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Bank
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BANKS: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. Airport booths remain open to service all incoming flights, up to 24 hours if necessary. ATM's in many branches Some banks are now opening on Saturdays.
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Car Rental
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CAR RENTAL: Car rental agencies formalize rental contracts only on presentation of a credit card. Minimum age required is 21 years, and you must present a valid driving license from your country of origin, or an international license.
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Climate
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CLIMATE: The best time to travel is from November to March when the daytime temperatures are in the 80s and the nighttime temperatures are in the 60s. The constant breezes keep the temperature and humidity at bay.
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Currency
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CURRENCY:Dominican peso. Currency fluctuates at around RD$17.00
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Customs/Import
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One liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes and up to $100 worth of gift items are allowed duty-free per person when returning to the United States. Personal electronics are admitted, although professional video equipment, TV cameras and such require special clearance.
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Dress Code
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DRESS CODE: Light, casual resort wear for day and night. Sports jackets and long pants for men, cocktail attire for women (smart casual) are recommended for elegant evenings out and at some of the bigger resorts. Shorts and sleeveless shirts are not permitted in landmark churches, casinos and some restaurants.
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Documents
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DOCUMENTS/PASSPORTS: Please refer to this site for the most current information regarding international travel: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_3013.html
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Elecetricity
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ELECTRICITY: American-style plugs are used; power is 110-120 volts, 60 cycles. As in all cities of non petroleum producing countries, power cuts occur. However, it must be pointed out that the circuits servicing clinics, hospitals, and tourist zones are considered high public interest sectors. Furthermore, all hotels and restaurants have back-up generators. An adapter is required due to prong size and shape.
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Language
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LANGUAGE: Spanish. English is spoken by key hotel staff. Outside the resort, English is not readily understood so we suggest brushing up on your basic Spanish. Traffic signs and most menus are in Spanish, although menus in tourist regions tend to be multilingual.
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Medical Services
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MEDICAL SERVICES: Check with your resort to see if they have medical services.
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Pets
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PETS: It is necessary to submit to the Department of Animal Health the following documents: Cats: a)Anti-rabies vaccine certificate with inoculation 30 days prior to the arrival date of the animal; b)Health certificate issued within the 15 days prior to the arrival date of the animal. Dogs: a)Anti-rabies vaccine, triple vaccine (distemper, lectopirosis, hepatitis) and parvo-virus vaccine certificates showing inoculations 30 days prior to the arrival date of the animal; b)Health certificate issued within the 15 days prior to the arrival date of the animal. If these requirements are not met, your pet will be quarantined from 8 to 30 days, depending on the country of origin. For other animal species, authorization is issued by the Direccion General de Ganadaria, Tel. (809) 532-2858. On departure, be sure to obtain a health certificate in the Office of Animal Health Tel. (809) 542-0132, valid for 72 hours. You will need it to enter the following port of call.
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Public Safety
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PUBLIC SAFETY: While the Puerto Plata have a very low crime rate, please be prudent just as you would at home. Do not leave valuables in plain sight, unattended, in your vehicles or on the beach. Lock your room doors and do not leave accessible windows open. Should you rent a car please drive on the left and observe the traffic signs.
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Shopping
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SHOPPING: Puerto Plata is full of temptations for those who love to shop. You can choose from a great variety of arts and crafts, quality paintings, jewelry, clothes, foods and drinks from all over the world sold in the commercial centers and malls. Amber is one of the most important purchases that you could ever do in the Island, as well as the Larimar, a semi precious stone of a light blue color. For those who love art, you can find many mahogany sculpture for a very convenient price.
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Time Zone
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TIME ZONE: From late October to early April, Puerto Plata is one hour ahead of EST. From early April to late October, Puerto Plata is the same as EST.
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