Tag Archives: civil defence

Police-Phone-Internet

Important Telephone Numbers (Police and Emergency) – Telephone – Internet Servers

When visiting or living in the Dominican Republic it is important to know the emergency phone numbers and telephone and internet servers that are so important for communicating.

Important phone numbers | Phone Calls | Internet / Cable TV / Telephone Service Providers

Important phone numbers

to carry with you while visiting the Dominican Republic:

Sistema Nacional de Atención a Emergencias y Seguridad / National System of Attention to Emergencies and Security – 911
Police, Fire, Civil Defence, Reporting Excess Noise and Emergencies – 911 will now be available in the Santo Domingo and Santiago areas. The 911 service is growing to cover more and more of the Dominican Republic.

*Dirección Nacional de Emergencia/ Direction National Emergencies 809-566-6648.

*If you have an incident involving police (for example, they pull your vehicle over while driving or riding and ask you for money or harass you in any way) this can be reported to the Internal Affairs Department of the National Police at 809 688-1777.

If you are coming to Dominican Republic on vacation or are a long-term tourist CESTUR (the tourist police) has a free app you can put on your phone available on Google Play.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ferreirapablo.CESTURAPP

policia-nacional
Policía Nacional / National Police Av. Leopoldo Navarro #402, Santo Domingo, R.D. – 809-682-2151 – TWITTER @PoliciaRD

CESTUR-Cuerpo-Especializado-Securidad-Turística

CESTUR Police (Policía Turística/ Tourist Police) Cuerpo Especializado Securidad Turística http://cestur.gob.do/

If you are coming on vacation or are a tourist CESTUR (the tourist police) has a free app you can put on your phone available on Google Play.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ferreirapablo.CESTURAPP

1-809-200-3500 (free call)
809-222-2026 ext 2123.

Their web site has all the contact numbers on a google map.

Santo Domingo
There is a conveinent office on Calle el Conde.
*Cede Central C/ Gustavo M. Ricart No. 121 / c/Theodoro Chasseriau, El millon Sto Dgo. Tel: 809-222-2026 Ext. 0
*C/Juan Parra esq. Caamaño, edificio Plaza La Cultura No.136, Ciudad Colonial. Tel: 809-754-3025, 809-754-3025
*A small office at Port San Souci – Modulo de Asistencia al Turista, Avenida España Muelle San Souci Tel: 809-754-3123, 809-754-3048

Authoridad Metropolitana de Transporte (AMET)
Authoridad Metropolitana de Transporte (AMET) / Metropolitan Transportation Authority – 809-686-6520 – TWITTER:@AMETRD

Cuerpo de Bomberos de Santo Domingo
Cuerpo de Bomberos de Santo Domingo / Fire department – 809-682-4545

Corporacion de Acueducto y Alcantarillados de Santo Domingo (CAASD)
Corporacion de Acueducto y Alcantarillados de Santo Domingo (CAASD) / Corporation of Aqueducts and Sewers of Santo Domingo – 809-562-3500 – TWITTER: @rdcaasd

Corporación Dominicana de Empresas Eléctricas Estatales (CDEEE)
Corporación Dominicana de Empresas Eléctricas Estatales (CDEEE) / Dominican Corporation of State Electric Companies – 809-535-1100 –
TWITTER: @CDEEE_RD

Centro de Operaciones de Emergencias (COE)
Centro de Operaciones de Emergencias (COE) / Emergency Operations Center – 809-472-0909 – TWITTER: @COE_RD

Cruz Roja Dominicana
Cruz Roja Dominicana / Dominican Red Cross – 809-682-4545 – TWITTER: @crdominicana

Defensa Civil
Defensa Civil / Civil Defense – 809-682-1749 – TWITTER:@DefensaCivilRD

Oficina Nacional de Meteorología (ONAMET)
Oficina Nacional de Meteorología (ONAMET) / National Meteorological Office – 809-788-1122 – TWITTER: @onamet

*Directory Assistance: 411

*Dominican Republic Yellow Pages/ Páginas Amarillas. For English click on the top. http://www.paginasamarillas.com.do/Default.aspx

*A private nationwide ambulance service, ProMed, operates in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata and La Romana; Telephone number is 809-412-5555. ProMed expects full payment at the time of transport.
Ambulance Service – Movimed 809-255-0394

*Any complaints arising from a casino should be directed to the Office of Casinos at the Secretary of Finance. To register a complaint with this office, call 809-687-5131, ext. 2120.

The Consular Section and the U.S. Embassy

moved (June 2014) to Arroyo Hondo sector, north of the Botanical Gardens between Av. Republica de Colombia and Carretera La Isabela. The address is: Av. República de Colombia #68, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana. The Consular Section entrance is on Republica de Colombia Avenue located at the corner of Calle César Nicolás Penson and Avenida Máximo Gómez.

The American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit can be reached by telephone at 809-731-4294, or via email at acssantodom@state.gov. ACS Unit office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, Friday 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., except on U.S. and Dominican holidays. The Consular Section entrance is on República de Colombia Avenue. is located at the corner of Calle César Nicolás Penson and Avenida Máximo Gómez. The telephone number is 809-221-2171.

There is a Consular Agency in the north coast city of Puerto Plata at Calle Villanueva esq. Avenida John F. Kennedy, Edificio Abraxa Libraria, 2nd floor, telephone 809-586-4204, 809-586-8017, 809-586-8023; office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

One type of Payphone used in
One type of Payphone used in Dominican Republic

Phone Calls

To make a phone call to a Dominican Republic telephone number from the United States or Canada it is the same as calling any US or CA number because they are all part of the North American Numbering Plan – NANP. There is no International code. The area code for the Dominican Republic is 809, 829 and 849. So when You call dial
1 + 809 (or 829 or 849) + the 7 digit number.
It is the same when calling to USA or Canada from Dominican Republic. Just dial as you would if you were in USA.
1 + Area Code + the 7 digit number.

Payphones here can be a little different. Usually, you wait until the call connects and drop your coin into the slot. Some phones you drop the coin and there is a button to push when the call connects. Most phones have a display of how much time you have or they will beep. Make sure to deposit another coin before the time runs out or you will be disconnected.

Internet / Cable TV / Telephone Service Providers

Proveedores de Servicios de Internet / Telecable / Telephono

*Codetel / Claro – provides internet and cable television.
*Altice – offers mobile Internet access to customers (used to be Orange).
*Wind Telecom – provides telephone, television and internet services.

More information and Helps when using or purchasing a phone in Dominican Republic.

Semana Santa

Semana Santa, República Dominicana / Holy Week, Dominican Republic

1.Semana Santa Description 2.Traditional Foods 3.Operation Semana Santa Safety Restrictions

Semana Santa / Holy Week/ Easter

is a very important time here in Dominican Republic. Religious Holidays are recognized countrywide since the countries main population is Catholic. Christmas, Epiphany and other religious holidays are very important but Semana Santa is the most important of all these religious holidays.

Carrying a representation of the cross of Christ in a Semana Santa procession
Carrying a representation of the cross of Christ in a Semana Santa procession.


 

The long weekend for the Easter holiday is usually used to go away, usually with family. The churches are full as people respect the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus or El Senor. Most people go home, wherever this may be, just to hang with family and friends or just to visit the old hometown. Others flock to the beaches, rivers and other tourist areas to take advantage of the 3 days free from working. The city of Santo Domingo turns into a ghost town. Most businesses and stores are closed. Highways and streets are almost empty except for the main roads leading out of the cities. Sunday evening the roads fill. There are traffic jams galore. All is congested once again with all the people returning to their homes and get back to real life once again.

The Semana Santa in the Colonial Zone procession band dressed as Roman Soldiers.
The Semana Santa in the Colonial Zone procession band dressed as Roman Soldiers.

Be aware! If you plan on visiting Dominican Republic during this time, especially heading to beach and recreation areas I highly suggest that you make your reservations in hotels far in advance. Most hotels are full and it will be very difficult to find a bed to lay your weary head if you procrastinate.

Semana Santa Procession down Calle Isabel la Católica, Colonial Zone.
Semana Santa Procession down Calle Isabel la Católica, Colonial Zone.

There are Police, Military, Red Cross and many volunteers along the roads and at all the main intersections making sure people are obeying the traffic laws. They are also stationed on the beaches and at the popular rivers to ensure that people have fun and are safe.

The Dominican Civil Defense will be stationed throughout the country with the participation of around six thousand workers and more than eight thousand volunteers in over 1400 strategic locations. They will be watching beaches, rivers and highways to make sure the big weekend runs smoothly.


 

As per the Catholic tradition first comes Ash Wednesday / Miércoles de Ceniza. Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday / Domingo de Ramos. On Holy Thursday / Jueves Santo morning is the Chrism Mass / Misa Crismal and in the evening is the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, accompanied by the washing of feet and a procession. At noon on Good Friday / Viernes Santo is the Sermon on the Seven Words. Holy Saturday/ Sabado Santo an Easter Vigil is held from around 11pm until dawn. Then on Easter Sunday / Domingo de Resurrección or Domingo de Pascua there is an Easter Mass at noon.

A beautiful tradition on Saturday is kite flying. From the ground or from the rooftops you will see the skies full of all types of kites, known in Dominican Republic as chichiguas. Kites made of paper and plastic bags. It does not matter. They are flown as a sign of hope for all.

The statue of the Virgin Mary /Altagracia in the Semana Santa procession in Ciudad Colonial.
The statue of the Virgin Mary /Altagracia in the Semana Santa procession in Ciudad Colonial.

Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes

The church of Las Mercedes (on Calle Mercedes and Jose Reyes in Zona Colonial) is the place to be in Santo Domingo for the religious ceremony. After the service, around 5PM, there is a procession to the first cathedral in the Americas, Cathedral Santa Maria. Here is held a special Mass called Eucharist.

The long Semana Santa procession going down Calle Isabel la Catolica in the Colonial City.
The long Semana Santa procession going down Calle Isabel la Catolica in the Colonial City.

Gaga celebrations

are held in many areas of the country, especially areas with large Haitian settlements and communities with strong African roots. Here in Santo Domingo in the city of Villa Mella one can see and hear these gaga drum celebrations with music and dancing. Gaga ceremonies have both magical and religious parts. The spirits are invoked including Luaces (lights in Creole) along with other mysterious, holy and powerful beings. There is usually lots of music, dancing and drinking. (A little information about GaGa)

Other celebrations include the Guloyas in San Pedro de Macoris. They are known for their colorful outfits and lively dances and characters that walk the streets.

Cardinal Nicolas de Jesús López Rodriguez going to Thursday Mass.
Cardinal Nicolas de Jesús López Rodriguez going to Thursday Mass.

The last Cardinal of Dominican Republic, Nicolas de Jesús López Rodriguez, and the Bishops walking across Calle Isabel la Catolica to the Sunday Easter Mass at the Cathedral Santa Maria, the first Cathedral in the Americas, in Ciudad Colonial.

See the picture collection of the 2014 Good Friday Procession in Ciudad Colonial.

A big pot of habichuelas con dulce, a traditional Semana Santa sweet.
A big pot of habichuelas con dulce, a traditional Semana Santa sweet.

Dominicans have their traditional food dishes

they prepare for Holy Week. Since many people do not eat meat during this time fish and seafood are very popular. Potato Salad Dominican style is a favorite. The most popular dish is called habichuelas con dulce / Sweet Beans and usually can be found in every home throughout the country. It is a mix of red beans, condensed milk, spices and other ingredients served cold pudding style. Usually, these dishes are made in large quantities to serve all who might visit and to share with the neighbors. Here is the recipe for habichuelas con dulce in case you want to give this traditional dessert a try.

The Semana Santa Procession

on the corners of Calle Padre Billini and Isabel la Catolica in Ciudad Colonial 2012. It is not very clear. I am sorry. It was getting dark. I tried to lighten it some.


 

Operation Holy Week/ Operativo Semana Santa

During the holiday weekend there are many restrictions according to Resolution No. 96/2012.

*Jet Skis and Wave Runners, Motorized Boats, Horses, Motorbikes, and Motorized Vehicles are NOT permitted on the beaches in the entire country from Thursday to Sunday.

*There will be NO boats used in
-Laguna Gri Gri in Rio San Juan
-The Sanoa Island
-Catalina Island
-Cayo Levantado Island

*Heavy equipment vehicles are prohibited to be on highways from 6AM Thursday until 6AM Monday.

*There is usually a curfew of 5:45PM for swimmers to get out of the water daily on busy public beaches.

*Many places have a ban on loud music for the weekend. Inside businesses it is OK but the noise is not permitted to weft outside. This is not enforced like it used to be but it still happens in many locations. It is especially quiet on Good Friday around noon until midnight.

*Many beach areas have a “No Glass” rule in force. You cannot enter the beach area with any alcoholic beverage in glass bottles.

*Many of the more dangerous beaches and rivers are closed (some closed beaches include San Soucí, Manresa, Güibia, the coastline of Avenidas España and Las Américas, the beach of San Andrés, banks of the Ozama River, Río Isabela Norte, la Poza in Hato Nuevo, San Rafael, Los Patos, River Yaque del Norte. Also the Damns of Bao, Taveras, El Pinalito, López Angostura, El Papayo, Sabana Yegua, de Yuboa and de Chacuey) at this time to ensure public safety. Also, water motor sports are prohibited close to beach areas during the holiday. There is usually a complete listing of the closed areas on the Civil Defense web site http://www.defensacivil.gov.do. I will also post any special events and happenings in the area on the Colonial Zone News Blog.

The Easter Sunday sunrise over the Colonial Zone  2013
The Easter Sunday sunrise over the Colonial Zone 2013