Skill: ivangdavila/dominican-republic (version 1.0.0)

--- name: Dominican Republic slug: dominican-republic version: 1.0.0 homepage: https://clawic.com/skills/dominican-republic changelog: "Initial release with verified entry guidance, resort-vs-independent routing, and practical beach, transport, and safety playbooks." description: Plan Dominican Republic trips with beach-region routing, verified entry steps, off-resort logistics, and practical local safety. metadata: {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🇩🇴","requires":{"bins":[],"config":["~/dominican-republic/"]},"os":["linux","darwin","win32"]}} --- ## When to Use User is planning a Dominican Republic trip and needs execution help beyond generic resort marketing: entry rules, which coast fits the trip, resort vs independent travel tradeoffs, city and beach base strategy, transport reality, weather timing, and practical local safety. ## Architecture Memory lives in `~/dominican-republic/`. If `~/dominican-republic/` does not exist or is empty, run `setup.md`. See `memory-template.md` for structure. ```text ~/dominican-republic/ └── memory.md # Trip context, route logic, and evolving constraints ``` ## Data Storage - `~/dominican-republic/memory.md` stores durable trip context, route decisions, and constraints for future Dominican Republic planning. - No other local files are required unless the user chooses to create their own planning documents. ## Quick Reference Use this map to load only the decision module that changes the plan in front of you. | Topic | File | |-------|------| | **Entry and Compliance** | | | Entry flow, passport logic, e-ticket, onward proof | `entry-and-documents.md` | | Official source map for re-checking moving parts | `sources.md` | | **Planning Backbone** | | | Coast and region choice | `regions.md` | | Sample itineraries for 4-12 days | `itineraries.md` | | Where to stay by trip style | `accommodation.md` | | Budget framing | `budget-and-costs.md` | | Cards, cash, taxes, tipping, and payment reality | `payments-and-money.md` | | **Transport and Execution** | | | Airports, buses, transfers, ferries, and city movement | `transport-domestic.md` | | Rental-car fit, toll roads, and driving risk | `road-trips-and-driving.md` | | Connectivity, ride-hailing, maps, and booking tools | `telecoms-and-apps.md` | | Weather, hurricane season, whales, and timing | `weather-and-seasonality.md` | | **Major Bases and Regions** | | | Santo Domingo city strategy | `santo-domingo.md` | | Punta Cana, Bavaro, and Cap Cana | `punta-cana-and-bavaro.md` | | Samana, Las Terrenas, and Las Galeras logic | `samana-and-las-terrenas.md` | | Puerto Plata, Sosua, and Cabarete | `puerto-plata-cabarete-and-sosua.md` | | Bayahibe, La Romana, Saona, and diving fit | `bayahibe-and-la-romana.md` | | Jarabacoa, Constanza, and mountain contrast | `jarabacoa-and-constanza.md` | | **Lifestyle and Trip Style** | | | Food strategy and local dishes | `food-guide.md` | | Beaches by water fit, vibe, and coast | `beaches.md` | | Signature activities and experience selection | `experiences.md` | | Family pacing and mixed-age planning | `family-travel.md` | | Nightlife and evening tradeoffs | `nightlife.md` | | Etiquette, language, and social rhythm | `culture.md` | | Emergencies, water safety, and street risk | `safety-and-emergencies.md` | ## Core Rules ### 1. Route by Coast, Not by Resort Ads The right Dominican Republic trip depends first on which coast matches the goal: - Punta Cana and Bavaro for easiest resort execution - Bayahibe and La Romana for calmer southeast water and island-day logic - Samana and Las Terrenas for independent beach-plus-nature travel - Puerto Plata and Cabarete for north-coast wind, surfing, and mixed town energy - Santo Domingo for city, history, food, and nightlife ### 2. Lock Entry Steps Before Booking Non-Refundables Use `entry-and-documents.md` early to confirm: - passport and nationality logic - official e-ticket completion for air arrival and departure - onward-proof issues for one-way or unusual itineraries - whether the trip is resort-only, multi-stop, or includes onward international travel ### 3. Resort Trips and Independent Trips Need Different Advice Do not plan Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, Samana, Bayahibe, and Cabarete with the same assumptions. - All-inclusive users usually want airport-transfer simplicity and selective day trips - Independent users need base strategy, transport friction, cash logic, and realistic road-time protection ### 4. Respect Local Transfer Math Dominican Republic map distances can look short and still create slow travel because of city traffic, resort corridors, mountain roads, and one-lane coastal segments. - Favor fewer bases with cleaner transfers - Treat Santo Domingo traffic and cross-country moves seriously - Avoid stacking arrival, long road transfer, and late-night check-in unless necessary ### 5. Match the Water to the User Beach advice must separate: - calm Caribbean swim water - Atlantic surf and wind - day-trip islands - family-safe resort beaches - photography beaches that are less ideal for casual swimming ### 6. Protect the User From Avoidable Friction Flag common failures early: - airport transfer confusion - paying resort-zone prices for basic errands - driving at night in unfamiliar areas - assuming every beach is swimmable in every season - booking a remote villa without transport, groceries, or weather backup ### 7. Deliver Operational Plans Output should include: - best base or base pair - transfer logic with realistic buffers - area-level stay recommendation, not just a city name - budget and payment notes - water, weather, and safety caveats for that exact route ## Common Traps - Treating Punta Cana as representative of the whole country. - Booking only on beach photos without checking whether the user wants calm water, surf, nightlife, or a quiet family setup. - Forcing a rental car for a resort trip that works better with airport transfer plus selected excursions. - Doing Santo Domingo as a rushed same-day detour from the east coast instead of giving it a proper night or skipping it. - Underestimating hurricane-season flexibility and north-coast surf conditions. - Using only USD cash assumptions when many small day-to-day payments work better in Dominican pesos. - Picking the cheapest villa in a remote beach zone without checking road access, food options, and evening transport. ## Security & Privacy **Data that stays local:** Trip preferences in `~/dominican-republic/` **This skill does NOT:** Access files outside `~/dominican-republic/` or make network requests. ## Related Skills Install with `clawhub install <slug>` if user confirms: - `travel` — General trip planning and itinerary structure - `booking` — Reservation workflows and confirmation hygiene - `car-rental` — Better self-drive strategy and handoff logistics - `food` — Deeper restaurant and cuisine planning - `spanish` — Language support for bookings, menus, and practical interactions ## Feedback - If useful: `clawhub star dominican-republic` - Stay updated: `clawhub sync`

path: accommodation.md
content: # Accommodation

## Base Strategy by Trip Style

| Goal | Better base |
|------|-------------|
| Easiest all-inclusive beach trip | Bavaro, Arena Gorda, or Cap Cana |
| Quieter Caribbean-water resort stay | Bayahibe |
| Walkable history, food, and nightlife | Colonial Zone or central Santo Domingo districts |
| Boutique beach town with dining outside hotel walls | Las Terrenas |
| Surf, kitesurf, and beach-town energy | Cabarete |
| Mountain and adventure contrast | Jarabacoa |

## East-Coast Resort Logic

- Use all-inclusive or large resorts when the user wants low-friction airport transfer, kids' infrastructure, and weather-proof amenities.
- Prefer Cap Cana for polished, contained luxury and cleaner zoning.
- Prefer Bavaro for widest inventory, more day-tour availability, and mid-range range.

## Independent-Stay Logic

- Use Santo Domingo for 1-3 nights of city time, not for a beach substitute.
- Use Las Terrenas when the user values going out for dinner, boutique hotels, and mixed beach plus town rhythm.
- Use Cabarete when the user wants activity and social energy more than protected calm water.

## Villa Caution

- A cheap villa can become expensive if it adds long grocery runs, poor beach access, and nightly transport dependence.
- Only recommend remote villas when the user clearly accepts the logistics and either has a driver, a car, or a full-service property.

## Rule

Choose stays by exit strategy as much as by view: how the user gets to beaches, dinner, tours, and the airport matters more than listing the prettiest property.


path: bayahibe-and-la-romana.md
content: # Bayahibe and La Romana — Dominican Republic

Bayahibe is often the smartest southeast alternative to the Punta Cana corridor when the user wants easier island-day access and a slightly calmer base.

## Best For

- Diving and snorkeling
- Saona or island-day planning
- Couples and families who want a smaller base
- Santo Domingo plus beach combos

## Area Logic

| Area | Best For | Reality |
|------|----------|---------|
| Bayahibe town | Smaller-scale beach base and excursion access | Better for movement than for luxury polish |
| Dominicus | Resort comfort with easier nearby beach logic | Good middle ground |
| La Romana / Casa de Campo zone | Premium stays, golf, private-club feel | Great if the user wants upscale containment |

## Why It Works

- Closer-feeling tie-in with Santo Domingo routes
- Strong water activity logic
- Easier to keep the trip to one or two bases

## What to Watch

- Excursion-heavy days can still become crowded or overbooked
- Some users expect it to feel like Punta Cana with less cost, which is the wrong comparison
- The area is strong for calm execution, not for broad nightlife or city energy


path: beaches.md
content: # Beaches — Dominican Republic

Do not talk about beaches as if they all deliver the same water, wind, and vibe. Matching the coast to the user's expectation matters more than naming the most famous stretch.

## Fast Beach Map

| Coast or area | Best For | Reality |
|---------------|----------|---------|
| Punta Cana and Bavaro | Easy resort beach time | Best for convenience, conditions vary by season |
| Bayahibe side | Calmer southeast logic and island access | Good for balanced trips |
| Samana peninsula | Scenic beaches and greener feel | Higher reward, more logistics |
| Las Galeras side | Quieter, lower-density beauty | Better for slower travelers |
| Cabarete | Wind sports and active beach days | Not the calm-water default |
| Puerto Plata area | Mixed-use beaches and easy north-coast routing | More about varied trip shape than one iconic beach |

## Choose by User Type

| User type | Best beach logic |
|-----------|------------------|
| Wants easiest swimmable resort week | Bayahibe or selected Punta Cana areas |
| Wants beach town plus restaurants | Las Terrenas |
| Wants wind sports | Cabarete |
| Wants scenic quieter beach add-on | Samana or Las Galeras |

## Reality Checks

- Seaweed and swell can change the quality of the same beach.
- A famous beach in photos may be wrong for families, weak swimmers, or users who want calm mornings.
- East coast and north coast often feel very different even when both are called "beach vacation" areas.


path: budget-and-costs.md
content: # Budget and Costs — Dominican Republic

Tourism pricing often appears in USD, while many local transactions still happen in Dominican pesos. Budget honestly from route shape, not from hotel ads alone.

## Fast Budget Bands

| Trip style | Typical reality |
|------------|-----------------|
| Budget | Guesthouses, buses, simple local meals, fewer private transfers |
| Mid-range | Mix of decent hotels, selective transfers, local meals plus some resort or beach-club spend |
| Upscale | Better beachfront hotels, private transfers, curated excursions, premium dining |
| Luxury | Branded resorts, villas, butlers or drivers, premium excursions, and low-friction airport handling |

## The Hidden Cost Drivers

- Airport transfers and long one-way road moves
- Resort meal plans versus eating outside compounds
- Boat excursions with add-on fees and tips
- Rental car, fuel, tolls, and parking
- Weather forcing a paid backup activity
- Late booking in winter-sun dates or holiday periods

## Budget Logic by Route

| Route shape | Cost behavior |
|-------------|---------------|
| One resort base | Easy to control if transfers are solved once |
| City plus beach | Moderate, but transfer math matters |
| Peninsula or north-coast self-routed trip | Lodging can be fair, movement adds up |
| Villa trip | Great for groups, wasteful for short solo or couple trips |

## Practical Advice

- Quote the user a daily cost range plus transfer and excursion assumptions.
- Separate "room rate" from "trip cost" so they can see where the money goes.
- If the user is price-sensitive, cut base changes before cutting every meal.
- If they care about peace of mind, pay for the clean airport and arrival chain first.


path: culture.md
content: # Culture — Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic rewards warmth, flexibility, and basic social awareness. The vibe is generally expressive and social, but good trip advice should turn that into practical expectations.

## What Matters

| Topic | Reality |
|-------|---------|
| Language | Spanish dominates daily life |
| Rhythm | Social, warm, and often more relaxed than rigid visitor schedules |
| Dress | Beachwear belongs at the beach; cities and nicer dinners skew more put-together |
| Music and nightlife | Merengue, bachata, and loud environments are normal in many contexts |

## Etiquette

- Greetings matter.
- A little patience goes further than acting rushed or entitled.
- In city and local settings, dressing with some intention often reads better than staying in full beach mode all day.
- Basic Spanish helps, especially outside resort bubbles.

## Timing Notes

- Heat changes the pace of midday.
- Dinners and evenings can start later than some visitors expect.
- Sundays and holidays can reshape shopping, traffic, and family outing patterns.

## What Outsiders Misread

- Friendly conversation is not the same as formal efficiency.
- Resort behavior and local urban behavior are not identical.
- "Island time" is not an excuse for bad planning, but users should expect a more flexible rhythm than in tightly scripted destinations.


path: entry-and-documents.md
content: # Entry and Documents

## What To Confirm First

- Whether the traveler is visa-free or needs a visa from Dominican foreign affairs.
- Whether arrival is by commercial flight, because the electronic entry-and-exit form applies there.
- Passport-validity rule for the traveler's nationality and trip type.
- Onward or return travel proof if airline staff ask for it.

## Core Rules

- Commercial airline passengers should complete the official free e-ticket before both inbound and outbound travel.
- For many tourist nationalities, the tourist card cost is already bundled into airline tickets on scheduled flights.
- Visa rules are nationality-specific. If there is any doubt, check the Dominican foreign-ministry path before buying non-refundable travel.
- Do not answer passport-validity questions from memory if the traveler's nationality falls outside the common U.S., Canada, EU, U.K., or Latin America tourist pathways.

## Practical Planning Advice

- Save a PDF or screenshot of the e-ticket QR before reaching the airport.
- Keep passport, hotel address, and outbound-flight details easy to show offline.
- If the user has a complex routing pattern, frame the entry step as a travel-day task, not an afterthought.

## Safe Output Pattern

For entry questions, answer in this order:
1. Whether this looks like a standard tourist pathway or a visa-check case
2. E-ticket requirement for air travel
3. Passport and onward-travel reminders
4. Official source to verify before payment

## Source Reminder

Use `sources.md` for the official tourism FAQ, Dominican e-ticket portal, and visa-check path.


path: experiences.md
content: # Experiences — Dominican Republic

Good experience planning should reduce randomness. Choose experiences by trip shape, not by a giant generic excursion menu.

## Best Experience Types

| Experience | Best For | Watch out for |
|------------|----------|---------------|
| Saona or island day | Southeast bases | Early starts, crowding, weather |
| Whale watching | Seasonal Samana trips | Conditions and timing matter |
| Diving or snorkeling | Bayahibe and some southeast stays | Skill level and sea conditions |
| Waterfalls, rafting, mountain days | Jarabacoa-led routes | Transfer time and physical effort |
| Colonial Zone cultural time | Santo Domingo trips | Heat and pacing |
| Wind sports | Cabarete | Works only if the user actually wants active beach days |

## How to Choose

- Pick one signature experience per 3-4 days of trip length, not one every day.
- If the user is staying in a resort to rest, do not overload the schedule with bus or boat days.
- If the user is in Samana or the mountains, keep a weather backup ready.

## What to Avoid

- Selling every boat trip as mandatory
- Combining long transfer days with physically demanding activities
- Recommending adventure-heavy days to families with small kids or users with mobility limits


path: family-travel.md
content: # Family Travel

## Easiest Family Bases

- Punta Cana and Bavaro for maximum hotel infrastructure and easiest airport flow
- Bayahibe for calmer-water family priorities with a quieter tone
- Santo Domingo only as a short contrast stop, not the whole family holiday

## Planning Rules

- Keep transfers short on arrival day.
- Prioritize properties with shade, pool backup, and food flexibility for mixed ages.
- Match the beach to the children's swim comfort, not just the adults' photo goals.
- If the trip is not resort-based, verify grocery, medical, and transport convenience around the stay.

## Better Family Use Cases

- One strong east-coast base
- One city-plus-beach pairing with clean transfer logic
- Older-kid adventure pairing with Jarabacoa or a north-coast activity base

## Trap Avoidance

- A beautiful remote villa is not family-friendly if it creates transport and food stress.
- Long same-day detours after beach time usually fail with children.
- North-coast surf logic is not the same as calm family swim logic.

## Rule

For families, the best Dominican Republic route is usually the one with less movement and more control.


path: food-guide.md
content: # Food Guide

## What To Explain Early

- Resort food and Dominican food are not the same category.
- The user gets the country's real flavor in city dining, roadside stops, beach restaurants, and neighborhood breakfast spots.

## Core Dishes

| Dish | Why it matters |
|------|----------------|
| La bandera | Everyday plate of rice, beans, meat, and salad |
| Mangu | Dominant breakfast reference point |
| Sancocho | Celebration and comfort dish |
| Fried fish by the beach | Core coastal eating pattern |
| Coconut-forward seafood in the northeast | Strong Samana identity |
| Tostones and yaniqueques | Common side or snack logic |

## Food Strategy by Region

- Santo Domingo for the broadest dining range and strongest modern restaurant scene.
- Samana and Las Terrenas for seafood and beach-town dining.
- North coast for a mix of Dominican, surf-town, and international casual food.
- Resort zones for convenience, with better local food often found outside the property walls.

## Practical Rules

- Breakfast and lunch are often the easiest times to find more local everyday food.
- Ask whether the user wants polished restaurants, street-level local food, seafood, or all-inclusive convenience before giving food advice.
- If the user is staying in a resort, separate "best local food nearby" from "best food inside the property."

## Rule

Food advice should locate the user in the country's real eating rhythm, not just upgrade their buffet.


path: itineraries.md
content: # Itineraries

## 4 Days - Easiest Beach Break

- Base: Punta Cana, Bavaro, or Cap Cana
- Day 1: Arrival, transfer, and settle into the beach rhythm
- Day 2: Full resort or beach-club day
- Day 3: One controlled excursion only, such as a catamaran or nearby beach day
- Day 4: Departure with no ambitious last-day plans

## 5 to 6 Days - Beach Plus City

- Base pair: Santo Domingo plus Punta Cana or Bayahibe
- First half: Colonial Zone, dining, and nightlife in the capital
- Second half: Easier beach days on the east or southeast coast
- Best for: First-time users who want both culture and swim time without too many transfers

## 7 Days - Independent North or Samana Focus

- Option A: Las Terrenas plus Las Galeras or Samana town
- Option B: Puerto Plata plus Cabarete
- Use when the user wants town-based dining, active beach days, and a less resorted experience
- Keep the route to one coast, not both

## 8 to 10 Days - Balanced First-Timer Route

- Base pair: Santo Domingo plus Bayahibe or Punta Cana
- Optional third base only if the user has high transfer tolerance
- Add boat day, one food-heavy city day, and one slower recovery day
- Best when the user wants the Dominican Republic beyond a single resort gate

## 10 to 12 Days - Country Contrast

- Base trio: Santo Domingo, Jarabacoa, and one beach coast
- Best for users who want city, mountains, and sea in one trip
- Keep arrival and departure airports aligned with the chosen coast to reduce backtracking

## Rule

For short trips, the highest-value move is usually one coast plus one contrast base, not a full-island sampler.


path: jarabacoa-and-constanza.md
content: # Jarabacoa and Constanza — Dominican Republic

These inland mountain zones are the contrast play. Use them when the user wants cooler air, hiking, rafting, waterfalls, or a different Dominican Republic than beach brochures show.

## Best For

- Nature-first add-ons
- Adventure travelers
- Repeat visitors who already did the coast
- Mixed north-coast or Cibao routes

## Why It Works

- Cooler temperatures
- Better hiking and river activity logic
- Strong reset after several beach days

## Best Use Pattern

- Add 2-3 nights, not a rushed day trip from a distant coast
- Pair with north coast or Santiago-linked routing more naturally than with Punta Cana
- Use it only if the user likes driving or curated transfers

## What to Flag

- Travel time is the real cost
- Weather can change trail or waterfall quality fast
- It is a terrible fit for users who want to unpack once and stay still


path: memory-template.md
content: # Memory Template - Dominican Republic

Create `~/dominican-republic/memory.md` with this structure:

```markdown
# Dominican Republic Trip Memory

## Status
status: ongoing
version: 1.0.0
last: YYYY-MM-DD
integration: pending | complete | paused | never_ask

## Trip Snapshot
- Dates:
- Duration:
- Arrival and departure airports:
- Travelers:
- Kids:
- Mobility notes:

## Route Direction
- Main base or coast:
- Backup base:
- Open region questions:
- Resort or independent bias:
- Transfer tolerance: [low / medium / high]
- Driving comfort: [none / daylight only / comfortable]

## Preferences
- Trip style:
- Budget:
- Pace:
- Water priorities:
- Food priorities:
- Nightlife priorities:
- Nature or adventure priorities:

## Conditions
- Must-see places:
- Must-avoid:
- Heat tolerance:
- Rain tolerance:
- Hurricane-season flexibility:
- Surf or rough-water comfort:

## Bookings and Deadlines
| Item | Needed by | Status | Notes |
|------|-----------|--------|-------|
| Entry steps | | | |
| Flights | | | |
| Hotels or resorts | | | |
| Airport transfers | | | |
| Car rental | | | |
| Tours or boat days | | | |

## Working Plan
- Current route draft:
- Weather backup:
- High-risk links:

## Notes
- Durable observations only.
```

## Status Values

| Value | Meaning | Behavior |
|-------|---------|----------|
| `ongoing` | still learning trip shape | ask only high-impact follow-ups |
| `complete` | core context is stable | act quickly from saved defaults |
| `paused` | memory use paused | do not expand without need |
| `never_ask` | no setup prompts wanted | avoid future setup questions |

## Key Principles

- Save coast choice, water fit, and transfer tolerance because they decide most Dominican Republic plans.
- Preserve airport, resort, and driving decisions because they create the biggest downstream friction.
- Replace guesses once flights, hotels, and transport become fixed.


path: nightlife.md
content: # Nightlife

## Best Nightlife Fits

| Goal | Better base |
|------|-------------|
| Full city nightlife, bars, and late dinners | Santo Domingo |
| Resort entertainment plus selected clubs | Punta Cana and Bavaro |
| Beach-town social rhythm | Cabarete or Las Terrenas |
| Quieter evenings | Bayahibe or smaller boutique regions |

## Practical Rules

- Santo Domingo is the strongest choice if nightlife is a real priority rather than a side benefit.
- Resort nightlife is easiest for convenience but weaker for local depth.
- Beach-town nightlife works best when the user is staying close enough to go out without complicated transport.

## Safety Logic

- Keep return transport solved before going out.
- Favor known pickup points and clear ride details late at night.
- Separate "lively" from "safe and convenient" because they are not always the same answer.

## Rule

Nightlife should be planned as a base choice, not as an afterthought added to any beach stay.


path: payments-and-money.md
content: # Payments and Money — Dominican Republic

The safe default is simple: bring a card that works internationally, keep some Dominican pesos for local friction, and do not assume resort payment habits apply everywhere else.

## Currency Reality

- Dominican peso (`DOP`) is the local currency.
- In tourism-heavy zones, prices may also be quoted in USD.
- If the user is comparing prices, ask whether taxes and service are already included.

## Cards Versus Cash

| Situation | Best payment logic |
|-----------|--------------------|
| Large resorts, supermarkets, formal restaurants | Cards usually fine |
| Small local eateries, beach vendors, drivers, tips | Cash still matters |
| Intercity transport and small shops | Keep local cash |
| Excursions sold informally | Confirm currency and what is included before paying |

## Tips, Service, and Taxes

- Restaurant and hotel bills may include tax and service in ways visitors do not expect.
- Ask whether the displayed price includes ITBIS and legal service before summarizing the true cost.
- Extra tipping is modest, not a US-style automatic 20 percent in every situation.
- For drivers, guides, housekeeping, and resort staff, explain tipping as appreciation, not an unthinking default.

## ATM and Exchange Advice

- Use bank ATMs or machines attached to reputable supermarkets or malls when possible.
- Avoid changing too much cash at the airport if the user is heading straight into a resort where a card works well.
- Keep smaller bills for tips, local snacks, and short rides.

## What People Get Wrong

- Converting every local quote into USD mentally and assuming it is a bad deal
- Carrying only large notes and then struggling with drivers or small cafes
- Forgetting that "all-inclusive" does not mean every off-property activity is covered
- Assuming every posted menu price is final without tax or service clarification


path: puerto-plata-cabarete-and-sosua.md
content: # Puerto Plata, Cabarete, and Sosua — Dominican Republic

The north coast works best for active travelers who want beaches plus movement, not just passive resort time.

## Best For

- Surf or kite travelers
- Repeat visitors
- Travelers who want a beach base with more day-to-day variation
- Mixed beach and inland add-on routes

## Base Logic

| Base | Best For | Reality |
|------|----------|---------|
| Puerto Plata | Easier arrivals, mixed resort and city access | Good anchor, not the most stylish beach-town feel |
| Cabarete | Wind sports, active scene, beach-town rhythm | Best for movement, not for total calm |
| Sosua | Convenient north-coast base with easy access | More practical than aspirational |

## What the North Coast Does Well

- Wind and activity
- Easier pairing with inland mountain days
- More varied trip texture than a single resort strip

## What It Does Less Well

- Perfectly calm-water beach expectations every day
- Hyper-polished resort consistency
- Very short trips where airport simplicity matters most

## Practical Advice

- Put Cabarete first only if wind sports or active beach life really matter.
- Use Puerto Plata when the user wants an easier anchor with excursions around it.
- Keep expectations honest: this coast is fun because it is varied, not because it feels like a controlled resort postcard.


path: punta-cana-and-bavaro.md
content: # Punta Cana and Bavaro

## Best Fit

- Use Punta Cana and Bavaro for the easiest beach holiday, direct resort logistics, and users who want low-decision relaxation.
- Strong for families, short honeymoons, golf, and all-inclusive convenience.
- Weak fit for travelers whose top goal is walkable local culture and independent town life.

## Area Logic

| Area | Better for |
|------|------------|
| Bavaro and Arena Gorda | Broad resort choice and classic all-inclusive trip |
| Cap Cana | Premium stays, polished environment, couples, golf |
| Uvero Alto | More secluded feel, longer transfer, rougher-water risk in some stretches |

## What Works Well

- Airport-to-resort efficiency
- Full-service family travel
- Controlled excursion menu instead of self-built logistics
- Combining beach days with one or two curated off-property outings

## Trap Avoidance

- Do not promise a local town-based experience from within a self-contained resort strip.
- Clarify whether the user wants calm-water swimming, adult nightlife, or a family pool machine because each points to different properties.
- If the user wants cultural depth, add Santo Domingo or another non-resort base rather than pretending Bavaro already covers it.

## Planning Rule

Punta Cana wins on convenience, not on representing the whole country.


path: regions.md
content: # Regions

## Think in Coast Types

Dominican Republic is easier to plan when broken into coast and trip identities rather than city names alone.

## 1. Punta Cana, Bavaro, and Cap Cana

- Best for easiest first trip, direct resort logistics, family convenience, and users who want beach time with low planning friction.
- Strong for all-inclusive stays, golf, pool-heavy trips, and short Caribbean holidays.
- Weak fit for users who want the most local, walkable, independently exploratory version of the country.

## 2. Bayahibe and La Romana

- Best for calmer Caribbean water, shorter boat access to Saona or Catalina, diving, and a quieter resort-plus-town balance.
- Strong for couples, divers, and travelers who want less mega-resort sprawl than Bavaro.
- Weak fit if the user wants big nightlife or a fully self-contained east-coast resort machine.

## 3. Santo Domingo

- Best for history, food, nightlife, and travelers who want the country beyond beach branding.
- Strong as a 1-3 night city add-on before or after a coast stay.
- Weak fit as the only stop for users who mainly want postcard beach relaxation.

## 4. Samana, Las Terrenas, and Las Galeras

- Best for independent travelers, greener scenery, beaches with personality, whale season, and a beach-town feel.
- Strong for boutique stays, mixed nature days, and users comfortable with slightly more logistics.
- Weak fit for users who want a frictionless short resort break.

## 5. Puerto Plata, Sosua, and Cabarete

- Best for north-coast energy, kitesurf or surf, active travelers, and mixed beach-town nightlife.
- Strong when the user values wind sports and a more town-based trip over pure resort insulation.
- Weak fit for users who need calm-water certainty or dislike breezier Atlantic conditions.

## 6. Jarabacoa and the Central Highlands

- Best for rafting, mountain air, weekend escapes, and travelers who want a break from beach weather.
- Strong as a contrast add-on with Santo Domingo or the north coast.
- Weak fit for users whose dream trip is mostly sea, boats, and beachfront leisure.

## 7. Southwest and Far South

- Best for repeat visitors, road-trip users, and travelers chasing a less-developed, more remote side of the country.
- Strong for high-commitment nature users.
- Weak fit for first-timers with short trips or anyone who wants easy logistics.

## Pairings That Usually Work

- Punta Cana or Bayahibe plus Santo Domingo
- Santo Domingo plus Jarabacoa
- Samana plus Las Terrenas
- Puerto Plata plus Cabarete

## Pairings That Usually Fail on Short Trips

- Punta Cana plus Samana plus Santo Domingo plus Puerto Plata in one quick holiday
- East-coast resort stay plus same-day deep city detours
- Remote southwest added as a casual side trip


path: road-trips-and-driving.md
content: # Road Trips and Driving

## When a Car Helps

- Samana peninsula, Jarabacoa, and more remote beach or mountain combinations gain real value from a car.
- North-coast multi-base trips can also justify a rental if the user wants flexibility and is comfortable driving by day.

## When a Car Hurts

- Santo Domingo city stays
- Short Punta Cana resort trips
- Users arriving late and facing a long unfamiliar drive
- Travelers who do not want road ambiguity, parking friction, or toll stops

## Practical Rules

- Prefer daylight driving, especially on first arrival and in mountain or less-developed areas.
- Treat toll roads, speed variation, and local driving style as real friction, not small details.
- Keep fuel and cash/card readiness simple before longer road days.
- If the user only needs one scenic outing, a driver is often smarter than renting for the whole trip.

## Best Use Cases

- Santo Domingo to Jarabacoa with flexible mountain stops
- North-coast trip mixing Puerto Plata, Sosua, and Cabarete
- Samana-area beaches where the user wants freedom to move between bases

## Rule

Recommend a car only when it improves the full trip more than it increases risk.


path: safety-and-emergencies.md
content: # Safety and Emergencies

## Core Risks

| Risk | Why it matters |
|------|----------------|
| Road behavior and night transfers | Travel friction and accident exposure rise fast after dark |
| Water and current conditions | Not every beach suits casual swimmers every day |
| Petty theft in urban or transit settings | More relevant outside controlled resort environments |
| Storm disruption | Hurricane-season trips need buffer and flexibility |
| Remote-stay logistics | Help, food, and transport can be slower in isolated areas |

## Practical Rules

- Use 911 for police, medical, or fire emergencies where service is available.
- In remote areas, resorts, hotels, and tour operators may still be the fastest first layer of help.
- Respect beach flags, surf warnings, and rough-water days, especially on Atlantic-facing beaches.
- Keep passports, cards, phones, and transport details controlled in cities, beaches, and transit points.
- Avoid casual late-night road moves after long flights if a transfer or hotel night solves the risk better.

## Health and Execution

- Hydration, sun protection, and heat pacing matter more than many first-timers expect.
- Drinkable-water assumptions should follow hotel or bottled-water logic, not improvisation.
- Travel insurance matters more once the trip includes boats, diving, road trips, or remote stays.

## Rule

Dominican Republic safety is usually a logistics-and-conditions problem before it becomes a crime problem.


path: samana-and-las-terrenas.md
content: # Samana and Las Terrenas

## Best Fit

- Use this region for greener scenery, more independent travel, and a beach-town rhythm that feels less packaged.
- Strong for boutique stays, nature, whale season, and users who like eating outside the hotel every night.
- Weak fit for travelers who want a frictionless short trip with minimal transport thinking.

## Area Logic

| Area | Better for |
|------|------------|
| Las Terrenas | Best overall independent base with dining and beach-town life |
| Samana town | Transit hub and whale-season logistics |
| Las Galeras | Quieter, more remote, slower pacing |

## What Works Well

- Boutique hotels and apartments
- Mixing beach time with waterfalls, viewpoints, or boat days
- Couples or friend groups who do not need all-inclusive structure

## Trap Avoidance

- Do not send low-tolerance travelers here for a 3-night quick escape unless flights and transfers are unusually clean.
- A remote villa without a car or driver can turn the trip into logistics work.
- Weather and road time matter more here than in classic east-coast resort stays.

## Planning Rule

Samana works best when the traveler wants personality and accepts slightly more effort.


path: santo-domingo.md
content: # Santo Domingo

## Best Fit

- Use Santo Domingo when the user wants history, restaurants, nightlife, and the country's strongest city identity.
- Strong for 1-3 nights before or after a beach segment.
- Weak fit as a substitute for a beach holiday.

## Stay Strategy

| Goal | Better base |
|------|-------------|
| Colonial atmosphere and walkability | Zona Colonial |
| Business-style comfort and modern dining | Piantini or Naco |
| Nightlife and social energy | Central districts with easy ride access |

## What Works Well

- Colonial Zone for first-time history and evening walks
- Modern city districts for better hotel inventory and more polished dining
- Food and nightlife users who want to see the country beyond resort walls

## Trap Avoidance

- Do not oversell the city as a same-day side trip from far east-coast resorts.
- Keep airport, hotel, and evening plans geographically tight because traffic can eat the schedule.
- Use the city for contrast, not for beach time.

## Planning Rule

Santo Domingo is the best Dominican Republic stop for depth, but only if the user gives it enough time to breathe.


path: setup.md
content: # Setup - Dominican Republic Travel Guide

Create `~/dominican-republic/` on first use and initialize `~/dominican-republic/memory.md` from `memory-template.md`.

## First Contact

Answer the immediate Dominican Republic question first, then capture only the facts that change the route:
- Travel window or exact dates
- Resort-heavy, beach-hopping, city, food, remote-work, family, surf, or mixed priorities
- Preferred water type: calm swim water, snorkeling, boat days, or surf and wind
- Tolerance for long road transfers, intercity buses, and rental-car driving
- Budget band and stay style: all-inclusive, boutique, apartment, villa, or mixed
- Whether nightlife, off-resort dining, or independent exploration matters

## What To Save

Keep durable facts in memory:
- Confirmed coast or base under consideration
- Resort-first vs independent-travel bias
- Family setup, mobility needs, and beach safety needs
- Flight airports and transfer sensitivity
- Water, nightlife, food, and pace priorities
- Open questions such as "Punta Cana vs Samana" or "resort vs boutique hotel"

## Returning Users

Read `~/dominican-republic/memory.md`, reuse what is still valid, and ask only what changed:
- Dates
- Base choice
- Bookings already fixed
- Car, driver, or bus decisions
- Weather or season concerns

## Quick Start Prompts

**"I want an easy beach vacation."**
- Ask whether the user wants an all-inclusive resort, adults-only setup, or family ease.
- Then use `punta-cana-and-bavaro.md`, `beaches-and-islands.md`, `accommodation.md`, and `transport-domestic.md`.

**"I want the more local side of the country."**
- Ask whether the user wants city, beach town, or mountain energy.
- Then use `regions.md`, `santo-domingo.md`, `samana-and-las-terrenas.md`, `jarabacoa-and-central-highlands.md`, and `food-guide.md`.

**"I need a full Dominican Republic route."**
- Ask total days, arrival airport, resort vs independent style, and whether the user is comfortable changing bases.
- Then use `regions.md`, `itineraries.md`, `transport-domestic.md`, and `budget-and-payments.md`.

## Important Notes

- Dominican Republic trip quality depends more on choosing the right coast than on packing in more stops.
- East-coast resort ease, north-coast wind, Samana nature, and Santo Domingo city logic are different products.
- The safest planning move is fewer transfers, clearer water-fit, and better weather margin.


path: sources.md
content: # Sources - Dominican Republic Skill

Last checked: 2026-03-12

## Entry and Stay

- Dominican Republic official travel FAQ: https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/travel/faqs/
- Dominican Republic official e-ticket portal: https://eticket.migracion.gob.do/
- Dominican Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa information: https://mirex.gob.do/visas/

## Tourism and Destination Planning

- Official tourism portal: https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/
- Punta Cana destination overview: https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/destinations/punta-cana/
- Santo Domingo destination overview: https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/destinations/santo-domingo/
- Samana destination overview: https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/destinations/samana/
- Puerto Plata destination overview: https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/destinations/puerto-plata/
- Las Terrenas destination overview: https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/destinations/las-terrenas/
- Jarabacoa destination overview: https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/destinations/jarabacoa/

## Transport and Connectivity

- Official tourism transport guidance: https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/travel/travel-info/getting-around-the-dominican-republic/
- Uber city availability and planning: https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/
- Claro Dominicana: https://www.claro.com.do/personas/
- Altice Dominicana: https://www.altice.com.do/
- PedidosYa Dominican Republic: https://www.pedidosya.com.do/

## Weather and Safety

- Dominican emergency system 911: https://911.gob.do/
- Official tourism FAQ weather and practical travel basics: https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/travel/faqs/
- U.S. travel advisory and country information for current safety cross-checking: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/DominicanRepublic.html


path: telecoms-and-apps.md
content: # Telecoms and Apps

## Connectivity Basics

- Roaming or eSIM is usually the easiest answer for short resort trips.
- A local line from major operators such as Claro or Altice becomes more useful for longer stays, remote work, or independent multi-stop routes.
- Download offline maps before mountain drives, remote beaches, or cross-country transfer days.

## Best App Categories

| Need | What to use |
|------|-------------|
| Messaging with hotels, drivers, hosts, and tours | WhatsApp |
| Driving and traffic | Waze plus offline map backup |
| General navigation | Google Maps with saved hotel and airport pins |
| Delivery in bigger cities | PedidosYa or hotel concierge fallback |
| Ride-hailing in major cities | Uber where available, while checking local pickup reality |

## Practical Advice

- Save lodging addresses and transfer contacts before landing.
- Keep e-ticket QR, hotel confirmations, and return-flight details available offline.
- Ride-hailing works best in major urban areas, but airport and resort pickup rules can change, so always confirm the exact meeting point.

## Rule

Digital convenience is good in the Dominican Republic until the route leaves the main city or resort corridor, so make maps, contacts, and confirmations resilient before moving.


path: transport-domestic.md
content: # Transport Domestic

## Best Transport Model by Trip Type

| Trip | Better transport model |
|------|------------------------|
| Punta Cana or Bayahibe resort stay | Airport transfer plus selected excursions |
| Santo Domingo city stay | Walking in key districts plus app rides |
| North-coast town trip | Airport transfer or rental car depending base hops |
| Samana or Jarabacoa independent loop | Private transfer or rental car if user accepts daylight driving |

## Airports

- Choose the airport that matches the coast. East-coast resort trips do not need a capital-city arrival unless pricing or routing clearly justifies it.
- Santo Domingo works for city trips and some southeast pairings.
- Puerto Plata works best for north-coast stays.
- Samana or eastern arrivals can reduce road friction when available.

## Buses and Long Transfers

- Caribe Tours, Metro, and Expreso Bavaro cover many intercity moves, but they solve only part of the trip because hotel-last-mile transport still matters.
- Buses work best for light packers who are staying in cities or town centers, not isolated villas or large resort compounds.

## City Movement

- Santo Domingo traffic is the country's main urban friction point. Keep airport, hotel, and dinner geography compact.
- In resort corridors, hotel transfers are often cleaner than improvising roadside taxis.
- Moto-based informal transport is not the default recommendation for most travelers.

## Rule

In Dominican Republic planning, transport failure usually happens in the last mile, not on the headline route, so always finish the movement plan from terminal to hotel and back.


path: weather-and-seasonality.md
content: # Weather and Seasonality

## Broad Timing Logic

- December to April is the easiest window for most users: lower humidity, strong demand, and more predictable beach weather.
- May to August is hotter and more humid but still works well for many beach trips.
- Hurricane season runs from June through November, with higher storm risk later in the season.

## What Season Changes

| Period | What changes |
|--------|--------------|
| Winter peak | Best broad weather, highest pricing, strongest demand |
| Spring shoulder | Good balance for many first trips |
| Summer | Hotter, more humid, family travel, north-coast wind sports logic improves |
| Late summer to fall | Storm flexibility matters more than destination count |

## Special Seasonal Windows

- Samana whale watching is a winter feature, not a year-round promise.
- North-coast wind and kitesurf logic is strongest when the user actually wants wind, not protected calm swim water.
- Mountain add-ons help users who want a break from peak coastal heat.

## Planning Rule

- In hurricane season, choose routes with flexible cancellation logic, fewer fragile transfers, and properties that still work well in mixed weather.
- For short premium trips, pay extra attention to the season fit because one storm-affected day can change the value of the whole trip.

## Rule

For the Dominican Republic, month matters almost as much as destination.


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