Dominican Republic Fact

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Dominican Lifestyle

		Christopher Columbus did not discover America, he discovered the Dominican Republic! In fact, he liked it so much, he decided to stay. The odd thing is, Europeans have been coming ever since, but with less than 20% of the tourists coming from the US, it remains a undiscovered "secret" for Americans. Are there other beautiful places in the Caribbean? Sure there are, but not as inexpensive or offering so much for both the investor and retiree.
High tax-free interest on your US dollar investments, one of the fastest growing countries & economies, pleasant year-round climate, the opportunity for a tax free business, and very modern health care facilities are only a part of the attraction. Regardless of whether you want the casual beach lifestyle, the cooler temperatures of the mountains, or the nightlife of a modern cosmopolitan capital city, the Dominican Republic has something for everyone. Located on the second largest island in the Caribbean, just a short flight from Miami, it also has more undeveloped and unspoiled beach front property than any other place you can think of.

Ask most Americans about the Dominican Republic, many have not heard of it. For those that have discovered it while on vacation, many have decided to call it home. Whether you are looking for something different ~ like Santo Domingo's 500 year old Zona Colonial ~ The Left Bank of the Caribbean, or just a great Caribbean escape at an affordable price - The Dominican Republic is the Place. Offshore Investors are also starting to discover the country. Many are calling it the best investment opportunity of the new millennium. We could not agree more

The lure of the Dominican Republic is not just about beautiful beaches, crystal clear water, luxurious tropical breezes and all of the other things that come to mind when conjuring images of the Caribbean. In fact, many other places you can name do in fact offer the same. So, what is so special about the Dominican Republic? In short, it is still one of most affordable places for tourists and for real estate investors alike. Tax free banking, property taxes so low they are almost non existent, the ability to live very comfortably on less than $2,000 per month ~ make the Dominican Republic the undiscovered paradise.

Weather & Water Temperature

Average Water Temperature: Summer - 83^o Winter - 78^o

Generally, the temperatures are hot during the day. Many of the days are a mixture of sun and clouds, the clouds being a welcome relief from the hot sun. In the evening you may need a light sweater. The chart below shows you the average temperatures for each month. January is the coldest month, and August is the hottest month. There is no real rainy season in the DR, it can rain at any time during the year. Much of the time the rain occurs overnight or as a brief afternoon shower.
Average Daily Temperature

^oC	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	26	28	27	28	28	29	29	29	29	28	28	26
Low	18	18	19	19	20	22	22	23	22	22	20	18

These temperatures are in Celsius
Average High is 87^o in Fahrenheit
Average Low is 73^o in Fahrenheit

Government

Government type: representative democracy
Capital: Santo Domingo
Administrative divisions: 29 provinces and 1 district
Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 February (1844)
Constitution: 28 November 1966
Legal system: based on French civil codes
Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age
note: members of the armed forces and police cannot vote
Executive branch:
Chief of state: President Leonel Fernandez note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Vice President: Rafael Alburquerque
Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (149 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are elected by a Council made up of members of the legislative and executive branches with the president presiding)
Political parties and leaders: Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna]; Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Hatuey DE CAMPS]; Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Eduardo ESTRELLA]

Transportation
Railways: total: 1,503 km
Highways: total: 12,600 km paved: 6,224 km unpaved: 6,376 km (1999)
Waterways: none
Pipelines: crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km
Ports and harbors: Barahona, La Romana, Manzanillo, Puerto Plata, San Pedro de Macoris, Santo Domingo
Major Airports
Santo Domingo - Las Américas International Airport
La Romana - La Romana International
Puerto Plata - Puerto Plata International
Punta Cana - Punta Cana International
Barahona - María Montez International Airport

Military

Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $180 million (FY98)

Driving, Safety and Road Conditions

Driving in the Dominican Republic is on the right side of the road. Speed limits vary from 28 mph in the city to 48 mph on rural roads, but they are generally not enforced. Traffic laws are similar to those in the United States, but undisciplined driving is common, due to a lack of adequate traffic controls.

A local traffic custom is that the larger the vehicle, the greater the right of way, regardless of the traffic laws. Driving is aggressive and erratic, and drivers often do not yield the right of way even when road signs or signals indicate they should. Defensive driving is advised at all times. Travel at night on inter-city highways and in rural areas should be avoided, due to vehicles being driven at excessive speeds, often with malfunctioning headlights or taillights. Turning right on red lights is permitted, but it should be done with caution.

Motorcycles and motor scooters are common in the Dominican Republic and are often driven erratically. While helmets for motorcyclists are required by law, the law is not enforced.

Seat belts are required by law, but that law is also not generally enforced. There are no child car seat laws. Penalties for those driving under the influence and those involved in accidents resulting in injury or death can be severe. There are a variety of options for inter-city travel in addition to travel by car. Inter-city travel by tourists is safest on one of the more reputable tourist bus companies. Local buses known as "guaguas" and taxis also offer transportation but are not generally as safe.

Entry and Exit Requirements

For Canadian and U.S. citizens, a valid passport, or a birth certificate, Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship, along with photo identification, are required for both entry and exit. All tourists must purchase a visa/tourist card at a cost of $10.00 U.S. to enter the Dominican Republic. Canadian travelers are provided with this visa/tourist card before leaving Canada. Visitors who do not obtain a visa/tourist card prior to entry must purchase one at the airport when they arrive in the Dominican Republic.

There is a departure tax of $20.00 U.S. per person. Canadian or other foreign currencies are not accepted for the departure tax.

When children travel to the Dominican Republic with only one parent, or with non-parents, they do not require any special letter of authorization, as long as they leave the DR with the same people they arrived with. (Note that it had previously been indicated that minors traveling with only one parent or non-parents had to have a letter of authorization legalized by the Dominican Consulate. This in fact pertains only to Dominican minors under 18, not to foreign travelers.) I would suggest it is probably a good idea to get something in writing signed by the parent(s) just in case there are any questions.

Children should have their own passport when traveling alone or with non-parents. Birth certificates are only acceptable when traveling with one or both parents and a child is under 13. Children over 13 need a student card along with the birth certificate as photo ID, or a passport.

Note: If a minor child is not leaving the Dominican Republic with the same people they arrived with, the parents or legal guardians must provide to the new companion, a letter of consent, legalized at the nearest Dominican Republic Consulate to the parents' residence.

If any further clarification is needed, please contact your nearest Dominican Consulate. You should also verify to see if there are any other requirements of the airline in order to board from your country of origin