Before leaving for the airport

You must have the following documents with you: a correctly issued passport and an air ticket for round-trip flights.

You do not need to apply for a visa in advance. Upon arrival at the airport, you must fill out a tourist card and pay an airport tax of $10 when entering and $10 when leaving the country. Have your salary with you (valid for 3 months from the date of return), an air ticket with a return date, cash at the rate of $50/day, power of attorney for the child from the second parent. If your stay is longer than 3 weeks, you must pay an additional 15 pesos.

Your flight to Dominican Republic will take place on the basis of issued air tickets.

Customs regulations

You can bring duty-free across the border: 1 liter of alcoholic drink with an alcohol content of up to 22%, 2 liters of less strong drinks, 500 grams of coffee, 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco and gifts worth no more than $100 US. The import of drugs and weapons is strictly prohibited.

We inform you that from May 13, 2014, the Government of the Russian Federation Decree No. 398 of April 29, 2014 “On invalidating paragraph 7 of the Government Decree” comes into force Russian Federation dated December 31, 2005 No. 866 “On the labeling of alcoholic products with excise stamps.” In this regard, the import of any alcoholic beverages into the territory of the Russian Federation from abroad is prohibited. The exception will be alcoholic beverages purchased at airports in duty-free shops. Duty Free.

General information

A state in the West Indies, occupying two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola (also known as the island of Haiti). By land, the Dominican Republic borders Haiti to the west and three other sides. water boundaries: in the north - Atlantic Ocean, in the south - the Caribbean Sea, in the east - the Mona Strait. The Dominican Republic's closest neighbors are Cuba in the northwest, Jamaica in the west and Puerto Rico in the east. Area - 48734 km2. The country has the highest Mountain chain among Pico Duarte 3175 m. Capital: Santo Domingo, its history goes back more than 500 years. Today Santo Domingo is a city with a population of 2 million, with an abundance of architectural monuments, museums, shopping centers, restaurants and discos.
Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1492. He wrote: “These lands are so vast, beautiful and rich that it is impossible to even imagine.” Hispaniola was the center of the conquistador empire. This was the residence of the Spanish king. The viceroy of the Spanish colonies was located here (for a long time he was Diego Columbus, the son of a navigator). In 1655, the French occupied the western part of the island, which later became the state of Haiti.
The nature is luxurious, lush and varied. More than 8,000 plant species - three times more than in Europe, of which 800 are found only here. The best beaches in the Caribbean: endless, with fine white sand and a shallow lagoon, fenced off from the ocean waves by a coral reef. The most famous beaches are located in the north - in the province of Puerto Plata.

Transport

Comfortable buses run throughout the country.
Taxis are also available to the public and can be “caught” anywhere in the city. The cost of some routes is pre-set. Car rental is expensive, foreign driver's licenses are valid for 90 days.

The national currency is the Dominican Peso. In dollar terms, 36 pesos are worth 1 dollar. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the hotel or at commercial banks, which are open from 08:00 to 15:00.
Traveler's checks and major credit cards (Eurocard, MasterCard, Visa International, American Express, etc.) are accepted in most cases. Some commercial banks advance cash.

The difference with Moscow is minus 7 hours in winter and minus 8 in summer.

Humid tropical. average temperature 25 C. The rainy season lasts from May to July with frequent but short showers. The hottest month is August. Water temperature is about 25 C.

Spanish, but in resort areas English, German, Italian are used.

Catholics - 95%, but ancient cults, such as voodoo, have also been preserved.

It is customary to tip $1 for small services. In restaurants located outside the hotel, it is customary to tip 10% of the order amount.

Electricity

Electrical voltage in the Dominican Republic networks is 110-120 Volts. To use electrical appliances, you must have special adapters for flat sockets

Features of staying in the country

The Dominican sun, like rum, is potent, although you may not notice it at first. Use sunscreen with high protection.
Meals at the hotel. As a rule, all hotels in the Dominican Republic operate on an all-inclusive basis. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be given an information sheet at the reception desk, which contains a list of free services in a particular hotel and the opening hours of bars and restaurants on site.
It is not recommended to eat anywhere outside the hotel, because... It is not possible to guarantee the quality of food. The exception is good restaurants in the center of Santo Domingo.

Creole cuisine is a combination of European and Caribbean traditions using local ingredients. Typical dishes: san cacho - thick soup of different types of meat with vegetables, la bandera - rice, meat, beans, vegetables and green fried bananas, fish with coconut, mangu - green banana puree, served for breakfast, panonate - dessert, made from milk and coconuts. National drinks are coffee, rum and Pru (fermentation product of the Pru plant).

Santo Domingo. In Santo Domingo - the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor (built in 1514-1520), which contains the remains of Christopher Columbus; ruins of the palace of Diego Columbus, brother of Christopher; 16th century churches of San Nicolas and San Francisco, remains of Spanish fortifications; The oldest American university is Santo Domingo, opened in 1538. In the west of the country there is a famous salt Lake Lago Enriquillo.
Jarabacoa. For thrill-seekers, we offer excursions to the mountains, rafting trips to Bavaro and any individual programs. SAONA Island. Exotic Island in the Caribbean Sea with crystal clear waters and snow-white beaches, where a tropical-style lunch awaits you. Departure from the hotel early in the morning, arrival at Altos De Chavon Park, excursion in the park, then descent along the gorge and the mouth of the river, where high-speed boats await you, which will take you to a comfortable boat. You will sail for one and a half hours through crystal waters Caribbean Sea past virgin beaches. Here you will see starfish and flying fish. On the boat there is a bar and dancing with local girls. Lunch on arrival on the island. Hydrobikes, canoes, boats are at your service; in the evening, departure to the hotel. Botanical Garden. Here you will see all the plants collected from the island, visit the only valley overgrown with vines, palm trees and visit one of most beautiful places- Japanese garden.
Zoo. If you want to visit a zoo, we suggest you visit the zoological garden where you will see many inhabitants of the world's fauna. City of artists Altos De Chavon. A flight on a small plane across the entire island, and you are in a town built of stone about 30 years ago by the hands of artists - a typical Spanish settlement of the 16th century. You will see a beautiful Amphitheater, art galleries and salons with works by artists living in the town, and take a paddle boat ride down the river.

Phones

Telephone calls can be paid in cash or with credit calling cards, which can be purchased from your telephone company. To call from the Dominican Republic to Russia, you need to dial the code “011” - access to an international line and the Russian code - “7”. Mobile phones operating on the island have the GSM standard in the 1900 MHz frequency range, which is used in the USA and Canada. Can be rented mobile phone local companies. Rental cost is $10 per day plus a calling card.

If problems occur

There is no Russian Embassy in the Dominican Republic.

Host company

1. Check your flight information on the information board and go to the check-in counters whose numbers are indicated on the board. When registering, please present international passport and a ticket.
2. After checking in and boarding being announced, you must proceed to the appropriate areas for international flights.

Passengers on international flights undergo customs, passport and security control, after which they await departure in the sterile area of ​​the international airlines gallery. When going through security, you must present your passport and boarding pass.

When transporting animals or plants, it is necessary to undergo phytocontrol / veterinary control.

Rules for pre-flight and post-flight inspections

In accordance with Appendix No. 1 of the Rules for pre-flight and post-flight inspections, approved by order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation dated July 25, 2007 No. 104 prohibited from transporting on board the aircraft by passengers in checked baggage and in things carried by passengers, the following dangerous substances and objects:

Allowed to transport on board the aircraft by crew members and passengers, subject to the required conditions, the following items and substances:

• in checked baggage in cargo and luggage compartments of an aircraft with isolated passenger access to luggage during the flight:
  • crossbows, spearguns, checkers, sabers, cutlasses, scimitars, broadswords, swords, rapiers, bayonets, daggers, knives: hunting knives, knives with ejectable blades, with locking locks, simulators of any type of weapon;
  • household knives (scissors) with a blade length over 60 mm; alcoholic drinks containing more than 24%, but not more than 70% alcohol by volume in containers with a capacity of no more than 5 liters, in containers intended for retail trade - no more than 5 liters per passenger;
  • liquids and alcoholic drinks with an alcohol content by volume of no more than 24%;
  • aerosols intended for use for sports or household purposes, the release valves of the cans are protected by caps from spontaneous release of the contents in containers with a capacity of no more than 0.5 kg or 500 ml - no more than 2 kg or 2 liters per passenger;
• in things carried by passengers:
  • medical thermometer - one per passenger;
  • mercury tonometer in a standard case - one per passenger;
  • a mercury barometer or manometer, packed in a sealed container and sealed with the sender's seal;
  • disposable lighters - one per passenger;
  • dry ice for cooling perishable foods - no more than 2 kg per passenger;
  • 3% hydrogen peroxide - no more than 100 ml per passenger;
  • liquids, gels and aerosols classified as non-hazardous: in containers with a capacity of no more than 100 ml (or equivalent capacity in other units of volume measurement), packed in a securely closed transparent plastic bag with a volume of no more than 1 liter - one bag per passenger.

Liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 100 ml are not accepted for transportation, even if the container is only partially filled. Exceptions to transportation include medications, baby food, and special dietary needs.

Liquids purchased from duty-free shops at the airport or on board an aircraft must be packaged in a securely sealed plastic bag that allows the contents of the bag to be identified during the flight and has reliable confirmation that the purchase was made at airport duty-free shops. or on board the aircraft on the day(s) of travel. Keep your receipt as proof of purchase. Do not open the package either before boarding or during the flight.

The administration of the airport, airline, or operator has the right to decide to introduce additional measures to ensure aviation security on high-risk flights, and as a result prohibit the transportation of the following items in the aircraft cabin:

• corkscrews;
• hypodermic needles (unless medical justification is provided);
• knitting needles;
• scissors with a blade length of less than 60 mm;
• folding (without lock) travel, pocket knives with a blade length of less than 60 mm.

Attention!

Example of a migration card

Flight time

From Moscow to international airports to Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, La Romana or Puerto Plata - about 13 hours plus transit in Paris or Frankfurt. Direct charter flight Moscow - Punta Cana - about 12.5 hours.

Upon arrival at Punta Cana Airport, Santo Domingo

Upon arrival at Punta Cana, Santo Domingo airport, follow the step-by-step instructions:

Transfer

Attention! IBERIA flights arrive at Santo Domingo Airport!

1. Transfer to the Bavaro region
   Transfer from Santo Domingo airport to the Bavaro region takes 2.5 hours + time to check into hotels (about 1-1.5 hours).
   Transfer from Punta Cana airport to the Bavaro region takes 30 minutes + time to check into hotels (about 1-1.5 hours).
2. Transfer to the Boca Chica region
   Transfer from Santo Domingo airport to the Boca Chica region takes 30 minutes + time to check into hotels (about 1-1.5 hours).
   Transfer from Punta Cana airport to the Boca Chica region takes 2.5 hours + time to check into hotels (about 1-1.5 hours).

In a hotel

Attention! Upon check-in, hotels in the Dominican Republic may ask you to provide a credit card (if you don’t have a card, a cash deposit).

1. Go to the reception, where you will be given a registration card.
2. Fill out the registration card in English.
3. Hand in your completed registration card, voucher (1 copy out of 3), foreign passport (the foreign passport will be returned to you after a photocopy is taken, check at the reception when you can pick up your passport).
4. Wait for check-in. Check-in at the hotel is from 15:00. If you want to check into a room earlier than the specified time, you must pre-book a room a day before your arrival date (for example, you arrive in the Dominican Republic at 5 am on September 10, so as not to wait until 15:00 for check-in, you can book a room not from September 10 , and from September 9. In this case, you will be checked into your room as soon as you arrive at the hotel). Upon check-in, you will be given room keys and towel cards.
5. After checking into your room, review the information provided by the hotel. Pay attention to which services are paid and how much they cost (as a rule, the information is in a folder and lies on the table or bedside table).

Meeting with the hotel guide

The time of meeting with the hotel guide will be informed to you by the accompanying guide (transferman) on the way to the hotel. At the appointed time, you must approach the hotel guide, who will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby. To the meeting, take with you a voucher, a hotel map, and a catalog of TEZ TOUR excursions.

If you have any questions or problems, please contact your hotel guide or the hotel reception. The TEZ TOUR hotline number and the hours when the guide is directly at the hotel are indicated on the information stand or in the TEZ TOUR information folder in the hotel lobby.

Attention! There is no operational service on the TEZ TOUR routes listed below. Tourist support is provided by telephone.

The day before your flight home

1. Go to the reception and check if you have any outstanding bills for Additional services(use of minibar, telephone, etc.). If you have any debts, pay them.
2. In the evening, go to the TEZ TOUR information stand or the hotel guide and check the departure and departure times from the hotel. To do this, you need to know the number of the return flight you are departing on.
3. The return time for individual and VIP transfers will be communicated to you by a TEZ TOUR representative at the hotel (the guide will send you a letter indicating the departure time of the minibus).

Check out from the hotel

On the day of departure, you must vacate your room by 12:00, hand in your keys and towel cards.

You can leave your luggage in the hotel storage room.

In order to avoid various complications, we kindly ask you not to be late, arrive at the transfer at the specified time and wait for transport at the place where the bus arrives. Hotel receptions are very large, and if you do not wait for the bus at the appointed place, it will be very difficult for the guide and driver to find you and you will have to get to the airport on your own. If a tourist does not arrive at the meeting point on time, this is regarded as the tourist’s desire to get to the airport on his own.

Arrival at Punta Cana, Santo Domingo airport for departure

Example of a migration card

1. During the return transfer from the hotel to the airport, the guide will tell you about the customs clearance process and baggage declaration. The guide will take you to the check-in counters and show you where your luggage is packed. Check in for your flight (provide your passport and ticket).
2. Drop your luggage at the front desk.
3. Receive a migration card for departure at the check-in desk and fill it out in English.
4. Get your boarding pass. Please note the gate number and boarding time (at boarding pass the output is designated by the word GATE, time - TIME).
5. Proceed to the passport control area.
6. Go through passport control (provide your foreign passport, migration card).
7. Go through customs control.
8. Proceed to the departure hall, where you will wait for the boarding announcement for your flight.

Helpful information

Medical service

If an insured event occurs, you must contact the insurance company by phone numbers specified in the insurance policy. Only if you directly inform the insurance company and coordinate your actions with it, will free (or with subsequent reimbursement of expenses) service be provided.

First aid kit

Before your trip, prepare and take with you a first aid kit, which will help you with minor ailments, save your time searching for medicines and eliminate communication problems. foreign language, in addition, many medications can different countries have different names.

Money

The currency is the Dominican Peso, equal to 100 centavos. There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 2000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20 pesos and coins in 25, 10, 5 and 1 pesos. The country officially accepts only National currency, unofficially, you can pay in dollars in shops in Punta Cana. All major credit cards are accepted: Visa, Master Card, American Express, etc. If you are vacationing in Juan Dolio, please be aware that there are no banks and there are no cash options on site. credit card. Call your bank in advance and warn about your trip to the Dominican Republic, otherwise your card may be blocked (the bank's security service may decide that your data was fraudulently obtained by criminals).

Foreign currency can be exchanged at the hotel, at commercial banks that are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., or at casas de cambio - exchange offices. Approximate rate: 40-45 pesos for 1 US dollar, 55-60 pesos for 1 euro.

Try to spend all your pesos while on vacation because you won't be able to exchange them back once you return.

The shops

Shops are open on weekdays from 09:00 to 12:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00. On weekends, opening hours depend on the profile of the store.

Souvenirs

The best Dominican souvenirs

The country's tourist areas offer tourists numerous boutiques and souvenir shops, where you can purchase various products made of wood, bone, amber, larimar, ceramics, coffee, rum, cigars, Taino Indian souvenirs, and Creole dolls.

The most popular brands of rum are produced by Tremea B, Bermudez, Barceló and Brugal. The most famous varieties: Aniversario, Don Armando (from Bermúdez); Barceló Cream, Añejo, Gran Añejo, Gran Platinum, Imperial (from Barceló) and Añejo, Extra Viejo, XV, Titanium (from Brugal).

The most popular cigars are made by Ashton, La Aurora, Macanudo, Arturo Fuente and Montecristo. Do not buy cigars from vendors on the streets or the beach, they will most likely be counterfeit. Real cigars good quality cost from 4 to 15 or more US dollars per piece.

Fans of Latin American dances can buy discs with salsa and marengue as souvenirs.

In Santo Domingo there are the largest commercial centers where you can buy clothes, shoes, light industry products from national and foreign companies of good quality and affordable prices. You can bargain when purchasing.

Hotels

In the Dominican Republic, all hotels are classified and have an official star rating. As a rule, this classification corresponds to the list of services provided by the hotel. A characteristic feature of holidays in almost all hotels is the food system " all inclusive- “all inclusive”, i.e. three meals a day, snacks at any time, locally produced drinks (any), beach non-motorized entertainment are included.

Guests of one complex can travel from one hotel to another hotel, but clients of another complex will not be allowed into someone else's territory. You need to buy a Guest Card worth 60-80 US dollars. If tourists want to visit a spa center located in another hotel, then TEZ TOUR guides will come to the rescue. In such cases, guides negotiate with the nearest hotel that offers SPA services, and tourists are met at the entrance to the hotel and escorted to the SPA center. In this case, the client pays only for using the spa.

Transport

There is no bus service in Bavaro and Punta Cana. If you wish to leave the hotel premises, you can only travel by taxi. Taxis in Playa Bavaro are not difficult to find. As a rule, taxi stands are located at the entrance to each complex, or a taxi for tourists is called at the hotel reception or by a porter - this service is free. The fare is a little strange: 1 minute - 1 dollar. However, taxi drivers do not have a taximeter. There is also a "motto concho", a motorcycle taxi. We do not recommend using this type of transport due to its unsafety.

Visa

Citizens of the Russian Federation do not require a visa to visit the Dominican Republic. You can stay in the country for up to 30 days from tourist card, which is purchased upon arrival in the country.

Documents required to obtain a visa on arrival:

• International passport (valid at the time of departure from the Dominican Republic).
• Tourist voucher.

A valid passport is required to enter the country.

Tourists holding valid visas from the USA, Canada, Schengen countries, and Great Britain, regardless of their citizenship, can also enter the Dominican Republic with a tourist card issued upon arrival.

The passport must be valid at the time of departure from the Dominican Republic.

Extended passports of Ukrainian citizens are valid for entry into the Dominican Republic.

Time

The time is 7 hours behind Moscow.

Mains voltage

Electrical voltage is 110 V. Adapters can be purchased at the hotel, the cost ranges from $2 to $10.

Car rental

Car rental costs are very high (for people over 25 years old), you must have an international driver's license valid for 90 days and a credit card. Due to the peculiarities of traffic on local roads We do not recommend renting a vehicle.

Religion

Catholics - 95%.

Tips

16% sales tax and 10% gratuity will be added to the bill. If you are very pleased with the service and want to somehow reward the staff, you can add your own tip.

Customs

Attention! Since 2019, hookah smoking has been prohibited in the Dominican Republic, both in public places and in private areas. The import of hookahs and electronic cigarettes (except IQOS) is also prohibited.

Limits for transporting alcoholic beverages per person (persons over 18 years of age): 3 liters of alcoholic beverages, 200 pcs. cigarettes or 50 pcs. cigars (cigarillos) or 250 gr. tobacco; coffee, cocoa - in unlimited quantities. All this must be packed in your checked baggage.

It is prohibited to export: shells, corals, sea ​​stars. It is strictly prohibited to import and export pesos (national currency). The export of objects and things of historical and artistic value without special permission is also prohibited. There are no restrictions on the import and export of national and foreign currency.

Export of currency from the Russian Federation: For the amount of currency exported from the Russian Federation (Russian and/or foreign currencies) exceeding the equivalent of 3,000 US dollars, a written customs declaration is filled out. If the amount of currency exported from the Russian Federation (Russian and/or foreign currency) is from 3,001 to 10,000 US dollars (inclusive), documents confirming the import or purchase of this currency (currencies) into the Russian Federation are required.

Phones

The Dominican Republic, along with the Maldives, is a real Mecca for romantic couples and newlyweds. Thousands of them cross the ocean for a relaxing island holiday Honeymoon or a long-awaited vacation together in this distant and attractive tropical country.

Getting to know the country

The Dominican Republic is a small country, occupying only half of the island of Haiti, living off the tourism industry. The entire state can be crossed by car in just 6 hours. The climate of the Dominican Republic is tropical, and average air temperatures range from + 26 to +29 degrees. Night earthquakes are a local natural feature, but you should not be afraid of them - Haiti shakes constantly and only slightly.

The cheapest cities in Russia: Top 10

For the cost of goods and services in a variety of populated areas Russia is closely monitored by Rosstat and various rating agencies. They are all together...

The journey from Moscow to Punta Cana takes 12 hours, after which you can completely indulge in a measured, half-asleep rest. But don’t be lazy, take a break from the beach and the hotel, and visit the capital city of the Dominican Republic - Santo Domingo. It was not for nothing that UNESCO declared it a heritage of humanity. There are many beautiful narrow winding streets, ancient monuments and churches. The center is rich in buildings from the colonial era, since it was built by Europeans in the 16th century, so its architecture leaves the feeling not of the Caribbean, but rather of Spain.

Recommended for visiting, built from scratch half a century ago at the expense of some eccentric philanthropist, the “city of artists” (Altos de Chavon). Creative people live here (designers, artists, craftsmen), and film crews from world film studios meet at work (film shooting is common here).

Currency, tastings, purchases

With this versatile cash, you can bring back some excellent gifts from the island, especially for men. First of all, rum! Local factories produce as many as 15 varieties of rum, and their doors are always open to tourists.

The local drink “Mama Juana”, delicious coffee and, of course, tobacco are also noteworthy. Dominican cigars are in no way inferior to Cuban ones.

Among the dishes of Caribbean cuisine, Russian tourists note green bananas (“tostones”), fried with garlic and salt - this is truly exotic!

You can shop right in Punta Cana: at the Plaza Bavaro souvenir market (next to Hotel Bavaro Princess) or on the territory of the resorts, since prices here do not vary much.

Excursions

When choosing among long-term excursion programs, pay attention to Fr. Saona is the largest in the Dominican Republic. The trip takes a whole day. You will also have the opportunity to see, touch and hold starfish. Echinoderms are even allowed to be taken out of the water, but for no more than 5 seconds.

Entertainment

For those vacationers who find it not quite enough to lie all the time on the most delicate white sand beaches of the Dominican Republic, looking into the endless expanses of the turquoise ocean, local services are able to offer a number of active recreation options:

Of course, the Dominican Republic is a paradise for lovers, where all conditions are created for privacy and immersion in the local luxurious nature. For single tourists, such a vacation may even seem boring, but not for those who came here together, on the wings of great feelings.

Hands to Feet. Subscribe to our group

Forewarned is forearmed! Armed with the advice from tourists that we have collected in this article, you can avoid many problems and unpleasant surprises during your holiday in the Dominican Republic.

The best time to holiday in the Dominican Republic is from October to May. But keep in mind that in winter, trips are more expensive. Summer on the island is also good, but a little more humid and rainy. Therefore, the demand for trips to the Dominican Republic falls in the summer, and you can catch a tour at a very good price.

If you want to relax on the Atlantic coast, the resorts of Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete are suitable for you. And if you like the Caribbean Sea, choose the resorts of Boca Chica, Juan Dolio or La Romana.

When choosing a hotel, you can be sure of the quality of service - in the Dominican Republic it is always at its best. But pay attention to the reviews of other tourists about the hotel beach - in the Dominican Republic there are beaches with algae and stones!

Exchange your money for dollars before your trip. In the Dominican Republic, it is impossible to exchange rubles for local currency. It makes no sense to take the euro with you: in the Dominican Republic the exchange rate of this currency is equal to the dollar.

When going to the Dominican Republic, do not neglect health insurance. Medicine is very expensive in this country. Having insurance will help you avoid high costs if you suddenly need medical help.

Pack a first aid kit for the trip: in the Dominican Republic you will need remedies for burns, indigestion, colds, mosquito repellents and painkillers.

Try to prepare your body in advance for changing time zones. To do this, a few days before your trip, try going to bed and getting up a little later than usual. Moscow time is exactly 7 hours ahead of Dominican time.

If you are not flying on vacation in the summer, hand luggage bring flip flops, a T-shirt and shorts - if you change into summer clothes on a plane, you won't have to sweat at the Dominican airport in boots and a sweater! Don't forget to put a regular pen in your bag - at airports you will have to fill out migration cards.

Take interesting reading material with you on the plane and download more movies onto your tablet - this will help pass the time on the flight, because it lasts 12 hours. And to spend your time usefully, we recommend taking a guide to the Dominican Republic with you and studying it on the road.

If you are traveling with children, prepare entertainment for them too: books, coloring pages, games and cartoons will help your child sit still during a long flight. It is easier to fly with a child at night - he will sleep on the road.

On the plane, try to drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and energy drinks so that your body is fresh and rested when you arrive.

On the plane you will be asked to fill out migration and customs cards. Fill out these documents carefully and legibly in Latin letters.

Prepare small bills in advance - at the Dominican Republic airport you will need to pay a tourist fee of $10. You will also need change if you want to leave a tip for someone. This is welcome in the Dominican Republic.

If you are planning a long trip, keep in mind that you have the right to freely stay in the Dominican Republic for no more than 1 month. If your stay is prolonged, it’s okay, you’ll just have to pay a fine upon departure. The amount of the fine depends on how much you exceeded the allowed time (minimum $50 per person)

Upon arrival at the airport, in order to save time and get to the hotel faster, you can refuse group transfer and take a taxi (the cost of the trip starts from $30, depending on the distance). Or book a private transfer in advance.

If you do not plan to leave the tourist area, then buying the local currency - pesos - is not at all necessary. Dollars are accepted almost everywhere. However, be prepared for the fact that in many establishments, shops and supermarkets you will receive change from your purchase in pesos. Also, in the resorts of the Dominican Republic, bank cards are accepted for payment almost everywhere.

If you still decide to change money, we do not recommend changing money at the airport or hotels - the rates are the highest there. It is better to do this at banks or exchange offices.

If you decide to visit a local restaurant, carefully look at the menu. Very often, a tax of 18% of the order amount is added to the check amount - information about this is usually indicated at the bottom of each menu page.

In the Dominican Republic, almost all hotels use American type sockets with a voltage of 110 W. Therefore, you will need an adapter, which you can easily buy in hotel stores or in the city. You should take your hair dryer or electric razor only in conjunction with a special electricity transformer - in Dominican sockets the voltage is exactly 2 times less than in Russia.

If the Internet does not work well in the hotel, or it is too expensive, do not worry. You can buy a SIM card from one of the local operators: Orange or Claro, which provide Internet access on good terms.

In the Dominican Republic, do not drink tap water. Use bottled water. Make it a habit to take a bottle of water with you on excursions - on a hot day you will need it.

Wash your hands well before eating. It is better to wash fruits and vegetables with soap.

At the hotel, keep money and jewelry only in the safe. Also, do not walk alone along deserted beaches and dark city streets - you may be robbed.

Even on a cloudy day, be sure to use sunscreen - the sun is very active in the Caribbean. You will need a cream with a protection factor of at least 50 SPF, and for children and people with delicate skin we recommend using products with a factor of 80 or even 100 SPF.

Take mosquito repellent, preferably in the form of a spray or lotion - domestic electric fumigators do not work on Dominican mosquitoes. Or purchase mosquito repellent locally.

Don't be afraid to leave the hotel premises. The Dominican Republic is not as scary as hotel guides like to talk about it. Follow basic safety rules that are relevant in any country: do not display expensive equipment and jewelry, do not carry large sums of money with you.

There is one more little life hack for your safety: thieves usually easily identify tourists by the hotel bracelet on their hand. To disguise it when leaving the hotel, throw on a light long-sleeve sweater.

We advise you to be wary of compatriots living in the Dominican Republic who are too intrusively offering you their friendship. Never agree to send parcels from the Dominican Republic to Russia - very often drugs are sent this way. But in case of exposure, all responsibility for breaking the law falls on the gullible tourist.

Take a Spanish phrasebook with you on vacation or download it to your phone. In the Dominican Republic, even hotel staff speak very little English. Therefore, having a few Spanish phrases in your vocabulary will be very useful.

Always bargain in small shops and markets. In supermarkets and restaurants in the Dominican Republic, prices are fixed.

The best way to get to know the Dominican Republic is to go on one of the excursions. Do not rush to buy excursions from your tour operator - most likely, their prices will be inflated. Buying excursions from excursion agencies is much more profitable.

If you are traveling to the Dominican Republic for the first time, we advise you to definitely visit the paradise island of Saona, the capital of the republic - the city of Santo Domingo, and also go to the most picturesque province of the country, located on the Samana Peninsula.

When going on an all-day excursion, take a light raincoat with you - in the Dominican Republic, a tropical downpour can start completely unexpectedly. However, the rains end as quickly as they begin.

When traveling by sea, take care of your equipment! Salty splashes can damage even a very expensive camera or phone. It is wise to invest in a waterproof camera case.

if you love independent travel, you can rent a car for several days. When concluding a rental agreement, carefully inspect it and photograph every scratch and dent in the presence of the lessor. This will help avoid misunderstandings when you return the vehicle.

In addition to the regular taxi, there is also an exotic “motoconcho” taxi in the Dominican Republic. The name literally translates as “motorcycle with driver.” Although motorcycle trips can be a little extreme, they are much cheaper than usual. Whatever type of taxi you decide to use, be sure to agree on the price in advance, or even better, write it on paper and make sure that the driver understands you and agrees.

In the Dominican Republic, traffic on the roads is very chaotic. If you are driving yourself, be very careful and watch out for sudden motorcycles.

You can buy fruits in the Dominican Republic not only in the supermarket, but also from a special fruit machine. A car loaded with a wide variety of fruits moves around the city throughout the day. Check with your guide about what time it can be found near your hotel.