Is the a doctor in the complex?
Yes, there is a private medical service that usually accepts the medical insurance cover issued by the different tour operators.
Can medicines be bought near the hotel?
The hotel shops are supplied with some medicines, in addition to the small supplies of medicines available in the medical surgery. In any case, there are drugstores in the town of Las Terrenas that send medicines to the hotel, upon payment of the delivery costs.
Is the resort complex adapted for the disabled?
The hotel does not have especially adapted rooms for the disabled. However, the area is flat and there are access ramps to all sites to make your stay easier. Furthermore, there are ground floor rooms that make the resort complex fully accessible in a wheelchair.
Do I need to vaccinate myself against any illnesses before traveling?
Usually, no. However, it is advisable to check before traveling, for example, through the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or equivalent organization, where travel recommendations for different countries can be found.
Can I suffer any kind of food or water poisoning?
The Gran Bahía Príncipe El Portillo Hotel continuously undergoes audits by the State Secretariat for Health, the State Secretariat for Tourism, the different tour operators' quality and safety coordinators (European and American), independent laboratories and by Cristal Americas, which can certify compliance with the most stringent regulations that exist in European legislation concerning the handling of food and beverages. In any case, it is advisable to take precautions outside the hotel when drinking water or ice.
Is there anything I will not find in the hotel?
Should a guest leave anything behind, the Public Relations Department will make an effort to help him/her out as much as possible.
What kind of clothing should I bring?
Summer and beach clothing to enjoy the day and comfortable resistant clothing and footwear for excursions. A dress code is only required for the restaurants, including both the buffet restaurant and the specialty restaurants, where men are required to wear long trousers and closed shoes.
What type of sunscreen should I bring?
Each kind of skin is different. It is therefore advisable to consult a dermatologist before traveling. It should be taken into account that the sun shines practically the whole day in this area and that cloudy days are scarce.
How do people live there?
Despite what is commonly thought, there are people of different financial, social and cultural levels. In spite of the fact that there is poverty, extreme or abject poverty is unusual. Not everyone can afford a vehicle, a house or to go on vacation to a hotel, but people are not lacking in dwellings, food, clothing or education. In addition, the country is gradually developing.
What are the typical customs?
Merengue, Bachata and Salsa are their favorite kinds of music, in that order, along with more youthful musical styles such as the Reggaeton or Mambo. As regards cuisine, typical Dominican food consists of "moro" (rice) with green beans or Cajun peas, chicken, beef, pork, cassava and yams, as well as "tostones" (fried green bananas) or ripe bananas and salads, usually containing avocado. Religious holidays (Christmas, Easter and long weekends), Independence Day and Carnival in February are the most popular festivities. Additionally, it is very common for families to get together for a meal to eat mainly "puya" pork washed down with local beer or with the different kinds of Dominican rum.
How are tourists treated?
The Dominican Republic is a country with a long-standing tradition of tourism and a large number of foreign residents. The local population is therefore accustomed to foreigners. In general terms, they are polite and educated. Their friendliness and smiling manner is very much appreciated.
What kind of children's entertainment is there?
A club is available that organizes different activities, including different games, painting, etc. for children aged four to twelve.
Are there any baby-sitters in the resort complex?
No. Should you need this service, you should make a prior request. It carries a surcharge and is subject to availability. Hotel managers will do everything they can to find a person to take care of them within the resort complex.
Is it dangerous for children to walk around the resort alone?
The resort complex is safe. Nevertheless, it is advisable to keep children constantly under adult supervision.
How many children's swimming pools are there?
There is a children's swimming pool located next to the main adult swimming pool, although it is suitably separated to avoid accidents.
Is traveling with a baby a problem?
No. The hotel is a family resort complex that is accustomed to hosting families with children and babies. It is advisable to consult a pediatrician before traveling to a specific country.
My baby is still eating baby food. Is this kind of food served in the restaurant?
You only have to get in touch with the Public Relations Department or with the Executive Chef to have this kind of food available at no additional cost.
What is the country's currency?
The country's official currency is the Dominican Peso (RD$). A Dominican peso is equivalent to a €0.0135 or US$0.0213.
What currency is it advisable to take?
Both the euro and the dollar are widely accepted. It is, however, advisable to use local currency. Credit card payments are charged in the official local currency (RD$), although your bank will make the relevant exchange into your bank account's currency. By law, hotels are only authorized to exchange foreign currencies into Dominican pesos, but not vice-versa. This kind of currency exchange can be done in banks and/or bureaux de change, which charge commission. The currencies set out below are exchanged into Dominican pesos in the hotel: Euro, US Dollars, CAN Dollars, Pound Sterling and Swiss Francs.
Is there an ATM nearby?
No. The nearest is in the town of Las Terrenas
What products can be bought there?
Souvenirs, snacks, clothing, cigars, drinks, magazines and other products can be acquired from the hotel shops.
Where is the nearest shopping area?
There is a shop in the hotel lobby selling a variety of products. In addition, the hotel has a small Dominican-style shopping center called “Pueblo Príncipe” with another four shops.
Can the town center be reached on foot or is a vehicle needed?
Given that the distance to the nearest town is four kilometers, using a vehicle is advisable.
What are the shopping center hours?
Shops are usually open from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM, Monday thru Friday. Most shops close for a "siesta" break between 1.00 PM and 3.00 PM. Most shops only open during the morning on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays and holidays.
Is bargaining normal when you go shopping?
Shop prices tend to be fixed (for instance, in the hotel and in the shops belonging to the French community) and bargaining is not common. Haggling is more common in local shops and among street vendors.
Can cigarettes be bought in the hotel or nearby? How much do they cost?
Tobacco is sold in the two shops belonging to the hotel (in the lobby and in Pueblo Príncipe). Prices vary depending on the brand, but they are around RD$120.
Is there a drugstore in the shopping center?
Our shops supply some medicines, as does the medical surgery. In any event, there are drugstores in the town of Las Terrenas which can deliver any medicines that may be needed to the hotel, upon payment of delivery costs.
