Entry
German citizens need a valid passport! There is no visa obligation. They only
fill out a tourist visa, called tourist card wich costs US $ 10, - and is available
to buy after arrival in the airport. There are many tour operators where the
tourist card is already contained in the travel price.
Language
The language of the country and office are Spanish. In the tourist centers also
English and occasionally something German are spoken.
System of government
The system of government of the Dominican republic is a praesidiale democracy
with several parties, similar as in the USA. Elections take place every 4 years.
The country is under the protection of the United States of America, similarly
as Haiti.
Inoculation
Inoculation are not prescribed, however we recommend inoculation against hepatitis
A + to B. Please inquire you with your doctor.
Currency
The currency is the Dominican peso (= 100 Centavos, however almost never more
necessarily). Besides the US dollar was established as unofficial secondary
currency as in all Latin American countries. The US$ is taken almost everywhere
and gladly welcome as currency. The retracting and extending of pesos are forbidden.
Foreign exchange however can be introduced without reservation. As credit cards
almost exclusively MASTERCARD, VISAS and also American express are assumed here
and there. (1 USS 16.6 pesos, 1 DM 7.5 pesos, noncommittal appoximate value,
status: March 2001)
Traffic
normally prevails right traffic. A developed transportation network connects
the most important cities, completly by national airline connections. Beside
taxis there are also still the so-called 'publicos' wich you have to divide
with many other passengers. The penalty operating in the cities are mostly overcrowded.
cars to rent are available everywhere, but you have to pay about 35 USS per
day. The insurance is sometimes included; the kilometers are for an unlimited
period. Attention: many lenders shrink from the costs of an insurance just like
for maintenance and service at the customer. This applies also to the motorcycle
and scooter rental business. Contact your guide.
Something similar applies to the endless crowd of route and Safari organizers. Also some Nepper, tractor and adventurer are on the way, which only want your best, your cash. The bar and the beach are usually no places for business. On our homepage we recommend trips, which operate correctly, fair and for a good price. For more information, go to "trips".
Climate and water
The Dominican republic is a green island with tropical climate.
The temperature differences between the seasons are small. The average daytime
temperature is approx. 28°C. Violent rainstorms can interrupt the sunshine,
but after a short time the sun points itself again. Cause of the blowing trade
wind wich is each day you will feel well also at temperatures over 30° C.
Crystal-clear water with an average temperature of 26C loads you to any type
of water sport over the whole year.
Environment
In the Dominican republic you´ll find a large extent clean environment,
without large manufacturing plants and quite without atomic power plants. The
ecological equilibrium against the waste problem (predominantly an imported
problem) proceeds with regular removal and meanwhile also fines are taken. Unfortunately
the environmentally conscious Europeans and americans let their model function
miss particularly in this area. In the agriculture an extensive cattle breeding
is operated. The water freshly gushes from the mountains. The vegetation is
various. There are numerous unaffected landscape sections under nature protection.
Restrictive construction specifications prevent bed castles and to compressed
land development. Here they learned from the errors of other tourism centers
(Italy, Mallorca, Spanisches mainland).
Health
The climate is ideal for the handling of rheumatism, charge, skin diseases and
asthma. The Dominican republic offers a varied domicile to young people and
is suitable also as (age -) resting seat or health resort.
Current supply
110 V alternating current with American plug sockets are standard on the island
. Due to enormous consumption growth it can come to power failures, compensateed
by house or citicen emergency power generators.
Telephone and fax
The well opened telephone network are operated by halfprivate companies. Particularly
the mobile telephone network is the most modern in Latin America.
Handy
As a first German portable radio provider Viag Interkom enables its customer
telephoning also in the Dominican republic. The Roaming agreement with France
Telecom Dominicana entered into force according to specification of Viag Interkom
on 9 July. However one needs for telephoning a Handy, which transmits MHz frequency
also on the GSM 1,900. Those are for example the Motorola devices time port
7089, 7389 and 260. Also Siemens the S40, the Nokia 8890 and the Ericsson T
28 World are suitable. Who wants to actually use his Handy, must reach however
deeply into the bag. the telephone call costs 4.83 Mark/min to Germany, around
the clock at all weekdays. one pays 1.75 Mark/min for discussions within the
Dominican republic. And you have to pay 3.09 Mark/min for arriving calls. The
SMS dispatch is available and costs 60 Pfennig per short message.
Radio and press
There are two local radiostations, which send maintaining and informative programs
in German language. Beside the imported German-language international press
two local magazines in German language are available.
Television
Approx.. 220 American tv stations can be received via satellite dish. This applies
also to the "German wave TV" with 24 hours of transmitting time.
Physicians and hospitals
A large number of outstanding physicians are for you at the disposal day and
night. In Cabarete is also a German-speaking physician at home. With three hospitals
in Sosua the requirement is taken off very well. The taken up performance must
be paid immediately locally, with or without credit card, if no insurance is
present.
From kitchen and cellar
The Caribbean kitchen offers inspiring palate joys to you. Sea fruits of all
kinds belong to the delicate meals, they are not not completely cheap, because
they are caught with the hand or the harpoon. (see above) the meat originating
from the traditional cattle breeding is prepared here too completely distinguished
French, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Argentine and naturally also Dominican meals.
Native vegetable and fruits are found in many variations. They grow the whole
year. Resident German butchers and bakers vouch for the quality of their products.
Prices
Some appoximate values should help you not to be overreached: shoescleaners:
5 RD$ Motoconcho (motorcycle taxi) during the day RD$ 5, after coming darkness
10 RD$. Pay basically at the target only! Taxi: internal-locally RD$ 40, -.
from Cabarete to Sosua RD$ 100, - per vehicle. The prices are shown at the taxi
statuses. Further travels have to be negotiated. Beverages: native beer, Cuba
libre in the restaurant approx.. RD$ of 25 to RD$ max. 30, -. in the restaurant
please pay attention whether the prices contain all the deliveries. The Unsitte
to add Taxes and service is still possible and increases the prices by almost
25 %.
If you were content with a service, do not forget to leave a tip please. These are not all inclusive. The usually native worker is remunerated only with the minimum rates and dependents urgently on the small gifts, which also promotes the friendship here.