Arriving at the airport in Santo
Domingo:
For those of you not
familar with Spanish and third world airports, Santo Domingo can
be a little overwhelming.
When you arrive the first thing you will have to do is purchase a
$10 tourist visa. This is obtained at a small offfice to the
right of the passport control counters. They only except American
dollars! As you procedd to the passport control, you will notice
that there is no segrigation of Dominicans and foriegners. After
you finally get through passport control, head towards the
baggage carousel. The baggage carousel area is full of porters
looking to give you a hand. Don't pay over a $1 a bag. Next stop
is customs, if busy they will send you through, if bored, pull
you luggage apart. Generally the customs will leave the tourists
alone. After customs there is a foreign exchange next to the
exit, this is a good place to change a few dollars for the cab to
wherever. Don't change more than you need for that day, because
you will get a better rate in the city where you are going. After
customs you hit the arrival lounge, now the fun starts! It looks
like chaos, but that's what Dominican organisation looks like.
The porter will take your luggage to a waiting taxi. All this
will take about 45mins from the time you land, to getting in the
taxi. You might find that the taxi driver can't find your hotel,
and he will recommened another one for you to stay in. He is
looking to earn a commission from the hotel. If you have the
address on a piece of paper you shouldn't have a problem.
Prices: Airport to Boca
Chica 150 pesos ($12) Airport to Santo Domingo 300 pesos ($24)
-*Tip: If you can't speak Spanish, write
your hotel address and related taxi fare on a piece of paper.
This way you ................shouldn't .get ripped off.
Security:
The Dominican Republic
is bye and large a safe country. Don't belive all the shit your
friends tell you about the place.
The chances are they have never been to the Dominican Republic.
Yes it's next to Hahti, so what!
What's L.A. like these day's? Most crimes are commited against stupid tourists.
Passports:
You
will need a passport that is valid for at least six months. As
this is a recent change in the law, they are still letting people
into the Dominican Republic with a birth certificate. Don't take
the chance, get a passport. We are not sure of the cut off date
for passport only entry.
Drugs:
Best
advice, forget it! Reading the following hopefully will convince
you. Life ain't much fun in a Dominican prison. Concerning Drugs in the Dom. Rep.
Law 168 Art. 5 The following are considered to be narcotic drugs.
Penalties
Electricity:
The
Dominican Republic uses American style electrical plugs for
110-120 volts/60Hz.
Bring a candle and a flash light, the power goes off every now
and then. 99% of all business have generator's.
Water:
Don't
drink it if you are only coming down for a short visit. If you
do, you will be on the toilet for the duration of your stay.
Bottled water is avaliable everywhere, use it!
Mobile
Phones:
If you
have a new digital phone, the chances are it will work in the DR.
The phone needs a roaming capability. You can always hire one,
but they ain't cheap. 25 pesos a day, 16 pesos per/min for calls,
in and out. As you can see, they make their money on the calls.