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Following are some helpful information, recommendations and suggestions for your tour to the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Additional and detailed information will be sent within three weeks before your tour departure date.
FLORA & FAUNA
The Dominican Republic (eastern Hispaniola) is one of the biodiversity hot spots of the Caribbean. Plant life is extremely varied and luxuriant and includes 5,600 species, of which 36% are endemic. Mountain regions are mostly covered with pine forest and hardwoods. The most common type of vegetation is subtropical forest.
Animal life is peculiar in the extreme and includes the endemic and aberrant terrestrial mammal called Hispaniolan Solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus), a giant shrew which represents a living fossil of unknown origin. A tree rat, the Hispaniola hutia (Plagiodontia aedium), and about 18 bat species are also present. Amphibians, mostly tree frogs, are common and include many endemic species such as Hispaniolan Yellow Tree Frog (Osteopilus pulchrilineatus), Hispaniolan Melodious Frog (Eleutherodactylus pituinus), and Montane Cricket Frog (E. haitianus), among others. Reptiles are a very interesting group, too, and about 83% of the species are endemic. Lizards in the Dominican Republic include the world's smallest species, the Jaragua Dwarf Gecko (Sphaerodactylus ariasae), as well as giant anoles, such as the Dominican Giant Anole (Anolis baleatus). Other interesting species [reptiles] include the endangered American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) and the Rhinoceros Iguana (Cyclura cornuta).
Birds of Hispaniola include about 313 species (see Bird Checklist), where Dulidae (Palmchat), Calyptophilidae (Chat-Tanagers), and Phaenicophilidae (Hispaniolan Tanagers), represent endemic families. Todidae is another family endemic to the West Indies and present in Hispaniola. Endemic bird genera from Hispaniola include Nesoctites, Xenoligea, Microligea, Dulus, Calyptophilus and Phaenicophilus. About 29 to 32 species, variable according to different authorities, are endemic, as well as 51 endemic subspecies. In our checklist of Hispaniola, only endemic subspecies from non-endemic species that inhabit the main island, are listed.
Animal life is peculiar in the extreme and includes the endemic and aberrant terrestrial mammal called Hispaniolan Solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus), a giant shrew which represents a living fossil of unknown origin. A tree rat, the Hispaniola hutia (Plagiodontia aedium), and about 18 bat species are also present. Amphibians, mostly tree frogs, are common and include many endemic species such as Hispaniolan Yellow Tree Frog (Osteopilus pulchrilineatus), Hispaniolan Melodious Frog (Eleutherodactylus pituinus), and Montane Cricket Frog (E. haitianus), among others. Reptiles are a very interesting group, too, and about 83% of the species are endemic. Lizards in the Dominican Republic include the world's smallest species, the Jaragua Dwarf Gecko (Sphaerodactylus ariasae), as well as giant anoles, such as the Dominican Giant Anole (Anolis baleatus). Other interesting species [reptiles] include the endangered American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) and the Rhinoceros Iguana (Cyclura cornuta).
Birds of Hispaniola include about 313 species (see Bird Checklist), where Dulidae (Palmchat), Calyptophilidae (Chat-Tanagers), and Phaenicophilidae (Hispaniolan Tanagers), represent endemic families. Todidae is another family endemic to the West Indies and present in Hispaniola. Endemic bird genera from Hispaniola include Nesoctites, Xenoligea, Microligea, Dulus, Calyptophilus and Phaenicophilus. About 29 to 32 species, variable according to different authorities, are endemic, as well as 51 endemic subspecies. In our checklist of Hispaniola, only endemic subspecies from non-endemic species that inhabit the main island, are listed.
PRE-TRIP INFORMATION
When you decide to participate in our Dominican Republic tour, check with your doctor regarding any pre-and/or post-trip treatment that may be necessary. As on other West Indies islands, domestic animals and wildlife in the Dominican Republic can transmit diseases, especially to persons traveling to wild regions. Please check the CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION website for the most current information about COVID-19, recommendations and vaccinations for travelers to the Dominican Republic (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations /traveler/none/dominican-republic). Also on this website is a Healthy Travel Packing List (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel /destinations/dominican-republic/traveler/ packing-list) and information about other diseases that currently can be found in that country. For complete information on how to prevent insect bites go to: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/ travel/page/avoid-bug-bites
Canadian travelers can check information at "travel health" in the website of the PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/index-eng.php).
For complete entry and exit information (about restrictions, passport, etc.) please visit the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE website (https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/dominican-republic.html).
Canadian travelers can check information at "travel health" in the website of the PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/index-eng.php).
For complete entry and exit information (about restrictions, passport, etc.) please visit the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE website (https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/dominican-republic.html).
ARRIVING IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Once you arrive in Santo Domingo (SDQ), your leader will meet you at the airport and will transport you from the airport to the hotel.
ACCOMMODATIONS
During the tour to the Dominican Republic you will stay in 4 standard hotels located in cities, including Santo Domingo (2), Barahona (1), and Pedernales (1), respectively. One night is in a remote lodge in Caño Hondo. Exact hotel information during the trip is provided in a detailed itinerary, along with other complementary tour package materials that you will receive before departure. Also included will be specific information about emergency contacts for the places you will stay. Laundry and Internet services are available at the hotels and lodge we will occupy in the Dominican Republic. In remote localities internet access can be limited to some specific areas of the facility.
FOOD & DRINKS
Local cuisine is available throughout the Dominican Republic, where typical dishes of the country include "Mangú", "Sancocho", "Arroz con Habichuelas guisadas", "Pastel", "Tostones", and more. Other kinds of food, such as Italian and Chinese, can be found in the capital city of Santo Domingo and other populated places. Seafood is available throughout the coastal regions, where local fresh fish is usually present. Our lunches and dinners in the Dominican Republic will always be in restaurants. We will provide cold bottles of water and soft drinks for each participant in the vehicle(s) and during all birding sessions.
TRANSPORTATION
Our on-land movements through the Dominican Republic and its natural areas will be in a comfortable large van, or in two smaller appropriate vehicles. Our longest ride will be for about 3-4 hours. Most of our driving will be on paved roads, except one morning traveling to El Cachote and another to Los Arroyos. These few localities possess unpaved roads that make the drive slow, uncomfortable, and time consuming. Other places, such as some sections on the way to Caño Hondo and other alternative bird places such as La Placa, will be reached by flat, unpaved roads. Please check that your baggage is of a reasonable size for such transportation, as we will be carrying your bags from one point to another during the tour. Your consideration in this matter is greatly appreciated.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Our birding activities in the Dominican Republic are not very physically demanding but some roads may have uneven terrain and can be an uncomfortable ride. Walks are typically short distances from the vehicle and on level paved roads. Only at 4 places, El Cachote, Los Arroyos, El Aceitillar and Rabo de Gato, can the terrain be significantly uneven in some segments. Our walks can extend as long as a mile at the Botanical Garden and at Los Haitises.
