Long
popular among divers and visitors from Europe, Dominican
Republic is experiencing more North Americans as well.
DR offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the
world, but is also home to the highest mountain range
(10,382 feet above sea level) in the entire Caribbean
- Pico Duarte. There is plenty here to see and do, and
keep you busy.
The Dominican Republic is a great place to begin diving,
and it is also a haven for serious divers. The country's
undersea world has excellent reef diving, good visibility,
warm waters, wrecks, caverns and marine life offering
a wealth of diving experiences around the island.
Bordered by reefs on three coasts (only has 3, Haiti
is situated to the west), the Dominican Republic is
part of the second largest island in the Caribbean.
Among the most popular dive sites are more than 400
wrecks situated in the surrounding waters.
DR is also known for whalewatching, with humpbacks and
pilot whales exciting visitors annually.
Climate Summer 88 - 95F 31 - 35C Winter 75 - 85F 24
- 29C
Water Temp Average Summer 84F 29C Winter 77F 25C Visibility
60 - 100 ft 18 -30 m
Dominican
Republic Diving and Accommodations

Casa Daniel Swiss Diving School
calle Juan Brito # 1
Bayahibe, La Romana
Dominican Republic
Tel. + 809 833 0050
Fax. + 809 833 0050
The Dive
Center Casa Daniel and its PADI dive shop is located
directly at the waterfront in the center of Bayahibe.
Our 3 simple guestrooms offer accommodation in
a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
» Number
of Dive Boats: Motorcatamaran, 2 Speedboats
» Maximum Number of Divers per Boat: Catamaran
- 20 Speedboats - 2 ea.
» Gear Provided: Wetsuit, BCD, Regulator,
Weigth, Tank, ABC, UW-Camera
» Rental Gear Available: Yes
» Nitrox Available: Yes
» Type of Diving Available: Reef, 3 wrecks
, Catalina Wall , Nightdive, Sharkpoint, Cave
(Freshwater)
» Total Dive Sites: 20
» Minimum Time to Dive Sites: 5 Mins.
» Maximum Time to Dive Sites: 45 Mins.
» Certification Agencies: PADI
» Courses Offered: OWD, AOWD, EFR, Rescure,
Divemaster
info@casa-daniel.com
http://casa-daniel.com/
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Diving
Dominican Republic
Sharky's Shop
Playa Bayahibe
Bayahibe
Dominican Republic
Tel. 829-341-9185
Family operated
PADI certified dive boat operation located on
the south coast, specializing in private small
group scuba diving, scuba lessons, snorkeling
and boat trips.
» Number
of Dive Boats: 1
» Maximum Number of Divers per Boat: 5
» Gear Provided: Tanks, air, weights
» Rental Gear Available: BCD's, regulators,
fins, wet suits
» Nitrox Available: Yes
» Type of Diving Available: Wrecks, caves,
reefs, walls, we have it all
» Total Dive Sites: 26
» Minimum Time to Dive Sites: 5 minutes
» Maximum Time to Dive Sites: 75 minutes
» Certification Agencies: PADI
» Courses Offered: All, up to divemaster
info@divingdr.com
http://www.divingdr.com
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Mariana Caribbean Sports
Plaza Tobacco # 5, Carreterra Arena
Gorda, La Altagracia, 23000 Bavaro
Punta Cana,
Dominican Republic
Tel.1829-9427371
We, are a
PADI Five star Center ( Padi Nr. 20275 ) situated
in in the Dominican Republic. Since 1999, we are
providing a wide range of scuba diving and water
sport services. Every day our scuba diving program
is scheduled to match with your holiday program.
With us you will enjoy your vacation in a warm
and friendly atmosphere. To get the best choice,
book your scuba diving arrangements with us in
advance.
Our boats
leave the base of your Hotel daily at 9.45 a.m.
and 2.30 p.m. for ONE or TWO tank dive
excursions to the East Coast at the long stretched
barrier reef. Diving in Punta Cana is easy and
trouble free. During the week, we also dive at
the South Coast at Catalina Island and at the
bay of Bayahibe. You can choose from easy to advanced
level and select the kind of dives which fits
you best.
info@marianacaribbeansports.com
https://marianasport.com/
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Northern Coast Aquasports, S.A.
Pedro Clisante #8
Sosua, Puerto Plata
Dominican Republic
Tel. 809-571-1028
Fax. 809-571-3883
PADI 5 Star
Instructor Development Center, Gold Palm Resort
and National Geographic Dive Center for Scuba
Diving & Snorkeling
specialists of the
North Coast of the Dominican Republic. The oldest
and most well established dive shop on the North
Coast with one of the largest retail stores. Scuba
Diving and Snorkeling in Puerto Plata, Sosua,
Cabarete, Rio San Juan, Gri Gri Lagoon, Abreu,
DuDu Lagoon and Cabrera.
All our activities
are guided by PADI professionals, and we teach
diving courses from beginner to instructor level.
Our staff can speak English, Spanish and Italian,
and we pride ourselves on delivering 5 star service
that keeps our customers coming back to Northern
Coast again and again.
info@northerncoastdiving.com
http://www.northerncoastdiving.com
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SCUBAFUN
Calle Principal #28
Bayahibe, Dominican Republic
Tel. 809-833-0003
Fax. 809-833-0005
We are a PADI dive
shop on the shore of Parque Nacional del Este.
We offer daily dive trips, training, night dives
and even cave diving. We have 4 custom built dive
boats and offer comfortable, safe diving.
» Number
of Dive Boats: 4 - Orca I: 28 ft, Orca II: 22
ft, Cherub (Motor Catamaran): 35 ft, Seraph (Motor
Catamaran) : 39.8 ft
» Maximum Number of Divers per Boat: Orca
I - 10, Orca II - 6, Cherub - 20, Seraph - 20
» Gear Provided: Mask & snorkel, fins,
life jackets
» Rental Gear Available: BCD, wetsuit, regulator,
mask & snorkel, fins
» Nitrox Available: Yes
» Type of Diving Available: Reef dive, wreck
dive, wall dive, night dive
» Total Dive Sites: 20
» Minimum Time to Dive Sites: 5
» Maximum Time to Dive Sites: 30
» Certification Agencies: PADI
» Courses Offered: Discover Diving through
Divemaster, EAN-Nitrox Specialty, wreck, deep
and night specialties
info@scubafun.info
http://www.scubafun.info
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Getting
There
The
Dominican Republic has seven international airports.
The most used airports are:
Las Américas International Jose Francisco Peña
Gomez Airport, 20 minutes east of Santo Domingo
Puerto Plata International Gregorio Luperón Airport,
15 minutes from Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata and Sosúa
Punta Cana's International Airport (have a look at the
photo)
María Montez International in Barahona
La Romana International
Santiago International Airport
Herrera Airport in Santo Domingo
El Portillo Airport in Samaná
The Arroyo Barril International Airport in Samaná.
Flying Times: from New York (3-1/4 hrs), from Miami
(1-3/4 hrs), from San Juan (35 mins), from Toronto (5
hrs), from Santiago de Chile (8 hrs), from most European
cities (8-10 hrs).
American
Airlines
JetBlue
United
Airlines
Delta
COPA
Airlines
IBERIA
Airlines
Spirit
Lufthansa
Southwest
MartinAir
Holland
Frontier
Lan Airlines
Sun
Country
Sunwing
Westjet
Condor
Air
Canada
Air
France
Avianca
Domestic flights
There
are local companies that fly scheduled flights to and
from Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and Samaná.
Air
Century offers two flights per day to Punta Cana
and from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo to the La Isabela
International Airport (AILI).
Entry
Requirements
All
nationalities are required to enter Dominican Republic
with a VALID PASSPORT (minimum 6 months validity).
To
travel to the Dominican Republic, many people will need
a Visa. Others, however, may be from countries who have
signed agreements with the Dominican Republic so that
they only need a Tourist Card. This, of course, only
applies to visitors who are tourists. More
details on entry requirements.
Getting Around
Taxis
There is more than one type of taxi in the Dominican
Republic. When you step off a plane or out of your hotel,
you will almost certainly find a "tourist"
taxi. A few years ago the government funded new taxis.
They are now Hundai minivans or cars. All are sand colored.
They replace the 70's vintage American gas guzzlers
that used to transport tourists. Tourist taxis fiercely
protect their territory against other forms of transport.
Not surprising since their prices are double those of
the vintage Japanese cars that the city taxis use. In
the large cities you will find "carro conchos"
who cruise the main streets like buses, constantly stopping
to take on or disgorge passengers.
They only charge a few pesos and are practical for short
rides along the same street. Don't look for a taxi meter
in the Dominican Republic. Tourist taxis usually have
posted rates at the entrance to resorts.
Motorcycle taxis - Known as "moto conchos"
they abound except for downtown Santo Domingo. They
charge double at night which means 20 or more pesos
instead of 10 for a fairly short ride. They are not
practical for long trips and are involved in lots of
accidents.
Buses
In contrast to car rentals and taxis, buses are cheap,
safer, and fun. You will come in contact with real Dominicans.
Metro Tours, Terra Bus and Caribe tours are for long
trips, for example Santo Domingo to Puerto Plata. Clean
modern and comfortable they are a bargain. They work
by reservation except on Holidays.
Other intercity buses offer express and air conditioned
services. If the bus is not express it will make lots
of stops. Fine if you have all the time in the world.
Local buses (guaguas) will take you to the next town
for a dollar or so. The only problem with buses is that
they stop operating at about 9 PM, so you can't use
them at night.
Car Rentals
Major car rental companies have airport and city locations,
such as Honda, National, Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar,
Nelly Rent-a-Car, Dollar and many others. A valid driver's
license and major credit cards are required to rent
a car for up to 90 days. Driving is on the right hand
side and the speed limit is 60 kph in the cities and
80 kph or 100 kph on the highways, unless otherwise
indicated.
There are only two problems with this, cost and safety.
You will find that the cost of car rentals is higher
than you are used to in your home country. Safety is
not a problem if you learn and apply the Dominican rules
of the road. Simply stated; there are none! It is a
big free for all. Most traffic police are on foot and
almost nobody stops on their signal. With no radio and
no pursuit car, it is a mismatch. In other words traffic
law enforcement is close to zero. If renting a car can
be hazardous, renting a motorcycle is doubly so, but
it is cheaper. Be very careful.
Helpful Information
Language
The official language is Spanish.
Money, Cards and Banks
The Dominican currency is the Dominican peso. It comes
in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 25 peso coins and in
20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 notes. Dollars
and euros can be exchanged in banks and authorized exchange
offices across the country.
Mail service
You can choose between two services. The official postal
service will send your postcard to your friends within
10 days. The private postal services send your mails
via Miami within 7 days (25 pesos per postcard). The
private postal service is more performant. Some people
using the official postal service receive their mails
within... 2 months ! The best way is to give your mails
to your local correspondant. He will send them in good
conditions.
Safety
It is perfectly safe to walk around tourist areas and
towns during the day. Criminality rate is lower than
in europeean cities. Most resorts have security personnel,
and the beaches are also patrolled periodically. When
going into town, or out of the resort area at night,
use common sense, just as you would anywhere else. Don't
wear expensive jewellery or flash large sums of money
around !
Topless sunbathing
Topless sunbathing is quite common. It's not a Dominican
custom, just the fact that many of the tourists are
European, and topless sunbathing is natural for them.
Many hotels do not allow topless sunbathing around the
pool areas. The best way is to choose a sunbathing place
at the end of the beach area in order to not disturb
families and people who don't want to see topless bodies...
Electricity
The D.R. uses 110 volts, the same as in North America
(including outlets) so North Americans can use their
appiances as usual. Transformers are necessary for European
appliances. One of the main problems in the country
are the recurrent power shortages which often occur
for several hours at all hours of the day or night,
so it may be a good idea to bring along a small flashlight
for sudden power cut-offs. Most hotels have generators
to make up for this deficiency, but some of the smaller
ones may not and you never know when it may cut off.
Climate
DR has a tropical climate with an average temperature
of 82 in summer, 78 in winter. Remember to use plenty
of sunscreen. If however you plan to make a trip into
the mountains, bring warm clothes as there can be frost
in the upper altitudes.
Tips
Restaurant bills already include a ten percent tip.
It is customary to give an additional ten percent for
good service. Most people do not tip taxis, however
you may if you wish.
Business Hours
Most businesses open their doors at 8:00 or 9:00 AM
until 6:00 PM on business days and until 1:00 PM on
Saturdays. Large shopping centers in the cities usually
close at 9:00 PM and open on Sundays from 9:00 AM until
6:00 PM. In smaller towns and many tourist destinations,
shops close at 6:00 PM Restaurants usually remain open
and serve food until midnight, Sunday to Thursday, and
until 2:00 AM on Friday, Saturday and holidays. However,
there are some within tourism establishments that remain
open 24 hours a day.
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