New York City 3.5 hours

Boston 5.25 hours

Miami 2 hours

Philadelphia 5 hours

Chicago 6 hours

San Francisco 8.5 hours

Dallas-Fort Worth 5 hours

Los Angeles 6.5 hours

Santo Domingo: One of the most beautiful and beguiling cities in the Caribbean, La Capital is a pulsing mix of colonial architecture, museums, restaurants, and broad, tree-lined avenues. The city's main thoroughfare and the first stone-laid street in the Americas, Calle las Damas (Street of Ladies) is lined with historic buildings and museums. At the heart of the colonial city, a seafront promenade known as the Malecón bustles with sleek hotels, outdoor cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, and shops.

Punta Cana: Paradise of the east, Punta Cana with its emerald waters and 20-miles of gorgeous, palm-shaded beaches remains a picturesque destination that has successfully balanced modest development with ecological concerns. The area is centered around Bavaro, a chic hideaway with a host of luxury resorts offering every amenity and water sport imaginable.

La Romana: Located along the southern coast, an easy day-trip east of Santo Domingo, this fabulous resort area was once a sleepy farming community. Casa de Campo is an impressive resort complex spread across 7,000 acres of lush coastline. Its highlights include Altos de Chavon, a replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village perched on a cliff above the river. Nearby Juan Dolio and Boca Chica offer impressive beaches and hotels.

The second largest country in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti to the west. The majority of its people live in Santo Domingo and Santiago. The rest of the island is wild and mountainous, filled with rainforests, fertile valleys, and miles of beautiful beaches. Several national parks preserve the best of the island's natural features, including its outlying islands.

The Dominican Republic is blessed with a year-round tropical climate that can be divided into two seasons. The winter Dry Season runs from November to April and boasts pleasantly warm temperatures with low humidity and little precipitation. The summer Wet Season runs from May to October and is accompanied by high humidity and a bit more rain. Throughout the year, however, pleasant trade winds keep the air cool. The heart of hurricane season lasts from late August to early November, though strikes are rare and there is plenty of advance notice to prepare. When threatened by a hurricane strike, one should expect a 2-day displacement from evacuation to safe return.

Spring average 75°

Summer average 81°

Fall average 78°

Winter average 72°

As with most Caribbean islands, any time is a good time to visit. The most popular time is January through March, which coincides with Carnival season. Since the weather is great year-round, spring and fall are wonderful times to visit because they are the "off season," and there are far fewer people to contend with. Hurricane season runs from late August to early November, but strikes are rare, last only about two days, and there is plenty of advance notice to prepare.

The Dominican Republic is known for its history, fine beaches, and affordability. It has a lively culture of with animated people and great natural beauty. Travelers, especially those on a package plan, discover some of the best vacation values in the Caribbean.

Puerto Plata City Tour: A guide takes you through Fort San Felipe, the Amber Museum, and the Brugal Rum Distillery. Afterwards, enjoy a cable car ride to the top of Mount Isabel de Torres for a breathtaking view of the city and coast. Lunch included.

Samana & Cayo Levantado Tour: Board a bus to the scenic fishing village of Samana. Then take a boat and sail along the bay to Cayo Levantado Island. Enjoy lunch on the beach and a walk to the exotic Los Cocos Waterfall.

Monte Isabel de Torres: More than 2,500 feet above sea level, this mountain provides a stunning view. Take a cable car ride to the summit or check out the shopping arcade and the statue of Christ the Redeemer at the base of the mountain.

Amber Museum: Housed in a Victorian building, this museum features a fantastic collection of the valuable Dominican amber that is said to be the clearest in the world.

Fort San Felipe: The oldest fort in the New World is a popular attraction located at the western end of the Malecón. Originally built by the Spaniards in the 16th century to defend against pirates, the fort later served as a prison before being restored in the 1970s.

Old Puerto Plata: From its quaint homes with gingerbread trim to the restored Gazebo in Independence Park and the white towers of the Church of San Felipe, "Old" Puerto Plata features many wonderful examples of Victorian architecture.

Outdoor Activities: Puerto Plata offers countless opportunities for outdoor activities including golf, tennis, mountain biking, horseback riding, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and more.

Shopping: With the largest duty-free zone in the Caribbean, Santo Domingo is a shopper's paradise, especially along El Conde Street and La Atarazana, a charming row of16th century buildings that house exclusive boutiques and galleries. The homeland of designer Oscar de la Renta, the island is also famous for its rum, coffee, and cigars. Haggling for a better price is not only encouraged, it is recommended, especially with street vendors and in the markets.

Ocean World Adventure Park: Situated on Cofresi Beach on the North Shore of Hispaniola, this new marine adventure playground lets you get up close and personal with some of the most exotic wildlife on the planet. You can hold a powerful, playful bottlenose dolphin in your arms, go swimming alongside a 7-foot nurse shark in its deep-sea aquarium, share a smile and a kiss with a playful South American sea lion, snorkel through a spectacular coral grotto that's alive with colorful tropical fish, and much more.

Puerto Plata offers an impressive variety of dining choices in many different settings. Take your meal in an old colonial palace or a street-side café. Sample the wonderful Italian, French, Middle Eastern, Argentinean, or native fare. Typical Dominican cuisine tends to be heavy in meats and is usually centered on a stew of brown beans, plantains, and rice flavored with very mild spices. Local dishes include sancocho, a thick stew blended with meats and vegetables, mangu, mashed green plantains, and arepa, a sweet cake served with your main dish. Presidente is a high-quality local ale and a jugo is a refreshing drink made with fresh fruit, crushed ice and sugar. Care should be taken when eating outside of hotels or tourist regions, including drinking only bottled water. All-inclusive meal plans are usually your best option.

Gourmet: La Puntilla de Piergiorgio, perched on a cliff at the edge of the sea, offers a charming setting and fine Italian cuisine. Dine on the garden-style veranda while sipping your mimosa, a house specialty! La Puntilla 1, Sosua

Highly Recommended: Acuarela, located in the birthplace and home of the artist Rafi Vasquez, is one of the finest and most attractive restaurants in Puerto Plata. The painter's watercolors hang on the wall and the hip, well-heeled clientele dine on a delectable international cuisine that includes New Zealand lamb chops, seafood, curried goat, and other Caribbean specialties. Prof Certad 6

Local Flair: Otro Mundo (Another World) is an unusual and fabulous restaurant situated in an old Victorian building with a resident ghost and a number of exotic animals that include a tiger, monkey, and wild birds. The animals were rescued by the owner, who has created an equally exotic menu that includes frog's legs, river prawns, and Caribbean crab. P Dorada

Romantic: El Coral, situated in the garden of a Spanish-style building, features a flavorful menu with Creole specialties. Sosua Beach

After dinner, Puerto Plata buzzes with excitement as several bars and discos entertain late into the night. Enjoy jazz, dance music, and the latest in Latin rhythms, or try testing your luck in one of the big hotel casinos, usually open until 4:00am (weekends until 6:00am.).

Major religious holidays such as Good Friday, Easter and Christmas are marked by lively festivals and parades. In addition, each town in the Dominican Republic honors the day of its patron saint with a fiesta patronal. These events typically include street fairs, food, drum music, horse races, bullfights and, of course, dancing. A list of the upcoming fiestas is available from the tourism office.

New Year's Day: Celebrate the New Year with a grand fiesta along the waterfront of Santo Domingo. Later in the month, an island-wide celebration on the 21st honors Our Lady of Altagracia, the patron saint of the Dominican people. January

Carnival: The festival season continues with this annual celebration held during the weekend nearest the 27th when islanders mark Independence Day with various parades and patriotic events. February

Fiesta de San Felipe & Fiesta de San Antonio: These are two of the more notable fiestas patronales. San Felipe is honored in Puerto Plata on June 5th and San Antonio in Sosua on June 13th. June

Merengue Festival: This is pretty much the biggest event of the year. For ten days, Dominicans celebrate their traditional dance and music with countless performances in folk costume by professionals and amateurs. Other attractions include fairs and lots of native cuisine. October

Christmas: The celebrations run over 12-days with religious services and many public events. December

Daytime dress is tidy casual, but beachwear is only acceptable in resorts and at the pools. Evenings tend to be smarter with jackets recommended for men at better restaurants and clubs.

We strongly advise that you confirm the following information and regard this only as a basic guide.

Gambling/Drinking: You must be 18 years or older to gamble.

Tipping: Most restaurants add a 10% service charge to your check. A further tip of 5% to 10% is usually added if the service has been good. It is customary to tip hotel porters, maids and taxi drivers as well.

Water: Drink only bottled water. Never drink water from the tap unless it has been thoroughly boiled. Fresh, bottled water is available almost everywhere on the island but if you venture off the beaten track you may have to stock up. Look for the words filtrada and purificada on the bottle's label.

Security: Most areas of Puerto Plata are safe for visitors but precautions should be taken, especially at night and in the poorer sections of Santo Domingo and Sosua. Avoid unmarked street taxis and hustlers who attempt to offer their services as guides. Pickpockets, street hustlers, and muggers target tourists. Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach or in cars. Large amounts of money and other valuables are usually best kept in a hotel safe.

Spanish is the official language, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas. Knowing a few basic words and some commonly used Spanish phrases will go a long way in getting extra assistance beyond tourist centers.

The electric is 110 volts (60 cycles AC), the same as in the United States.

We strongly advise that you confirm the following information and regard this only as a basic guide.

Entry: You must present either a valid passport or a birth certificate with a raised seal along with a government issued photo ID.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: Effective January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including US citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to US citizens traveling to or returning directly from a US territory. US citizens returning directly from a US territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. US territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Dominican Republic Customs: Visitors of legal age may bring into the Dominican Republic up to two liters of alcohol and 200 cigarettes duty free.

Departure Tax: A $20 departure tax is charged upon exiting the country.

US Customs: US citizens returning directly from the Dominican Republic may bring back $600 worth of merchandise without paying duty. This may include 1 liter of alcohol as well as 5 cartons of cigarettes and 100 cigars duty free. The importation of Cuban tobacco products, however, is strictly prohibited and is punishable by heavy fines and/or criminal prosecution.

Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism: Government Offices Block D, Avenida Mexico, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, phone 809-221-4660, fax 809-682-3806

Chicago: 300 North Michigan Avenue, 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601, phone 312-606-9252, fax 312-606-9012

Houston: 4507 San Jacinto, Suite 308, Houston, TX 77004, phone 713-772-3819, fax 713-772-6058

Los Angeles: 2401 W 6th Street, 5th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90024, phone 213-351-2075, fax 213-351-2074

Miami: 1200 NW 78th Avenue, Suite #203, Miami, FL 33126, phone 305-718-4091, fax 305-718-4098

New York: 21 East 63rd Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10021, phone 212-821-0314, fax 212-821-0387