Dominican Republic

General Information
The Dominican Republic is an island located in the Caribbean ocean. The capital, Santo Domingo is located on the southern coast of the island and is the largest city in the country.

Currency
The currency her is the Dominican Peso. ATMS are available in all tourist areas, so cash is easy to access.

Visa Requirements
On arrival in the Dominican Republic tourists must purchase a tourist visa for 10 us dollars. This can be done on arrival or alternatively in advance online.

Language
The official language is Spanish. However English is spoken and understood in most tourist areas.

Climate and when to visit
From June to November there is an increased chance of tropical storms. The best time to travel is between February and June. Also take note: if you travel during the Easter weekend, many water sports activities are prohibited.

People
The population of the Dominican Republic is manly made up of Europeans (Originally from Spain) and from people brought there by slavery. The majority of Dominicans are Catholic.

History
The history of the Dominican Republic is a continuous string of conquests and rebellions. In the nineteenth century, for some 20 years it was occupied by Haiti. After it claimed its independence it became clear it could not rule itself and was then ruled by Spain. The turn of the century was a period of civil war.

From 1930 to 1961, the island was ruled by the dictator General Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, who was one of the most ruthless dictators in history. It was only in 1996 that the Country achieved true democracy, although some corruption still remains.

Mentality and traditions
Like most inhabitants of the Caribbean, the people are extremely open. They are interested in everything and everyone, so don’t be surprised if you are asked a lot of questions.