Banks: 08:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday; some open Saturday mornings
Post Offices: 07:30 to 14:30, Monday to Friday
Government Offices: 07:30 to 14:30, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09:00 to 19:30, Monday to Saturday

The resort areas of Punta Cana are safe and visitors seldom encounter any problems. Even so, crime has recently become a factor in local districts away from the tourist scene so tourists are advised to remain in well-travelled areas. Anyone planning an excursion outside of the resort communities is advised to secure any valuables and travel as lightly as possible. Guides are also available for escorted excursions. English-speaking tourist police are available to address any concerns on the ground.

110V AC, 60Hz, American-style two-pin plug

If you have a medical emergency while travelling anywhere in the Dominican Republic, you will be referred to the country's only emergency facility in Santa Domingo. Otherwise, medical facilities are sparse and often not up to Western standards.

Visitors are advised to vaccinate themselves against polio, typhoid and hepatitis B. In addition, mosquito-borne illness does occur (dengue fever in urban areas and malaria in rural districts), making long-sleeves, trousers and mosquito repellent important lines of defence.

Emergency services: 911
Centro Medico Integral: +809 593 3883

Spanish is the national language of the Dominican Republic, with English widely understood in resort areas.

The Dominican peso is the local currency, though some service providers (including taxi drivers) also accept euro and US dollars.

Customs official will not permit import or export of firearms and ammunition, animal products (including seashells) and illegal drugs. Visitors are free to import the following goods into the Dominican Republic duty-free: one litre of spirits, up to two bottles of perfume (only for personal use), one box of cigars (or 200 cigarettes) and a limited amount of merchandise or gifts.

The social mores of the Dominican Republic have more in common with those of North America than Latin America, and there are strong currents of Roman Catholicism. Shorts and T-shirts are too casual for entering a church, though this sort of casual dress is acceptable in most other places. Revealing beachwear is acceptable for swimming and beach activities, but should not worn when outside of the resorts. Locals are resilient and slow to complain, and the same virtue is extolled in others.

Nationals of most European and North American countries do not need a visa to enter the Dominican Republic. Visas for nationals of other nations can be obtained from Dominican embassies around the world. Tourist visas on arrival are issued for 60 days. A general rule for passports: periods of validity remaining on the passport must be twice as long as the period of intended stay.

Employees at the major resorts can assist guests with specific questions or concerns. The main office of the Ministry of Tourism is located on Av Mexico in Santa Domingo. Phone: +809 221 4660; www.godominicanrepublic.com