What You Should Know Before You Go
by Charles McKay

When To Go
The Dominican Republic has a warm and humid tropical climate year-round, but it varies by region. In general, November through April is dry season, with temperature averages around 75 to 80ºF. The hottest months are May through October, with average temperatures around 86 to 90º. This is also the wet season, when almost daily afternoon showers occur. The end of the wet season is a great time to visit, when everything is lush.

What To Bring
The Dominican Republic has a sultry tropical climate, so dress accordingly. Lightweight, loose-fitting cotton and synthetic clothes are best and are acceptable everywhere, including Santa Domingo (although you’ll want some more elegant wear for nighttime, especially for ritzier restaurants and nightclubs). A poncho works well against warm-season downpours, and a fold-up umbrella is recommended for the city. Additionally, you definitely want a pair of comfortable walking shoes for exploring the cities. Hiking shoes will prove useful if you plan on exploring mountain trails or wilderness areas. Insect repellent is a must, particularly for coastal areas and during the wet season.

Insurance
Travel insurance is a wise investment. Companies that provide coverage for the Dominican Republic include: Assistcard, www.assist-card.com, 800-874-2223; Global Travel Shield, www.globaltravelshield.com, 800-332-4899; Travel Guard International, www.travelguard.com, 800-826-4919.

Entry Formalities
All foreign visitors need to present a passport, and most must also purchase a tourist card (U.S. $10, good for 90 days) upon arrival in the Dominican Republic. Citizens of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United State and most Western European countries are not required to obtain visas.

Currency
The Dominican currency is the peso oro (RD$), which is officially divided into 100 centavos. However, the tiny centavo coin has been withdrawn from circulation, leaving the 1-, 5-, 10- and 25-peso coins in circulation. The U.S. dollar is widely accepted in main urban centers and is the preferred currency in tourist resorts. Euros and pounds sterling are not as readily accepted.


ATMs
Most banks have 24-hour automated teller machines (ATMs) for cash advances using credit cards or withdrawals from your account using a bankcard. There is usually a small charge for using the ATM.


Communications
Most towns and villages have Internet cafés (usually charging between RD$30 and RD$60 per hour). Most resorts and hotels are wired for Internet use or have business centers. An increasing number of venues have Wi-Fi hot spots. Most towns have a post office, usually open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Many gift stores and hotels sell prepaid letters and postcards. Allow for at least 10 days for mail to Europe. There is no home delivery in the Dominican Republic. Mail is delivered to postal boxes, which can be rented through the Instituto Postal Dominicano in Santa Domingo. Additionally, public pay phones accept prepaid phone cards, which can be bought at hotels, local stores and gas stations. Local calls cost RD$1 per minute; national calls cost about RD$5 per minute. Codetel and Tricom are among the major phone companies in the country that also operate walk-in phone center, where it is possible to place international calls at a fraction of the cost. Visitors can activate their cell phones within the republic and then purchase prepaid phone cards or a phone plan.

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