Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
with larger doors and handles in the bathroom. And, it should be said, Dominicans tend to be extremely
helpful and accommodating people. Travelers with disabilities should expect some curious stares, but also
quick and friendly help from perfect strangers and passersby.
Visas
The majority of would-be foreign travelers in the Dominican Republic do not need to obtain visas prior to
arrival. Tourist cards (you don't need to retain this for your return flight) are issued for US$10 upon arrival
to visitors from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany,
Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US, among many others. Whatever your country of origin, a valid
passport is necessary.
Tourist Card Extensions
A tourist card is good for up to 30 days from the date of issue. If you wish to stay longer, it's unnecessary to
formally extend - instead you'll be charged RD$800 when you depart the country for any stay up to 90
days. Another way to extend your time is to leave the DR briefly - most likely to Haiti - and then return, at
which point you'll be issued a brand-new tourist card. (You may have to pay entrance and departure fees in
both countries, of course.)
To extend your tourist card longer than three months, you must apply in Santo Domingo at the
Dirección
General de Migración
( 809-508-2555;
www.migracion.gov.do
; cnr Av 30 de Mayo & Héroes de Lu-
perón; 8am-2:30pm Mon-Fri) at least two weeks before your original card expires (up to nine months
will cost RD$1000).
Volunteering
Many NGOs operating in the DR are primarily community networks attempting to develop sustainable eco-
tourism. Formal volunteering programs may be nonexistent, but if you speak good Spanish and don't mind
some elbow grease (or office work), you may be of some use to them. A few more established organizations
that accept volunteers include:
CEDAF
(Centro para el Desarrollo Agropecuario y Forestal; 809-565-5603;
www.cedaf.org.do
; José
Amado Soler 50, Ensanche Paraíso, Santo Domingo) This nationwide NGO helps local farmers develop sus-
tainable ways to use the land.
DREAM Project
(Dominican Republic Education & Mentoring; 809-571-0497;
www.dominicandream.org
; Plaza de Patio, Cabarete) Nonconformists will want to avoid this rigidly man-
aged NGO, which otherwise does excellent work in the Cabarete schools.
Fundación Taigüey
( 809-537-8977;
www.taiguey.org
)
This is a network of small NGOs, several of
which focus on ecotourism.
