DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the year-round weather like? Every day is a beauful day in Dominican Republic (DR). The country is blessed with year-round summer-like weather, with mostly sunny days and clear blue skies. When it rains, showers are fleeng and quickly followed by sun. The average high is 87˚ F (30.55˚ C), with an average low of 73˚ F (22.77˚ C) degrees. The winter season runs from November through April, with relavely low humidity. The summer season begins in May and runs through October, with a higher humidity, which can make it seem much hoer than it actually is. Regardless of the season, nearly 1,000 miles (1,609 km) of coastline receive cooling tropical breezes while the Cordillera Central mountain region, including the towns of Jarabacoa and Constanza, offers an average temperature of 61˚ F (16.11˚ C) degrees. Nearby deserts in the Southwest region experience higher average temperatures.

What is the currency and what is the exchange rate with the U.S. dollar? The Dominican peso (RD$) is the official currency of the DR. For the past several years, the exchange rate has been very favorable to the U.S. dollar so vacaon budgets stretch further. For an up-to-date exchange rate between the Dominican peso and other currencies, visit: www.xe.com/currencyconverter. Major credit cards and traveler checks are accepted at many tourist areas in the country. Visitors can bring Dominican pesos with them, but U.S. dollar bills are just as easily accepted throughout the country (although U.S. coins are not used or accepted). ATMs can be found in the majority of cies and at most resorts.

Is it best to change money at the airport? Unless you need to pay for a taxi, it is recommended that you change your money at your desnaon city, as there is greater compeon and because of this they offer a beer exchange rate than at the airport. But the difference is nominal. Therefore if not exchanging large amounts, you should consider using the facilies at your entry port.

Are major credit cards accepted? Are ATMs available? Most hotels, restaurants and businesses accept major credit cards. Visitors should be careful where and when they use their credit cards, to stay clear of double billings or addional charges. ATMs can be found around the country and oen are located within the resorts, but visitors should bring cash to be sure. What is the drinking age? The drinking age is 18 years old.

Do I need a passport and/or visa to enter? All foreigners who enter the country need a valid passport. Visitors must also fill out embarkaon/disembarkaon forms. These must be filled out before entering the immigraon line. Visitors may need to purchase a $10tourist card beforehand or upon arrival–only U.S. $10 bills are accepted and the clerks cannot make change.In addion, some visitors will need to be in possession of a valid visa for entry, although U.S.cizens don’t need a visa. For general rules and country requirements, visit the EntryRequirements secon at:www.GoDominicanRepublic.com Do visitors have to pay a tourist fee when entering or deparng? Prior to entering the immigraon line,visitors are required to purchase a Tourist Card. It is essenal that visitors have US$10 or 10 Euros foreach member of their party to pay this tax. No coins or other currency, including Dominican pesos, can be used.TheTourist Card permits a 30-day stay and is available for purchase at booths near the immigraon lines at all airports in the DR.The card,which can look similar to a credit card and have a microchip or may simply be a receipt, will be collected prior to entry into the country.

What is the policy for traveling with underage minors of Dominican naonality? When an underage child is traveling with both parents,there is no problem and no special permit is required. But,if the child is traveling with one of the parents, then they must have authorizaon from the other parent. Any authorizaon or permit to leave the country for a child should be carried out by means of a private writ, duly legalized by a public notary,stamped by theDominican Aorney General’s office, which should then be lodged with the Department ofImmigraon, where the exit permit will be issued following payment for the service.

Is the water safe to drink? While the water in most hotels is potable, travellers are sll advised to drink boled water asa precauon. Boled water is widely available throughout the country and because of the strength of the Caribbean sun, it is recommended that visitors drink at least10 glasses a day to avoid dehydraon.

What Language is primarily spoken? Spanish is the official language. However,most employees in hotels and restaurants speak good English.If you intend to venture out beyond the tourist desnaons, it can be helpful to know a few basic Spanish phrases.

Can I use electrical appliances from NorthAmerica? Electricity in the country operates at110 Volts/60 Hertz and appliances from North America should work in the DR without adapters.However, because voltage irregularies are common in the country, it is important that any appliances or computers in use have surge protecon.In addion, electrical appliances from Europe and other countries might need adaptors and energy convertors.Adaptor plugs are widely available for rent or purchase at resort front desks or gi shops.

Is pping a common pracce? Tipping is widely pracced throughout the country. Many mes,restaurants will add a 10 percent p to the bill, but it is customary to give a bit extra–up to 10 percent in addional ps.Tips are commonly given to taxi drivers, hotel maids,tour guides, etc. How old do you have to be to rent a car in the DR? Visitors who are 25 or older with a valid driver’s license can rent a car.In fact, most of the popular rental agencies in North America and Europe have offices in the country.

When dialling from the U.S., or vice versa,what internaonal dial code is used? To call from the U.S. toDR, dial“1”plus the local number.To call the U.S.fromDR, dial “1” plus the local number.To call Europe and South America from DR, visitors need to dial “011” along with the area code and phone number.

Can I use my cell phone without internaonal coverage? Most cellular companies offer service within the DR. Telephones are also widely available at resorts throughout the DR. To call the U.S., Canada and Mexico from DR, visitors need to dial an area code and phone number as they would at home. If you have a GSM cell phone, this should work. You only have to acvate it. If not, it will work with roaming and the tariff varies according to your mobile company. The other opon is to get a telephone in DR with a local number at any of the many telephone points such as Claro-Codetel, Orange, Tricom or Viva, paying approximately US$40 and then buying phone cards.

What is the local me zone? The local me zone is Eastern Caribbean Time (GMT-0400). In the winter this is one hour ahead of Eastern Time. The DR does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Are there pet regulaons in the DR? The Department of Animal Health requires specific documentaon for any pets being brought into the country. Cats and dogs must have the following documentaon:

• A health cerficate issued by the Office of Animal Health no more than 15 days prior tothe arrival date of the animal is required.

• An-rabies vaccine, triple vaccine (distemper, leptospirosis, hepas) and Parvo-virusvaccine cerficates showing inoculaons 15 days prior to the arrival date of the animal is required.

Pets that don’t meet requirements will be quaranned for at least eight days and up to a month. For all other types of animals, special authorizaon should be sought from and issued by la Dirección General de Ganaderia (Department of Animal Husbandry), (809)-535-9689.

Is it advisable to rent a car? There are some tourist desnaons where renng a car is recommended because there is so much to see. For example, if you are traveling the northern coast of the country from Montecris through Puerto Plata to Cabrera, or to the beaches of Samaná, renng a car will ensure you can stop and see the sights along the way. Renng a car along the eastern coastal area is also recommended as the popular tourist areas can be explored, including La Romana, Bávaro, Cap Cana and Punta Cana. The eco-prisne Southwest is one of the most beauful and untouched areas. Renng a car will help visitors see the stunning beauty and nature in Barahona, Pedernales and its great aracons of Bahia de las Águilas (Bay of Eagles) and the Hoyo de Pelempito (Pelempito Hole). All these desnaons are surrounded by beaches and aracons that may be easier to visit if you have a car available.

However, it is not necessary to rent a car in Santo Domingo and Sanago due to very good internal transport opons. Taxis can be obtained by calling the taxi base by telephone (see the telephone directory), and most offer a fixed tariff of approximately US$5 for most points within the cies.

What are the typical foods that I should try? Dominican food is unique and delicious. For example, try the popular mangú (green plantains, boiled and mashed) with eggs, fried cheese or salami for breakfast. Rice, red kidney beans, meat and tostones (mashed and fried green plantains) make for great midday opons. Also try pork rinds, locrio de pollo (rice with chicken, Dominican-style), shrimp stew, mofongo (plantain mash with fish or meat), fish with coconut, stewed crab and conch, roasted or stewed goat with boiled cassava and a sancocho (stew) accompanied by avocados for dinner. And of course, do not forget to try cassava bread and queso de hoja, a type of string cheese.

Delicious Dominican desserts include grated coconut, sweet beans, sour milk dessert, orange sweets, milk (papaya) dessert and pineapple dessert, and guava and cashew paste in syrup. Natural tropical fruit juices include: passion fruit, guava, pineapple, orange, strawberry, mango, mandarin and papaya juice with milk.

Do not miss out on tasng sugar cane juice from the abundant fields in the country. You should also sample Dominican coconut juice from the hundreds of coconut groves and forests in the country. Delight in the Dominican coconut’s delicious pulp and refreshing milk. Is it the custom to address people with the polite or the familiar form of “you?” Even though mes are changing, it is beer to err on the side of formal rather than informal and it is always preferable to use the formal form of “you” (usted) before you know someone. Gentlemen can be referred to as don or señor (Mr.) and ladies as doña or señora (Mrs.). Informality is very common and acceptable because Dominicans are very open and sociable. The term amigo (friend) is frequently used. And don’t be surprised if they refer to you as mi amor (my love) or cariño (dear), as some Dominicans prefer a very friendly and informal way of speaking.

How safe is it? The country connues to have one of the lower crime rates in the region. However, it is wise to always take precauons, just as you would if you were to visit any new country or large new city in the world.

I am coming as a tourist, what clothes should I bring? The Dominican Republic is located in the Caribbean or tropics and features warm sunny weather year-round. It is recommended that you bring light clothing for warmer weather. However, if you will be at a resort, make sure you bring something a bit more formal for occasions that may require a lile more elegance, such as dining in upscale restaurants. Also, if you are going on excursions on which there are visits to churches and some types of monuments or museums, you will not be able to enter if you are wearing shorts or very short skirts. If your visit is in the winter, between December and February, you should bring a light coat or jacket, as at night the temperature tends to drop a lile. How does the Dominican Republic compare in size with Puerto Rico or Jamaica? The country has a surface area of over 30,000 m2 (70,000 km2), which would mean that Puerto Rico could fit into the country five mes and Jamaica four mes. Due to its size and the variety of its terrain, it offers a greater diversity to tourists, including a variety of beaches, mountains, prehistoric caves, deserts, lakes, islands, rivers and numerous waterfalls.

What is the hurricane season? The Atlanc hurricane season begins on June 1, and extends to November 30. This is the summer and early fall season when the weather is sunny with some cloudiness and passing rain on occasions, which tends to occur in the late aernoon or at night.

Is it worth vising the capital? The capital city is important to visit. Santo Domingo is the First City of the Americas and has been named the American Capital of Culture in 2010. Its Ciudad Colonial is a Cultural Heritage of Humanity site and has the best gastronomy and the most acve night life in the Caribbean. The good news is that there is excellent bus transport, and for less than US$10, they will take you to the Capital City from Punta Cana, Puerto Plata or Samaná.

Will I be able to see a baseball game during my stay? Baseball stadiums are located in the main cies: La Romana (Estadio Francisco Micheli) San Francisco de Macorís (Estadio Julián Javier), San Pedro de Macorís (Estadio Tetelo Vargas), Sanago (Estadio Cibao), Santo Domingo (Estadio Quisqueya). The winter baseball season begins in the middle of October and finishes at the end of January, with the proclamaon of the tournament champion. The champion then goes on to represent the Dominican Republic in what is known as the Caribbean Series, in which they compete against Puerto Rico, Mexico and Venezuela. For more informaon on Dominican baseball, visit: www.lidom.com I have many quesons I would like to ask, who can I speak to before I come? The Secretary for Tourism has 22 offices abroad, including in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, South America and Europe, where you can direct your quesons. For a complete contact list, visit: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com. You may find more informaon at www.dr1.com/forums, where there are more than 700,000 quesons and answers in English on a variety of subjects, along with a search engine feature. How can I get to the Dominican Republic? The country has eight internaonal airports, three major seaports and a variety of marinas for boats and yachts of all sizes and smaller airports for private planes. Because it is such a large and diverse island with eight internaonal airports, it is important to choose your arrival airport to coincide with the final desnaon of your stay. To travel over land from one airport to another could take up to eight hours. For example, this is the case between the airports of Punta Cana and Puerto Plata. However, one opon is to arrive by airport on one coast, say the North Coast, to allow for exploraon of the area. Then transfer by car to another part of the island, say the East Coast, for the second half of your stay. You could arrive at Puerto Plata’s Gregorio Luperon Airport in the North and depart from Punta Cana Internaonal Airport on the East Coast, having visited two disnct desnaons in one.

The approximate flight mes from some major cies to airports in the Dominican Republic:

•Atlanta: 2h50 •Bogota: 2h20 •Buenos Aires: 8h00 •Caracas: 2h00 •Lima: 4h00 •London: 8h45 •Madrid: 7h30 •Miami: 1h50 •Milan: 9h30 •Montreal: 4h15 •Moscow: 11h30 •New York: 3h30 •Paris: 8h00 •Prague 10h30 •Rome: 9h45 •San Juan: 0h35 •St. Petersburg: 10h45 •Toronto: 4h30

Media Contact Siren Communicaons Olivia Bruo 416-351-0777 olivia@sirencommunicaons.com