Airplane: The main domestic airlines are: AeroDomca – offers scheduled flights between La Isabela and El Portillo. Air Century – charter flights from La Isabela. Take Off – has the largest selection of scheduled flights including Santo Domingo to El Portillo.
Domestic flights land at the following airports : Aeropuerto Internacional Arroyo Barril (ABA) west of Samana. This airport is mainly used by propeller aircraft during the whale watching season (January to March). Aeropuerto Internacional La Isabela (JBQ) is located 16km north of Santo Domingo in Higuero. Aeropuerto Internacional María Montez (BRX), five kilometers from Barahona, no regular air traffic. Aeropuerto Internacional El Portillo (EPS), a few kilometers from Las Terrenas and also the most popular during the whale season.
Bus:First-class buses in the Dominican Republic are comfortable and have air conditioning. Ticket prices are low and reservations are usually not required.
Companies that use first-class buses include: Caribe Tours (offers the most extensive route network), Terra Bus (from Santo Domingo to Port-au-Prince, Haiti), Expreso Santo Domingo Bavaro (connects Santo Domingo and Bavaro), El Canario (the only daily direct connection between Puerto Plata and Samana) and Metro (mainly runs along the Santo Domingo Puerto Plata route).
Gua-guasare vehicles of different sizes, from minivans to medium-sized buses. Unlike regular buses, Gua-Guas stop wherever passengers are waiting on the route. They also travel on routes that are not served by regular buses.
A rental car is a good way to discover the country independently – however, be aware that traffic rules in the Dominican Republic are not always observed and drive accordingly carefully. In the Dominican Republic there is right-hand traffic, the speed limits in urban areas are 40 km / h, on country roads 60 km / h and on highways 80 km / h.
The prices for a car are between 40 and 100 US dollars per day. Well-known international companies such as Avis or Budget have branches in major cities, airports and larger hotels.
To rent a car in the Dominican Republic, you must have a valid international driver’s license and be at least 25 years old. Without a credit card, a cash deposit is required. Find out exactly about the liability insurance offered, what deductible is required and whether damage to windows and tires will be paid.
During the rainy season are geländegangige wheel drive vehicles are recommended. The Sanchez Highway runs between Santo Domingo west to Elias Pinas on the Haitian border, the Mella Highway connects Santo Domingo with Higüey, the Duarte Highway Santo Domingo with Santiago and Montecristi. Checks must be expected, especially near military bases and near the Haitian border, but difficulties usually do not arise.
Taxi: Thousands of Carro de Conchos or Publicos (shared taxis) operate in the cities of Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata and Santiago. They are a little more expensive than buses. There are usually no meters in taxis. Although unit prices are charged for certain routes, clarify this with the driver before departure. There are also motorcycle taxis, the motoconchos.
Bicycle: The road network of the Dominican Republic is not particularly well preserved and hardly suitable for cyclists.
Dominican Republic – money
Local currency: According to constructmaterials, 1 Dominican Peso is equal to 100 Centavos
Currency abbreviation: RD $, DOP
Banknotes are issued in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 RD $, coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 25 RD $.
Currency exchange is only allowed in banks, exchange offices and in hotels with an official central bank approval (the rates on the black market are not much better than at official offices, there is always a certain risk on the black market). Western Union usually offers a better rate than banks and hotels.
The US dollar is by far the most popular foreign currency in the Dominican Republic, it is almost considered a second currency. Although the euro, Japanese yen, Canadian dollar and Swiss franc have become increasingly accepted recently, one should have enough cash in US dollars (in small bills). For security reasons, however, this amount of cash should not be too high. A mixture of travelers checks and cash is recommended. If there are Dominican Pesos left on departure, they can be exchanged back in the country (up to 30% of the amount originally exchanged). It is practically impossible to change the Dominican Peso outside the country.
Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard are accepted in almost all tourist areas in the capital (hotels, shops, restaurants). Sometimes, however, a processing fee of up to 16% is charged.
ATMs: Most banks (such as Banco Popular, Banco Léon, Banco Progreso, Scotiabank, Banco de Reservas) have ATMs where most credit cards can be used to withdraw cash. Some ATMs are part of the Maestro system and also accept debit cards.
Travelers Checks: should preferably be made out in US dollars and can be exchanged at banks in Santo Domingo.
Foreign exchange regulations: When entering and leaving the country, cash of US $ 10,000 or more must be declared in the customs declaration.
Bank opening times: generally Mon – Fri 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
