July 23, 2004
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July 23, 2004 |
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| Airport Description | Punta Cana Airport |
| Best Time to Visit | Year round. |
| Resort Areas | Bavaro Beach, La Romana, Uvero Alto and Bayahibe. |
| Travel with minors | Children under 14 years of age are not required to have photo identification when traveling with parents. |
| Bank Information | Banks are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| ATM Available | Yes |
| Currency | The Dominican Peso. Exchange rates vary. USD's are accepted at most establishments |
| Departure Taxes | $10.00 U.S.; $10 Tourist Card paid upon arrival into Punta Cana. (can not be collected in advance) |
| Drinking Water | Visitors are advised to drink bottled water only, but ice is made with purified water. |
| Duty Free Shopping | Yes, at the airport. |
| Climate/Topography | The Dominican Republic has a semitropical climate, tempered by the prevailing easterly winds. Temperatures of more than 23° C (74° F) are registered in the lowlands throughout the year. During the summer months, temperatures range between 27° and 35° C (81° and 92° F) in these regions. The highlands are considerably cooler. Annual precipitation averages about 153 centimeters (60 inches), but considerably more moisture is received by the mountainous areas of the north. The wet season is from June to November. Tropical hurricanes occur occasionally. Like other Caribbean islands, the Dominican Republic's origins are volcanic. Mountains and tropical forests cover much of the interior. |
| Electricity | 110 volts, same as U.S. |
| Gambling | The minimum gambling age is 18, and the usual casino hours are 4:00 pm to 4:00 am Monday to Thursday, and 4:00 pm to 6:00 am Friday and Saturday. |
| Innoculations/Vaccination | None required. |
| Language | Spanish is the official language. |
| Location Description | The Dominican Republic occupies 2/3 of Hispaniola, and is located approximately 800 miles south of Florida, between Cuba and Puerto Rico. Punta Cana is the eastern-most point of the island. |
| Proof of Citizenship / Entry - exit Requirements | Valid U.S. passport, or a state issued birth certificate with raised seal and photo ID backup, along with a $10 tourist card. |
| Golf Courses |
Punta Cana offers
a choice of four wonderful golf courses, The Bávaro Resort Golf Club, The
Cocotal Golf & Country Club, The Catalonia Cabeza de Toro Golf Club, and The
Punta Cana Golf Club. The Bávaro Resort Golf Club offers an 18-hole course designed by Juan Manuel Gordillo. Located along the eastern coast, wind comes into play on this par 72, 6,557-yard course that is part of the Bávaro Resort complex. Situated alongside the Bavaro lagoon, this is a flat and very playable course with many water hazards, usually in excellent condition and built with the enjoyment of the resort tourist in mind. Guests normally need to reserve tee times at least 24-hours in advance, for more info call 809-686-5797. The Cocotal Golf & Country Club is the first Caribbean golf course built by the Sol Melia Group. It opened in December 1999 and was designed by the renowned Spanish architect Jose "Pepe" Gancedo. This 27 hole course provides instruction classes for beginners, as well as handicap improvement courses for the more experienced players. Surrounding the Sol Melia resort complex, the course was once a coconut plantation, built around serene lakes and swaying coconut trees. The 3,380-yard Gold tees have a rating of 75.2, with a Slope of 131. The 3,203-yard Blue tees have a rating of 73.1, with a Slope of 130. The 2,993-yard White tees have a rating of 71, with a Slope of 126. And the 2,563-yard Red tees have a rating of 73.1, with a Slope of 128. The Cocotal also offers a Club House, pro-shop, driving range and pitch & putt area. The Catalonia Cabeza de Toro Golf Club offers Punta Cana's newest course, located at the Catalonia Bavaro Resort. Situated near the oceanfront and integrated into a wonderful tropical landscape, five lakes and many shade trees define this short but challenging course. With wide fairways that are easy to play, this course was designed for novice and experienced golfers, alike. For more information, call 809 412-0000. The Punta Cana Golf Club is just 10 minutes from the airport, and is the first championship-caliber layout in Punta Cana. This 18-hole, 7,152-yard layout features 7 holes on the ocean, and 14 with ocean views. This course was designed by P.B. Dye, whose father Pete Dye created the legendary Dientes del Perro, or "Teeth of the Dog," in 1971. As a teenager, Dye spent two summers helping his father build the course. Thirty years and 36 golf courses later, Dye returned to the Dominican Republic to design and build a beachfront course for Frank Rainieri, the Dominican businessman whose vision and hard work has made Punta Cana a popular vacation destination. Punta Cana Golf Club is by far the best course in Punta Cana, and the closest thing to Pebble Beach the Caribbean has to offer. |
| Dress Description | Casual attire is appropriate throughout most of the country, and because of the extremely warm climate light clothing (preferably cotton) is best all year round. Patrons of specialty restaurants and evening establishments are often dressed elegantly, with men wearing long pants and women in dresses. |
| Handicap Information | Many of the hotels offer handicap rooms and facilities. |
| Rental Car Information | You must be at least 25 years old to rent a car, and you'll need a valid driver's license from your home country or an international driving permit. Car rentals are available for approximately $50 - $65 per day. Several internationally recognized companies (I.e. Hertz, Avis and Budget) operate in competition with many local operators. The latter usually offer customers substantially lower prices, but could be a source of problems in case of accidents. Insurance is relatively expensive, collision-damage waiver is essential if you don't want to pay for the full value of repairs for damages in cases of accident. Be sure to check that there is adequate coverage if you rent from the local operators and that there is a spare tire and jack for repairs. Another alternative is the rental of motorbikes that are available in all sizes in major tourist centers. |
| Time Zone | October through April, one hour ahead of EST. |
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| Tourist Board Phone # | (800) 752-1151 |
| Wedding Requirement | A couple needs to inform the resort at least one month in advance [preferably three], with a minimum of 15 days notice, in order to reserve the judge. The resort will inform guests of all the required documents they need to present in order to legally wed in the D.R. *ask your agent for details! |
| Weather Conditions | The coastal zone is blessed with a warm subtropical climate, while temperatures are cooler and more temperate in the central region. The year-round average is 77° F. |
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