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Dominican Republic Real Estate

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The Caribbean island Hispaniola, which belongs to the Great Antilles, is divided into the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Two thirds of the area are the Dominican Republic (48.734 km2 , 8 million habitants ).

In the north The island verges the Atlantic ocean and in the south it borders the Caribbean. Eighty percent of the island is mountainous with hills up to 3000 m. The highest mountain reaches 3.175 m its Pico Duarte.
Columbus discovered the island in 1492, looking for a seaway to India.

The settling of the vice king of Spain made the island the center of the Spanish culture in America.

In 1697 the island was shared between the french colony and the Spanish colony of Santo Domingo. Since 1844 the Dominican Republic is independent.

Cabarete

The Caribbean Eldorado for windsurfers. The predominant Trade winds ) side shore, from 4 to 6 Beaufort) and reef waves up to 5 meters ) 800 meters out of the bay) increasers the heartbeat of all surfers. The village is 10 km from Sosua. The several kilometers covering beach invites to a ride on horseback. Cabarete offers a lot of Restaurants and Bars.

 

Days with wind over 4 Beaufort

Jan	Feb	Mr	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
18	20	20	21	17	20	22	22	19	18	15	16

 

Sosua

The village is east of the International Airport 15 km and 25 of Puerto Plata, it was founded in 1938 by 500 Jewish settlers. Sosua is known over the island for its milk and meat products. The village character is shaped by international Restaurants, coffee shops, also Several international schools, German butchers and bakers are to be found. German and English newspapers and broadcasting is available. The old part of Sosua called the Charamicos, where the original live of the Dominicans takes place, one can enjoy here the hot music like merengue, bachata and salsa.

 

Puerto Plata

When in 1492 Columbus, full of admiration discovered the beautiful silver glowing sea at the north coast, he baptized the place Puerto Plata (silver harbour). West of the town are the rests of a fort built in1540 Fort San Felipe. Majestically rises the mountain of Isabel de Torres up to 800m. The sugarcane imported by Columbus in 1493 was planted first time on the island in Puerto Plata. Nowadays we have wonderful Hotel resorts and an eighteen hole golf course, the Robert Trent Jones course.

Santiago

This capital of the Cibao valley is 80 km from Sosua heading the center of the island. Travelling there, you cross two chains of mountains. In the main street shops and supermarkets you can find all you need for living. Santiago de los Caballeros, so the full name is the second capital of the Dominican Republic. Bartolome Colon founded the town in 1504 at the site of the Jaragua village.

Santo Domingo

The capital at the south coast with 2,5 mil. inhabitants, was constructed at the end of 15th century by Bartolome Colon, brother of Christopher Columbus. The city with numerous historical buildings has a pulsating city live. Worth to be seen are the aquarium, the archducal cathedral, first in America, called Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Encarnacion, the Columbus Park, the colonial quarter and much more. Easy to reach are the beaches of La Romana, Boca Chica, Barhona and Saona.

Form of Government

The Dominican Republic has a very similar form of government as the USA, composed of two big parties. Elections take place every four years (the former president Balguer, had been elected 7 times) The new president is Dr. Leonel Fernandez (PLD). He took over 16th of August 2004 for four years. Specially the middle class hopes for a positive development in the Dominican Republic under his government.
HOMEPAGE of the actual government

The country is under protection of the USA, who in the course of Dominican history intervened twice.

Currency

Monetary unit is the Dominican Peso (100 cents). Import- and export of pesos is not allowed. Foreign currencies can be imported illimitably. As credit cards exclusive are used VISA, Eurocard, Mastercard and American Express

Actual Exchange rates of central Bank: US Dollar to Dominican Pesos

Traffic and private transportation

The traffic is right hand. The traffic network connects the main cities, supplemented by air traffic. Taxis are called publicos and you share with other travellers. In the cities you have buses, mostly crowded. Taxis can be flagged everywhere, the average fare is min. 30 US $ per day. Insurance included mileage unlimited.

Fares:
Public means of transport as the guagua (mini bus) and taxi publico ( the ones you share with other travellers) charge 10 pesos. Range between 30 to 50 km. Same price goes for motoconcho (motorbikes) used preferably for one to three km. (At night or Holiday the double price applies.

Tip! - Never ask for the fare, have the exact amount ready. If you are looked at as a tourist who ignores the fare you might be charged with several times the fare.

Caribe Tours goes several times a day with luxury buses) TV, Toillet, Air condition, drinks served) to Santiago, Santo Domingo and other cities. The fare to Santo Domingo is 100 RD $.

Insurances

covering medicine doctors, medicines, hospital charges in the Dominican republic are to be policed in the country. The monthly charge for a family ,2 children - is about 1000 RD $ (60 USD)
Medical doctors dentists clinics

An outstanding amount of high qualified medical doctors available day and night. In Sosua you find several dentists, there is also a German speaking MD's doctor. With three clinics, Sosua covers the requirements. For medical services you pay cash immediately.

Cost of living

Following prices are just for orientation, average prices of several leading supermarkets.

Article	Weight	USD		Article	Weight	USD
European Bread	500 gr	1,8		Marlboro Cigarettes	1 Packet	1,50
National Bread	500 gr	0,4		National Cigarettes	1 Packet	1,20
Butter	500 gr	2,1		Levis Jeans	1	50
Milk	1 Liter	1		No Name Jeans	1	15
Eggs	12	1.1
Cheese domestic	500 gr	3,0		Satellite-receiver	1	2000
Cheese imported	500 gr	4,5
Sugar	1 kg	0,6		Gas Normal	1 Liter	0,52
Coffee	500 gr	2,8		Gas Super	1 Liter	0,60
Flour	1 kg	1,1		Diesel	1 Liter	0,34
Rice	1 kg	1,0
Sirloin	1 kg	9,5		Phone Call to Switzerland / Germany	1 Min.	0,9
Pork fillet	1 kg	6,6
Ham	1 kg	8,0
Poultry	1 kg	2,7		Foundation of Company		1500
Salami	1 kg	12,0
Potatoes	1 kg	1,20
Tomatoes	1 kg	2,0		Residency / Visa for 3 years	1 Per.	CA. 2000
Onions	1 kg	1,3
Pineapple	1 unit	0,70
Spaghetti	1 kg	1,3
Olive oil	1 Liter	4,2
Oil	1 Liter	1,7
Drinking water	3,7 Liter	1
Rum national	0,7 Liter	2,8
Beer	0,3 Liter	0,8
Table wine	0,7 Liter	6,0
Coke	1 Liter	0,90

Sport

Tennis

Tennis cracks will find certainly what they look for. Most of the good Hotels dispose of a court. The mild climate and the refreshing breeze from the seaside help to enjoy the sport. Most of the courts dispose of an own floodlight facilities.

Golf

Place	Where	Description	Whole	Status
Playa Dorada Golf Course	close to Puerto Plata	Par 72, flat but demanding champion course By Robert Trent Jones	18	semi private
Camp. de Golf los Mangitos	Costambar, P.Plata	trainings course	9	private
Sosua Mini Golf	Sosua	small course	10	public
Sto. Domingo Country Club	Sto. Domingo	Par 72, 6003 m, good taken care of green, lagoon, surprising doglegs	18	private
San Andres Country Club	30km from Sto. Domingo	Par 36, 3.363 m, easy, nice site	9	semi private
Cayacoa Golf City	10km from Sto. Domingo	Par 72, 3202 m, rural ambiance, many water obstacles By Pete Dye	9	semi private
La Romana Country Club	La Romana, Casa de Campo	Par 72, 6.575 m, Millionairs Club, best taken care of Course, carpet fairways, only for VIPs, no weekends	18	private
The Links	La Romana, Casa de Campo	Par 72, demanding Links Course, by Pete Dye 2 big lakes, several monster bunkers, hardly readable green	18	public
Teeth of the Dog	La Romana, Casa de Campo	Par 72, 6.298 m, I built eleven holes, God seven,- said Pete Dye referring to his masterpiece.  US-Golf Magazine - score 27 of Top 100.	18	public
Juan Dolio Golf Center	Juan Dolio	200 yards training course		public
Costa Azul Golf club	near Cabarete	Trainings course	9	public
Bavaro Golf Club	Higuey	Par 71, 6.136 m, the most difficult and most beautiful Course on the island, many natural obstacles	18	semi private
Bonao Golf Club	Sto. Domingo	Par 72, 1241 m, hilly, tropic vegetation, short run up, by Robert Trent Jones	9	private
Las Aromas, Country Club	Santiago	Par 72, 5.487 m, cunning doglegs, natural obstacles Breathtaking panoramic sight	18	semi private
Lomo de Chivo, Country Club	Samana	Par 72, 634 m, cosy tropical garden, hilly, one of the Country Club shortest Courses in the world	9	public
Playa Grande	close to Rio San Juan	Par 72, 5410 m, on rock coast with fantastic ocean view, by Robert Trent Jones	18	public

Deap sea fishing

Bases for diving are to be found in following sites Bavaro Beach, Bayahibe, Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, La Romana and Punta Cana south of the island. Puerto Plata, Sosua, Luperon, El Portillo, Las Terrenas and Samana north of island. Instructions are according to PADI or DIWA rules and regulations. Diving excursions by boat are 35 US $ to 45 US $ per capita.

Scuba diving

Bases for diving are to be found in following sites Bavaro Beach, Bayahibe, Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, La Romana and Punta Cana south of the island. Puerto Plata, Sosua, Luperon, El Portillo, Las Terrenas and Samana north of island. Instructions are according to PADI or DIWA rules and regulations. Diving excursions by boat are 35 US $ to 45 US $ per capita.

 

Windsurfing

Cabarete, 10 km east of Sosua is the Eldorado of the wind surfers. Annually there are international competitions and regattas. More than 10 surfing schools offer their services equipped with first class material.

Horseback riding

Nearly everywhere you have the possibility to hire a good horse. Most of the bigger Hotels offer excursions on horseback. At the Perla Antillana hippodrome in Santo Domingo you can enjoy the exitement of horse racing on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Saturdays.

Biking

Many Hotels dispose bicycle for there guests. In Cabarete there are organized cross tours to the hills nearby. The Happy Surf club in Cabarete is equipped with first class material for the cross tours.

Wandering

Jarabacoa has become the center of mountain tourism in the central cordillera. In these mountains are the most beautiful trails to be found, leading you up through pine forests along little rivers and waterfalls. Mountaineering is possible up to the 3000 meter tops of the hills. A guide is advisable.

More info at Eco and Adventure Tourism