The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern half of Hispaniola, the second largest island in the Caribbean.  The Dominican Republic shares the island with its western neighbor, Haiti.  The two countries have shared a sometimes tumultuous relationship in modern times.  Today the Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic is the more prosperous of the two.  The Dominican economy depends on cash crops like sugarcane, tobacco, and coffee, as well as mining and light manufacturing.  The tourist industry is another important earner, attracting thousands of mainly North American and Western European visitors to the island every year.

Climate:

Because the Dominican Republic is a tropical country, the temperature remains fairly constant throughout the year.  The average temperature is the island is about 25 degrees Celsius (Fahrenheit).  The north coast, however, is sometimes affected by cold fronts from North America during the winter.  This weather systems can bring cool winds, cloudy skies, and heavy rain.  Temperatures are cooler in higher elevations, dropping about 6 degrees Celsius for every 1000 meters above sea level.  Temperatures below freezing have been recorded at the island’s highest peak.  The Dominican Republic is affected by hurricanes. Hurricane season is between August and November, but 60% of hurricanes since 1871 have struck in September.

Language:

Along with neighboring Haiti, the Dominican Republic was one of the first parts of the Americas to be settled by Europeans.  The layout of La Isabela, one of the first Spanish settlements in the New World, are still visible on the north coast of the island.  One of the most obvious legacies of centuries of Spanish colonial is the fact that the vast majority of the island’s residents speak Spanish as a first language.  English is the second language that is most widely spoken by people working in resorts and tourist areas.  German, French, and Italian are also spoken in tourist areas.  Outside of the resort areas, however, people are less likely to speak any language other than Spanish.

Currency:

The Dominican Peso (RD$) is the national currency.  Pesos are divided into 100 centavos.  Centavos circulate in 25 and 50 coins.  There are also 1, 5, 10, and 25 peso coins, as well as 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, and 2000 peso paper notes in circulation.  The exchange rate between the peso and other currencies, such as the US Dollar, fluctuates.

Airports:

The Dominican Republic has several different airports that are equipped to handle international flights.  These include two airports in the capital city of Santo Domingo, one serving the north coast at Puerto Plata, an airport in the east coast resort area of Punta Cana, one in the city of Santiago, as well as others in Samana and La Romana.

Entering and Leaving the Country:

Visitors from most countries require a valid passport and tourist card (US$10) to enter the country.  The tourist card is valid for 15 days and can be purchased at consulates, tourist offices, or airports before departure, or at the airport on arrival.  There are higher fees for stays of more than 15 days.  There is a departure fee of US$20.

Health:

Recommended vaccinations for visitors to the Dominican Republic include typhoid, tetanus, polio, and viral hepatitis.  Malaria is present throughout the country but is most common in southwestern and western areas.  There was a malaria outbreak in Punta Cana in 2004.  Dengue fever and rabies also exist in the country.  Drinking tap water is not recommended.

Bavaro and Punta Cana:

The Punta Cana-Bavaro area, on the island’s east coast, is an area of relatively new all-inclusive resort developments that is popular with tourists.  Punta Cana and Bavaro are the center of the all-inclusive resorts that the Dominican Republic is known for.  The popularity of the area has a lot to do with the fact that it has some of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the Caribbean.

The North Coast:

The North Coast is another one of the Dominican Republic’s popular tourist destinations.  Unlike Punta Cana, which is dominated by all-inclusives, the North Coast contains a mixture of all-inclusive resorts and other types of tourist accommodations.  The provincial town of Puerto Plata is the largest town in the region.  The town is known for the large all-inclusive resorts on its eastern outskirts and the early 16th century Spanish colonial fortress of San Felipe.  East of Puerto Plata is Sosua, a heavily developed tourist center with a large expat community in its El Batey district.  Beyond Sosua is Cabarete, a small town popular with surfers.

Santo Domingo and the Southeast:

With a population of almost 3 million, Santo Domingo is the largest city in the country and one of the biggest in the Caribbean.  Santo Domingo, the national capital, is a bustling city with heavy traffic and all the excitement and drawbacks of a big city.  Besides being a political and commercial center, Santo Domingo is also one of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere.  The Zona Colonial, in the heart of the city, contains cobblestone streets and the oldest surviving fortress in the Americas.

East of Santo Domingo are a string of seaside resort towns.  Heavily-developed Boca Chica lies just east of the capital.  Beyond Boca Chica is the beachside resort town of Juan Dolio.  Even further east is La Romana, which is home to even more all-inclusive resorts.

Santiago and the Central Highlands:

A few miles inland from the north coast are the central highlands.  The main city in this area is Santiago, the country’s second largest town.  Santiago lies at the center of rich agricultural land used to grow sugarcane and tobacco.

The Samana Peninsula:

The narrow Samana Peninsula juts out into the sea in the north-eastern part of the country.  Humpback whale-watching attracts visitors to the peninsula during the winter.  The town of Samana is the largest community on the peninsula.  Las Terrenas is a tourist center that is particularly popular with French and Italian visitors.