• January 1:  New Year’s Day
• January 6: The Three Kings’ Day (religious)
• January 21:  Our Lady of Altagracia Day (religious)
• January 26:  Juan Pablo Duarte Day
• February 27:  Independence Day
• March or April (varies) – Easter Friday (religious)
• May 1:  Labor Day (celebrated on the closest Monday)
• June (varies) Corpus Christi Day (religious)
• August 16:  Restoration of Independence Day
• September 24:  Our Lady of Mercedes Day (religious)
• November 6: Constitution Day (celebrated on the closest Monday)
• December 25:  Christmas Day (religious)

• Use the hotel safe to store your passport, money and other items of value.
• Keep a photocopy of your passport with you when you travel. Only take what is necessary along with you.
• When possible, take a credit card as well as cash.
• Do not leave articles of value, bag or briefcases in full view in vehicles, even when there is a security guard nearby.
• Avoid traveling at night, even on the main highways. If you are planning to go out at night, use the services of a taxi called from the hotel where you are staying.

LAND TRANSPORTATION

 Practical Information For Travelers To The Dominican Republic

One of the advantages of traveling with a tour operator is that your airport-to-hotel and hotel-to-excursion transfers are likely to be prearranged.

Taxis



Taxis can be found at airports and hotels and can also be arranged in advance. Several taxi for call companies are listed in the telephone directory. They are a cost-effective way to get around. Taxis are safe and reliable option in Santo Domingo as well as in many inland towns. Inter-city taxis cost RD$200.

Car Rental

Various companies including several world brands offer their services at the main airports, tourist destinations and towns. Consider renting a vehicle to visit at your leisure the destinations and attractions that are located along the northern coast, the Samaná peninsula, La Romana and Punta Cana beaches.

Santo Domingo Subway
 (Metro)


The new modern Metro service began in 2009 and there are two lines. Avoid peak hours when they are packed with commuters. One of the lines goes north-south on the Máximo Gómez avenue and then east-west along the Correa y Cidrón avenue, passing the state university (UASD) on its way to the government building center at the Centro de los Héroes, where Congress, the Supreme Court of Justice and the Department of Migration, among other government offices are located. A subway card costs RD$30 with recharge starting at RD$20, the value of each trip: www.opret.gob.do/Estaciones.aspx

Low-Cost City Buses

Low-cost OMSA government buses travel along the main roads of Santo Domingo and Santiago, from 7am until 9pm. Similarly, there are other smaller privately-owned and operated buses called “guaguas” (bus) or “voladoras” (flyers), that travel scheduled routes and circulate around the main streets and avenues, stopping on request.

Public Cars or “Conchos” (Shared Taxis)

Concho cars or shared taxis are very similar to “guaguas” because they travel specific routes and stop at points requested by the passengers. You can find them in the capital as well as in towns and villages. Fares are usually RD$25 for the routes in which up to six passengers will be boarded. Consider a private taxi for an inter-city route costs RD$200.

“Motoconchos” (Motorbike Taxis)

Many young men in the Dominican Republic make a living by transporting passengers on their motorbikes. The service is used mostly for traveling relatively short distances, especially as the bikes can weave their way swiftly through traffic. The fare should be agreed beforehand.

Interurban Bus Service

It is not difficult to travel between different regions of the country. There are several private companies that can take you in comfortable modern buses at very reasonable prices. Make sure that you take a jacket as these buses tend to keep their air-conditioning at its lowest point.

The Metro Buses serves Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata and Sosúa: www.metroserviciosturisticos.com

Caribe Tours has daily bus services from Santo Domingo to Barahona, Cabrera, Jarabacoa, Montecristi, Nagua, Puerto Plata, Rio San Juan, Samaná, Sánchez, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Sosúa and other towns in the Dominican Republic. Caribe Tours buses also travel to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien in Haiti: www.caribetours.com.do

Expreso Bávaro has several departures to Santo Domingo during the day. Upon arrival to Punta Cana, the buses make several stops at hotels, tourist and shopping areas in Bávaro, Punta Cana. An affiliate of the company, Sitrabapu makes local stops departing from Veron in Higuey and La Romana. Sitrabapu also as a non-stop express route to La Romana: www.expresobavaro.com

Sichoem buses commute between La Romana and Santo Domingo with several departures from the La Romana stop next to the Shell gas station, Tel 809 556-4192. Asomiro offers a similar service with buses that need to be taken at the Av. Padre Abreu Km 1 stop, near La Gallera, Tel 809 556-9099.

Transporte Samaná (Asotrapusa) services Samaná with several departures during the day from its stations at Calle Barahona 129 or las Americas Expressway). Tel 809 687-1470.

DOMESTIC AIR TRANSPORTION

Helicopters



In Punta Cana, helicopters are a quick and comfortable way of getting to know the area and its 31 miles (50 km) of beaches. Helicopter companies fly to Santo Domingo and other destinations, connecting different cities and tourist points:

Domestic Flights



Charter flights can be arranged to and from the international airports of Punta Cana (PUJ), Santo Domingo (SDQ, JBQ), La Romana (LRM), Santiago (STI), Puerto Plata (POP), Samaná (AZS, ABA) and Barahona (BRX). Several small airports cater to domestic flights.  These include: Arroyo Barril (ABA) in Samaná on the northeast coast Constanza (COZ) located in the central mountain region, Cabo Rojo (CBJ) in Pedernales on the southwest coast and Montecristi (MTC) on the northwest coast.

Table of distances between the towns and cities of the Dominican Republic: