does it cost to enter DR

In a few weeks I visit the DR with my wife and two teenage boys, I've already got the entry visa's, I've heard that there is also a charge made to get in and get out of the country as well as the visa. Is this true? I'd also be grateful of any advise to help make this our holiday of a lifetime. We are staying in Luperon, what do I need to take apart from the snorkeling equipment? Is there anything the locals like but can't get except at enormous expense.

I assume you have ourchased the $10.00 (USD) Tourist card to which you refer. That is the only entry fee, you will also be charged for a $10.00 departure stamp when you check in for departure from the country

Enjoy

Tom

Tom,

The $10.00 departure "tax" is to be paid in US cash only, is this correct?

Mark

Yes $10.00 US cash ONLY!!!!

According to the news (click below), the departure tax can be paid in Dominican Pesos or US Dollars.

Jim Hinsch JimHinsch@CSI.COM

It's only $10 to enter DR ? When I went in 1990, everyone on the bus had to pay $20 US....I guess that's why the airport is so nice now in Puerto Plata...from what I've heard ! Then again, the people who went recently never been before. It was a little shack when I went there.

The cost of the departure tax is US$10 (or equivalent in Dominican Pesos) at 3 of the international airports (Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana) and US$15 (US$10 departure tax plus US$5 airport fee) at La Romana. I'd say that the Santo Domingo airport AILA is equal in quality to the airport in Puerto Plata. Both put some of our USA airports to shame (JFK comes to mind as one of our worst).

US citizens do not need a visa to enter the DR. Just a tourist card, which costs US$10 and can be quickly purchased on arrival just before going through immigration but is also available at the ticket counters in Newark and JFK and at or near (the location changes) the gate or at the ticket counter in Miami.

The US$10 departure tax is paid at check-in on Continental flights and at the gate on American Airlines flights departing the Dominican Republic.

Jim Hinsch JimHinsch@CSI.COM

Diane

When you say "On the bus," are you referring to a tour bus from your plane? If so, did they possibly collect the arrival and departure fee?

Tom

Thanks to all for the info, at least I now know that I have to keep$80 back so we can get on the plane to come home, I wonder if they make us stay there if we spend up!

So there are 8 of you? That's almost a baseball team.

If you run out of money, a fool-proof alternative to ATM machines, which will leave you in a tough spot if for some reason it decides to keep your card and not issue any money, is to walk into any bank, see a desk person, show them a Visa or Mastercard, and receive a cash advance.

Jim Hinsch JimHinsch@CSI.COM