LUGGAGE TAGS

Your name, c/o Marilyn Pereira;
LaCalle Teodoro Chasereaux #6;
Samana, Dominican Republic
Telephone:  (808) 538-2829 - (829) 342-5234
E-mail address:  yours

LOCATION OF TROPICAL ISLAND BED & BREAKFAST

1. Get off at the last stop of Caribe Tours bus.
2. Catch a "concho" (a little covered wagon pulled by a motorcycle).
3. Tell the chauffeur:

4.  It is a 5-minute ride. Give the concho driver $50 pesos (approximately $1.50 U.S.) each person when you get off.  Do NOT ask him how much just hand him the total amount for all in concho.

Check-in Time:  12:00 Noon -- Check-out Time:  10:30 a.m.

IMMIGRATION/VISA FORMS

These are filled out at the airport upon entering the Dominican Republic.  On the form where it asks for address of where you are residing:
Address and telephone number are the same as for luggage tags.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS:

Telephone available for all calls with use of a "Claro" or Verizon Card bought here in this country.  Cards are available in pharmacy near TIBB.  Cell phone also available for guest use.

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AIRPORT PICKUP & RETURN

For those with airport pick up (Economy, Semi & All-Inclusive plans):

As you come out of Customs, your chauffeur, Rodolfo, will be waiting for you, holding up a sign with your name on it.  IF you do not see him immediately, do not attempt to find him; he will find you.  If your plane is delayed, or you are delayed for a pickup at another location (such as Bethel), the brother will wait for you for as long as it takes.  There is no additional charge for this.  However, tipping is in order as the brother must change his entire schedule for the day or evening when there are delays.

MONEY EXCHANGE

It would be a good idea to change a few dollars into pesos ($35 to $1.00 US) at the money exchange inside the airport.  The rest can be changed another time in Samana.

TIPPING CUSTOMS

For restaurants, it is customary to tip 10%.  The percentages added to the bill in restaurants and hotels are for government taxes; not the tip.

Hotel maids/housekeepers:  50 pesos or $1.50 U.S. a day or more depending on services rendered.

Airporters and skycaps:  at least $15 pesos or 50 cents per bag/suitcase.

Transportation:  For private chauffeuring, depending on the service rendered and the time chauffeur must wait for delays, etc., 10-20% is a fair amount to tip.  For just simple normal regular taxi service, 10% is acceptable.  Because the Dominican Republic is a "third world country" work is scarce and salaries are very low.  For this reason, most persons depend on their tips to support their families.

El Rinconcito” , owned & operated by a brother, “Paul” and his wife serves delicious local cuisine at very reasonable rates & is only a 5-minute ride or 15 minute walk from Tropical Island Bed & Breakfast.

Another very reasonably priced restaurant, which is very popular in Samana is  “Los Chinos”, with international cuisine including Chinese, Dominican & American/Canadian.  Food can be ordered for take-out as well. Los Chinos is only two blocks from TIBB. Nice atmosphere overlooking the town & the sea. |

Two blocks  in the other direction, is a quaint little Italian pizzeria (with ambience!) with excellent real Italian pizza!! 

Around the corner from TIBB is “Supermercado Popular”, also owned by Italians & catering to the gusto of foreigners.

BEVERAGES

To avoid "traveler's diarrhea" it is best to drink only juices that are in a sealed can, carton, or bottle.  Beware of fruit juices or papaya/pineapple shakes sold at street stands or on beaches, as often the water used to make them is contaminated.

LETTUCE, CABBAGE, CELERY

Beware!  From the time you enter the country until you leave - in order to prevent "traveler's diarrhea" it would be wise to stay away from salads with uncooked cabbage, celery, and lettuce.  These are high risk foods for salmonella in tropical countries.

SEAFOOD

 

Caution is also required when ordering seafood due to problems with refrigeration in the country.  Freshly caught and cooked fish on Rincon Beach and Bacardi Island can be trusted.  Ask your host/hostess about restaurants where it is save to order seafood.

EAR PLUGS
 

Tiny tree frogs with powerful little voices sing throughout the night,

They are accompanied by hundreds of chirping little crickets. 

Many who are not accustomed to such a concert find it difficult to sleep without ear-plugs  It would be good to bring along a pair just in case!

Two computers (a laptop & a desktop) are available for guests' use.  For those who would like to use their own laptop, TIBB has a router enabling anyone to connect their computer to the Internet.  Internet cable available in guest rooms.

TIBB has a laundry service.  For a small charge, the housekeeper will wash, dry, fold, and return guest's laundry within 24 hours.

The housekeeper will iron an occasional item, but for the most part, it is best to bring wash and wear clothing since ironing an item is not always possible due to the many electrical cuts throughout the day.  Rooms with air conditioning are an additional $5 U.S. per person per day. 

Electrical cuts throughout the day are common in all parts of the country.  During these times there is no air conditioning.  TIBB, however, does have an inverter system that permits use of overhead fans, TV, lights, etc., during these times.

Hair dryers cannot be used.  However, curling irons are OK.  (This is due to the Trace Inverter / electrical system installed).

Microwave oven available for when there is electricity from the street.  When the house is being run by inverter system, you will be unable to use it.

Mosquitoes are not a big problem.  TIBB has mosquito nets for those who would like them, but generally, the overhead fan is sufficient to keep away any mosquitoes during the night.  For further protection a spray can of OFF is Practical

IMMIGRATION VISA:

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERING DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

New Requirements for Travelers:  http://travel.state.gov

PASSPORT REQUIRED AS OF 23 January 2007

Strictly enforced.  (Passport can be obtained within three weeks of filling out application & submitting  at Post Offices accepting passport applications, if you have birth certificate, photos  & all documents required.  Additional charge for expediting passport).   http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
 

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.requres that by January 1, 2007, travelers to and from the Caribbean have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States.

This is a change from prior travel requirements, and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports.

PRESENT REQUIREMENTS:  www.DomRep.org

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:  In addition to a Passport a tourist card is required, and can be purchased for $10 at consulate or Dominican airports.  Tourist card permits a legal stay of up to 45 days (for longer stays, a tax is merely paid upon departure).

For specific requirements, consult the Embassy of the Dominican Republic, 1715 22nd St NW, Washington DC  20008 (202-332-6280) or nearest Consulate General.

CONSULATE GENERAL
 

ALABAMA

334-342-5648

CALIFORNIA

510-864-7777

FLORIDA

305-375-9537 or 904-346-0909

GEORGIA

404-572-4814

ILLINOIS

847-441-1831

LOUISIANA

504-522-1843

MARYLAND

410-560-2101

MASSACHUSETTS

614-482-8121

MICHIGAN

248-559-0684

MINNESOTA

612-339-7566

NEW YORK

212-768-2480

PENNSYLVANIA

215-923-3006

PUERTO RICO

787-833-4756 or 725-9550

TEXAS

713-266-0165 or 512-224-1345