Dominicans are generally very polite, but observe a couple of strict rules for dining and etiquette. Generally, it's a laid back, leisurely culture, so be patient if things are moving slower than you'd like.
Lively background music in restaurants is the norm, so loud conversations aren't unusual. Rather than calling out, hissing is the preferred method for getting someone's attention.
Money
The Dominican monetary unit is the peso, indicated by the symbol RD$ (or sometimes just R$). Though the peso is technically divided into 100 centavos (cents), prices are usually rounded to the nearest peso. There are one- and five-peso coins, while paper money comes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 pesos. Many tourism-related businesses, including most midrange and top-end hotels, list prices in US dollars, but accept pesos at the going exchange rate.
Visitors from the USA
It's always a good idea to carry around some cash for small expenses, like cab rides, or for that rare occasion when a restaurant or small shop doesn't take credit cards, which can happen if you're dining at a neighborhood joint or buying from a small vendor. U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere.
Language
Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic although some English and French are spoken. There are variants of the Spanish language that are spoken in different parts of the country. The commonly used Spanish dialect in the country is the Dominican Spanish. Dominican Spanish is a subset of Caribbean Spanish based on Canarian and Andalusian dialects of Southern Spain. It also borrows some words from the Arawak language.
Religion
Due to the great migratory flows, the Dominican Republic currently counts with a great variety of creeds being a country which allows religious freedom. The most practiced one is still Catholicism, since more than the 50% of the Dominican population practice this faith. It is followed by the Lutherans and the Atheists. Furthermore, you can also find religions such as Buddhism, Judaism, Islam or China’s Traditional Religion, among many others.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is an integral part of the Dominican culture. It's an influence that dates to the Spanish colonial times. You can go horseback riding anywhere in the Dominican Republic. Puerto Plata's hills are challenging to beat, with a lush terrain that passes rivers, cattle, and vast swaths of pure Caribbean scenery. Samana's coconut-filled valleys and cliff-top sea views offer a surreal backdrop. La Romana's Casa de Campo is one of the best equestrian centers in the Caribbean. It gives you options such as cattle ranch trails, as well as expert-led lessons in English or Western-style riding. Whether novice or expert, horseback riding is a fun way to explore the countryside.
Dominican Republic