Identity card
The Dominican Republic covers approximately two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, with Haiti occupying the western third of the island. The name Dominican Republic, derived from the capital, Santo Domingo, was established by the Constitution of 1844, the year in which the country became independent.
Surface area: 48,730 km2.
Coastal perimeter: 1576 km.
Population: 9.2 million.
Formalities: Valid passport. 00 1 809, followed by the local 7-digit number.
Time difference: minus 6 hours in summer, minus 5 hours in winter.
Language: Spanish
Currency: Dominican peso ($RD)
Best season: All year round, but avoid August and September, the cyclone season, as a precaution. The average temperature is 30° during the day and 20° at night. Water temperature: between 25° and 28°.
Ideal group size : Up to 300 people.
Information
Dominican Republic Tourist Office (OTREP): 11, rue Boudreau 75009 Paris Tel: 01 43 12 91 91 Fax: 01 44 94 08 80 E-mail: otrepdom@aol.com Internet: www.dominicana.com.do
Practical guides
Dominican Republic, Travel Tips, Michelin
Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, Backpacker's Guide, Hachette
Dominican Republic, Le petit futé, Nouvelles Editions Université
Dominican Republic, Ulysse
How to get there
AIR FRANCE Santo Domingo and Punta Cana are served by 3 flights a week, on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from Paris: departure from Paris-CDG terminal 02A, Punta Cana- Santo Domingo and return to Paris-CDG. Flight time from Paris to Santo Domingo is 11:10, with the flight departing from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle at 13:55 and arriving at 19:05 local time, with a stopover in Punta Cana on the outbound leg. The return from Santo Domingo to Paris is a direct flight lasting 8.25 hours. The airline uses B 747/400s configured as follows: 17 seats in business class "Les nouveaux espaces du voyage", 57 seats in Alizé class, located on the upper deck of the aircraft (private cabin, fine dining, greater recline and seat spacing) and 400 seats in Tempo class. Tel: 36 54. This number, which brings together the company's various services, operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - Internet: www.airfrance.fr
Reception
TURMAYA > 103, av. Alma Mater, Santo Domingo. Tel: +1 809 532 41 05 - Fax: +1 809 532 46 41 - E-mail: turmaya@verizon.net.do - Internet: www.turmaya.com
EL CABALLO TOURS > El Paseo de la Costanera, Las Terrenas, Samana. Tel: +1 809 240 62 49 - Fax: +1 809 240 62 70 - E-mail: info@elcaballotours.com - Internet: www.elcaballotours.com
Good ideas
Whale watching on the Samana peninsula (January-March).
Boat trip in Los Haïtises park.
Visit to a coffee and cocoa plantation.
Attend the La Vega carnival, the craziest in the country (Sundays in February).
Visit to the León de Santiago exhibition centre.
Introduction to cigar-making in the Santiago region.
