Travel Information

Banks and Currency:
Banks are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Currency is the Dominican peso.
 
Climate:
The average temperature ranges from 89 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer and 75 to 90 degrees during the winter.
 
Dress:
Casual attire is appropriate throughout most of the country. Patrons of fine restaurants and evening establishments are often dressed elegantly, with men wearing sport coats and women in dresses.

Drinking Water:
Tap water in the Dominican Republic is not safe to drink. Visitors will find plenty of pure, bottled water for sale throughout the country.
 
Electricity:
Usually 110 volts, 60 cycles a.c., as in the United States. 

Government:
Democracy, with executive, legislative and judicial branches; elections are held every four years. 

Holidays:
The Dominican Republic celebrates many typical holidays, such as Christmas and New Year's Day, but also celebrates: January 21 (Our Lady of La Altagracia), January 26 (Duarte's Birthday), February 27 (National Independence Day), Movable Feast (60 days after Good Friday), August 16 (Restoration Day) and September 24 (Our Lady of Las Mercedes).

Language:
The official language is Spanish; English is widely spoken and understood.

Medical Facility:
In Santo Domingo, the Centro Médico Universidad Central del Este, Clínica Abreu and Clínica Gómez Patino all have 24-hour emergency rooms. The Clínica Dr. Brugal, in Puerto Plata, has a 24-hour emergency room, as does the Centro Médico Sosúa, in Sosúa. 

Population:
Approximately 8 million

Post Offices:
Located in the Old City of Santo Domingo and in Puerto Plata. Major hotels will be able to take care of guests' postal requirements. 

Size:
19,120 square miles 

Surcharges and Taxes:
Most hotels and restaurants add a 10 percent service charge to the bill.

Telephone Service:
The Dominican Republic is part of the 809 area code that applies to other parts of the Caribbean. For intra-island calls, the area code is not needed. 

Time:
Atlantic standard time year-round; daylight-saving time is not observed.

Tipping:
Most hotels and restaurants add a 10 percent service charge to the bill. An additional 5 to 10 percent tip is customary for good service. 

Tourist Information:
The tourist office is located in Puerto Plata. The Secretary of Tourism is located amongst a cluster of government offices in Santo Domingo.