Along with frequently asked questions, people often asking for advice: What time of year is it better to go, which hotel to choose, which excursions to go on? In this post we tried to collect all the most important tips that will help save not only your money, but also your nerves, because when you visit the Dominican Republic you will encounter a new culture, which at times may seem surprising to you, sometimes irritating, and maybe even frightening ! The very first advice - read this article to the end, after all forewarned is forearmed! In this article we will not talk about what you need to take with you on vacation or on the road. This article will talk about those things that travel guides about the Dominican Republic keep silent.
Dominican time
Perhaps this is due to the close proximity of the Bermuda Triangle, but time here works according to completely different laws than we are used to! If you hate waiting, if you are used to planning your day minute by minute, then in the Dominican Republic you will have to forget about it! The Dominicans' favorite word is mañana ( Spanish Tomorrow), and not always, if a Dominican promises you a solution to some issue, then he will solve it tomorrow, and not the day after tomorrow. The same situation is with making an appointment; being 15-30 minutes late is practically a mandatory norm; being an hour late is also not considered critical. Even if the Dominican completely forgets about your meeting, he will be sincerely surprised by your indignation about this, because in this country it is generally not customary to rush anywhere! During the first few days, you will find that you walk along the sidewalk much faster than most Dominicans, and you will find that they will block traffic on the entire street to chat for a few minutes with their friend Jose, with whom they live in the next house. Please note that most Dominicans do not wear watches! Almost no one knows what day of the week it is, unless it is Friday. In general, you will have no choice, you need to get used to it.
You have to bargain everywhere!
Even if the store seems decent in appearance and there are price tags on the goods, do not rush to think that this is the real cost of the goods! Try, for starters, to offer the seller 5 times less and you will see how the price will immediately drop by 2-2.5 times :) This is especially true for souvenir shops and shops where the price of the goods is not indicated! There you can easily “lower” the price by 5-10 times! Don’t forget to use all the Spanish words you know, they really help bring down the price because... You will come across as a seasoned gringo, not a fresh tourist! The phrase “yo no soy turisto!” works very well. ( Spanish I'm not a tourist!), do not confuse with “ruso touristo obliko morale” - after this, as a rule, prices increase because Our compatriots very much spoil the local population with tips. The money you save can be considered earned! And remember, the fact that you are bargaining is not an insult to the Dominicans, but rather the opposite - a kind of entertainment!
Sankey Pankey is a national business
You will almost certainly meet a slender, hot guy or a beautiful girl on the beach who will smile sweetly at you and accompany you everywhere. Sooner or later, you will begin to develop feelings for this guy/girl and you will decide that you have finally met your knight in shining armor, or your long-awaited princess. And in the depths of your consciousness the erroneous thought will creep in that he/she loves you simply for being you, and not
for the opportunity to get a visa or your money. If you go to an Internet cafe, you will see girls/guys there who communicate via a webcam with a young man/girl and in broken English explain to him how much they miss him and that their mother needs an expensive operation and they don’t have enough only 100-200 dollars. After the conversation, as a rule, this guy or girl calls the next “client” :) And one more thing! If a girl says she's 18, ask for her sedula. Perhaps under the magical influence of overcooked chicken and rice, or perhaps because of the eternal summer and eternally fresh fruit, but Dominican girls often look and act much older than their years. So be careful.
Public transport
In one of our previous reviews we talked about, but just in case, let us remind you that when using public transport, be it a carro publico or a gua-gua, another passenger may be placed on your lap. This is absolutely normal here and is one of the ways to make new acquaintances.
Features of Dominican traffic rules
Loud music is everything!
If you do not like loud music, then it is better for you to refrain from visiting Dominican beaches on weekends. Every real Dominican MACHO simply must have THESE speakers in his car. And where else can you show them off, if not on the beach? So they arrive in their super-fashionable cars, hung with speakers, and try to make their music so loud that you can’t hear the music playing from another car, which is standing 3-5 meters away. The behavior of Dominicans on the beach may also seem a little wild when they go into the water (no matter the pool or the ocean) in clothes with plastic plates and drinks, this is their tradition.
Mamajuana is not Dominican Viagra!
Be careful if you are offered to try the Dominican folk drink - mamajuana! After all, each manufacturer has its own recipe for its preparation and, in fact, this is ordinary Dominican moonshine, which can cause various unexpected effects in your body, with the exception of an increase in potency. By the way, Viagra in the Dominican Republic is sold at every turn without a prescription, but do not forget that it should absolutely not be mixed with alcohol! Heart complications are guaranteed!
Undercurrents
If suddenly, being far from the shore, you feel that you are being carried further and further, do not rush to panic. Most likely you are caught in an undercurrent and you just need to get out of it. Don't try to swim against the current - it's useless! Try to take a little to the left or to the right, in the direction of the current, and when you feel that you are no longer being carried away from the shore, calmly return.
Dominican sun
The Dominican Republic has a surprisingly mild sun, so it’s very easy to miss the moment of burning! Be sure to use sunscreen, especially in the first 3-5 days! Recommended time for tanning is before 11 am and after 4 pm. If you are unlucky and get burned, you can buy panthenol at your local pharmacy. If your temperature rises and your health worsens, be sure to consult a doctor!
National language of the Dominican Republic - Spanish,spoken in many countries in the region, such as Mexico.This state of affairs was facilitated by the long reign of Spanish colonialists here. Therefore, if you speak this language, then communicating in the Dominican Republic will not only be easy, but also interesting. Well, if you don’t have such knowledge, it doesn’t matter. Everyone’s favorite English, which is spoken by all service personnel and employees of tourist centers, will come to the rescue. Unfortunately, locals will not understand you in 97% of cases.
Spanish in the Dominican Republic
In fact, few people speak pure Spanish. Residents use one of its dialects, so characteristic of the inhabitants of the Caribbean islands. More precisely, Latin American dialect, belonging to the first group. It is also common in parts of Cuba, the Caribbean regions of Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia.
A peculiarity of Dominican pronunciation is the swallowing of half the word, which baffles even the most skilled Spanish experts. This dialect is characterized by the presence of a sufficient number of words of English origin, which is explained by the proximity of America.
On the streets you often have to address a girl or woman - “mi vida” (my life) or “amor” (love).
It is a noteworthy fact that devout Dominicans often like to say the phrase “Si Dios permite” (if God permits).
Other languages of the Dominican Republic
In some regions of the Dominican Republic, basic knowledge of French will be helpful. For example, in the town of Las Terrenas, in the province of Samana. And in Sosua, located in the province of Puerto Plata, you can practice speaking German.
Without knowledge of languages in the Dominican Republic? Easily!
But what should those who speak only their native, powerful Russian language do? In principle, you can do without foreign languages in the Dominican Republic. Simple gestures are a common practice among Russian tourists. Enough for a week's holiday under the coconut trees.
The official state language in the Dominican Republic is Spanish. All residents of this state communicate on it, and all documentation is maintained. In addition to Spanish, some residents speak French and English, but since the Dominican Republic is a country with a developed tourism infrastructure, everyone associated with it speaks English.
However, the inhabitants of the Dominican Republic do not speak pure Spanish, but rather a local dialect, which is based on Spanish. This is due to the history of the formation of this state. Over the past 500 years, after the discovery of the island of Haiti (Hispaniola), at different periods of time it was inhabited by representatives of various conquering countries of the New World.
Initially, local Indian tribes lived in Haiti - the Tainas. Their descendants made some changes to the colloquial speech of the modern language spoken in the Dominican Republic today.
After the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, Spanish became the main language for communication to this day. The colonialists brought African slaves to the island, and they spoke broken Spanish, with the accent of their languages, so another local dialect began to appear.
Two centuries later, after the dominance of the Spaniards, part of the island was settled by French colonialists. This historical event also made its own adjustments to the formation of the dialect.
After independence, the Dominican Republic came under the influence of its neighbor, the United States, several times. It also left its mark on the local language in the Dominican Republic.
In addition to the historical formation of the dialect, the formation of the language is also influenced by modern local residents who live in different areas of the island. They arrived from other countries of the world, bringing with them their pronunciation.
Migrants from the neighboring country, Haiti, have been coming to the Dominican Republic for a long time. Therefore, residents who live close to the border with this state often communicate in Creole and French, or use many substitute words for them, mixing them with Spanish.
In some small towns you can also find residents who speak exclusively French, Italian, German or English. This is due to the fact that the local population consists of only migrants, and they have no need to communicate in Spanish.
Special attention is paid to the English language. This language is very important to the local population for several reasons. Firstly, part of the local population communicates in it. Secondly, the neighboring country is the United States, with which the Dominican Republic has close trade and economic relations. Thirdly, tourism. Most holidaymakers, and therefore staff, use English as their universal language of communication. This language is used in all hotels, bars and restaurants for vacationing tourists, and excursions are conducted only using it.
As a rule, Spanish in Latin America can rarely be found in its “pure” form. Due to the influence of the local population, over time, each country developed a local dialect that was different from each other. A peculiarity of the language in the Dominican Republic is the pronunciation of Spanish words. The endings in them are swallowed. Sometimes even Spanish-speaking tourists find it difficult to understand the conversations of the locals.
Common phrases |
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Please | por favor |
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Sorry | sorry |
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Hello | ||
Goodbye | ||
I don't understand | but comprendo |
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What is your name? | cual es tu nombre? | Qual estu nombre? |
How are you? | como esta usted? | Como esta usted? |
Where is the toilet here? | donde esta Servicio | Dondeesta servio? |
What is the price? | quanto es? |
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One ticket to... | un bigietto |
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What time is it now? | Ke ora es? |
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No smoking | proivido fumar |
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Do you speak English? | Abla Ingles? |
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Where is? | dondeesta? |
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Hotel |
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I need to order a room | una abitasyon |
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I want to pay the bill | la cuenta, por favor | La Cuenta, Port Favor |
Passporte |
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Room, number | Habitacion |
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Shop (shopping) |
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Cash | en effective |
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By card | con tarheta |
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To wrap up | ||
No change | sin tener |
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desconto |
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Very expensive | ||
Transport |
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Trolleybus | trolleybus |
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Stop | ||
Please make a stop | pare aqui, por favor | pare aki por favor |
Arrival | ||
Departure | ||
Airport | aeropuerto |
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Emergency cases |
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help me | ||
Fire Department | ||
Ambulance | outpatient |
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Hospital | hospital |
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porosament |
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pharmacy |
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Restaurant |
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I want to book a table | quiero reservar una mesa | quiero rreservar una-mesa |
Check please (bill) | la cuenta, por favor | La Cuenta, Port Favor |
Language in the Dominican Republic
Everyone who goes on holiday to this country wonders what language is spoken in the Dominican Republic. The answer is simple - Spanish. This is what the majority of the population speaks. However, the status of the official language in the Dominican Republic does not make Spanish the only one. A country with a developed tourism infrastructure has learned to adapt to the needs of travelers, so today you can hear English, French, Italian and German spoken here. French and Creole are also spoken in areas bordering Haiti. The popularity of English in the country is growing along with the increasing flow of tourists from the United States.
If you don't speak any of these languages, Arrivo recommends taking a short phrasebook with you on the road. The Russian language is practically not widespread and is found only in travel agencies aimed at tourists from Russia.
NEVER visit the Dominican Republic! Until you read our article about it :) We’ll talk about cool places, the best resorts, we’ll show you everything in photos and maps! We'll tell you what to eat from Dominican cuisine, what holidays to attend, what month is best to fly and what to expect from the weather. Sit down and listen...
Hundreds of kilometers of coastline define the Dominican Republic, some of it white sandy beaches, shaded by rows of palm trees, the other part - wind dunes, serene mangrove lagoons and rocky cliffs. Whether it's fishing villages with boats moored along the shores, or indulgent tourist spots with aquamarine waters, the sea is the common denominator here. Some of the harbors where pirates once roamed are temporary homes to huge numbers of migrating humpback whales and are part of an extensive network of nature reserves and parks that protect the country's natural heritage.
Apart from the capital, the bulk of the Dominican population lives in the countryside. As you drive through the vast fertile lands, you'll see horses and cows loitering along the roads, as well as trucks and donkeys loaded with fresh produce. Moving further inland you will encounter views reminiscent of the Alps, rivers breaking through lush jungles and beautiful waterfalls. Four out of five the highest peaks in the Caribbean rise above the fertile lowlands surrounding Santiago, and the remote deserts stretching across the southwest give the Dominican Republic a physical and cultural complexity you won't find on other islands.
General information about the country
Location
between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean and occupies two thirds of the island of Haiti in its eastern part
Size
48,730 square kilometers
Capital
Resorts of the Dominican Republic
Punta Cana and Playa Dorada in Puerto Plata are where you will find most all-inclusive resorts. If you want to save money, look for accommodation around Sosua Beach. To immerse yourself in the local culture and explore history, stay in the capital, Santo Domingo. And now in more detail...
Punta Cana
Punta Cana's location is ideal for beach resorts: temperatures are moderate and consistent. Stronger winds blow on the eastern side of the island and make it ideal for surfing, sailing and other water sports.
La Romana
If you are not a fan of noisy resorts, La Romana is the perfect place for you, especially if you are traveling with small children. This place became famous after the South Puerto Rico Sugar Company built a sugar factory here in 1917. The city of La Romana began to develop in the tourism sector since the 1980s. Here you can go diving, spearfishing, go on an excursion to Saona Island and, of course, enjoy the cleanest beaches.
Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata is located on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, with a 24-kilometer sandy Playa Dorada beach, golf courses, many restaurants, casinos and other attractions that make the area one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island .
Samana
Halfway between Punta Cana and Puerto Plata on the northern side of Hispaniola, lies the Samana Peninsula. It is the oldest tourist destination in the Dominican Republic, but probably the most vibrant.
Santo Domingo
If you want to start your exploration of the “real” Dominican Republic, start in Santo Domingo and then go anywhere else. The modern Dominican Republic begins here, and with the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, it could be said that full western expansion into the New World began here. Santo Domingo was the first capital of Europe on the other side of the Atlantic.
What to do in the Dominican Republic?
Most tourists to the Dominican Republic come for the beaches and all-encompassing resorts, but don't forget that four centuries of history have a lot more in store for travelers, such as picturesque mountains, museums, big and small cities and much, much more.
Types of recreation:
- canyoning
- rafting on the Yaque del Norte river
- kitesurfing
- hike to Mount Duarte
- cycling in the mountains
- diving
- swimming with dolphins
- humpback whale watching
- horseback riding
The Dominican Republic also has a very vibrant nightlife. Dominicans love to drink, socialize and party. Wherever you are in the country, the central square is most likely the nighttime gathering place for locals and tourists from all over the world.
Places to visit in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is known as a fairly affordable beach destination, always packed with tourists and tempting all-inclusive resorts. But the country is also known for its culture, history and stunning natural beauty. The main tourist spots are the areas around Puerto Plateau, Punta Cana, La Romana and Samana. However, the cultural gem of the country is the capital, Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the city you can visit the Alcazar de Colon, Plaza de la Cultura, the Museum of Modern Art, as well as the Columbus Palace, Fort Ozama and the National Botanical Garden.
In addition to well-developed beach resorts and world-class golf courses, the Dominican Republic is home to extensive coral reefs, waterfalls, jungles, secluded islands, pine forests and the highest peaks in the Caribbean. Thanks to these diverse ecosystems, the island has an abundance of recreational opportunities. Adventure seekers head to the mountains to raft the Rio Yaque del Norte. The rugged alpine landscape also attracts hikers to explore its many mountain trails. Along the coast, water lovers can swim, dive, kayak, kiteboard, speedboat and surf. An abundance of entertainment and attractions attracts more and more tourists from all over the world to the Dominican Republic every year.
National cuisine of the Dominican Republic
Like many traditions preserved in the Dominican Republic, the cuisine is a mixture of Spanish, African and even Taíno influences. A special type of cuisine is known as comida criolla(comida criolla), which is also found in other areas of the Caribbean and is adapted from classic Spanish and African recipes using local ingredients.
Dominican cuisine is rich for products containing starch, these are primarily rice, potatoes, yucca, cassava and bananas. One of the most popular dishes in the Dominican Republic - which you will find on almost every restaurant menu - la bandera("flag"). La Bandera is a dish of stewed meat, white rice, beans (red beans are usually used) and green lettuce. Another common dish is sweet bean cream with milk and other additives, known as habichuela con dulche(Abichuela con dulce). Dominicans also have their own version of Spanish paella, the dish is known as locryo, which uses achiote instead of saffron to color rice.
Bananas and banana dishes are especially popular in the Dominican Republic and are usually boiled, stewed, or simply served candied. Mangu- a popular dish consisting of mashed bananas and bacon. You can also try boiled plantains with garlic, olive oil and pork skin, order m ofongo.
Popular types of meat used for cooking in the Dominican Republic are pork, beef, chicken and goat. Particularly popular is the fried pork plate known as l yechon asado, as well as to uchifrito, which is stewed pork. Fried beef with ham, onions and spicy side dish is known as Toarne-mechada. Goat meat stewed with tomato sauce or fried goat leg with rum and cilantro are also favorite dishes.
Of course, seafood is also a staple of Dominican cuisine, especially along the coast. Two of the most common types of fish consumed in the Dominican Republic are snapper and red snapper. They are often prepared with mild or spicy tomato sauce, garlic sauce, or coconut sauce. Octopus, crab and lobster are also popular
The Dominican Republic may not be considered one of the world's culinary leaders, but there are plenty of delicious local dishes that are definitely worth trying.
We recommend purchasing anti-mosquito cream, as annoying mosquitoes may bite you at night. Don't be fooled by the wind and clouds, as the sun's tropical ultraviolet rays pass through them very easily, so apply sunscreen regularly. It is especially important to wear hats and sunglasses for children.
Hurricane season in the Dominican Republic runs from June to November. Before traveling, you should monitor weather updates and monitor the progress of approaching storms.
Exchange money at banks or official exchange offices (casas de cambio). Be careful when withdrawing cash from an ATM, as credit card cloning and identity theft are common.
pros:
- Large selection of all-inclusive resort services available
- magnificent wildlife (from its idyllic beaches to picturesque green and mountain landscapes)
- average daily temperature ranges from 26 to 29 degrees
- people are kind, friendly and open, which is especially attractive
- many attractions
Minuses:
- tap water is not potable
- dengue fever and malaria are a risk (so bring good mosquito spray and anti-malarials
- petty theft possible
- many resorts lack local culture, including music, food and dance
- many roads are quite bad and bumpy