Official Language: Spanish; English spoken in places.
Currency: Dominican peso (DOP) - U.S. dollars widely accepted
Tipping and Taxes: There is a government tax of 11% and a service charge of 10% added to all hotel and restaurant bills! A dollar or two per day for hotel maids and 10% for taxi drivers is welcome.
Dress Code: Casual; no topless or nude sunbathing.
Telephone: international: country code - 1-809
Dominican Republic
Nestled between Puerto Rico and Cuba on an island that it shares with the Republic of Haiti, the Dominican Republic offers travelers the best that the Caribbean has to offer, with a unique personality rooted deeply in her Latino heritage.
Beaches, beaches and more beaches - thousands of them to be precise. If sun worshiping is your pastime of choice, the Dominican Republic is ideal. Its appeal extends far beyond its shores, however. Its complex landscape is a mixed metaphor, boasting both the Caribbean's tallest mountains and its lowest inland point - a million year old lake the size of Manhattan. You'll find a mountainous interior and healthy rain forests encircled by miles of white sand beaches.
One of the largest nations in the chain, travelers need more than a day or two to experience all that the Dominican Republic has to offer. A Spanish-speaking country, English is prevalent at the hotels and restaurants, but not much beyond there. You can choose from various accommodations from deluxe resorts to charming B&Bs. Don't look for impeccable service, however. The Dominican Republic serves everything from food to entertainment with the friendly laissez faire style that is its trademark.
Boredom is the only thing that you won't experience here. Water sports on the Dominican Republic are numerous, but its land sports are one of a kind. Exploring is a big attraction here in one of the most diverse ecosystems in the Caribbean basin. Touring the jungles, forests and mountain areas of the Dominican Republic would be any hiker's idea of paradise. Horseback riding, sailing, deep sea fishing and whale watching add to the extensive mix of activities to enjoy here. You can even go to the horse races!
Unfairly reputed as an unsafe destination, the Dominican Republic can hold her head high as an exciting, cost effective destination for a variety of world travelers.
Transportation
Entry Documents:
Beginning January 2007, US citizens need a passport for all travel to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada.
Proof of citizenship is required to purchase a $10 "tourist card". A passport is required for U.S. visitors as well as other countries.
Airport:
Punta Cana Intl near Higuey, PUJ
La Romana Intl near La Romana, LRM
Gregorio Luperon Intl near Puerto Plata, POP
Cibao Intl, near Santiago City, STI
Herrera Intl, Santo Domingo, HEX
Las Americas Intl, Santo Domingo, SDQ
Departure Tax:
US$10
Driving:
On the right
Marriage Info
Process:
Permission from the American Consulate in Santo Domingo must first be obtained, then proof of citizenship documents must be presented to the Dominican Consulate for approval. Divorce and death certificates must also be presented, if applicable.Cost: No c
Caribbean 
