Punta Cana Vacations

Punta Cana, at the Dominican Republic easternmost point, boasts large resorts with superb facilities, including golf and conference centers, on and near its spectacular beaches. Besides parks and gardens, art galleries, monasteries, mansions and museums, there's a long list of reasonably priced restaurants with Old World style (and laudable wine lists), many sidewalk and seaside cafes, nightclubs, international revues, colorful casinos and glitzy hotels with solicitous service.

A long chain of resort hotels and weekend homes line the almost endless beaches. The sea is a prime time playground for watersports fans. Dominicans love baseball (many play professionally), horseback riding, polo, tennis and golf.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
US citizens require a valid passport or an original birth certificate along with a valid photo ID. US residents need their green card and a valid passport. A Tourist Card (US$10.00) must be purchased at the airport. Citizens of other countries should contact their closest Dominican Consulate. Large quantities of the Tourist Cards may be purchased at the Dominican Consulate.

CURRENCY:
The Dominican peso fluctuates in value relative to the U.S. dollar. As of January 2 ‘02 the exchange rate was US$1.00 = RD$17. US dollars may be exchanged at the airports and the government banks (Banco de Reservas). Major credit cards are honored at most restaurants, hotels, stores and other tourist services.

TAXES & SERVICE CHARGES:
Departure tax US$10.00. Room tax 23%. (8% Sales Tax plus 5% Room Tax plus 10% Service Charge).

COUNTRY PROFILE

GEOGRAPHY:
The Dominican Republic comprises the eastern two thirds of the island and is the second largest country in the Caribbean with an area of 30,000 sq mls. It is approximately 2 hrs from Miami and 3 ½ hrs from New York. Bordered on the north by the Atlantic Ocean and on the South by the Caribbean Sea and on the West by Haiti.

CLIMATE:
The average temperature is 77 degrees F, with August being the warmest month and January the coolest. Summer temperatures range from 89 to 95 degrees F and in the winter, from 75 to 90 degrees F.

LANGUAGE:
Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken.

DINING:
Restaurants available-Local. Fast Food. International. Gourmet. Dress code is casual, however fancier restaurants require jackets and shoes for men and appropriate attire for women. Usual practice for tipping is 10%.

NIGHTLIFE:
Entertainment available includes Casinos. Bingo. Discos. Clubs. Theaters. Cinemas.

SHOPPING:
Locally produced items: Handicrafts, paintings, straw, macrame & mahogany products. Amber, the national gem. Larimar, the sea blue stone found in the country's western section. Duty-free zones in Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata and the Punta Cana Airport.

SPORTS:
Activities: Baseball. Basketball. Boating. Bowling. Boxing. Canoeing. Deep sea fishing. Fishing. Golf. Horse racing. Hunting. Polo. Rafting. Sailing. Scuba Diving. Tennis. Water sports. Windsurfing. Yachting.

TRANSPORTATION:
Driving is on the right hand side of the road. Rentals available include Cars. Temporary
license/permit requirements A valid driver's license allows you to drive in the Dominican Republic for 90 days. Local Services Regular bus service between cities.

MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS:
Before arriving in the Dominican Republic you should get permission to marry from the American Consulate in Santo Domingo. Then you go to the Dominican Consulate with all your documents and get them legalized at that time. When you arrive in the country, you present both these letters together with your birth certificate and any divorce judgements (if applicable) to the Consul. The American Embassy is located at Cesar Nicolas Penson Street in Santo Domingo and the telephone number is 809 221 5511. After obtaining the permission to get married, you may do so in a civil ceremony. The Consul can and will instruct you as to where and when the ceremony may be performed.

MEDICAL FACILITIES:
Air ambulance. Diving decompression chamber. Doctor on call at hotels. Emergency dental facilities. Pharmaceutical services. 24 hour casualty department.

What To Do & See

Jeep Safari:Take off on your own adventure in a 4WD jeep through fruit and coffee plantations, and then hop a cruise for the Punta Cana coast!

Altos de Chavon: Step back in time on this visit to the city of Higuey, and then continue to the picturesque artists' small town of Altos de Chavon for an afternoon of shopping, sightseeing, and a sail along the Chavon River.

Santo Domingo City Tour: Begin your vacation with an orientation tour of the capital, known as "The First City of the Americas." Visit the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, Columbus Castle (Alcazar), the Old Colonial City, and many other sights. Shop at the flea market, take lunch by the river, and then visit the National Aquarium.

Shopping in the Capital: With the largest duty-free zone in the Caribbean, Santo Domingo is a shopper's paradise, especially along El Conde Street and La Atarazana, a charming row of 16th-century buildings that house exclusive boutiques, and galleries. The homeland of designer Oscar de la Renta is also famous for its rum, coffee, and cigars. Haggling for a better price is fun and expected, especially with street vendors and in the markets.

Puerto Plata City Tour: Venture through Fort San Felipe, the Amber Museum, and the Brugal Rum Distillery. After lunch, enjoy a cable car ride to the top of Mount Isabel de Torres for a breathtaking view of the city and coast.

Samana & Cayo Levantado Tour: Board a bus to the scenic fishing village of Samana. Then sail along the bay to Cayo Levantado Island. Enjoy lunch on the beach and a walk to the gorgeous Los Cocos Waterfall.

Recreational Sports: The Dominican Republic offers countless opportunities for outdoor activities including golf, tennis, mountain biking, horseback riding, windsurfing, deep sea fishing and scuba diving, to name just a few!

Cumayasa Ranch: Located on the banks of the Cumayasa River, this sprawling estate invites you to horseback ride on its lush pastures and take a boat ride along the river through mangroves. You'll also enjoy folk dances and merengue, as well as an authentic Dominican lunch served at the ranch.

Saona Island: Take an exciting ride on a motorboat or catamaran to Saona Island, a tropical paradise with pristine white sand beaches. Enjoy drinks onboard and lunch at the beach. Visit the National Park of the East.

Casa del Cordon: Tour the oldest stone house in the Americas, built in 1504 by a shipmate of Columbus.

Museum of the Royal Houses: With its stunning collection of colonial artifacts, ship replicas, tapestries and gilded furniture, this museum is best in the country.

Fort San Felipe: The oldest fort in the New World is a popular attraction at the Malecon in Puerto Plata. Originally built by the Spaniards in the 16th century to defend against pirates, the fort later served as a prison before being restored in the 1970s.

Dining

The Dominican Republic treats diners to a wide variety of cuisine in almost as many settings. Take your meal in an old colonial palace, a street-side café, along the waterfront or down in an ancient sea cave. International fare includes everything from Italian, to Middle Eastern, French, Argentine, and native fare. Typical Dominican cuisine tends to be heavy in meats such as chicken, beef, pork and goat. The meal is usually centered on a stew of brown beans, plantains and rice flavored with very mild spices. Local dishes you are likely to encounter include sancocho, a thick stew blended with meats and vegetables, mangu, mashed green plantains, and arepa, a sweet cake served with your main dish. Presidente is a high-quality local ale and a jugo is a refreshing fresh fruit drink made with crushed ice and sugar. While an All-Inclusive meal plan in your hotel will be your best bet, there are some notable restaurants around the island if you feel like exploring.

Gourmet: La Puntilla de Piergiorgio is perched on a cliff at the edge of the sea. While your eyes enjoy a feast of their own with the view, your palate is treated to fine Italian cuisine served on the garden veranda. Don't miss the mimosa, it's a house specialty! Sosua

Highly Recommended: La Bahia makes a great first impression on its patrons with its scenic setting along the sea promenade, then outdoes the view with its exquisite menu selections featuring an amazing variety of seafood dishes from baked red snapper to sea bass and several conch specialties. Santo Domingo

Local Flair: El Mason de la Cava has a cool setting that you reach by spiral staircase; it's in a sea cave 50 feet below ground that was carved over the ages by ocean waves! The hearty menu is simple but top-notch. You'll enjoy steak, seafood, and local recipes served by an amiable staff. Santo Domingo

Romantic: Casa del Rio is set amid the turrets, bougainvillea, and candlelight of a recreated 16th-century castle that offers one of the Caribbean's most intimate and romantic places to dine. Indulge in sumptuous meals prepared with a French flair and a West Indian twist. Altos de Chavon

Nightlife

After dinner, Punta Cana buzzes with excitement as several bars and discos entertain late into the night. Enjoy jazz, dance music, and the latest in Latin rhythms, or try testing your luck in one of the big hotel casinos, usually open until 4:00am (weekends until 6:00am.).