Here are some helpful links that you may find on the site or at least referenced.

Tourism

Dominican Republic has it all  is the countries tourism site in about 7 different available languages and has an interactive map, facts about the country, airports and seaport information, entry requirements, traveler tips, list of events, what to do, downloadable PDFs on guide to DR, guides to specific major cities like Sant Domingo, Samana, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and La Romana, DR weddings, golf in the DR, cruise, scuba, and excursions guide, a photo and video library, link to their blog, has lots of information on hotels, activities, events and even a downloadable app.

Government

  • Junta Central Electoral – This is where you would get your Dominican ID, where you would find any Dominican Civil Documents (births, weddings, etc), and where you would register to vote.
  • US Embassy in the DR – Provides services and information to US citizens in the Dominican Republic. This is where you would also apply for a passport or replace a lost one, they also have US notary services (although any attorney could provide notary services), important news, emergency services (legal, medical, death, or arrest of US citizen), about marriage or divorce in the DR, child abductions and child support…etc. FYI their phone number for emergencies is 809-567-7775 (available 24/7). 
  • AMET – for Autoridad Metropolitana de Transporte (loosely translated Metropolitan , Transport Authority). They are the ones that give traffic citations, direct traffic, and ensure smooth movement of traffic including calling the tow truck if you are illegally parked.

Utilities

  • magicJack is an affordable home and on the go VOIP service that uses the internet. It gives you a US number so that your friends and family can call you as if you were in the US and vice versa.
  • Chatsim – is a sim card that provides you unlimited access to chat text apps like WhatsApp (main communication app in the DR get it you need it) and even Facebook messenger without the need to use any mobile data no matter where in the DR you are at (well you need to be close to a cell phone tower). It only cost $15 a year for the service and you can buy multimedia credits so that you can get download photos, videos, and voice messages.
  • Claro is one of the major phone (cell and landline), the internet, and TV providers. Claro has fiber optic internet.
  • Orange – is one of the major phone (cell and landline) and the internet providers.
  • Tricom –  is one of the major phone (cell and landline), the internet, and TV providers. But it is CDMA carrier for cell phones, unlike Orange and Claro which are GSM carriers.
  • Viva -Not as big as the other phone carriers but it is a phone and TV provider.
  • *Aster – a TV provider. Used by some with very economical options.

Transporation

  • OMSA (Oficina Metropolitana de Servicios de Autobuses) –  public bus system that has a zillion stops. Although the website provides route map and some of the stops. The stops (paradas) are outdated and not marked and most can’t be found on Google Maps. Runs day and night (not sure of the hours), usually super crowded during peak times (8-10 am & 5-7 pm) where you are packed like sardines like any time of the day on the minibusses or public cars (conchos / carros publicos). It’s $10 DOP for a non-airconditioned bus (that I have yet to see) and $15 DOP for an AC one.
  • Metro – Dominican railway system is mostly underground. It doesn’t get you everywhere but it gets you up to 34 kilometers (21 miles) and expanding. Hours are from 6:00 am – 10:30 pm. Costs $15 DOP for a card and $20 DOP for a one-way ride ($80 DOP for an all day pass). There is also a plastic card version that is reloadable ($60 DOP). Available in Google maps.
  • Uber – Uber is a taxi cab service that uses a app to help find you the nearest drivers while providing features such as charging a credit card or sending your trip tracker to a friend. You probably have it. The app available in any app store. Right now only in Santo Domingo and Santiago (biggest cities).

Major retail stores (include groceries)

  • La Sirena
    • Hours:
    • Mon – Sat: 8 am – 10 pm
    • Sundays and Holidays(feriados): 9 am- 9 pm
  • Plaza Lama –
    • Hours:
    • Mon – Sat: 8 am – 10 pm
    • Sundays and Holidays (feriados): 9 am- 9 pm
  • Unidos (part of Alamcenes Unidos but with grocery store)  at Avenida Sarasota
    • Hours:
    • Mon – Sat: 9 am- 9 pm
    • Sundays: 9 am- 3 pm
  • Jumbo
    • Hours:
    • Mon – Sat: 8am – 10 pm
    • Sundays and Holidays (feriados):  9 am- 9 pm

Grocery only stores

  • Ole – hours vary some close at 8 pm and some as late as midnight. If you see one called Hipermercados Ole then it has more than just groceries.
  • Bravo – I think this one is open to midnight or at least in some locations.
  • Super Pola (Owned by La Sirena)  – hours 8 am-10 pm M- Saturday and 8-8 on Sunday
  • Hola! Food Market– The one at Av. Núñez de Cáceres is open 24 hours. It;s small but has all of the basic stuff you may need. The other one near the US Embassy I doubt is open 24 hours
  • Super Lama (owned by Plaza Lama but just their grocery store)

Banks

Misc

  • Altillo.com – a complete resource for college students. Where you can find a listing of all the universities in the DR, information about scholarships, and information about jobs.
  • Calculator.net – is an online conversion calculator for all the most common calculations you will need and a link to a full list.
  • WhatsApp – is a free messaging and calling app used by almost everyone in the DR.

I will be updating this page frequently so keep checking.

Do you know of a helpful link for a new resident or maybe a current resident of the DR. If so, please leave a comment. Thanks.