4 PERSONS • 2 BEDROOMS • 1 BATHROOM + 1 WC • LIVING-ROOM & KITCHEN • 68 m2 • SWIMMING-POOL, TERRACE

Our house is located in Punta Cana, the best area of the Dominican Republic, in the exclusive housing estate “The Golf Suites”, included in the “Cocotal Golf & Country Club”, one the best Caribbean golf courses.

Located close to the wonderful and huge Bávaro’s Beach, the housing estate is perfectly integrated in the environment, with lakes, big and small green areas and some smart two-storey buildings in colonial style with only 12 apartments each.

Ours is located on the second floor, and its terrace overlooks the gardens and the golf course thus providing it some fantastic views. Furnished in Caribbean style and with first-class materials, it is provided with all the comforts you may need (sheets, bedspreads, towels, household goods...), including air conditioning, and ceiling fans.

The housing development is private, and has a superb beach at only a few steps, with all the services you may desire: several swimming-pools, one with barbecue restaurant; Golf course with restaurant; supermarket; spa; gymnasium; private security 24hours a day.

Undoubtedly, it is an ideal way to enjoy the Caribbean paradise at your own way, without travel packages and organized trips, and with all the amenities you require when you are spending your holiday.

THE AREA
The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean country located on “La Española” island (which they share with Haiti), the second biggest island of the West Indies archipelago, between Cuba and Puerto Rico. In the Indian Taíno’s language, it is called “Quisqueya”, which means “mother of all the lands”.

The most famous and touristic area is Punta Cana, on the Eastern point of the island, with its own airport, some beaches which are the considered as the best of the world and all the services. But if you indeed want to discover every bit of this wonderful island, there are many places you ought to visit.

Remember that La Española was the very first America’s region discovered by Columbus, so you’ll be able to walk through the first streets, the first hospital, the first university and the first asphalted road that ever existed in the New World. To start with Santo Domingo de Guzmán, founded in 1496, with its colonial area declared World Heritage by UNESCO.

You can also climb up the highest mountain of the Caribbean or discover some unique places such as Samaná, one of the most beautiful spot, the ideal place for diving and observing the mating of whales. Barahona offers the biggest biodiversity, with some beautiful places and unspoilt beaches. And very close to La Romana is Altos de Chavón, a village that recreates an old Mediterranean village of the sixteenth century.

But apart from all these privileged sports and paradisiacal beaches, it is also good to get to know the popular traditions, such as Carnival, the “merengue” dance, and its very rich gastronomy, which has Taina, European and African influences.

ACTIVITIES
In the Dominican Republic, apart from making cultural visits and enjoying paradisiacal beaches, you can also practice any kind of sports and activities.

In the estate itself, you have at your disposal the Cocotal Golf & Country Club, one of the best Caribbean professional golf courses, with 27 holes.

On the coast you can practice any aquatic sport: diving, sailing, windsurf, kitesurf, and whale sighting...

Inland and in the open spaces, you can do hill walking, horse riding, quad bikes, river descent in canoe...

All these activities can be purchased in any hotel or commercial establishment within the estate, or from the persons that will offer them to you on the Beach (in this case, the price will be lower).

ADVICE
Entry and exit requirements
For the Spanish people and the majority of the European citizens, it is not necessary to have a visa for travelling to the Dominican Republic, thus you’ll need a Tourist Card (apart from the passport). This card has to be paid at the customs post, and it costs 10 US$. It is valid for 30 days. If you stay longer, then you’ll have to pay an extra charge proportional to the exceeded number of days.

To get out of the country, you have to pay 20 US$. Some Airlines (such as Iberia or Air Europa) already include this exit tax in the ticket price, please check with your air company. One suggestion: remember to take with you these 30 US$, as otherwise you will have to change the money at the customs and their fee is very high.

Currency
The official currency is the Dominican peso, thus we recommend you to take some US dollars with you in order to pay the entry and exit taxes, or any activity or excursion. If you pay in euro, they will charge you the same price as in US dollars, which mean you’ll be paying a higher price.

Climate
The climate is tropical warm, with an average intermediate annual temperature of 28ºC. The rainy season is from May to June and the hurricane season, from June to September.

Voltage
The Dominican electric voltage is 110V/60Hz and flat plugs, so you will need a transformer and a plug adapter.

Health
Always drink bottled water! The whole Health system is private and very expensive, so bear in mind it is better to have a medical insurance that covers you while you are staying in the country. No special vaccine is compulsory to travel to the Dominican Republic.

Shopping
The most recommendable is amber and larimar (a blue stone typical of the Dominican Republic), the local precious stones, wood carving, cigars, rum, coffee, pottery, Taino’s native art, Creole dolls... It is better to haggle and to ask for the price before purchasing it.

Food
Large variety of fishes and sea food, Creole food, meats, vegetables and fresh fruit juices, rum, piña colada and cubalibre.... And typical dishes such as "la bandera", "sancocho", "asopao", and the "locrio".