Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic)

Best Time to Travel:

The island can be visited at any time of the year. The winter months with the lower rainfall are climatically more pleasant for European visitors, although, this is also the peak season on the island (locals also take their holiday at this time).

Entry Requirements:

British Citizens need a chargeable tourist card, which can be obtained before travel through the appropriate Representation in the UK or on arrival at the airport. There is a departure tax. Scheduled airlines sometimes include this charge in the price of the ticket. Meat and dairy products from EU countries are currently banned from personal import.
Following further clarification from the Dominican Republic authorities, the FCO understands that visitors under 18 travelling to the Dominican Republic do not require written authorisation from their parents as long as they enter and leave with the same person/people. If visitors between the ages of 13 and 18 are travelling alone, or with a group with no one over 18, then similarly parental authorisation is not required as long as the composition of the party is the same on entry and exit. If visitors under 18 do not intend to leave the Dominican Republic with the same person/people that they entered with, then they are required to carry a sworn affidavit drawn up by a solicitor and signed by their parents/legal guardian authorising that. This affidavit needs to be legalised by the FCO and the Dominican Republic Embassy. You should contact the Dominican Republic Embassy if you have any queries about these requirements.

Security measures for all passengers departing from UK airports
Some liquids are allowed through airport security check points. There are however, restrictions on the quantity of liquids that can be taken through: Passengers may carry small quantities of liquids, but only within separate containers each of which with a capacity not greater than 100 ml. These containers must be brought to the airport contained in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag (about the size of a small freezer bag), which itself must not exceed 1 litre in capacity (approximately 20cm x 20cm). The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and the bag sealed. Each passenger may carry only one such bag of liquids. The bag must be presented separately for examination at the airport security point. Please note:
Any containers larger than 100ml (excluding essential medicines, see section below) will NOT be allowed through the security search point. Most liquids of any amount may still be carried in hold baggage. One lighter per person may be carried through central search. Lighters form part of the allowance of liquid in the litre bag and can either be placed inside the litre bag or screened separately provided they would fit into the bag. It is very important that passengers do not place the lighter into their cabin bag after screening - it must be carried on the person for the duration of the flight. Lighters are NOT permitted in hold baggage.
'Liquids' includes:
- All drinks, including water, soup, syrups
- Creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara etc.
- Sprays and pressurized containers including shaving foam and spray deodorants
- Pastes, including toothpastes
- Gels, including hair and shower gel
- Any other solutions and items of similar consistency.
Please note that liquids can usually be purchased beyond airport security search points, in the departures area, as these liquids are subject to a separate screening process. Liquid baby food or sterilised water, sufficient for the journey, can be taken through airport security. The accompanying adult will be required to verify by tasting. Liquid dietary foodstuffs which are deemed essential can be taken through airport security and will be subject to verification by the passenger. For information concerning essential medicines and medical equipment, cabin baggage and size allowed, laptops / electrical items and outsize items please visit www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/airtravel/airportsecurity/requirements.

Global Security Advice
Travellers should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks in public places anywhere in the world. Be vigilant, and take sensible precautions.

Specific Advice of the Foreign &Commonwealth Office
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office indicates that an earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale hit neighbouring Haiti on 12 January 2010. Mass casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure there mean the Dominican Republic has since acted as an international hub for the international aid and recovery effort. The FCO advises against all but essential travel to Haiti. Although strong tremors were felt throughout the Dominican Republic there were no reports of casualties or serious damage.

Please ask the appropriate embassy in time before travelling if there are any current changes of the entry requirements, or inform yourself on the homepage of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office: www.fco.gov.uk. You find the addresses of the embassies down below on this website.

Vaccination requirements:

None.

Please inform yourself in time before travelling if there are any current changes of the vaccination requirements, e.g. on the homepage of the Department of Health and Human Services: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Vaccination recommendations:

General: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus. Risk groups/regions: Hepatitis B, Rabies, Typhoid fever, Polio.

Malaria:
Areas of risk: Rural, with highest risk in provinces bordering Haiti. In addition, risk in all areas of La Altagracia Province, including Punta Cana and Bavaro Beach. Recommended prophylaxis: Chloroquine.

Dengue fever:
Dengue fever, a flu-like illness sometimes complicated by hemorrhage or shock, is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite primarily in the daytime and favor densely populated areas, though they also inhabit rural environments. A major dengue outbreak was reported from the Dominican Republic in June 2010, causing more than 4000 cases and 18 deaths by July. The city of Santigao was particularly affected. A dengue outbreak was reported from the northern part of the country in September 2009. As of November, almost 5000 cases and 44 deaths had been described, but the outbreak was beginning to subside. No vaccine is available at this time. Insect protection measures are recommended when dengue outbreaks occur.

Leptospirosis:
An outbreak of leptospirosis was reported from Bahoruco and Barahona provinces in October 2009. A larger outbreak was reported in November 2007, related to flooding from Hurricane Noel in October. The outbreak started in the region along the banks of the Ozama River north and east of Santo Domingo, then spread to the provinces of San Cristobal, Barahona and the National District. The main tourist areas were not affected. As of November 18, a total of 200 cases and 25 deaths had been identified.
Leptospirosis is transmitted to humans by exposure to water contaminated by the urine of infected animals. Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, conjunctivitis (pink eye), photophobia (light sensitivity), and rash. Most cases resolve uneventfully, but a small number may be complicated by meningitis, kidney failure, liver failure, or hemorrhage. Those working in flooded regions should wear protective clothing and cover cuts and abrasions with waterproof bandages. Those at risk should also consider taking 200 mg of doxycycline once weekly as prophylaxis. In the past, cases of leptospirosis have been reported among travelers to the Dominican Republic.

Food and Waterborne Diseases:
Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Food and waterborne diseases are the primary cause of illness in travelers. Travelers' diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout the Caribbean and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis). Illness caused by a parasitic worm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) can occur in this region. People can get infected by eating raw or undercooked snails or slugs that are infected with the parasite.

Advices for healthy behaviour:
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Drink only bottled or boiled water.
Take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed.
To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot, even on beaches.
Protect yourself from mosquito insect bites:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats when outdoors.
- Use insect repellents that contain DEET (N, N-diethylmethyltoluamide).
- If no screening or air conditioning is available: use a pyrethroid-containing spray in living and sleeping areas during evening and night-time hours; sleep under bed nets, preferably insecticide-treated ones.
Do not eat food purchased from street vendors or food that is not well cooked.
Do not drink beverages with ice.
Avoid dairy products, unless you know they have been pasteurized.
Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as schistosomiasis.
Do not handle animals, especially monkeys, dogs, and cats, to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague).
Avoid poultry farms, bird markets, and other places where live poultry is raised or kept.

Please inform yourself in time before travelling if there are any current changes of the vaccination recommendations, e.g. on the homepage of the Department of Health and Human Services: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Geographical position:

Longitude: 68,20-68,25° west
Latitude: 18,30-18,40° north

Official language:

Spanish

Currency:

Dominican peso

Country code:

001809

Time Difference to Central European Time:

GMT -4h

Power supply/voltage:

Electrical current is 110/120 volts, 60Hz, in hotel resorts often 220 volts, 50 HZ, an adaptor is necessary.

Embassy address:

Embassy of the Dominican Republic
139 Inverness Terrace Bayswater
+44 20 77277091
+44 20 77273693
embassy@dominicanembassy.org.uk
London W2 6JF
www.dominicanembassy.org.uk