DestinationsDominican Republic
Frequently Asked Questions
The Dominican Republic, located south of Miami, shares with its neighbor Haiti, the island of Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles and bathed by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, and the Caribbean Sea to the south.
The official language of the inhabitants of the Dominican Republic is Spanish. English is widespread throughout the island as well.
The country enjoys a tropical climate influenced by the trade winds; its Dominican territory is in the zone traversed by cyclones, and from July to December, it is exposed to hurricanes which can be violent.
Wherever you are in the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Sosua, Puerto Plata, the most used and efficient mode of transport is public transport, and at the same time, the most economical.
The Dominican Republic is not a dangerous country in itself, but as with all other destinations, you have to be careful when traveling, especially at night in the less crowded areas. Before leaving on your trip, it is recommended to consult the Canadian Government website for updates: https://voyage.gc.ca/destinations/republique-dominicaine
Although the Dominican Republic can be visited year round, the dry season is between December and the end of April, with little rainfall. Between May and November, temperatures are variable, humidity higher (wet season), more frequent rains and possibility of hurricanes. The temperature levels are maintained whether you are further north, Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata, or further south, Punta Cana and La Romana.
In the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Peso is used (approximate equivalent of $ 0.022 CAD). But everywhere on the island, the US dollar is accepted.
Punta Cana is renowned for the beauty of its beautiful long white sand beaches. But around the island, other beautiful beaches can be mentioned, such as Saona, a small island accessible by boat from Bayahibe beach on the west side of the island, Samana and Cayo Levantado on the east side of the island, and even Sosua, in the Puerto Plata sector, further north.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the following vaccines for travel to the Dominican Republic: Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, Cholera, Yellow fever, Rabies and Flu.
A passport valid for the duration of the stay is mandatory for all Canadian residents in order to travel to the Dominican Republic. It is always recommended to consult the Canadian Government site for updates: https://voyage.gc.ca/destinations/republique-dominicaine
The Dominican Republic is the first producer and exporter of cigars in the world, which makes it a first choice of souvenirs to bring back, as long as the cigar bears the inscription 'hand made' or 'hecho a mano'. Rum, Amber, Larimar stone, coffee and local music (Merengue or Bachata) are also good choices.
You will be spoiled for choice depending on your destination. In Punta Cana, catamaran trips, diving, horseback riding, Zipline, land adventures in 4 x 4. In Puerto Plata, a day at the Ocean World adventure park, the Amber Museum, land tours in 4WD or safari, cultural visits. In Santo Domingo, the visit of the historic city, archaeological circuits, shopping and the visit to a chocolate factory.
In the Dominican Republic, you will find different typical dishes for each meal: at breakfast, the 'mangu' composed of mashed green plantains, stewed onions, cheese and fried salami, to which can be added fried eggs. . At noon, the main meal of the day, the 'bandera dominicana', a plate of rice and red beans accompanied by meat, avocado salad and fried plantains. In the evening, street food takes over, featuring fried dishes, 'chimichurri', 'Yaroa', 'Picalonga' and 'Catibias'. For special occasions, a family dish to share, the 'Sancocho' which is a stew of roots and meat of pork or chicken, yucca, sweet potatoes, plantains and potatoes. In short, through the different regions, you will taste specialties influenced by the local culture, such as seafood stewed or cooked with coconut, goat meat, fresh fish such as red snapper. As for the desserts, they are presented in all forms, made from coconut, milk and corn.
There are more than 7000 animal species in the territory of the Dominican Republic. Reptiles and amphibians such as the crocodile or the iguana, endangered species. More than 3000 humpback whales are seen in Samana Bay each year, several species of turtles, the West Indian manatee, several endemic bird species such as the palm kernel, the national bird, and its neighbor, the Ridgway, the Hispaniola woodpecker, the parakeet, the crow, the tanager and the swallow.
Fruit lovers will find their happiness along the highways, on the sidewalks or in the markets of the Dominican Republic, bananas, papaya, passion fruit, mangoes, star fruit, coconut, pineapple , guava.
Subscribe to our newsletter
