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Sosua

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Cabarete









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Getting There

For those flying out early in the morning from Toronto Airport, say at 6 or 7 AM , you might want to consider staying over one night at the Ramada Airport Hotel on Hwy 27 South, 2 Holiday Drive, Toronto, 1-877-388-1888. Parking is free for two weeks as is the 24 hour shuttle. However, on your return to the airport, you must call the hotel using the hotel console. That shuttle is free also. The food is great and inexpensive by hotel standards. My cost for the room was approximately $110.00. This is the totally renovated Holiday Inn from past times. I have also stayed at the Carlingview Airport Inn. They have a free 24 hour direct airport shuttle and free parking in a separate lot for 2 weeks . Located at 221 Carlingview Drive, tel, 416-675-3303 or www.carlingview.ca It is very close to the airport, an important consideration in the Winter. Bring the pen from the hotel with you as you will need it to complete the Immigration Form on the plane.

At the Airport - Toronto (YYZ)

Watch your luggage weight! Airlines need more money... so anything over the approved weight of 20 kgs (44 lbs) for both your carry-on AND your check-in luggage will cost you approx. $7.00 per kilogram. Try to weigh your baggage first before you get to the airport and avoid these charges. Many people who take clothing and shoes to the DR to distribute to the needy may find it more costly now. Air Transat was charging both ways for overweight in March of 2008. In March of 2008, Sunwing handed out the new entry card for the DR on the plane. It is a small piece of cardboard which you need to give to Immigration at the airport in POP. Do not lose it. It has cost you $10.00 and was included with your ticket.

At the Airport - Puerta Plata ( POP)

First of all, ensure you have your passport or other identification ready to hand in to Immigration along with the COMPLETED Immigration Form given to you on the plane. There is now one copy to complete when you enter the country. There is a similar one to complete when you exit the country. MAKE SURE you receive your passport back and not someone else's. It can be hectic as you pass by the Immigration counter. Make sure you keep $20.00 US money so that you can exit the country later. In March of 2008, you could pay for the Departure Tax of $20 dollars US with pesos or with USD’s.

Customs really does not exist at Puerta Plata unless you have an inordinate large amount of luggage. Keep on walking through Customs to your bus or taxi. If you have a lot of luggage, money may ease your way through Customs. Buses are ready waiting outside to take you to your hotel. Try to prevent anyone lifting your luggage the short distance from the airport exit to the buses. Remember to strike a price FIRST before you have someone lift your bags OR allow you into their taxi.

Time to Leave

Hotels want to get you to the airport much TOO early. If you must get there early, check in at the outside check-ins and then DO NOT go through Emigration. Beware of the fellows called Maletos who want to move your baggage 10 feet from your bus to the check-in line-up. It can be costly. Stay outside and enjoy the sunshine. Prices inside the airport are very expensive including duty free. Enjoy the sunshine outside while you can. Then about 45 minutes before take-off time roar through the Emigration gate, fill out the exit card, run through duty free, pay your departure tax upstairs and get on the plane. The air conditioning inside the airport is quite a shock after the nice sunshine outside.