Dominican Republic
To the rhythm of the tropics
A moment ago, the sun was still shining in the sky. But during your relaxed sundowner on the fine-grained white beach, the sun sank into the Caribbean Sea - accompanied by a veritable firework display at dusk. Now you can relax and listen to the harmony of the sound of the waves, the last birdsong and the chirping crickets, breathe in the clear night air full of exotic flavours and put your feet in the sand. Suddenly, pulsating bars of merengue float through the silence. The rousing tropical melody that originated in the endearing island nation and can be heard on practically every corner. Your feet begin to sway to the two-four time of the Dominican dance. Who knows, maybe you'll get your hips swaying on the dance floor again tonight. Look forward with a smile to the next few days full of varied attractions and delights for all the senses - in this paradise called the Dominican Republic.
And best of all, this island paradise is just two hours south of Miami, a four-hour flight from New York and an eight-hour flight from most European cities. Here you can fully relax in luxuriously designed accommodation, enjoy Dominican cuisine at the highest level and follow in the footsteps of past centuries. Become an explorer like Christopher Columbus, who found the island in 1492. Marvel at the wide range of ecotourism on offer in the impressive national parks, mountain regions, river valleys and endless, clean beaches.
Dominican Republic - Everything you dream of
Guests with high expectations will get their money's worth in the Dominican Republic: numerous direct flight connections - even with Business Class and Premium Eco -, luxurious accommodation, top-level golf courses from renowned designers and a wide range of leisure activities ensure an unforgettable holiday! The holiday is complemented by the delicious and typical local cuisine and the infectious joie de vivre of the Dominicans - pure Caribbean!
Impressions
Destination airport: With few exceptions, there is an international airport near almost every tourist zone (less than an hour away).
Flight time: from Frankfurt: 10 hours
Time difference: CET -6 hours in summer, CET -5 hours in winter
Language: Spanish; however, many Dominicans also speak English
Population: The Dominican Republic has around 10 million inhabitants
Currency and banking: Foreign currencies can easily be exchanged for Dominican pesos.
There are numerous excursions on offer, including catamarans, party boats, James Bond-style speedboats, flying boats and evening boat trips with dinner on board, jet-skiing, parasailing, glass-bottom boat trips, deep-sea fishing, diving, snorkelling and much more. There are also taxi boats that take you from one hotel to the next. On the beach you can also go kayaking, banana boating and sailing, windsurfing and play beach volleyball. Helicopter excursions are also possible. Many hotels offer exceptional fitness, wellness and spa facilities that will delight even the most discerning traveller.
Overview of activities:
- Golfing
- Diving & Snorkelling
- Whale Watching
- Beach sports
- Individual excursions
- Fishing & Sailing
- Canyoning
- Ziplines
- Inland Safaris
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Paragliding
- Riding
- Rafting
They can be found on every good table: Juicy, sweet exotic fruits such as pineapple or papaya, fresh, flavoursome vegetables and spices. After all, the island paradise is by nature a veritable land of milk and honey with vitamin-rich and nutritious ingredients from the gardens and plantations. But fans of a juicy steak will also find the best quality here. But the greatest culinary temptation comes from the sea: langoustines, giant prawns, cartilaginous fish with white meat that melts in the mouth, swordfish, squid or mussels - the daily catches of the fishermen still determine the offer here. As everywhere in the Caribbean, history has also had a strong influence on Dominican cuisine. Indian, Spanish and international influences in particular give Dominican cuisine a unique flavour. The art of coconut processing, for example, which is still so well mastered on the Samaná peninsula, was once brought over by the Africans. And, of course, tourism has also left its mark. Today you will find restaurants in the Dominican Republic serving French, Chinese, Swiss or even Swabian cuisine.
The fauna and flora in the Dominican Republic is as fascinating as it is diverse. If you want to see crocodiles, flamingos, turtles and dolphins and many other unique animals, this is the place to be. The biodiversity is one of the richest in the Caribbean. Here is just a small selection of the exotic wildlife: manatees, slender-tailed weevils, hutia tree rats, bats, Haiti buzzards and Hispaniola barn owls. In order to preserve this beauty and diversity, nature conservation and sustainability are becoming increasingly important throughout the island. This issue is of particular concern to upscale hotels and resorts. For example, you can visit the Punta Cana Eco Nature Reserve (Reserva ecológica Punta Cana), just 10 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport. The tropical flora and fauna paradise also serves as a centre for scientific studies. It is part of the Puntacana Resort & Club hotel complex.
The import of foreign currency is permitted without restriction, but is subject to declaration if the value exceeds 10,000 US dollars. The declaration is made on the customs declaration that travellers fill in on arrival and hand over to customs. Failure to do so is a criminal offence. The import and export of local currency is prohibited. Items for personal use may be imported duty-free. The import of foodstuffs is prohibited.
The Caribbean weather is mostly sunny with possible rain showers in the afternoon. The average temperature is a maximum of 32°C in August and 18°C early in the morning in winter. The temperature difference between summer and winter is a maximum of 10°C, with the exception of the mountain regions.
German nationals do not require a visa for a single entry and a stay of up to 60 days, but do require a passport that must be valid for at least six months upon entry and a tourist card. This is valid for one person at a time and for a stay of up to 30 days and can only be used once. The tourist card is available at points of sale in the country, at airports and in seaports. It is also available at embassies and consulates of the Dominican Republic abroad. The airport tax of 20 US dollars/€ to be paid on departure is already included in the fare for most airlines. Only in a few cases is it payable locally by the traveller.
No proof of vaccination is required for direct entry from Germany. However, the Federal Foreign Office recommends checking the standard vaccinations according to the current vaccination calendar of the Robert Koch Institute and completing them if necessary.
