Special Needs
1. Senior Travelers
All-inclusive hotels, in particular, have a long experience of meeting special needs in terms of mobility, and most are equipped with elevators and other amenities. In rural areas, however, there are fewer concessions to old age, and public lavatories or restrooms, for instance, are in very short supply.
2. Disabled Travelers
Some progress has been made in recent construction and refurbishment of hotel facilities, especially in the all-inclusive sector, to accommodate the needs of disabled travelers. But with the exception of a few well-trodden tourist sites, the country is not geared up for disabled needs, and there are no specially adapted cars.
3. Children
A few simple precautions such as not drinking tap water and excessive exposure to the sun should prevent avoidable health problems. There are plenty of activities for younger visitors (for further details see Children’s Activities).
4. Childcare
Most of the big all-inclusives organize supervised children’s activities on the beach or around the pool, usually in the form of a club. If you want to go out till late without children, it may be possible to hire a baby-sitter. Ask at the hotel reception.
5. Diapers
Disposable diapers or nappies are available at the big supermarkets and drug stores, and sometimes, at a high price.
6. Prescription Medicines
Although most medicines are easily available at pharmacies and do not require a prescription, people with regular medicine requirements should bring more than what they estimate they will need in case of delay or emergency.
7. Vegetarians
Vegetarianism has yet to catch on in a big way, although there are vegetarian restaurant options in Santo Domingo and the tourist resorts. Non-meat eaters may be forced to make do with fried eggs or omelets as well as filling plantains and rice and beans. In the big hotels the choice is better, as buffets tend to feature a selection of salads and vegetable dishes.
8. Gay & Lesbian Travelers
The Dominican Republic is an overwhelmingly Catholic and macho society, and most people take an unsympathetic view of gay and lesbian relationships. Therefore, it is not a good idea for non-heterosexual couples to go in for public displays of affection. Gay relations are not actually illegal, but harassment and even violence are not unknown. There is, on the other hand, an openly gay scene in the capital, and gay relationships are much more tolerated in the laid-back resorts of Sosúa, Las Terrenas, and Cabarete. A useful website for the local gay and lesbian scene is www.monaga.net.
9. Getting Married
Tying the knot in the Dominican Republic is a relatively straightforward affair, providing you have the appropriate documents, such as birth certificate, passport, and notarized certificate of single status. Although a Dominican wedding requires some forward planning, it is now an increasingly popular option. For more details, log onto www.santodomingo.usembassy.gov or www.dominicanembassy.org.uk.
10. Getting Divorced
Only one married partner is required to be present at a Dominican “quickie” divorce, although divorce by mutual consent is much more straightforward than a contested divorce. The key to a smooth procedure is to find a reliable local lawyer. For advice, log onto www.international-divorce.com/d-dominican.html.
