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provide the
following information
as a value-added service to our
international clients and visitors of this website.
We
make every effort to verify the
reports that are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The readers
assume all risks in using
information
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ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: The U.S. Embassy in the
Dominican Republic strongly recommends that all U.S. citizens traveling to
the Dominican Republic do so on a valid U.S. passport. Although Dominican
law technically allows U.S. citizens to enter the country on other proof of
U.S. citizenship (U.S. birth certificate, Naturalization Certificate, etc.)
along with a photo ID, numerous U.S. travelers have been prohibited from
departing the Dominican Republic on such documents. In these cases,
Dominican Immigration has required the travelers to obtain a U.S. passport
from the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo. Obtaining a U.S. passport may take
up to 10 business days and requires documents that most tourists do not
carry, thus potentially delaying the traveler's return to the United States.
IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION: Effective
January 23, 2007, all U.S. citizens traveling by air
to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada are required
to have a valid passport to enter or re-enter the United States. As early as
January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the United States and the
Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada by land or
sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid
U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland
Security. American citizens can visit travel.state.gov or call
1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) for information on applying for a passport.
For further information concerning entry and exit requirements, travelers
may contact the Embassy of the Dominican Republic at 1715 22nd St. N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 332-6280. There are also Dominican
consulates in Boston, Chicago (Northfield, IL), Mayaguez, Miami, New
Orleans, New York, and San Juan. Visit the Embassy of the Dominican
Republic web site at http://www.domrep.org
for the most current visa information.
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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:
Medical care is limited, especially outside Santo Domingo, and the
quality of care varies widely among facilities. There is an emergency 911
service within Santo Domingo, but its reliability is questionable. Outside
the capital, emergency services range from extremely limited to
nonexistent. Blood supplies at both public and private hospitals are often
limited, and not all facilities have blood on hand even for emergencies.
Many medical facilities throughout the country do not have staff members who
speak or understand English. A private nationwide ambulance service, ProMed,
operates in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata and La Romana; Telephone
number is 809-548-7200. ProMed expects full payment at the time of
transport. The U.S. Embassy maintains a non-comprehensive list of providers
of medical care in the Dominican Republic, which can be found at the
following link:
http://www.usemb.gov.do/Consular/ACS/medical_assistance-e.htm.
Tap water is unsafe to drink and should be avoided. Bottled water and
beverages are safe.
Dengue: During the period from June 25, 2006
through July 29, 2006, the Dominican Minister of Health documented 1,800
cases of dengue in the Dominican Republic. To reduce the risk of
contracting dengue, the CDC recommends wearing clothing that exposes as
little skin as possible and applying a repellent containing the insecticide
DEET (concentration 30 to 35 percent) or Picaridin (concentration 20 percent
or greater for tropical travelers). Because of the increased risk of dengue
fever and the ongoing risk of malaria in the Dominican Republic (see below),
practicing preventative measures is recommended by the CDC.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe
food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international
travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747)
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MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly
urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to
traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and
whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living
or traveling in the Dominican Republic are encouraged to register with the
nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the
State Department’s travel
registration web site, and to obtain updated information on travel and
security within the Dominican Republic.
Americans withoutInternet access may register directly with the nearest U.S.
Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for
the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The Consular
Section of the U.S. Embassy is located at the corner of Calle César Nicolás
Penson and Avenida Máximo Gómez. The American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit
can be reached by telephone at 809-731-4294, or via the Internet at
http://www.usemb.gov.do/Consular/ACS/acs-e-contact.htm. ACS+ Unit
office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on
U.S. and Dominican holidays. The Chancery of the U.S. Embassy is located a
half-mile away from the Consular Section, at the corner of Calle César
Nicolás Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro. The telephone number is
809-221-2171.
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We
at Sunburst International Risk Management
are committed to keeping international
travelers and businesses informed about worldwide
travel alerts, travel
medical advisories, Passport & Visa Requirements
as well as
global safety & security risks with current and reliable
international safety & security news briefs that are updated frequently on
our website.
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international travelers a trusted source for
global risk management consulting services and superior
global emergency travel assistance including international emergency medical
evacuation, embassy and consular referrals, bail bond assistance, unique
worldwide insurance protection.
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