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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Caribbean
- Dominican Republic
- Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata, the capital of the Dominican Republic's province
of the same name, sits on the country's north coast and is the
gateway to the numerous holiday towns and resorts found adjacent to
the shore. The coastline itself is blessed with beautiful stretches
of pristine beach, lush green valleys, and is backed by the
majestic Mount Isabel de Torres. Columbus described the spot as
'the fairest land under heaven' when he arrived there in 1492, and
the thousands of visitors that arrive every day today tend to agree
with him. The city sports a romantic air of days gone by, enhanced
by its Victorian architecture with its filigree lace wood and
ironwork and 'gingerbread' motifs that characterise most of the
historic homesteads and public buildings. The town has a buzzing
atmosphere, with many restaurants and clubs pumping the sultry
beats of merengue and salsa into the tropical night air.
Information & Facts
Language
Spanish is the official language, but English is spoken
in the main tourist centres.
Money
The currency is the Dominican Republic Peso (DOP), divided into
100 centavos. Many of the hotels and restaurants in the main
tourist destinations display their prices in US dollars as well as
in Dominican Pesos, as US dollars are widely accepted and some
places will also accept Euros. The peso cannot be exchanged outside
of the Dominican Republic. Major currencies can be converted into
pesos at Central Bank approved bureaux; only 30% of the pesos
bought can be re-converted and this only if the original receipts
are produced, so it is best not to buy more pesos than you are
likely to need. Major credit cards are accepted everywhere, but a
commission is usually charged and it is recommended that you only
use your credit card at your hotel as fraud incidents have been
reported. The best exchange rates are paid on US travellers cheques
and secondly on US dollars cash and are best exchanged at exchange
bureaux (
casas de cambio). Banking hours are Monday to Friday from
8.30am to 4.30pm; some banks also open on Saturday. ATMs are
widespread.