Electricity:
110 volts.
Water:
You cannot always drink the tap water. It is pretty easy to find mineral water in all the shops.
Health:
Various health services, pharmacies and doctors of different nationalities are available in Las Terrenas.
Climate – clothes:
The peninsula benefits from a temperate tropical climate thanks to the cool breezes of the Atlantic. The temperature varies from 25 to 30 degrees C on average and from 18 to 22 degrees C in the evenings, on the whole being very pleasant. The water temperature oscillates from 25 to 28 degrees C. Short tropical rains are common. December and May have the reputation of being the best months as everywhere in the caribbean. So some summer clothes and a small raincoat, maybe a swater for the evenings or the airconditioned restaurants, swimming trunks and maybe a pair of shoes if you plan to hike.
Getting around – Renting vehicles:
Jeeps, cars, ATVs, motorbikes, scooters and bicycles can be rented in Las Terrenas.
To move around town, this information can come in handy:
Taxis: Useful and interesting for moving around when in groups and travelling long distances. Comfortable and secure. reservation is possible by phone (ask and keep the telephone numbers of taxis you have used and liked).
Guaguas: pick up/ taxi. Practical and cheap to move around when in groups and for average distances. Not too comfortable and safety is not the main concern but well and truly a unique experience.
Conchos: Small mtorcycle taxis. Theses are almost a national symbol. Practical, they are everywhere and they are always on the lookout for potential customers. For short distances and for 2 people, (sometimes more); But the price (negotiable) for 2 is double…so it may be better to take 2. Safety questionable (no helmets, insurance ?) but the riders are skillful and careful.
Bicycle rentals: The bicycle is slowly catching on in Las Terrenas. Local conditions do not make it a very favourable way of moving around.
Motorbike rentals: The mtorbike is the best way to get around town and to discover the peninsula : climate, road width and state, scenery etc. You can rent all knds of bikes: from Dt to heavy bikes to mopeds. The moped is good enough for beginers.
ATV rental: The ATV is another way to travel especially when you hit the dirt tracks. It is easy to use. At the same time one should not forget that it is a nuisance as it is loud and not the best way to circulate in the town traffic.
Car rentals: Lots of different agencies around where you can rent 4WD or tourism cars in Las Terrenas. It is better to reserve in advance, especialy the jeeps and in high season.
Long Distance Buses
Las Terrenas – Santo Domingo (Capital) – Indicative price 500 RD $
Departure times: 5am – 7am (Sonyi 829 882 8666) – 9am (829 222 0366) – 11am – 2pm (José 809 979 5846)
Duration of the trip 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Las Terrenas – Santiago
Departure times: 6am (Juan 809 666 2015) – 8:15 am (Alfredo 809 881 1595) – 12:40 pm (José Achille 809 399 80 86)
Las Terrenas – Puerto Plata (Sosua / Cabarete)
Departure time: 6:30 am (Moreno 829 772 6608)
Las Terrenas – Nagua
Departure times: 7am – 2pm (Black 809 693 4479)
RETURN
Santo Domingo (Capital) – Las Terrenas – Indicative price 500 RD $
Departure times: 8:30 am – 9:30 am – 11am – 1:40 pm (Sonyi 829 882 8666) – 3pm (829 222 0366) –
Duration of the trip 2 hours and 15 minutes. Departure from the Plaza Lama stop, Barahona street, and also at the intersection of Las Américas with the entrance of the Juan Pablo II highway (count 30 more minutes).
Santiago – Las Terrenas
Departure times: 6:45 am (José Achille 809 399 80 86) – 11:30 am (Juan 809 666 2015) – 3pm (Alfredo 809 881 1595)
Puerto Plata (Sosua / Cabarete) – Las Terrenas
Departure time: 1pm (Moreno 829 772 6608)
Nagua – Las Terrenas
Departure times: 11am – 5pm (Black 809 693 4479)
AIRPORTS:
A new intercontinental airport, International airport of El Catey, was inaugurated on November 2006 and it is just 45 minutes from Las Terrenas (15 with the new highway in construction). You can reach here on chartered flights from the principal cities of North America and Europe.
The International airport of Santo Domingo (Las Americas) receives all kinds of commercial flights from the majos cities in the western hemisphere. From Santo Domingo you can either take a commercial or private flight (30 minutes) with the local aeronautic companies (Aerodomca or Take Off) from either the airport La Isabela or right from the Las Americas airport.
Another possibility is the taxi which takes around one and a half hours to get to Las Terrenas.
The International airport of Puerto Plata is just 3 and a half hours from Las Terrenas and a lot of chartered flights from Europe, USA and the caribbean land here.
Transfers from the Airport:
From El Catey (Samana): 40 minutes by taxi.
From Santo Domingo: 30 minutes by flight with Aerodomca or Take Off or by private flights which can take upto 7 passengers.
By taxi or Bus count upto one and a half hours.
From Puerto Plata: 3 and a half hours to Las Terrenas by taxi or Bus.
VACCINATIONS :
There are no complusory vaccinations for the Dominican Republic.
VISAS – PASSPORTS :
Visa: There is no tourist visa. On arrival you can buy a tourist card valid upto 3 months for 10 US$ (payable only in US$). And a tax of US$ 20 also payable ony in US$ has to be paid on departure.
Passport: It is always better to carry a passport especially if you are transiting through San Juan, Puerto Rico ( Iberia flights)
Languages:
Spanish.
French, English, Germanc and Italian are spoken in the majority of the Hotels an Restaurants in Las Terrenas.
Exchange,Credit cards and local money:
The currency is the Dominican Peso that is accepted everywhere…
For certain things, you will be able to pay in Dollars too (higher amounts). Prices are usually written in Dollars for most touristic businesses : flights, taxis, room rates, villas, car rentals excursions etc…
Its is better to have both currencies to avoid emergency changing
The Euro is gradually gainig acceptance but its use is not yet thorough.
Exchange:
All the major Dominican Banks have offices in Las Terrenas; Banco Popular, Banco Reserva, Banco del Progreso, ScotiaBank (Canadian). You will be able to carry out all normal transactions.
You also have smaller exchange offices where it is sometimes to easier to change money.
Credit Cards – ATMs:
All the major credit cards are accepted in Las Terrenas.
Quite a few ATMs can be found Las Terrenas. You can only withdraw money in Local Peso at the ATMs.
