Leaving the DR- Do we need...

[coppersun2001]

Hi all,
Here is a question for the folks who have just returned from the DR?

With the Canadian dollar reaching new heights.. do we still need to use a $20.00 us to leave the country or can we use a Canadian one??

Also is Canadian money now accepted more readily for exchange or is the American dollar still dominant??
thanks
Copper

[koolkat]

We were there a few weeks ago. The US $ is still a bit stronger by a peso or two compared to the Canadian $, but when we first got there in late Dec., the Canadian $ was worth more. The DR peso ranged between 32-33.75 per $1 USD, and CAD was only a peso or two difference. I don't think it really matters much, but we were in Sosua, so the rates for both currencies were pretty good. But, we always paid for meals and goods in pesos, as the exchange rate in various shops and restaurants CAD vs. US varied alot. Best to use pesos as much as possible, and shop around for the best rate.

The Departure Fee kiosk was closed the entire 4 hours we were at POP airport (our flight was late coming in). We flew WestJet and were informed by the check in rep. downstairs that the departure tax is now included in airfares. Hopefully, it will stay that way. Saw no one having to pay the departure tax upstairs in the boarding areas, so that nightmare line doesn't exist any more.

The airport renovations are still ongoing, but there's much more shopping and restaurant areas, as well as interior space on the ground floor and upstairs departure areas. They seem to finally be getting it together at POP.

[coppersun2001]

Thanks Kool, this was great information. I was chatting to a gal pal yesterday and she also said that the departure tax was included in her ticket. We are not flying with a package but flying West Jet so was wondering about this. Good to hear.

We also use peso for most of our shopping etc. Thanks for the information. How was your trip this time?

[koolkat]

We had a great time, as usual. Saw our buddy Linda at Mel' Tours and took the Puerto Plata tour, as well as cable car up Mt. Isabel. I was good in the cable car, despite my fear of heights.

Weather cooperated nicely, only a bit of rain here and there and one storm during our stay at Sosua by the Sea. A nice resort, but wouldn't stay there again. There were neighbourhood dogs barking all hours late at night and early morning, up until 7 am. Not a restful stay for sure. But, now we know. Next time we may stay in Cabarete.

On a trip to the big supermercado, we met a couple originally from Ottawa and Sault Ste. Marie who own and operate a small resort there. All we need is a flight (PLEASE WestJet, extend your services past mid-May - we LOVE WESTJET). We don't want the all-inclusive thing again for sure. It was so much fun exploring Sosua more and snorkelling near the Catamarans and dive boats near our resort.

**I highly recommend to anyone staying at Sosua by the Sea to request a pool or ocean view room, even if it costs you a bit more. You will be sheltered from the noises on the street and staff coming in the early morning hours.**

Seriously, I brought ear plugs with me, thankfully. It was full over most of the holidays, so couldn't change to another room. Two weeks of constant barking dogs (I've never heard dogs bark so much and no one did anything about it), arguments on the street, staff congregating in the reception area was really unbelievable. We made the best of it and decided to have several stiff drinks before bed so we would sleep through most of it!

A big thumbs up to the following off-resort restaurants that we frequented during our stay: Bailey's, Brittania, Don Andres, La Finca. We planned on having dinner at La Roca on our last evening there, but a storm whipped up with torrential rain and we didn't make it out after all. Disappointed!

Two thumbs up to the Super Super Liquor Store and all the supermercados for carrying munchies at reasonable prices. I'm already checking out how we can get there again in late May/early June.

Can you PM me the details of JUSTICE?