SAFETY

Be alert to your surroundings and take the same safety precautions recommended worldwide for travelling in a major foreign city. Use the hotel safe and keep money and valuables out of sight. Do not leave luggage in sight in a vehicle.

MONEY

The official currency is the Dominican Peso (RD$). Most ATM operate on the Cirrus Network (Mastercard) or Plus Network (Visa). Remember that money extracted from ATM will be Dominican Pesos and not your home currency. Dominican Pesos are available in bills of 2000, 1000, 500, 100, 50 and 20 pesos. There are also coins of 25, 10, 5 and 1 pesos. Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards are widely accepted. American Express Travelers checks can be replaced at branches of the Banco Popular.

TAX and TIPPING

Goods and services in the Dominican Republic are subject to a 16% government value-added tax (called ITBIS). At restaurants, for example, the bill includes the 16% ITBIS plus a 10% service charge. An additional tip is optional.