Creighton University/ILAC Encuentro Dominicano Visitor’s Guide Visitor’s Guide Last Updated: August 2015 PLEASE NOTE: This guidebook About the Guidebook is intended to be a general guide to prepare students and their visi- tors for their experience in the This guidebook brings sight into what you can ex- ber that information listed is Dominican Republic, but does not relevant information about pect during your stay. The subject to change. You reflect Creighton University’s visiting the Dominican Re- hope is that it helps to relieve should always confirm your endorsement. public as either a family any stress that may come plans in advance. It is recom- member or friend of a student along with traveling to a dif- mended that you view other in the Encuentro Dominicano ferent country where Spanish travel books and websites that Staying at ILAC program. You are going to is the main language and also can further educate you be- have a different experience to facilitate an enjoyable ex- fore your arrival. A Lodging Request form must be electron- than the average tourist in a perience. It is important that you ically submitted to reserve space at ILAC. variety of ways: 1) You will This form can be found on the last page of Within this guidebook you communicate your ideas this guide. It should be emailed to the have your own “personal tour will find information on stay- about the type of trip that you ILAC office in Omaha at guide” (the student that you ing at the Institute for Latin would like to have with the [email protected]. Confirmation of will be visiting), but with this American Concern (ILAC) student. The Dominican Re- reservations are best done when students comes cautions that will be center, traveling within the public is a very diverse coun- are already in the D.R. and they can check explained in the section country, suggestions on how try. You will see that there is with Zunilda or Carolina in the ILAC “From the Eyes of the Stu- office in the D.R. a few weeks after the to maximize your time, and something for everyone! dent.” 2) You will see sites reservation has been submitted. The cost possible places of interest. includes three meals a day and payment not traditionally visited by There are also sections dedi- must be made in cash before checking out tourists. 3) You will become cated to health and safety, at the ILAC Center in Santiago. Please familiar with social justice cultural sensitivity, and un- contact the Student Life Director issues within the Dominican derstanding the student’s ([email protected]) for current rates. Republic context. perspective. See section “Hotels in Santiago,” for The purpose of this Visi- Many of the places of in- recommended lodging should there not be tor’s Guide is to serve as a space available. terest that are highlighted in point of reference for you as this guidebook were suggest- you plan your trip in order to ed by past Encuentro Domini- provide you with some in- cano students. Please remem- Featured sections: Ideal Visiting Times First Time in the D.R. 2-3 From the Eyes 3 Fall and Spring breaks their Spanish skills and in Travel Insurance of the Student seem like ideal visiting times, traveling around the country. For Family & Friends but even better are Thanks- Visitors cannot come when giving and Easter breaks. It is recommended that travel- Santiago 4-5 students are on the campo ers have insurance that will The Fall and Spring breaks immersion. The immersion is Traveling the Country 6-7 come early in the semester cover them in case of any a time for the students to be medical emergency while in and usually students are still in solidarity with the Domini- The North Coast & Sama- 8-9 becoming familiar with the the DR. Check with your ná can community and dedicate insurance provider to see country and culture as well as time to the service project. learning the language at this what their policies are on Visiting Service Sites & 10 point. In the past, students Visitors are welcome at all international travel. If this is the Campo seem to feel more comforta- other times during the semes- not an option for you, check ble when visitors come later ter as it is important for stu- out www.mycisi.com for pro- Trip Itinerary Examples & 11-12 in the semester because they dents to be able to share such visionary travel insurance. Thank You Family have higher confidence in a powerful experience with & Friends! their loved ones. Page 2 Visitor’s Guide $US* Dollars to Pesos *RD$ First Time in the D.R. Dollars can be exchanged for pesos at the airport or at the ¡Bienvenidos a la Republica Dominicana! money exchange center near ILAC. Exchanging dollars in Before passing through vide the following contact either with ILAC (free if driv- a bank requires an original immigration to claim lug- information so that luggage ers are available) or with Taxi passport whereas money ex- gage, one must first pay a can be delivered to ILAC, Familiar, the recommended change centers do not. There tourist fee of $10 cash. If which is usually within a few taxi company. are ATM machines at the arriving in Santiago, the fee days. Most taxi drivers will ac- airport and all over Santiago. station is at the foot of the cept either dollars or pesos. Therefore, pesos can be taken escalator. There will be air- La Misión ILAC Rates with Taxi Familiar vary out with a Debit card, but port assistants guiding travel- depending on the time of day additional bank fees may ap- ers through immigration. It is Carretera Duarte Km 7.5 and if the taxi driver has to not uncommon for check-in ply. Avoid using ATM ma- Licey al Medio, Santiago wait for passengers. The av- chines that are not located luggage to not arrive with erage, one-way rate to the Phone: (809) 736-0774 within a bank as that can draw your flight. Therefore, it is airport from ILAC is 500 unwanted attention. Travelers advisable to pack significant pesos, which increases during checks are not recommended. personal items in carry-on Taxi drivers are available late-night or early-morning The current exchange rate is bags. Do not leave the airport outside the airport. However, trips. It is important to agree around $US 1 = 44 RD$. without reporting lost luggage they charge more than if on a rate with the taxi driver and keep baggage claim tick- beforehand. ets. If staying at ILAC, pro- transportation is arranged ILAC Accommodations Once you arrive at ILAC, with jam, ham, cheese, scram- arts and crafts made by Do- you must pass by the front bled eggs, yogurt, cereal and minicans who live in the office to receive the key to coffee with milk. Lunch is countryside communities in your casita. Casitas are small usually Dominican style rice which ILAC works, and all houses with two to three beds and beans, chicken, beef or income from the products and a bathroom. All linens pork, and a salad. For dinner, goes back to those communi- are provided. one can expect more Ameri- ties. Purchases can be made can style meals ranging from with ILAC staff members ILAC’s Courtyard Three meals are included in the room fee, which can be fried chicken and French fries Lilian or Carolina. Cash only paid at the end of your stay in to pasta and potatoes. (dollars or pesos are accept- Forget something? the ILAC office (Please con- ILAC has a computer lab ed). tact the Student Life Director with Internet, running track, International calls can be There is no need to worry if [email protected] for basketball court, laundry made from one of our pro- you have forgotten or lost current rates). Breakfast is room, and chapel. A Spanish gram’s cell phones. Phone something replaceable. Stu- served at 8 a.m. Lunch is at Mass is said every Sunday at cards needed to make interna- dents have been able to buy 12:30 p.m. and dinner is at 6 11 a.m. by a local Jesuit, Fr. tional calls can be purchased things such as prescription p.m. The ILAC cook staff Manolo Maza who does at a store located near ILAC. contact lenses, laptop batteries appreciate if you let them speak English and is a great A 100 pesos calling card from and sinus infection antibiotics. know if you will not be eating friend of the Encuentro pro- the company, Claro, will give Many of one’s daily necessities a meal so that they can plan gram. you about 11 minutes if call- can be bought at the corner accordingly. Typical break- The gift shop consists of ing the U.S. Nearly the en- store, “el colmado” in Spanish, fasts may include fresh bread tire ILAC center is equipped or at La Sirena, Supermercado Nacional or Plaza Internacion- Transportation to Santiago A van, known in Spanish comfortable using public that many end up missing as “guagua,” is the public transportation as it is how upon their return home. The form of transportation into they get to their service sites. average travel time from Santiago. These “guaguas” Students usually look forward ILAC to Santiago is about 20 are normally very crowded to sharing the public transpor- minutes. As a safety precau- and cost 25 pesos one-way. tation experience with their tion, a taxi from Taxi Familiar Students quickly become visitors and it is something should be used after 8 p.m.