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Banks
Banks are open Monday to Friday 8.30am-3.30pm, with an extra few hours on Saturdays for foreign exchange, 8am-12 midday. Most banks have exchange facilities.
Banco Popular, ATH Dominicana and Red Cash have numerous branch locations on the island and there are ATM machines all over the country. |
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Beaches
The Dominican Republic has more than 1000 miles of beaches, including the Caribbean's longest stretch of white sand, Punta Cana-Bávaro. There is very good variety, with developed strands in some areas (many of them incredibly crowded with locals, particularly near Santo Domingo) and elsewhere classic palm backed curves of Caribbean sand. Beaches are called ‘playas’. Be aware that there are some dangerously strong currents in some areas of the island, so do be careful or get local knowledge if you are planning on swimming. Below is a selection of the best beaches on the island.
Playa Dorada, north coast, 10 minutes east of Puerto Plata
The Dominican Republic’s most established resort area, where a cluster of hotels have their own slice of the beach. Watersports, facilities and bars, reefs for snorkelling and great winds for windsurfing.
Playa Sosúa, north coast, 20 minutes east of Puerto Plata
Busy beach between the two halves of the north coast town, with a range of activities and facilities. Bars along the length of the beach provide a seaside drink, or you can retreat into the town itself, where there are endless bars. Good swimming and some great snorkelling spots offshore close to the reefs. There are other quieter coves nearby that are also worth checking out.
Playa Cabarete, north coast, 30 minutes east of Puerto Plata
A laidback and friendly town that fronts onto miles of excellent light sand, where beach bars and restaurants stand shoulder to shoulder. Steady excellent winds and good waves on the offshore reef make Cabarete a key location in the international windsurfing circuit.
Playa Grande, north coast, between Rio San Juan and Cabrera
A long stretch of powdery sand that is slated for development - so go while you still can. Public entrance to the beach a mile from Playa Grande Golf Course where there are towering cliffs and breathtakingly blue sea. Tricky currents in the winter but in the summer months the water is flat and the beaches get busier.
Playa Las Terrenas, north side, Samaná peninsular
Postcard perfect beach on the north coast of the delightful Samaná Peninsula. To the west is Playa El Cosón, a great whale-watching spot from January to April. There are several other very pretty beaches along the peninsula here which have superb deserted sands.
Punta Cana, eastern tip of the island
Miles of untouched sands, interspersed by coral cliffs, stretch from Miches to Punta Cana. Some of the beaches are owned by (all-inclusive) hotels but day-passes are available if you ring in advance. Pearl white sand backed with coconut palms but the area can get very busy. Be aware that sometimes the large waves from the Atlantic can make it dangerous to swim.
Bayahibe Beach, south-eastern corner
Stunning strip of white sand fringed with coconut palms close to Del Este National Park. Bar and restaurant nearby to the beach.
Playa Boca Chica, east of Santo Domingo.
The closest good beach to the city - a stretch of fine sand backed with hotels and bars that is often packed with Dominicans and their families, particularly on weekends. Calm water for swimming and often coral reefs to explore.
Playa Bahoruco, Barahona Peninsular, 70 miles west of Santo Domingo
Isolated stretch of beach eight miles south of Barahona that’s great for surfing. Wild, undeveloped beach, but many sections are pebbly, so you need surf socks for swimming. San Rafael, just to the south, has beach shacks where you can buy meals of fresh fish.
Eagles Bay Beach, Barahona Peninsular, west of Santo Domingo
Excellent undeveloped beach in the far southwest of the country, located in the Jaragua National Park. |
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Casinos
The Dominican Republic has a thriving gambling and casino scene. Many of the major resorts and hotels have gaming facilities and there are over 30 casinos in the Republic, the majority of which are in Santo Domingo. Below is a selection of some of the larger and better known ones on the island.
Matum Hotel and Casino Diamante, Santiago, t 581 3107
50 slot machines and table games including, blackjack, craps and roulette
Barcelo Bavaro Casino, Punta Cana, www.barcelobavarocasino.com
100 slot machines and table games including, billiards, blackjack, roulette
Playa Chiquita Resort and Casino, Sosua, t 571 3416
96 slot Machines and table games including, blackjack, craps, poker and roulette
Coral Costa Caribe Beach Hotel & Casino, San Pedro de Macious, t 526 2244
75 slot machines and table games including Caribbean Stud Poker, blackjack, craps, poker and roulette
Naco Hotel and Casino, Santo Domingo, t 562 3100
45 slot machines and table games including, blackjack, poker and roulette
Melia Santo Domingo Hotel and Casino Diamente, Santo Domingo, t 221 6666
50 slot machines and table games including, blackjack, craps and roulette
Renaissance Jaragua Hotel and Casino, Santo Domingo, t 221 2222
50 slot machines and table games including, baccarat, blackjack, craps, Pai Gow Poker and roulette |
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Check In/Check Out
As a general rule check-out times are around 12 noon and check-in is not prior to 3pm, during which time the rooms are made ready for new arrivals. If you know you will be arriving before the normal check-in time however, do ask as your hotel may able to be flexible. They may also be able provide a day room with or shower facilities subject to availability for the day of your departure. You should make any special arrangements at the time of booking. |
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Cruises
The Dominican Republic is a popular and regular port of call for cruise ships and they dock in several main ports. Barahona, La Romana, Manzanillo, Puerto Plata, San Pedro de Macoris, and Santo Domingo all see plenty of tourists flooding ashore.
Alongside the huge liners that visit there are some smaller and more stylish ships that call in to the Dominican Republic. These include ships from Seabourn, t 1800 929 9595, Silversea, t +1877 760 9052 and Windstar, t 1800 258 7245. |
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