Punta Cana

Before you leave Canada

Entry requirements

It is your sole responsibility to ensure that you - and any child travelling with you - have all the travel documents necessary to enter in, or transit through, each country on your itinerary. Please ensure you verify the requirements for each country as the required documents for the outbound portion of your travel may differ from those required on the return.

Please refer to aircanada.com for complete information on travel requirements.

Baggage

Please refer to aircanada.com for Baggage Information.

Airport check in

It is recommended that you present yourself at the airport counter of the airline indicated on your voucher 3 hours prior to departure. Air Canada representatives are available to assist you, or you may contact an Air Canada Vacations representative at 1-800-296-3408.

Airport procedures

An Air Canada Vacations or our ground representative “Hola Tours & Travel” will meet your flight and assist you with ground transportation once you have gone through immigration and customs.

Transfer

For passengers having purchased a complete holiday package the Air Canada Vacations Representative will guide you to your bus or taxi for the transfer to your accommodation. Air only passengers must arrange their own transfers by taxi or bus.

Hotel check in

Upon arrival at your hotel, please identify yourself at the front desk with your Air Canada Vacations voucher. You will then be assigned your accommodation. The majority of hotels’ check in is between 2:00 PM & 4:00 PM. It is recommended to pack essential items in your carry on luggage.
Your departure from destination

Departure information

The day before you leave and the day of departure, remember to consult the Air Canada Vacations bulletin board or binder in your hotel for details on your departure procedures and return flight. Should there be a flight change, information would be posted in the bulletin board/binder the day of departure.

Hotel check out

Hotel check out times may vary depending on the property, but generally you must vacate the room by 12:00 (noon). For passengers with late flights, every effort will be made to provide you with a hospitality room; however, this cannot be guaranteed particularly during high season.

Duty-free shopping

Duty free shops are located either at the airport. After an absence of 7 days or more, Canadian residents are permitted to return with a maximum of $750 CDN of merchandise per trip without paying duty. Each time you leave Canada for at least 48 hours, you are eligible to declare up to $200 CDN of merchandise. A written declaration may be requested. Each adult is allowed 1.1 litre (40 oz.) of liquor and one (1) carton of cigarettes. If you include cigarettes, tobacco sticks and loose tobacco in your personal exemption allowance, only a partial exemption will apply. You will have to pay a minimum duty on these products unless they are marked “Canada - Duty paid”. Canadian made products sold at a duty-free shop will be marked in this way.

Airport check in

Procedures are the same as for departure from Canada.

During your holiday

Local Air Canada Vacations office

Air Canada Vacations is represented by Hola Tours & Travel in the Dominican Republic. See the Air Canada Vacations bulletin board or binder in the hotel for the representative schedule. Should you require their services please call:

Hola Tours & Travel
Phone: (809) 552-8504 or 809-552-8505

Need help or assistance with your vacation and you are unable to reach our local representative?
Contact Air Canada Vacations Customer Care: http://www.aircanadavacations.com/en/contact_us#Support_During_Travel

Long distance calls

Please note if placing a call from your hotel room, to ask the hotel operator about connection service charges. Using a pay phone will avoid these service charges from the hotel.

Emergency

You can ask for a doctor or dentist through your hotel. Please contact your Air Canada Vacations Representative if you require assistance. Keep all your receipts.

Banking

Banking hours are normally from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. Airport exchange booths remain open to service all incoming flights. Please note that there is no exchange booth in Punta Cana. Some hotels exchange money at the front desk.

Currency

The currency in the Dominican Republic is the Peso. Travelers cheques are honoured by most hotels and stores. US dollars are also widely accepted.

Credit cards

Credit cards such as Visa, American Express and MasterCard are widely accepted.

Shopping

Most shops are open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Best buys include Dominican Rum, cigars and coffee.

Public transportation

Taxis are available from the airport as well as hotels. Negotiate the fare prior to the trip.

Sightseeing

Optional excursions are a great way to enhance your Air Canada Vacations holiday. Choose from a wide variety of activities and excursions available at your destination. For more information or to reserve your excursion, please see our local Air Canada Vacations Representative or Ground Handler Partner.

Holy Week

Please be advised Holy Week, April 13-20, 2014 and March 29 - April 05, 2015, is strictly observed in the Dominican Republic. Consequently, motorized watersports, which are offered by independent concessions at the resorts, will not be available. Alcohol will be served on the resort but may not be available at establishments outside the resort.

Tipping

It is customary to tip 10% in restaurants or bars but in some cases, it is already included in the bill.

Water

Tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water is readily available in almost any store.

Electricity

110V; same as Canada.

Language

Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

Religion

Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion, but other religions are also represented.

Time zone

When it is noon in the Dominican Republic, it is
12:00 AM (noon) in Halifax
11:00 AM in Montreal or Toronto
10:00 AM in Winnipeg
9:00 AM in Calgary
8:00 AM in Vancouver
The above times are for the winter season only ; it does not take into account Daylight Savings time.

Customer Care

For inquiries relating to extension of stay or change or hotel changes, see your destination representative or contact Air Canada Vacations Customer Care:
http://www.aircanadavacations.com/en/contact_us#Support_During_Travel