General Information on Punta Cana

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SOME HELPFUL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PUNTA CANA AREA:

Airport Description: Punta Cana Airport (PUJ)

Best Time to Visit: Any - we have been just about every month of the year at one time or other.

Resort Areas: Bavaro Beach, La Romana. (2 of our favorite beach areas!)

Currency: The Dominican Peso. However, the U.S. dollar is accepted. Try not to take large bills with you as sometimes change is in Pesos not US Dollars.

Additional Taxes: $10.00 U.S. per person is collected upon arrival in any of the Dominican Republic airports. This is Tourist Card Fee and can't be paid in advance. (subject to change at anytime)

Drinking Water: Visitors are advised to drink bottled water only (we even brush our teeth with bottled water), but food and ice is made and prepared with purified water. Just remember not to open your mouth in the shower :-)

Duty Free Shopping: None.

Climate: The Dominican Republic has a semitropical climate, tempered by the prevailing easterly winds. Temperatures of more than 23° C (74° F) are registered in the lowlands throughout the year. During the summer months, temperatures range between 27° and 35° C (81° and 92° F) in these regions. The highlands are considerably cooler. Annual precipitation averages about 153 centimeters (60 inches), but considerably more moisture is received by the mountainous areas of the north. The wet season is from June to November. Tropical hurricanes occur occasionally.

Topography: Like other Caribbean islands, the Dominican Republic's origins are volcanic. Mountains and tropical forests cover much of the interior.

Electricity: 110 volts, same as U.S.

Gambling: The minimum gambling age is 18, and the usual casino hours are 4:00 pm to 4:00 am Monday to Thursday, and 4:00 pm to 6:00 am Friday and Saturday.

Inoculations/Vaccination: None required.

Language: Spanish is the official language. Most workers speak English as well or at least try. We have found that the front desk workers are easier to speak to for any questions or issues.

Location Description: The Dominican Republic occupies 2/3 of Hispaniola, and is located approximately 800 miles south of Florida, between Cuba and Puerto Rico. Punta Cana is the eastern-most point of the island.

Proof of Citizenship: VALID U.S. PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL FOR US CITIZENS.

Golf Courses: There are many courses located in the Dominican Republic. Frank has played MANY! He will be happy to share his reviews on these!

Dress Description: Casual attire is appropriate throughout most of the resorts. For Breakfast and Lunch, shorts and shirts (cover up for ladies) and shoes will be required (generally, no cut off shorts, bare feet etc will be accepted). For Dinners, most resorts prefer that you wear: FOR MEN: long pants, collared shirts, closed toed shoes. FOR WOMEN: sun dress, skirt, capri pants, sandals.

Handicap Information: Many of the hotels offer handicap rooms and facilities.

Rental Car Information: Not really necessary - we have never rented a car in the Dominican as most of what you need is right at the resorts. We have used taxis before with no problems. If you would choose to rent a car - You must be at least 25 years old to rent a car, and you'll need a valid driver's license from your home country or an international driving permit. Car rentals are available for approximately $50 - $65 per day. Several internationally recognized companies (I.e. Hertz, Avis and Budget) operate in competition with many local operators. The latter usually offer customers substantially lower prices, but could be a source of problems in case of accidents. Insurance is relatively expensive, collision-damage waiver is essential if you don't want to pay for the full value of repairs for damages in cases of accident. Be sure to check that there is adequate coverage if you rent from the local operators and that there is a spare tire and jack for repairs. Another alternative is the rental of motorbikes that are available in all sizes in major tourist centers.

Time Zone: October through April, one hour ahead of EST.

Weather Conditions: The coastal zone is blessed with a warm subtropical climate, while temperatures are cooler and more temperate in the central region. The year-round average is 77° F.