Punta Cana City Quick Guide
- Language: Dominican Republic's official language is Spanish. FIRST presentations will be in English; FIRST training will be presented in Spanish.
- Currency: Dominican Peso. The ISO code for the Dominican peso is DOP, although the symbol RD$ is also commonly used. Because the exchange rate can fluctuate, we suggest obtaining the latest information on the following website: http://www.xe.com/ucc/.
- Climate: The Dominican Republic has a tropical rainforest climate, with warm temperatures year-round. Average temperatures vary from 28°C to 32°C (82°F to 90°F). Rainfall usually occurs during the night and does not last long.
- Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (UTC -4)
- Country Code: The country code is +1. There are three area codes: 809, 829 and 849.
- Shopping Hours: Most shops are open Monday through Sunday 10 am to 9 pm. Some shops close Sundays.
- Tipping: It is customary to tip 10% of the amount of the bill in cafeterias and restaurants. It is also customary to tip porters.
- Driver’s License: Dominican Republic Law states that you must be at least 18 years old to drive and have a full driving license valid in your country of residence.
- Electricity: In the Dominican Republic the standard voltage is 110V and the frequency is 60Hz. Dominican plugs are the same as most found in the USA (two flat parallel pins or two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin).
- Airlines: More than 50 airlines service PUJ; these airlines include Air Berlin, Air Canada, Air Century, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, CanJet, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Miami Air, Servicios Aéreos Profesionales, Spirit Airlines, United Airways, US Airways and XL Airways France.
- Precautions
- Water:
It is not safe to drink tap water in the Dominican Republic, as it is not purified. Always drink bottled water, which is abundantly available at resorts or stores and supermarkets throughout the area.
- Emergencies:
In case of an emergency requiring an ambulance, the fire department or the police, dial 911. You can also contact CESTUR (the agency specializing in tourist security) by dialing 311. If you are the victim of a crime, CESTUR agents will help you file a complaint and seek any other type of help you may need.
