DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

E-MAIL :   ABYTAHOTEL@CODETEL.NET.DO-  TEL / FAX: + 809 2212027

THE THESAURI ISLAND

The Dominican Republic is in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, has dimension of 48.443 kmq and is the second tropical island by extension after Cuba. It presents a big landscape's variety, a whole year round sunshine, and a vegetation typically tropical with  the more biodiversity's Caribbean index: it accounts 5.600 plant's species. From the 3.175 m of Pico Duarte to 40 m under the sea level of the Enriquillo Lake, offers the higher point and the lower of emerged grounds in the Gulf Mexico.

The island, discovered in the 1492 by Christopher Columbus, keeps notables testimony of its glorious past with considerable Spanish characteristics mixed with the typical creola culture of the places.

Its prosperous economy is not only based on tourism, but also on the tobacco, coffee and sugar cane cultivations. It has today the biggest development tax of the world and a big economic and cultural vivacity. It has succeeded to become a true democracy, in spite of the long history of dictatorship in the past.

 USEFUL INFORMATION   

TIME ZONE: 5 hours less of the European time during the sun time, 6 hours less when in Europe is set the summer time.

Language: Spanish is the official language. Between the European languages, English is the most widespread. 

Documents: You need to have the individual passport in valid course. It's required a visa of 10 U$D in entrance and a airport tax of 10 U$D in exit. 

Vaccinations: no vaccination is obligatory or requested. 

Climate: Tropical climate with temperature variable between  24 and 31 centigrade all year round. Drier the winter months  from December to April. Wetter the summer months. 

Local Currency: Dominican Peso with value of about 0,03 U$S. It's better to have US dollars, everywhere accepted. 

Dress: Light (linen and cotton) and casual. Don't forget sun creams and sun glasses. 

Cooking: Unlike the others islands where fish is  predominant, the meat is also a various and rich dish. The meat is also a various and rich dish in Santo Domingo. The cooking has creol origins and is very appreciated.

Shopping: The Dominican rum is among the best in the world, fantastic variety of objects in mahogany, horn and tortoise.  Semiprecious stones and especially the amber. 

Electricity: 110 volt. An American type adaptor is necessary .