Helpful hints and tips for surviving in Dominican Republic. Beach. Going Out and More

Limpa Bota/shoe shine boy Take the time to get a shoe shine. These shoe shine people do work hard and a shine will never hurt. Usually a shine costs about 10 pesos (and a little tip if your pleased with the shine). One important thing..DO NOT GIVE NON PESO COIN TO THE STREET PEOPLE. It is useless to them because no place will exchange change for pesos. No exchange house will take coins. So if you want to give non Dominican pesos to someone, especially the people in the streets, make sure it is the paper type.

Helps and Puddles

HELPFUL HINTS AND "PUDDLE" EXPLANATIONS

We will try and give you some helpful hints and survival tools to make your visit to Dominican Republic much more enjoyable and safe. Going to a different country can sometimes be confusing and a little frightening, especially when you do not know what to expect and what the customs are.

Here I will put things I have learned and information others have taught about how to make your vacation on this island in the Caribbean a more pleasant experience. What to watch out for. Warnings. Dangers. What's extra good. Anything we feel you should know. So, when you see a little blue "puddle" on a page follow it to get a few pointers.

Remember, many of these suggestions are good for traveling in general no matter the destination.

Drugs and Dominican Republic are a real no-no. If you do get caught with ANYTHING they will take you to jail and it most likely WILL be a long time before you get out. Even if you are in a place and you see some drugs or drug dealing my advise to you is to get out of there and fast! Here in DR they are known to arrest everyone in a place and ask questions later, sometimes much later. (read my blog on the Big Almost Drug Bust -new window)
DON'T DRINK THE WATER! You could get the runs or worse. Drink bottled water, which most places have unless your in remote areas. Ice is usually OK also because it is purchased from water distributors and is clean (ask if you want to make sure). The shaved ice, ice in your juice or coco water that is purchased in the street is a definite NO-NO. It may not be a problem but even if you change your water in USA from well water to city water you can get the runs. Why take the chance and have a bummer (LOL!) of a vacation?
Do just as you would in any other place. If you were in a strange neighborhood and there was a lonely, dark street or alley would you walk down it? I don't think so. Use your head, you are in unfamiliar surroundings in a country where many people make less than $200 USD a month working a full time job (44 hours a week). Do not act better than anyone else. Do not wear your best designer clothing and expensive jewelry.
Do not start any altercation with anyone. No exchange of harsh words no physical contact. Walk away. Not easy sometimes but it is best for your safety.
Try and carry a noise maker. Be it a loud car alarm, a hand held one, or your outside voice. If you do get robbed make noise. Robbers hate noise and attention drawn to them. Vigilantism lives in Dominican Republic and people love to help when they see someone being wronged.
Try some new foods. Don't ask what it is, just try it. I highly recommend Mondongo. Never ask what it is. Just give it a try, then after you like it you can ask what it is , if your brave. I highly recommend it. It is the best after a night out partying if you feel like you will have a hangover (resaca), At least this is what I am told and so far it has worked wonders! (foods and their descriptions here - new window)
Clap when the Airplane lands. Dominicans normally do this. So don't be shocked. If they do it on your plane just join in.
It is not only what you know but who you know that makes dealing with many things go much smoother here in Dominican Republic. I also suggest asking around. Talk to the locals and see which businesses they recommend.Also remember to take your time. Dominicans love to talk. They like to take things slow. It is too hot to get worked up over things. Take time, get to know who your dealing with and just enjoy the chatter.
Lip Talk. Dominicans ,especially women, talk with their lips or noses (sort of like a Bewitched thing). They do not use words, just a flick to the right or left or a quick pout. This says more than words ever could. Maybe the lips puckered for a quick second is saying "yea, right, sure, I believe you." (sarcasm). When getting directions no need to point just a lip flick to the left, right or straight ahead and one knows just what direction in which to precede. It takes some time to figure out what all the movements mean but it is fun trying to learn. So if you see people, especially the ladies, making nose and lip gestures you now have a better idea what is happening.
Men with guns. Don't let this scare you. It sure frightened me the first time I visited. I never saw people sitting around so nonchalantly with a gun on their lap or hanging over their shoulders in public areas.It is quite the norm to see men, uniformed and in street clothes, standing or sitting in front of homes and businesses. Don't be too worried. They are most likely private security guards
Make copies of all your documents. Carry the copies. Put a copy of your passport in each piece of luggage and carry a copy with you.
Have all the numbers of your credit cards and contact information incase there is a problem or they get stolen then you will not have to search for the information.
Keep your doors locked. Hotel door and car door. Especially when driving at night.
Think twice before taking a stranger into your hotel room or car. They can rob you much easier this way. If taking a bed partner to your room make sure all your belongings are secure. Better yet, take the person to a Cabana (a sex hotel where you are charged by the hour) or another room someplace else. This way they cannot gain access to your belongings and money.

Colonial Zone- You will hear it called many different names. Zona Colonial, La Zona, the Zone.

Dominican Time. Dominicans in general do not view time as most others, as is typical in most tropical climates. No one moves fast unless its in a motor vehicle. When a Dominican tells me they will be there at a certain time I always ask if that is Dominican time or North American time. Or course I say this with a laugh and receive a good laugh in return. But it is very true. When told that someone will meet you in 1 hour it very well could mean 1 hour. But mostly it means 3 hours, tomorrow, or maybe never. Ahora (now), Ahorita(later), have no real meaning here in the Caribbean.
Walking along the Malecon at night is fun but please beware of your surroundings. You could be walking in front of a grand hotel and the next place could be an abandoned lot where there are not lights. If you walk along the Malecon stay where it is well lit and where there are people. If you want to travel to different places along the road and feel uncomfortable doing this there are always taxis along the road or if you'd feel more comfortable, the hotels can get you a taxi to move from place to place. Bad things can happen, as with any place, here or in any country. Just remember, if you wouldn't walk in that place in your home town don't walk in that place here.
Guia/Tour Guides can be helpful at times if you want to know about the history in Colonial Zone. They will receive a little kick back from any gift shop they take you to. Your bargaining leverage will not as good in these shops since they have to pay a percentage (usually 20% of what you spend) to the guide. Guides can be helpful in keeping bothersome beggars away. They can be helpful in taking you to the sights you want to see. They can also be expensive. Always discuss the price for their services in the beginning so you can decide if it is worth it for their services. Many will say it costs nothing for them to guide you but they WILL want a tip. Generally, they will try to make you move at a less than leisurely pace because are always looking for their next guidees.
Street dogs are everywhere. DO NOT touch them. Many carry disease. You can feed them if you want but you take the chance of having them follow you walking around town. You could have a whole entourage. 10 dogs following behind a group of tourists. I have seen it and it is quite funny! Dogs know who the tourists are also.
Wearing shorts, miniskirts, and halter tops in churches is not permitted. They will not permit you to enter if you are not dressed appropriately. So when taking tours it is best to either wear pants, crop pants, or a skirt for the ladies. Men should wear a collared shirt (not sleeveless) and long pants. Men in Santo Domingo rarely wear shorts.
When going out to a bar to dance, drink, or people watch. Remember, Dominicans usually go out late at night after it has cooled off. This means that bars are not busy until at least after midnight. Some places really get good later in the evening, especially on the weekends. So take a nap and wait to go out unless you want to be the only person in the place
Don't carry a wallet in a back pocket. Anyplace in all the world one should never make it easy for a pick pocket to grab your wallet or purse. If it is possible just don't carry a purse or wallet. Just keep money in a pocket. Maybe a few different pockets incase you do get pick pocketed you will not lose everything. Put a few bills in a shoe, bra, money belt, just in case.
When going out try not to wear good jewelry and don't carry a purse if possible. Why make for more problems if you do get robbed or lose something. It could ruin your vacation so its best just to leave all the good stuff in the hotel. Then you won't have to worry.
When walking while carrying a purse or backpack try and always carry it on the side away from the road. Keeping it on the shoulder that is against a building or wall will make it a little more difficult for a passing motor bike rider to grab. This is something I have learned and use no matter what country I am in.
Be aware when in public transportation. People bumping into you. Standing in line close. Crowding into a public car. All these places and instances are perfect for a thief.

Learn more about parks, sights, and historical things check out our sightseeing pages

Heres some helps on how to open a bottle of Brugal and what to do after the bottle is open.

Be aware of the new rule on drinking that started the end of July 2006. More info here

THE DR-GRINGA'S LIFE BLOG

Real Life and Times in the Dominican Republic

Our complete exchange rate tool can be found here

Gracias a coinmill.com

IN COLONIAL ZONE

THINGS DOMINICAN

Don't forget travel insurance Click here for a free quote.

I strongly suggest you try and learn a little Spanish before you arrive. It is not essential but it does help. We have many language pages for you to learn a little or check out this link and learn a new language. Try to learn the basics of Spanish. Give that brain some exercise and it can also help you know what is happening around you, even if it is only understanding a few words. It could help you asses wether there is a problem.

Many maps to chose from. Browse our Dominican Republic map collection

Helps and Puddles pages - you are here-page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4,

For travel information and warnings given by your country:

United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs. For travel information. In case of emergency in Dominican Republic - United States Embassy in Santo Domingo. Call 809-221-2171 for help 24 hours a day.

United Kingdom Foreign & Commonwealth Office. UK travel information

Canada Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Canada travel information

Buy these designs on a T-shirt or other apparel. Just click on the design and it will take you to that article or you can easily create your own designs. Make one shirt or make many to sell yourself.

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These are some of my favorite shoe shine boys/ limpa botas in Colonial Zone.