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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 from 6 AM to 9AM, you should consider staying over one night at a hotel near the airport. However, on your return to the airport, you must call the hotel using the hotel console. I recommend that you stay at the Carlingview Airport Inn. It has 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 Dominican Immigration forms on the plane. The hotel accepts CAA and senior prices. Arrive early if you can for a nice meal at the Greek restaurant on site. REMEMBER TO GO OUT ON A 6 OR 6:30 FLIGHT TO THE Dominican Republic. The early start gives you a whole day there.

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 or more . Try to weigh your baggage before you get to the airport and avoid these charges. Many people who take clothing, backpacks or 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 2011. In March of 2011, AIR TRANSAT 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 US and was included with your ticket cost. The March 2011 AIR TRANSAT flight included a nice breakfast and a small glass of champagne for the ticket price. As well Air Transat included the $10,00 US entry and the $20.00 dollar exit tax with the ticket. A nice touch to be sure. Westjet also has an early morning flight which is very reasonable. Westjet’s taxes are lower to be sure. No meal on board nor any taxes in the DR are included.

At the Airport - Puerta Plata ( POP)

First of all, ensure you have your passport or other photo identification ready to hand in to Immigration along with the COMPLETED Immigration Form and the new Customs form given to you on the plane. There is now one copy to complete when you enter the country as well as a similar one to complete when you exit the country. MAKE SURE you receive your own passport back and not someone else's. It can be hectic as you pass by the Immigration counter. Just to be on the safe side keep $10.00 in American money with you upon entry and another $20.00 in your passport to pay the exit tax, in case your carrier did not include these items in your airfare.

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 BOTH upon exit or later when you arrive back at the airport at the end of your holiday.

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. I know one man paid $13 for a coke and chips inside so be forewarned. Enjoy the sunshine outside while you can. About 45 minutes before take-off time, roar through the Emigration gate, through security, fill out the 2 required forms, through duty free, pay your departure tax upstairs if necessary and get on the plane. The air conditioning inside the airport is quite a shock after the nice sunshine outside.