Homesdr.com - ABC\'s of the Dominican Republic - Real Estate - Investment - Homes - Villa - Hotels - Property - For Sale

AIRPORTS
The Dominican Republic has several international airports. East of Santo Domingo is Las Americas International and in the city is La Isabela.

For destinations on the North coast, people generally fly into PUERTO PLATA Airport named Gregorio Luperon which is located just 11 miles East of Puerto Plata. Punta Cana. Another popular connection for U.S. travelers is to the international airport Santiago de los Caballeros, however some of those flights arrive in the middle of the night to early mornings. Since the beginning of 2007 the international airport EL CATEY in Samana has opened but not operating to its full capacity yet. As of 2008 there will be more airlines flying to El Catey which will make it so nice for arrivals going to Samana and Cabrera. El Catey is close to one hour East of Cabrera and the roads are narrow but in pretty good conditon. All of these airport locations help facilitate and ease your traveling plans wether you visit to investigate investment possibilities or wanting to vacation on one of the North coast of the Dominican Republics beautiful sandy beaches.

BRUGAL, BARCELO AND BERMUDEZ
These are the three biggest RUM factories in the Dominican Republic. Rum is the national drink of the Dominican Republic. The most known drink is the "Cuba Libre". This is rum, coca cola and a slice of limon.

BEACHES
The Dominican Republic's beaches are widely celebrated as being among the world's best, and for good reason. Here, more than 1,000 miles of golden sugar-colored sand is gently lapped by warm waters so clear and blue one has to see to believe. Depending on location, the beaches offer a gentle lullaby for an oceanside nap or enough wind to keep a Technicolor kiteboard adrift.
Our favorites for a relaxing beach holiday are Playa Grande, El Caleton, La Entrada and Diamante Beach. Property and beautiful tropical caribbean homes available for rent and for sale in the area.
All 4 are just minutes from Cabrera.

Super fine white sand sprinkled with coconut palm trees line the coast while golden sand defines the beaches of the north coast. Some of these areas are populated with resorts featuring a full array of watersports, food vendors, people watching and other activities. While others take visitors to another world of pristine tranquility with peaceful, uninhabited beaches, here, the only intrusions are a towering coconut palm and the swaying breeze. Great opportunities for investments are still available at very reasonable prices.

CLOTHING
Light weight sports clothing and casual dress is recommended unless you are going to the mountain regions. (Bring a sweater)

COFFEE
Coffee is grown in the Bani and Cibao Altura area of the Dominican Republic, and is known for its full body, low acidity and rich flavor. The economical price of coffee makes it an ideal gift/souvenir to bring home. The most popular brand is the white bagged Santo Domingo brand. Can you picture yourself sitting on your terrace of your beach home sipping on a fresh cup while the sun comes up....

CURRENCY
The national currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso. In the tourist areas you can also pay with American Dollars as well as travelers checks. The ex-change rate at this moment is 33 pesos for 1 US$. (Jan. 2008)
Credit cards like MasterCard, VISA and Eurocard are accepted in most mid-sized businesses nationwide or go to about any bank and use the ATM machine.

CLIMATE
The Dominican Republic, also know as Hispanola is hot and tropical, with little seasonal variation in temperatures, which average about 80°F (27°C). Seasons can, however, be determined by rainfall, with November to January being the rainy season on the north coast, while May to November is the wettest month in the south of the country. From Sosua to Cabrera we are surrounded by mountain ranges and we receive the trade winds from the East for a perfect climate.

DIVING
Whether you're an experienced diver, or just beginning, you're bound to enjoy underwater exploration, either snorkeling or diving in the reef areas found off the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Prestine diving in Rio San Juan just a short distance by boat thru Gri Gri Lagoon and out the mouth of the ocean. You can see a spectacular array of colorful marine life in these incredibly clear waters. In some areas, you can dive to underwater caves or shipwrecks that have been at the bottom of the sea for hundreds of years.
How about a tropical vacation home here where you can go out and enjoy some of lifes' pleasures.

ELECTRICITY
Generally the electricity operates at 110 Volts/60 Hertz (like in North America) but voltage irregularities can be quite common in the Dominican Republic - sometimes providing less, sometimes providing surges of far more. For this reason, expensive appliances and computers should have surge protection if they are going to be used here. Appliances from countries that use more voltage, for example, 220 volts, will require converters or adapters.
This is something to think about and plan for when building your dream home on this tropical island and not to fear most home rentals and hotels have surge protectors to protect your computers.

FRUITS

Cultivated by the Taino before the European arrived were pineapples, papaya, tobacco and peppers. Mango's, bananas, coffee and sugar cane arrived after the arrival of the Spaniards. The different climate zones are responsible for the variety of local fruits. In the Cabrera area you can go to the little fruit stands on the road and buy fresh everyday!

GOLF
The Dominican Republic has some of the most beautiful golf courses in the Dominican Republic. Located in Rio San Juan on the north coast, also called the "Amber Coast" of the Dominican Republic, Playa Grande Golf Course is a Robert Trent Jones 18-hole golf course that some say is the class of the Dominican Republic. It has ocean views on every hole and 10 holes run along the shore. Soon you will be able to invest on an exclusive leisure intergrated residential resort on 790 hectares along one of the most spectacular beaches in the Dominican Republic

JEWELRY
The most popular pieces are the ones that incorporate either Larimar or Amber , both of which are mined in the Dominican Republic. Larimar, unique to the Dominican Republic, is mined in a volcanic mountain range in the south of the country and is polished to bring out its varied shades of turquoise blue and green, beautifully matching the colours of the sea. Amber is the bronzy, orange-hued resin that has hardened after millions of years. Amber is quite prevalent in the Dominican Republic. The most prized, and therefore costly pieces, incorporate fossils of small plants or insects that collected in the resin before it hardened, called 'inclusions'. Pricing of jewelry items incorporating Larimar or Amber varies depending on the type/quality/size of the piece, the type of metal used, and the design. The specialty jewelry and gift shops offer more high quality products, incorporating the real gems/stones, silver or gold, at accordingly higher prices. A great gift to remind you of the piece of tropical paradise you left behind till your next stay.

MUSIC
The most popular form of music in the Dominican Republic is called Merengue The Merengue is easily identified by its unique beat pattern of 2/2 and 2/4 time. The sound combines a mixture of African and European elements and is created predominantly through a three-piece band consisting of a melodeon (accordion-like instrument), a aguira (cheese grater-looking instrument that is scraped), and a tambora (double-headed drum). This is the music you'll see the Dominican people dancing to in bars, and listening, as well as singing to, in their cars, businesses and homes. Couples dancing merengue is somewhat of a practiced art and many Dominicans are more than happy to teach this exciting dance to anyone willing to learn.
The other national music, especially popular in the countryside or more rural regions of the Dominican Republic, is Bachata . This is music with a more melancholy beat and 4/4 time, and it talks mostly about life in the country and relationships between men and women.
Bachata is a popular guitar music from the Dominican Republic. Nowadays it is also very successful among the Latinos in the United States. Bachata grew over a period of 40 years. It started in the bars of Santo Domingo, but the rest of the country did not accept this music until about ten years ago.
Borracho de amor and Que sera de mi from Jose Manuel Calderon are the first Bachatga singles recorded in 1961.
Bachata is a variant of the Bolero and in the beginning it was referred to as Bolero Campesino.The last decade the Bachata became more popular and now there are a lot of famous Bachata singers like Raulin Rodriguez, Zacarias Ferreira, Monchy and Alexandra and Joe Veras. Come and enjoy the steady stream of sweet melancholic music playing on the streets and the square of Cabrera. One of the small pleasures why you will fall in love with the sentimental appeal of Cabrera on the North coast of the Dominican Republic just 1 1/2 hour West of Samana.

PASSPORT/VISA REQUIREMENTS
These requirements are subject to change. Check with the embassy or consulate in your home country before you depart.
Canadian citizens: A passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of departure, a return or onward ticket, and a tourist card are required for visits of up to 60 days.
EU citizens: A passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of departure, a return or onward ticket, and a tourist card are required for visits of up to 60 or 90 days.
U.S. citizens: A passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of departure, a return or onward ticket, and a tourist card are required for visits of up to 60 days.
Others: Nationals of countries not listed above may or may not require a visa; check with the nearest Dominican Republic embassy or consulate for further details about entry requirements.
Note: Tourist cards may be purchased upon arrival or from a Dominican Republic consulate in one's home country. Some airlines include the tourist card in the price of their tickets.

PROPERTY PURCHASES
Real Estate Ownership in the Dominican Republic made simple:
Due diligence is followed by Patricia Gorden Associates to guarantee the complete Real Estate transaction for you. There are several steps to go thru, and we make sure all aspects are handled properly. From preliminary footprints to the completed legal transaction, we are there with you in every step. Researching the Title Certification, insuring the property's legal standing, your secured investment and all required procedures are handled by us.
Choices of projects to invest into, from small to medium parcels, even large and humungous properties. Vacation homes, income properties, condominiums and other Real Estate investments. Size doesn't matter, what is important to you is our focus!
Come to enjoy our Caribbean lifestyle on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. This Unspoiled Paradise Island is a dream come true!

RELIGION
Catholicism is the official religion of the country, however, the Dominican Constitution provides for freedom of creed. Other religions actively worshiped are the Protestant, Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist, and Mormon.

TREES
Mahogany, Dominican Magnolia, Bija, Mammon tree.Tree ferns, bromeliad, orchids, creolear pine trees, cacti, flamboyant, royal, cane, guano, cocopalms and yarey palms. All or some of these are standing on properties everywhere in the Cabrera area.
Swamp areas such as Gri Gri Lagoon, near Bahia Blanca in Rio San Juan are dominated with mangroves.

WEDDINGS
The Dominican Republic is the ideal place to celebrate your wedding. Surrounded by palm trees, sunshine, warm turquoise ocean and tropical flowers, live music, you will find the perfect balance between privacy and a friendly atmosphere.
You will need two witnesses holding valid passports who can be travelling with you or you can ask local hotel staff to witness your wedding.
The following documents are required to get married in the Dominican Republic. Note that legal transcripts of birth certificates, single status affidavits and divorce certificates need to be prepared in the country where the documents were issued.

1. Original birth certificates. Send two photocopies.
2. Valid and signed passports. Send two photocopies of the main page.
3. Notarized Statutory Declarations of Single Status done according to the sample. Bring or send one original and one photocopy. Please see attached sample of a Statutory Declaration of Single Status.
4. Divorce certificate or death certificate (if applicable). Send original or notarized photocopy and two simple photocopies. In both cases, a minimum waiting period of ten months applies before a woman can remarry.
The 3rd and 4th documents are translated and legalized by the Dominican Republic Consulate. The birth certificates have to be translated into Spanish as well.

Real Estate in the Dominican Republic
Real Estate Listings for Sosua, Cabarete, Rio San Juan, Abreu, Cabrera, Nagua, and Samana
Dominican Republic Investment Real Estate and Rentals
Real Estate Agency owned and operated by Patricia Gorden
Oceanfront, Ocean view and Beachfront property for sale on the Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic