TOURISTS IN SANTO DOMINGO

You are planning a trip to the Dominican Republic
and would like some advice?

Here is some information and tips for your stay:

1) The Dominican time is an opinion

If they give you an appointment at 10:00, you know that you may have to wait until noon. Consequently, when you make the appointment, it is very useful to specify whether the time is "Dominican time" or "gringo time", a precise time to the minute.

2) On public transportation (guagua) or a taxi, there is always room for one more person:
If you decide to take public transportation (guagua) or a taxi, you should know that there is no limit to the number of passengers.
Even when you think that there is no more room, you will see that the driver will continue to stop to load people. Even if it means hanging outside the door or on the roof, there is always room for one more passenger!

3) Beware of the motoconcho (motorcycle taxi):

The most frequently used means of transportation are motorbikes, but they are not used very differently from their four-wheeled cousin!

Just the same, there is no limit on the number of passengers or the type of cargo. Always negotiate the price beforehand to avoid arguments later.

4) Payments in "mint":
All types of candy are "mint" calls!
They are a form of currency, so if you go in a "colmado" (shop that sells a bit 'of everything) or a grocery store, and they don't have 5 pesos in change, they will give it to you in candy.
Get used to it, "the mint" are a form of currency!

5) Traffic and "music":
If you happen to be stuck in traffic you can blow your horn as much as you want!

This does not mean that you will unlock traffic, considering that you can not hear your own horn because everyone is using them. But if you want to try this experience, honk at will!

6) The rules of the road:

Often here the rules for traffic depend on the day and the fun lies in the fact that you respect them as you please.

The signs that say "no turn", for example, seem to have been made for decoration only. 

Just like those who say "one way" or "do not park on the sidewalk."

The Constitutional 175-05 clause reads as follows: "the rules have to be respected if at that given day the rule can serve."

A  progressive society!

7) When a girl claims to be 18 years old, do not believe her
The Dominican girls are very attractive and it is not difficult to run into a minor.
But laws on pedophilia exist here too.
Learn the phrase "muestrame tu cedula" (let me see your identity card) and, when you've seen it and confirmed the age, then you can have peace of mind.

8) Dominicans do not have umbrellas:

The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean island where it rains almost daily.

But you will be surprised to know that most Dominicans do not use umbrellas or raincoats.

Some ladies have an umbrella, but I mostly use it to protect themselves from the sun.

In the capital, Santo Domingo, we have seen an umbrella salesman on the street put a plastic bag on his head when it started raining! 

9) The vendors selling everything:
You've looked for something in the most expensive malls in the city, but you are not satisfied? No problem, try to do some shopping on the streets.
You need a puppy dog, a bottle of rum, cigars? You suffer from kidney problems and are looking for a new pair of kidneys?
It sounds strange, but the hawkers can find anything, give him 5 minutes and you will see!

10) Se fue la luz! (the lights went out!)

Get used to it, because in many parts of the country the light suddenly disappears and the blackout can last for hours.

Always carry a flashlight with you!

11) Bribes:
There are countries where the bribes do not work, for everything else there is the Dominican Republic!

                                                               Other information:

To get to Las Galeras from Santo domingo line coach Caribe Tours, 27 de Febrero corner Leopoldo Navarro, every day at 8-10 am from 2.30 to 4.30 pm, up to Samana, Las Galeras guagua then every 15 minutes , last at 6 pm.
Or minibus from the bus stop to Samana in calle Barahona (behind Plaza Lama on Calle Duarte) to 7.12 am and 3 pm directly to Las Galeras.

A bit of history
Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic, and was the first Spanish Colony in the New World.
The city has a metropolitan area with a population of 2,850,320 inhabitants. The original design of the city is visible today in the Colonial Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are still some sixteenth-century buildings, that are among the oldest in the Americas, including the first administrative offices and the first cathedral of the New World.
In 1586 the English pirate Francis Drake invaded the entire island of Hispaniola, razing the city and freeing it only after payment of a ransom.
In 1655 the French invaded the southwest of the island, and part of the island controlled by the Spaniards was reduced by more than half.
In 1822 the Haitians, under the leadership of Jean Pierre Boyer, invaded the island and conquered it completely.
But 22 years later, after hard struggles, Dominicans were able to regain their independence.

                                                           

You can see 500 years of history of this city in 45 minutes, comfortably seated on the little train "Chu Chu Colonial"

  For more information: www.chuchucolonial.com

 Gift shop Franco y Barbara

 Las Galeras-Samanà

 Dominican Republic

n.115 cm. 76x101
semi-gloss on canvas

SEASON 2015 \ 2016

We are ready for the new season 2015 - 2016, with many new features and lots of information to help you make your trip to Las Galeras, Samanà in the Caribbean!

Looking for information, tips and tricks to better enjoy the Dominican Republic?
Or looking for souvenirs, arts and crafts, cigars, rum or Mamajuana,
beach towels, pareos, jewelery, silver, amber or larimar?

Come visit us, we're expecting you

READY TO LEAVE ?

Are you ready to start? Las Galeras Samana 'of course! 

We are, after the summer break, we are ready to tell you about new adventures, help you on your trip to the Dominican Republic, give small travel tips and news. 

But especially welcome in our GIFT SHOP offering you the very best of the island of Hispaniola. 

After spending the summer between Haiti and Italy, we returned home with new paintings of Haitian painters, new wooden statues, sculptors Dominicans and new recycled iron sculptures of Haitian artists. 

In addition, we have deepened our experience with the art of macrame, developing new ideas bijotteria, combining the Larimar stone.

TOURISTS IN SANTO DOMINGO

Are you planning a trip to the Dominican Republic, and would like some advice? Here is some information and tips for your stay in the Dominican Republic:

1) The Dominican time is an opinion. If you make an appointment at 10:00, you know you could wait until noon. For this reason, at the time to agree, it is very useful to specify if the time is "Dominican time" or time to "gringo", a time exactly to the minute.

2) On a bus (public) or a taxi, there is always room for one more person. If you decide to move around by public transportation (guagua) or a taxi, you should know that there is no limit to the number of passengers. Even when you think that there are not more, you will see that the driver will continue to load to stop people. Even if it is to hang out the door or on the roof, there's always room for one more person!

3) Goats, chickens, fish freshly caught any kind of animal can get into public transport. Of course, the fact that they can go up is annoying in itself, but at least you can pay them to carry!

4) Beware of motoconcho! The media used are more bikes, but are not used very differently from a family with four wheels! The motoconcho are motorcycle taxi. Also in this case there is no limit on the number of passengers or the type of transport. Negotiate the price first ever, to avoid arguments later.

5) Payments in Mint: all kinds of candy are called mint! They are a form of currency, so if you go into a Colmada (shop selling a bit 'of everything) to the grocery store, instead you happen to have your 5 pesos to rest, will give you the rest in candy. Get used to it, the mint are a form of currency!

6) Traffic and "music": If you happen to block you in traffic, in the Dominican Republic, you can play the horn and as much as you want!
This does not mean that you will unlock the traffic, whereas you can not hear your horn because everyone is using them, but if you want to try this experience, you can play at your leisure!

7) The rules of the road: often here the rules for the movement depends on the day, and the fun is that you can follow them at your leisure. The signs that say "no U-turn", for example, appear to have been made just for decoration. Just like those who say "one way" or "do not park on the sidewalk."
The constitutional clause 175-05 reads as follows: "the rules have to be respected if at that day, the rule can serve." A progressive company!

8) When a girl says you are 18, do not take it in word and ask the Cedula (ID card)! The Dominican girls are very attractive and it's not hard to run into a minor. But the laws on pedophilia exist here as well. Learn this phrase "cedula mostrame you?" and, if you've the show, then you can rest assured.

9) If you ask the color of a particular object, you will find yourself in unknown colors: Jiabao, Indio, Trigueno, Blanco Oscuro Casi Negro, No Negro, Blanco claro, Moreno, Prieto. Some of these names are almost inexplicable (what's lighter than white?).

10) The Dominicans do not have umbrellas: The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean island, where it rains almost every day. But you will be surprised to know that most Dominicans do not use umbrellas or raincoats. Some ladies have an umbrella, but use it mainly to protect themselves from the sun. In the capital, Santo Domingo, we have seen a seller of umbrellas on the street when it started raining you put a plastic bag on his head!

11) The vendors sell everything've looked for something in the most expensive malls in the city, but you're not satisfied? No problem, try shopping in the streets.
Event Venues need a puppy dog, a bottle of rum, cigars? Do you suffer from kidney problems and are looking for a new pair of kidneys? It sounds strange but the vendors can find anything, give it 5 minutes and you will see!

12) The Dominicans have long names: Usually four to five. This seems unnecessary for the typical Mr. Smith, but finally a Dominicanismo that makes sense! Not to be confused Dominicans have many nicknames. It seems impossible to remember the name of Juan Jose Sanchez de la Cruz y Duarte? Just call him "El Cuco" And 'the creative effort of giving nicknames: "El Chino" (Chinese), "El Negro" (black), "El Prieto" (true black), "El Gordo" (fat) and "El Flaco "(skinny)!

13) se fue la luz! (It went off the light!) Get into the habit, because in many parts of the country the light suddenly disappears and the blackout could also last for hours. Keep a flashlight with you!

14) Tangent: There are countries where bribes do not work, for everything else there's the Dominican Republic!

                                                                    More information

Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic, and was the first Spanish Colony in the New World.
The city has a metropolitan area with a population of 2,850,320 inhabitants. The original design of the city is now visible in the Colonial Zone, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
There are still buildings of the sixteenth century, one of the oldest in the Americas, including the first administrative offices and the first cathedral in the New World.

In 1586 the English pirate Francis Drake invaded the entire island of Hispaniola, razing the city and freeing it only after payment of a ransom.
In 1655 the French invaded the south-west of the island, and the Spanish-controlled part of the island was reduced by more than half.
In 1822, Haitians, under the leadership of Jean Pierre Boyer, invaded and conquered the island entirely.
But 22 years later, after hard struggles, Dominicans were able to regain their independence.

You can see 500 years of history of this city in 45 minutes, sitting comfortably on Chu Chu Colonial train. For more information: www.chuchucolonial.com