Take a useful break with a gap Sport break learn Spansih in the Dominican republic!
- Is it safe in the Dominican Republic?
- Is the flight included in the package?
- Which airport and who goes there?
- is POP airport a modern and safe one?
- What do I need for arrivals at POP?
- What if something goes wrong?
- I want to come alone but how will I manage away from my family for so long?
- How’s the weather in Cabarete, Dominican republic?
- Are basic things expensive there?
What else is there to do?
What type of currency should I bring? - Have you got more info on the Dominican Republic?
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Is it safe in the Dominican Republic?
Yes – you should take the obvious precautions of course as in all places, but Cabarete offers a very safe environment; the beach areas and main town are especially controlled by tourist police. Don’t be flash with your money or personal belongings; the Dominicans have a friendly way of separating you from your cash by selling you something you definitely don't need!
Getting here.....
Is the flight included in the package?
No. You will need to arrange your own method of arrival. Below are some suggestions.
Which airport do I fly into and who goes there?
You will need to arrive at Puerto Plata International Airport (code POP). Several good charter companies fly here regularly from Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham, often offering very reasonable prices. Another alternative is to arrive via Europe with Martinair or Jet Air Fly, or via the States with a major carrier to either New York (JFK) or Miami (MIA) and then via Jet Blue or Continental (from JFK) or American Airlines (from MIA). Search the charter companies using an agent in the UK or online with Expedia.com or similar. The airport of Santiago is about 1.5 hours drive away – you could fly there too, although transportation will not be covered in this instance.
Is POP airport a modern and safe one?
Yes. Puerto Plata is quite a large airport; currently undergoing some further modernization; it offers good facilities.
What do I need for arrivals at POP?
You will need valid passport and upon arrival, you must purchase a tourist card costing US$10. A $10 departure tax is also levied at the airport; both must be paid in US currency.
We recommend that you take out an international insurance policy for your trip and make sure that it does not carry exclusions for the sport you will be undertaking.
You will be collected from the airport and also taken back to the airport at the end of your stay.
What if something goes wrong?
Our Team have been picked especially both for their expertise in their sports field and also their attention to safety. All safety equipment and expert tuition will be included within your chosen package. In the unlikely event of you being injured, there are large, modern hospitals here with state-of-the-art facilities along with a good medical centre in town for everyday medical requirements.
I want to come alone but how will I manage away from my family for so long?
It is easy to find the spirit of adventure once you get here. The place you will stay in is just the right size to know your way around within an hour or so and soon, you will know all the staff by name. You will find yourself amongst like-minded people who have made the journey for the same reasons as you and that’s a great start in finding new friends for life! Communication with folks back home is also easy – wireless internet is available where you will be staying and if you don't bring your own laptop, internet cafes in the town will help you to keep in touch. Cabarete is a small town centered around a large bay – it’s hard to get lost here.
How’s the weather?
One of the reasons we chose to live here is because of the climate; In winter, (October to March) it rarely drops below 27 degrees during the day and a comfortable 20 degrees at night. Summer (July, August, September) is a scorcher; 33 degrees on average daytime and night time remains warm at about 25 degrees. Rainy seasons are around the month of May and again in October/November. This does not mean however that you can’t get a real drenching every now and then outside of those months, OR, that it cannot be lovely in the normally rainy months. The best wind is in the summer months, June, July, August, September and the biggest waves are October through March.
Are basic things expensive there?
Prices fluctuate here, based on the dollar exchange rate – but generally, it is much cheaper to buy stuff like beer and rum (both made here) and basic food stuff than in Europe for example. You will mostly eat in the place where you stay, which itself is a popular local restaurant, but there are also fancy places to go for gourmet cuisine if you like. The general rule is that anything imported, like sun cream or fine wine or food is expensive and things made here, like mangos and bananas are dirt cheap!
What else is there to do?
Where shall we start………? Go-karting, Ocean World, Paragliding, Canyoning, Canoeing, Mountain Climbing (yes, Pico Duarte is 10,700 feet) – it’s hard to be bored here. How about a trip to the capital city, Santo Domingo, where Christopher Columbus ‘discovered’ the island and where you can still see many impressive physical reminders of the Spanish occupation of the Island?
What type of currency should I bring?
The Dominican Peso is used in Cabarete, but whichever currency you bring with you can be changed at any bank in Cabarete. ATM’s and Cash Machines are located throughout Cabarete and this is the easiest way to withdraw cash, in multiples of 8,000 pesos, you can make up to four withdrawals each day, or you can take much smaller amounts. Remember though that only pesos are dispensed from the machines so if you need dollars, bring them with you.
Want to read more about the Dominican republic?
Sure do amigo, check this page for info on the Dominican republic
