HOOKED and Virgin Voyages

The sheer size of the US prevents any kind of all-encompassing statement about the typical American experience. From the state-of-the-art skyscrapers of New York City to the scenic country lanes of New England, the United States of America is a place of astonishing beauty and extraordinary diversity. Nothing can remotely prepare you for your first glimpse of the glorious Golden Gate Bridge, the glistening Empire State building, the neon lights of Las Vegas, or the iconic Statue of Liberty. Not to mention the natural treasures on offer - the country’s beautiful national parks are home to some of the world’s most treasured wildlife and landscapes; the west and east coasts are strewn with spectacular beaches, and the Rockies provide endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. In fact, it is a country of such epic proportions that you could easily spend a lifetime in the US and still feel like you have barely scratched the surface.

Currency 

Local currency: United States Dollar 
Symbol: $ 
ISO code: USD 
Subunit: Cent 
Banknotes: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 
Coins: 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢ 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Yes 
Diner’s club: Yes 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 
Weekends: Varies by bank 
Public Holidays: Yes, varies by bank 
Foreign exchange services: Yes

Air: 

Main airlines: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines 
International Airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), O'Hare International Airport (ORD) 
Domestic Airports: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Denver International Airport (DEN) 

Road: 

Driving on the: Right 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Yes, in rural areas 
Valid International Driver's License needed: No 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes 

Bus: 

Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 

Railway system: Yes 
Subway System: Yes 

Water: 

Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Food and water safety: 

Can you drink the tap water: Yes 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: Yes 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Yes 

Local cuisine: 

North American cuisine varies widely, with influences from Native American, European, Asian, and African cultures. Common dishes include hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, barbecue, seafood, and various regional specialties such as Tex-Mex and New England clam chowder. Notable local drinks include cola, craft beer, bourbon, and wine. 

Tipping: 15-20% 

Annual Rainfall:

• Varies by region:
• Pacific Northwest (Seattle, WA): ~1,500 mm (60 inches)
• Southwest (Phoenix, AZ): ~200 mm (8 inches)
• Southeast (Miami, FL): ~1,400 mm (55 inches)
• Northeast (New York, NY): ~1,200 mm (47 inches)

Average Temperature:

• Varies by region:
• Pacific Northwest (Seattle, WA): 11°C (52°F)
• Southwest (Phoenix, AZ): 24°C (75°F)
• Southeast (Miami, FL): 24°C (75°F)
• Northeast (New York, NY): 12°C (54°F)

Summer:

• Average highs: 20-40°C (68-104°F)
• Average lows: 10-28°C (50-82°F)

Winter:

• Average highs: -1 to 25°C (30-77°F)
• Average lows: -5 to 15°C (23-59°F)

Best time to visit: The ideal time to visit North America depends on your plans. Summer is perfect for outdoor activities and warm weather, while winter is best for skiing and snow sports. Fall features stunning foliage, and spring offers pleasant weather and blooming flowers. Timing depends on the experiences you're after.

Spring and Summer 

Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 

Winter and Autumn 

Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes 

General 

Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Plug Type: Type A, Type B 
Voltage (V): 120V 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 60Hz 

*A Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances. 

Sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, the Dominican Republic is not your typical Caribbean destination. Endowed with the idyllic beaches and aquamarine waters that the archipelago is famous for, its unique geographical and cultural features are what set it apart. From its vibrant, rhythmic merengue music and warm, hospitable people to its lonely desert lowlands and ancient Taino rock art, it certainly keeps travellers on its toes with its diverse offerings. There's so much to do, see and explore here: sunbathing on exquisite beaches, snorkelling, scuba diving and whale-watching along the coast. Experience the island's fauna and flora on ecotourism tours, dance the night away at clubs in the many cosmopolitan cities, enjoy fabulous local cuisine, and play golf on world-class courses.

Currency

Dominican Peso (DOP; symbol RD$). Notes are in denominations of RD$2,000, 1,000, 500, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of RD$25, 10, 5 and 1.

The import and export of local currency is limited to RD$20,000 in notes and RD$100 in coins; the import of foreign banknotes is allowed provided they are declared on arrival and if they are over US$10,000 and re-export is intended.

The peso is not available outside the Dominican Republic. Currencies of Canada, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, UK and USA may be converted into local currency. On departure, up to 30% of the exchanged currency can be reconverted into US Dollars at any bank, provided original receipts are shown. All exchange must be done through official dealers such as banks and hotels approved by the Central Bank. Most resorts quote prices in (and are happy to accept) US Dollars. Some street vendors in touristic areas also accept US Dollars although these are not legal tender in the country.

Banking

Banking hours:  Mon-Fri 08h00-15h00, Sat 09h00-13h00. In shopping centres: Mon-Fri 09h00-19h00, Sat 09h00-13h00.

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa credit cards are all accepted.Most ATMs in the Dominican Republic accept international bank cards.Traveller's cheques are accepted by some banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Servicios Aéreos Profesionales (www.sapair.com) runs regular flights between Santo Domingo, Santiago, Samaná, Punta Cana and Puerto Plata. Planes may also be chartered.

There are several car hire companies in Santo Domingo. The minimum age for car hire is 25. A credit card is required for car hire transactions. Insurance is compulsory. The speed limit is up to 60kph (38mph) in cities and 80-100kph (50-63mph) on motorways. Seat belts are legally required to be worn.A national or International Driving Permit is accepted, but is only valid for 90 days. Vehicles are driven on the right side of the road.

There is a reasonable network of roads, including the Sanchez Highway running westwards from Santo Domingo to Elias Pina on the Haitian frontier; the Mella Highway extending eastwards from Santo Domingo to Higuey in the southeast and the Duarte Highway running north and west from Santo Domingo to Santiago and to Monte Cristi on the northwest coast.

The new Autopista del Coral motorway links Santo Domingo with Punta Cana and La Romana. Driving from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana now takes around 2 hours, whilst from Santo Domingo to La Romana is 30 minutes.

Not all roads in the Dominican Republic are all-weather and 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for wet weather. Checkpoints near military installations are ubiquitous, though no serious difficulties have been reported (those near the Haitian border are most likely to be sensitive). Keep doors and windows locked at all times. Driving at night is not recommended because of poor lighting and and signage.

Travellers are advised to hire tourist taxis or radio taxis that can be arranged in advance. Avoid unmarked taxis.

Santo Domingo has flat-fare bus and minibus services, and an estimated 7,000 share-taxis called Carro de Conchos. These operate a 24-hour service in Santo Domingo, Santiago and Puerto Plata. Hotel taxis are also available. In old Santo Domingo, the streets are narrow with blind corners, so care should be taken, particularly as Dominican drivers have a tendency to use their horns rather than their brakes. Horse-drawn carriages are available for hire in tourist areas for tours around parks and plazas.

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated and sterilisation should be considered essential. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is pasteurised. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Native Dominican cooking combines Spanish influences with local produce. There is plenty of fresh fish and seafood; island-grown tomatoes, lettuce, papaya, mangoes, passion fruit and citrus fruits are delicious.

Hotel and restaurant bills automatically include a 10% service charge (on top of a 12% charge for tax purposes) but an additional tip may be given as an appreciation of good service.

The Dominican Republic is hot and tropical, with little seasonal variation in temperatures, which average about 77°F (25°C). Seasons can, however, be determined by rainfall, with October to April being the rainy season on the north coast, while May to November is the wettest month in the south of the country. The driest area is the west. Cooler temperatures and less humidity are generally experienced between November and April, while the mountainous interior is always cooler than the rest of the country.

Hurricanes occur on average once every two years on the island, most striking the south of the country and most happening in August and September. The busiest time of year to visit the Dominican Republic is between December and April when North Americans take a tropical break from their winters, and from June to September, which coincides with European summer holidays.

Electrical sockets (outlets) in the Dominican Republic are very similar to the electrical outlets found in the United States and Canada, and if your appliance has a North American plug, it's possible that you won't need any adapter at all in order to plug in there. However, there are two potentially very important physical differences that may need to be addressed with an adapter: grounding and/or polarization. If your plug has one or both, and the socket doesn't, then the plug may not physically be able to fit into the socket without an adapter.

In the case of a North American appliance plug, grounding is accomplished by the third, round pin beneath and below the two vertical blades on the plug. Polarization is accomplished by the left vertical blade being taller than the right, so that the plug can't be inserted upside down. U.S. and Canadian sockets are required to be both grounded and polarized. But in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Japan and other areas which use U.S. style sockets, grounding and polarization often are not required, and in fact, the majority of sockets in many of these areas do not accept the taller blade and/or the third grounding pin. This will prevent a North American appliance plug from being able to plug into these sockets, if the plug is either grounded or polarized.

Electrical sockets (outlets) in the Dominican Republic usually supply electricity at between 110 and 120 volts AC. If you're plugging in a U.S. or Canadian 120 volt appliance, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need.

But travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 110-120 volts the socket is supplying. If your appliance is from another part of the world, and it is built only for 220-240 volt electricity, or a Japanese appliance built for 100 volts, then a travel plug adapter by itself won't be sufficient. The voltage will have to be changed from 110-120 volts at the socket, to whatever voltage your appliance requires. This is accomplished with a voltage transformer.

Puerto Rico is a US territory in the Caribbean, composed of one main island (Puerto Rico) and a spattering of smaller satellite islands. It has been dubbed the ‘Island of Enchantment’ for good reason: its long stretches of white sand beach, lush rainforest scenery, eclectic culture and exotic ambience make it an irresistible travel destination. The island is relatively small, so it’s easy to travel around and see most of the outstanding attractions. These include the misty tropical jungles of El Yunque National Park, the pristine beaches and bioluminescent mangrove bays of Vieques, and the capital, San Juan, known for its sizzling nightlife - especially around the Isla Verde area, where seductive salsa beats continue into the early hours of the morning.

Currency:
Local currency: United States Dollar (USD)
Symbol: $
ISO code: USD
Subunit: Cent (1 USD = 100 cents)
Banknotes: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100
Coins: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $1

Banking:
Card Transactions: Widely accepted
ATMs: Yes (available throughout the island)
Mastercard: Yes
Visa: Yes
American Express: Yes
Diner’s club: Limited acceptance

Banking Hours:
Weekdays: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Weekends: Limited (some banks open on Saturdays)
Public Holidays: Closed
Foreign exchange services: Yes

Air
Main airlines: American Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines
International Airports: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
Domestic Airports: Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN), Mercedita Airport (PSE)

Road
Driving on the: Right
Tar roads: Yes
Gravel roads: Yes (in rural areas)
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes (if staying longer than 90 days)
Car hire available: Yes
Taxis: Yes
E-hailing services: Yes (Uber operates in major cities)

Bus
Inter-city bus services: Limited
Local city bus networks: Yes (primarily in San Juan)

Rail
Railway system: No
Subway System: Yes (limited, Tren Urbano in San Juan)

Water
Ferries: Yes (connects mainland Puerto Rico to Vieques and Culebra)
Water taxis: Limited
Leisure cruises: Yes (departures from San Juan port)

Food and water safety: Generally safe for consumption
Can you drink the tap water: Yes, generally safe for consumption (in most areas, but bottled water is recommended in rural areas)
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes
Ice: Yes
Meat: Yes
Street food: Yes

Local cuisine: Puerto Rican cuisine, known as "cocina criolla," blends Taino, Spanish, and African influences. Popular dishes include "mofongo" (fried plantains mashed with garlic and filled with meat or seafood), "lechón asado" (roast pork), and "arroz con gandules" (rice with pigeon peas). Street food such as "alcapurrias" (fried stuffed fritters) and "pinchos" (meat skewers) is widely enjoyed.

Drinks: Notable local drinks include "piña colada," "coquito" (a coconut-based drink similar to eggnog), rum, and local coffee.

Tipping: 15-20% (standard for good service)

Annual rainfall: Approximately 1500 mm
Average temperature: 25-30 °C

Summer:
Average in highs: 32 °C
Average in lows: 25 °C

Winter:
Average in highs: 29 °C
Average in lows: 23 °C

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Puerto Rico is from mid-April to June, just after the busy winter season and before the rainy summer. During this time, the weather is pleasant, and crowds are smaller. The hurricane season runs from June to November, with increased rainfall and potential storm activity.

Spring and Summer
Cool, light, breathable, and comfortable: Yes
Lightweight warm clothes: No

Winter and Autumn
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Yes (for cooler evenings, especially in mountainous areas)
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No

General
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes (frequent tropical showers)
Warm gloves, hat, and scarf: No
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes
Hat, sunglasses, and sunblock: Yes
Walking shoes: Yes
Casual: Yes
Smart-casual attire: Yes (for upscale restaurants and events)

Internet cafes: Yes (limited availability)
Accommodation options: Yes (most hotels provide Wi-Fi)
Restaurants: Yes (many offer free Wi-Fi)
Cafes: Yes
Shopping malls: Yes
Public parks: Limited
Libraries: Yes

Sint Maarten, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is a country on the southern part of a Caribbean island shared with Saint Martin, a French overseas collectivity. The Dutch side of the island boasts excellent casino hotels and surprisingly vibrant nightlife. Visitors can wander the cobblestone streets of the lively capital, Philipsburg, with its colourful, colonial-style buildings and its array of popular duty-free shops selling jewellery and liquor. With the towering Mount Flagstaff as its scenic backdrop, this unique island destination offers delicious fusion cuisine, pristine beaches, a year-round warm climate and a cosmopolitan atmosphere with a Caribbean twist. Watersport enthusiasts will be spoiled for choice with a wide range of activities available, including diving, snorkelling, parasailing, jet-skiing and windsurfing.

Currency

US Dollars are accepted everywhere but at the moment the official currency is the Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin (ANG; symbol ƒ) which is going to soon be phased out and replaced by the Caribbean Guilder (CMg) by 2012-2013. Notes are in denominations of 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, 1 guilder, and 5 guilder coins. The Caribbean guilder will be pegged to the US Dollar (US$ 1 = CMg 1.79).

There are no restrictions but amounts over Æ20,000, or equivalent, must be declared.

Banking

Banking hours: Monday-Friday 08h30-11h30 and 13h30-16h30. Some banks are also open on Saturday.

All major credit cards are widely accepted.

Travellers cheques are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

All major currencies can be exchanged at banks on the island.

There are plenty of car hire firms in the city and at the airport. Chauffeur-driven cars are also available. Vehicles are driven on the right side of the road. Most roads on the island are in good condition. A national driving licence is required.

There are safe and reliable taxi services on the island running from the airport, main hotels and towns. Taxis do not have meters but fares are fixed. There is a 50% surcharge after midnight. There is a taxi station at Wathey Square. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.

You can charter small boats for fishing trips, scuba-diving, waterskiing or visits to neighbouring islands. There are marinas at Oyster Pond, Philipsburg and Simpson Bay Lagoon.

Water on the island is considered safe to drink. Bottled mineral water is widely available. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

St Maarten's cuisine is as varied as its history, combining Creole, Dutch, English, French and, more recently, international influences. Local specialities include seafood, goat and Guavaberry liquor.

Tipping: 10 to 15% is generally acceptable for waiters and bar staff.

As a general rule, lightweight, light-colored clothing in natural fabrics are advisable. When you go out to dinner, a little more formality than the shorts you wore out hiking is in order. Men should bring along collared shirts and slacks with loafers or boat shoes, and women will want sun dresses or slacks, and perhaps the occasional party dress. Umbrellas or light waterproofs are also recommended as are sun hats, sunscreen and sunglasses.

Internet access is available in several Internet Cafés on both sides of the island. Most of those Cybercafés are offices (not cafés!) with scheduled opening hours on weekdays only. In addition, several restaurants and bars offer free WiFi access

Internet hotspots, are available, but not well documented. These hotspots are mainly in the Simpson Bay area, in the marinas and at SXM airport.

Electrical sockets (outlets) in Sint Maarten (St. Martin) are one of the two European standard electrical socket types: The "Type C" Europlug and the "Type E" and "Type F" Schuko. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in.

Electrical sockets (outlets) in Sint Maarten (St. Martin) usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 220-240V electrical output, a voltage converter will be necessary.