The ATM machines work very well. The peso/dollar exchange rate with cash withdrawals is by far the best anywhere. With the devaluation of the peso you will likely find that 10,000 pesos or about $350.00 CDN can be taken out at one time from most ATM machines. Those who want to take out a lot more at one time should go to BANK PROGRESO ATM in Sosua. That bank allows ATM withdrawals of more than 10,000 pesos at one time. I suggest that you check with the security guard who sits beside the ATM machine if there is money in the ATM before using it. Otherwise, just bring Canadian or American dollars, or better still EUROS. There are lots of people who will change your money and usually the rates are posted clearly. If you go to a bank to make a cash withdrawal, bring your passport as the bank will want to photocopy your passport information. I had a nasty experience with Scotiabank in Cabarete in March, 2007. The ATM machine was keeping credit cards, and I had quite a time getting my GOLD card back from the bank.

If you buy anything with a credit card you must be very careful to mark clearly that the purchase is in pesos. Remember that the peso sign $ looks exactly the same as the dollar sign $. ALWAYS keep a copy of any credit card purchase in case there is a dispute over a purchase price when you get back home.

In March,2008, a bottle of BRUGAL white rum cost 275 pesos or about $7.00 to $8.00 CDN and on the plane back the same bottle was $18.00 CDN. The 151 proof rum is a bit hard to take, so stick to the pure white normal proof Brugal. Ice, with no water or mix, is the way to drink it. Too bad it is not available in Ontario yet.

Real Vanilla is dirt cheap. Hot sauce is also good and very cheap. Good Amber is not cheap: watch out for the plastic Amber. Buy only from a reputable shop. Most tourists would like a necklace made with a piece of LARIMAR. It is a rare semi-precious stone found in a relatively inaccessible region of the Dominican Republic. The light blue colour of the stone makes it a great hit with your loved one. Buy carefully from a recognized gem shop.

Dominican and Cuban cigars are available hand rolled. I prefer Cuban Cohibas and Dominican Esplendidos; $35 or less would be an OK price for 25 cigars. Cigarettes are also very cheap (and strong!) by Canadian standards and are made in Santiago. Ask for the ROJOS or REDS (which are really Marlboro's). Note to my American friends, you should buy Dominican cigars as Cuban cigars are not available for import to the States. Nationals, a local cigarette were 70 pesos a package or about $2.50 CDN in March 2008. Cartons were about $25.00 in the Supermarcado.

Sosua Beach has stalls lining the entire length of the beach; a good place to bargain for cigars, and tee-shirts. CD's are usually copies so check first to see if what you are buying is original or a copy. Copies should cost about 80 pesos, not more. Merengue and Bachata cd's make great souvenirs. There is a great little cd shop on the main street of Charamicos. . . go there for good copies. The shops in Cabarete are a lot better quality than the ones along the beach in Sosua. Bargaining is not so common in Cabarete. If you're interested in buying gold, be sure to check out a COMPRAVENTA which is equivalent to a pawnshop. There you can buy excellent quality 14 or 18 carat used gold jewelry for good prices.

In Sosua a quick beer or a snack is best at P.J.'s... open 24 hours. Better dining is always good at LA ROCA, right on the main street of Sosua just before you go down hill to the beach. The menu is in Spanish and English on a huge moving board that rolls right up to your table. There is a great all-you-can-eat barbecue every Friday night. You will not be disappointed with the food. Across the road is the MORUA MAI, also a great dining experience. You will not be disappointed with either of these restaurants and you will be glad you left the all-inclusive hotel for a couple of nights out.

In Charamicos, it is PIZZA right on the main street. The thin crust pizza is the best to be found in the area. Go there whenever you feel you need a change in food. Life on the street outside the pizza open-air restaurant is better than watching television. It can be noisy in Charamicos so be forewarned. In Cabarete there is a great pizza place right in the middle of town. Good pizza. English, German or Spanish menus.

The Sosua beach area closes down at night about 5 to 6 p.m. so eating there is only done in the daytime. As you walk along the beach during meal time you will see a lot of locals eating their rice and beans, called 'habichuelas'. Almost all of this food comes from ONE kitchen, that being Carmen's. 98 percent of tourists never see the place as it is tucked in behind the outer row of shops and restaurants. To get to it you have to go down this very narrow alley between 2 casetas or shops. Locals in the know, the tourist police, and a lots of others eat there regularly. Best value in town. You may have to share a table with others but the food makes it worthwhile. Ask for the fish; it always comes with the head and the tail. Or if you want, try the San Cocho, the delicious local dish. Ask Carmen to make it for you the next day when you come back. For those who are adventurous and want inexpensive local food , Carmen's is the place to go. It is always busy. Don't miss it.
There are lots of bars along the Sosua beach but my favorite is LEO BANANA'S pronounced LAYO BANANA. He is a good sort who will teach your lady friend how to dance right on the beach, build you a house or dispense friendly advice. His yellow caseta is more towards the Charamicos end of the beach. Share your big Presidentes with the serving staff; they will appreciate the gesture. Leo also has the other beers besides Presidente which has literally taken over the island. I prefer Quisqueya to Presidente, sad... most people never get a chance to try Quisqueya as most of the all-inclusive hotels serve draft Presidente only. A new beer called Brahma has appeared and is excellent.

In the Dominican Republic, families seem happier and more open to strangers. Being nice to everybody is important because Latinos/Latinas have a lot of love in their hearts. When a person needs something, it is a pleasure to help, even if it means time, money or privacy. Besides big hearts, there is a love of music in the DR, found nowhere else in the world. Meringue, bachata, and Salsa enliven everyday life. In Canada, people are too busy making a living, to pay for their high standard of living to dance and have fun.

In the DR, it is important to spend time with relatives, and that is why there are lots of parties for birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions or just for fun. There is far more private time spent in front of the TV or at the local gym in Canada.

Now when families are young in Canada, parents spend much time with their children. Early in life, Canadian parents start buying expensive books, interactive play toys, and they read to the children every night,so as to give their children an start in life at school. Driving children to all kinds of activities is common and expected in Canada. Swimming lessons, skating lessons, dance lessons, language classes are all seen as being important. Computers are given to children at an early age. By two years of age many Canadian children can use a computer with great skill. Children are taught to be careful with their money and food and everything God has given to them. In the Dominican Republic, computers are less common. Many persons there use the internet at a local shop.

In Canada, it is the parents who are expected to help their children. Parents routinely give or loan money to their children for University and then later to buy a car, or a house. Young people in Canada want to start off where their parents are. The children want an apartment, a car, TV, computers, Ipods, dogs, cats, clothes, etc. right away. Sometimes the money gets paid back but usually not so.

Whenever the children can help the parents they do so happily. . Whereas, in Dominican society, children are always expected to help their parents. If a Dominican marries and goes to Puerta Rico, Germany, Canada, or the USA, parents expect and look forward to regular remittances. There remittances are hugely important , not only to the families but are equally important to the banks and the governments,as the banks, the government, and sending agencies such as Western Union all take a portion of the remittances. When Latin people go abroad, where the money comes “easily” the Latinos immediately think about how difficult it is to get money, work or the necessities of life back home. Thus the huge remittances from America going back to Latin countries are so important.

Latin persons, regularly shake hands and kiss each other on the cheeks. This provides a warmth and friendliness not found Canada. Canadians only shake hands normally if they have not seen someone in a long time. Kissing is not done much in Canada anymore as it used to be done.

The other main difference is the 2 Health Care Systems. Canada has a world class doctor and Hospital care system, whereas the DR has a private system. One must pay each time to go to a doctor or the private hospital. Public hospitals in the DR are so overburdened with people from Haiti, many Dominicans never think of going to a public hospital.

A comparison of cultures is important to understanding one another. Both Cultures are great. Latino culture is of course much, much older than Canadian culture. Remember 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue, and landed on Hispinola. I think we have a lot to learn from each other , and perhaps the best of both worlds will make an even better one.