound Libyan Dinar 0.15 BOB 2.35 NPR 0.01 OMR 0.08 QAR 0.03 SGD 0.18 SEK Bolivian Boliviano Nepalese Rupee Omani Rial Qatari Rial Singapore Dollar Swedish Krona 0.14 TTD 0.22 VEF 0.15 HRK 0.41 MXN 12.79 XOF 0.07 PGK Trinidad Tobago Dollar Venezuelan Bolivar Croatian Kuna Mexican Peso West African CFA Franc Papua New Guinean kina 0.02 BSD 0.05 FJD 0.49 HNL 2.41 DZD 25.99 MMK 0.24 BWP Bahamian Dollar Fiji Dollar Honduran Lempira Algerian Dinar Myanma Kyat Botswana Pula 0.07 PEN 15.13 CLP 10.43 AMD 0.53 CZK 0.44 MDL 2.71 ISK Peruvian Nuevo Sol Chilean Peso Armenia Dram Czech Koruna Moldova Lei Icelandic Krona 64.12 UZS 0.08 ILS 0.02 JOD 0.01 KWD 0.68 UYU 0.78 MUR Uzbekistan Sum Israeli New Sheqel Jordanian Dinar Kuwaiti Dinar Uruguayan Peso Mauritian Rupee 0.62 NIO 0.18 NOK 0.09 PLN 0.08 SAR 3.19 LKR 0.78 THB Nicaraguan Córdoba Norwegian Krone Polish Zloty Saudi Riyal Sri Lanka Rupee Thai Baht 0.08 AED 0.08 BRL 0.09 RON 0.17 HKD 12.82 XAF 490.40 VND U.A.E Dirham Brazilian Real Romanian New Leu Hong Kong Dollar Central African CFA Franc Vietnamese Dong 0.30 ARS 0.06 XCD 0.17 GTQ 0.21 MAD 0.01 BHD 0.02 PAB Argentine Peso East Caribbean Dollar Guatemalan Quetzal Moroccan Dirham Bahrain Dinar Panamanian Balboa 0.03 AZN 68.03 COP 1.49 KGS 6.10 HUF 0.17 TJS 298.56 IDR Azerbaijan Manat Colombian Peso Kyrgyzstan Som Hungarian Forint Tajikistan Ruble Indonesian Rupiah 0.19 EGP 25.99 KRW 123.71 PYG 0.09 MYR 11.76 CRC 0.03 NZD Egyptian Pound South Korean Won Paraguayan Guaraní Malaysian Ringgit Costa Rican Colón New Zealand Dollar 2.29 PKR 1.46 RUB 0.34 ZAR 0.05 TND 0.04 BBD 0.04 BGN Pakistani Rupee Russian Rouble South African Rand Tunisian Dinar Barbadian Dollar Bulgarian Lev 0.06 TRY 1.02 PHP 0.71 TWD 4.29 NGN 2.34 XPF 0.09 GHS Turkish Lira Philippine Peso New Taiwan Dollar Nigerian Naira CFP Franc Ghanaian Cedi 2.73 JMD 0.04 ANG 0.03 BND 2.41 RSD 0.14 CNY 434.18 BYR Jamaican Dollar Neth. Antillean Guilder Brunei Dollar Serbian Dinar Chinese Yuan Belarussian Ruble 0.15 DKK 0.07 TMT 1.47 INR

Danish Krone New Turkmenistan Manat Indian Rupee

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