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Tour Operators
Plenty of US and Canadian wholesalers and a handful of tour operators (UK and Europe) offer the Dominican Republic in their programmes. On DefinitiveCaribbean we will be picking out the best of the travel organisers for you - operators that are Caribbean specialists and give the best levels of service, in all price ranges. They put the holidays together that may subsequently be sold to the public direct or via travel agents.
In the UK and Europe, all tour operators should be bonded for your financial protection. They sell flight inclusive holidays under licence from government bodies such as the Civil Aviation Authority (UK). Some travel agents also have the required bonding and licences to put together flight inclusive holidays, and there are a few Caribbean specialists among them.
Message to Tour Operators, Wholesalers and specialist travel agents:
We invite any travel organiser working as a Caribbean specialist with a programme to the Dominican Republic to contact us if we are not already in communication with you. Initially please email us for further details.
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Tourist Information
The main tourist information centre in the Republic is on the corner of Avenida Mexico and Avenida 30 de Marzo in Santo Domingo, t 221 4600, sector@verizon.net.do. Offices are also found at
Long Beach, Puerto Plata, t 586 5000
Santiago, t 582 5885
Jarabacoa, t 574 6189
La Romana, t 550 6992
Higuey, t 554 2672
Samana, t 538 2332
Barahona, t 524 3650
Boca Chica, t 523 5106
Outside the Dominican Repulbic information can be obtained from
Britain
The Dominican Republic Tourist Board, 18-22 Hand Court, High Holburn, London WC1 6JF, t 020 7242 7375, inglaterra@sectur.gov.do
Canada
2080 Rue Crescent, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 2B8, t 514 499 1918, montreal@sectur.gov.do
Germany
Kaiserstr 13, 2 Etage, 60311, Frankfurt, t 4969 9139 7878, alemania@sectur.gov.do
Spain
Juan Hurtado de Mendoza 13, Apto 305, 28036 Madris, t 3491 350 9481
US
136 East 57th Street, Suite 803, New York, NY 10022, t 212 588 1012, newyork@sectur.gov.do
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Weather
The Dominican Republic enjoys generally good tropical weather all year round, with an average annual temperature around 77° Fahrenheit. The mountainous area of the country is considerably cooler, and on the highest mountain peaks the thermometer can even drop below freezing point. The desert regions in the southwest of the country experience the highest average temperatures, at times soaring to over 104° Fahrenheit. The northern and eastern areas of the Dominican Republic tend to see the greatest amount of rainfall and do so predominantly between October and April. Generally, visitors to the Dominican Republic can expect long periods of sunshine and blue skies, at any time of year.
Like most of the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is located in an area where hurricanes can occur. Officially, the Caribbean hurricane season runs from the beginning of June to the end of November. Historically most hurricane activity in the Caribbean takes place in the months of August and September. |
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What to Pack
Consider taking the following when heading out to the Caribbean:
Sun protection including high factor sun cream, sunglasses, hat/cap and a lightweight shirt/blouse/t-shirt for the beach; suitable beach and walking shoes; mosquito repellent containing DEET suitable for use all day; cream for insect bites; beach mat/towel.
Lightweight cotton is generally the best clothing, casual for the daytime, though you may want something a little more elegant for the evenings. Note that most good restaurants and top hotels require men to wear long trousers and shirts with a collar in the evenings. Women may wish to pack a lightweight wrap or jacket during the winter months, as the evenings sometimes feel cool after the heat of the day.
The Dominican Republic is well stocked with batteries, but do not depend on there being camera film or camera batteries in more remote places. Bring an electrical adapter if needed. Any prescription medication that needs to be taken on a regular basis should be carried in your hand luggage, and should remain in its original packaging for clear identification by Customs should they need to check contents.
Don’t forget your passport, driving licence and insurance (medical and travel) documents.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Definitive Caribbean is very grateful for the photographic contributions we received for the Dominican Republic guide. Contributions came from the Dominican Republic Tourist Board.
Picture Editors, Alexander Gray & Will Orr |
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