Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Phonecards
These can be used at public phones and are available in denominations of RD$50, RD$100, RD$150,
RD$200 and RD$250.
PRACTICALITIES
»
Newspapers
El Listin Diario
(
www.listin.com.do
)
,
Hoy
(
www.hoy.com.do
)
, Diario Libre
(
www.diariolibre.com
)
,
El Caribe
(
www.elcaribe.com.do
),
El Día
(
www.eldia.com.do
) and
El Nacion-
al
(
www.elnacional.com.do
), plus
International Herald Tribune,
the
New York Times
and the
Miami
Herald
can be found in many tourist areas. Local papers cost RD$25.
»
Radio & TV
There are about 150 radio stations, most playing merengue and
bachata
(popular gui-
tar music based on bolero rhythms); and seven local TV networks, though cable and satellite program-
ming is very popular for baseball, movies and American soap operas.
»
Weights & Measurement
The DR uses the metric system for everything except gasoline, which is
measured in gallons, and at laundromats, where laundry is measured in pounds.
Time
The DR is four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. In autumn and winter it is one hour ahead of New
York, Miami and Toronto as well as Haiti - extremely important to keep in mind if heading to or from the
border. However, because the country does not adjust for daylight saving time as do the USA and Canada,
it's in the same time zone as New York, Miami and Toronto from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday
in October.
Tourist Information
Almost every city in the DR that's frequented by tourists has a tourist office, and a number of less-visited
towns do as well. In general, treat the information you get at tourist offices skeptically and double-check
with other sources. Some tourist offices offer maps, bus schedules or a calendar of upcoming events, which
can be handy.
Travelers with Disabilities
Few Latin American countries are well suited for travelers with disabilities, and the Dominican Republic is
no different. On the other hand, all-inclusive resorts can be ideal for travelers with mobility impairments, as
rooms, meals and day- and nighttime activities are all within close proximity, and there are plenty of staff
members to help you navigate around the property. Some resorts have a few wheelchair-friendly rooms,
