Language
Overview
Official language is Spanish. There is an English-speaking minority in the towns of Samaná and San Pedro de Macorís. Immigrants of Haitian descent speak Haitian Creole and French. The Dominicans are proud of their Hispanic heritage and are very happy if you speak at least a little Spanish. The Spanish spoken in the Dominican Republic is very different from the Castellano spoken in Spain. For example, some expressions and idioms from the colonial era have been retained. Dominican Spanish contains numerous Anglicisms (e.g. el switche – the light switch) and Afro-American expressions (e.g. merengue – dance). The grammar corresponds to Latin American Spanish. It is spoken very fast, the final syllables are often swallowed. The final r is often pronounced as l (e.g. Calol instead of Calor (heat) or Señiol instead of Señior (Lord)). In colloquial speech, the word bomba is used in many ways. It can mean a bomb, gas station, gas bottle or air pump and is also used to express enthusiasm (Bomba! Great!). A pretty girl is called una chica bomba. In colloquial speech, the word bomba is used in many ways. It can mean a bomb, gas station, gas bottle or air pump and is also used to express enthusiasm (Bomba! Great!). A pretty girl is called una chica bomba. In colloquial speech, the word bomba is used in many ways. It can mean a bomb, gas station, gas bottle or air pump and is also used to express enthusiasm (Bomba! Great!). A pretty girl is called una chica bomba.
Idioms
Eight – Scho Three – Tré One – Uno Resident of the Capital Santo Domingo – Capitaleño Five – Cinco Equal – Ahora Minibuses – Guaguas Motoradtaxis – Conchos Nine – Nueve Six – Be Seven – Siete Immediately – Ahora mismo Later – Ahorita Bye – Abur Four – Cuatro Folk festival, dance – Bachata Ten – Dié Two – Dó
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
01/06/2022 Feast of Epiphany
01/21/2022 Dia de La Altagracia
01/26/2022 Duarte day
02/27/2022 Independence Day
04/15/2022 Good Friday
05/01/2022 Labor Day
06/16/2022 Corpus Christi
08/16/2022 day of restoration
09/24/2022 Day of Nuestra Senora de la Mercedes
11/06/2022 Constitution Day
12/25/2022 Christmas
Source: Top-mba-universities.com
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported duty-free into the Dominican Republic (persons aged 18 and over): 20 packs of cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200 g of tobacco; 3L of over-the-counter alcoholic beverages (wine, beer, rum, whiskey, liqueur); Gifts totaling up to US$500. Travelers are allowed to import books and magazines for personal use tax-free. A maximum of one musical instrument for personal use may be in your personal luggage.
Prohibited Imports
Food, animal, vegetable and other agricultural products (including fruits, vegetables and plants) and drugs. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the Dominican Republic
Consulate General in Zurich.
Weltpoststrasse 4
Bern
Switzerland
+41 (31) 351 15 85. Consular Section: +41 (31) 351 25 62.
Mon-Fri 10am-4pm.
Embassy of the Dominican Republic
Prinz Eugen Straße 18
Wien
Austria
+43 (1) 505 85 55.
Public: Mon-Fri 09.00-12.00.
Embassy of the Dominican Republic
Consulates General in Frankfurt/M. and Hamburg. Honorary Consulate in Stuttgart.
Cicerostr. 21
Berlin
Germany
+49 (30) 959 98 51 20.
http://www.embajadadominicana.de
http://www.embajadadominicana.de
Mon-Fri 10am-5pm.
Business
Business etiquette
The initial reluctance of local business people is quickly overcome, the atmosphere is generally relaxed. Knowledge of Spanish is an advantage. Hotels can often provide interpreters. Business hours: Mon-Fri 08.30-12.00 and 14.00-18.00. Authorities: Mon-Fri 07.30-14.30.
Business contacts
Cámara de Comercio, Industria y Turismo Dominico-Alemana (AHK) Calle José Gabriel García No. 8, Edificio ASG Dominicana, Apartado Postal 8335, Ciudad Colonial, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Tel. +1 (0)809 688 67 00. Website : dominican republic.ahk.de Cámara de Comercio y Producción de Santo Domingo (Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Avenida 27 de Febrero No. 228, Torre Friusa, Sector La Esperilla 01004 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Tel. +1 (0)809 682 26 88.
Communication
Phone
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the country code for the Dominican Republic is 00809.
Mobile phone
GSM 900/1800, 850/1900, 3G and 4G. Mobile operators include Claro and Altice. Roaming contracts exist. In order to avoid high roaming charges, it may be worth buying a prepaid SIM card locally by presenting your passport.
Internet
Mostly free Wi-Fi is available in restaurants, cafes, major bus stations and hotels in the Dominican Republic.
Post office
Post to Europe takes about a week. Letters are cleared fastest at Santo Domingo’s main post office.
