Act Like a Local
Nothing stands out like a sunburnt, fannypack toting tourist repeatedly shrieking "Hablas Inglés?!" We had some locals tell us how not to be that guy.
DO - Get gussied up.
You don't have to try hard to act like a local — Dominicans are friendly, open and direct. (Just don't be surprised when they start asking questions about your family and love life.) They are unconditionally welcoming to tourists and aware that their local quirks take some by surprise. Rather than watch foreigners fumble, many Punta Cana locals were happy to provide us with the lowdown on fitting in — we've rounded up the best local tips on acting like one of them.
DO
1 Get gussied up.
What you wear by the pool, should stay by the pool. Bathing suits, sarongs and flipflops are strictly poolside and beachwear — no one needs to see your peeling calves and hairy toes at the dinner table. "At highend restaurants, follow the dress code, which is more formal than you might imagine," says Natacha Pimentel, owner of Turquesa boutique in Punta Cana Village. She explains that tourists don't realize that Dominicans are very imageconscious. "Despite the heat and humidity we love to look crisp and groomed at all times," she says. So ladies, pack nice sundresses and at least one cocktail dress, and pair those with a pashmina. You'll thank us for that tip when the air conditioning is set to Arctic. Gentlemen, you can never go wrong with a nice shirt and chinos.
2 Wear sunscreen...seriously.
While tourists like to fry in the sun like sizzling strips of bacon in their quest for maximum darkness, locals tend to avoid the sun and seek the shade. And they all agree on one thing: tourists underestimate the sun's strength in Punta Cana. Dermatologist Dr. Sheila Feliz of Hospiten private clinic recommends using SPF 30 sunscreen and avoiding the midday sun. "Too many visitors end up seeking medical treatment here for firstdegree burns and sunstroke," she says. "In addition to the longterm risks, a painful sunburn has ruined many a vacation." Not to mention that a lobsterlike hue marks you as an obvious tourist.
3 Complain about the beer's temperature.
Locals make a point of complaining that their beer isn't cold enough; get into the swing of things by sending it back and insisting on the frosted ceniza (ash) or vestida de novia (dressed as a bride) effect on the outside of the bottle. Remember, though, that Dominicans always complain with a goodnatured smile, so be sure to show those pearly whites. You get a bonus point for remembering to use the local slang for a beer — una fría (a cold one).
4 Shake your hips.
It's no secret that Latinos seem to be born with some dancing gene that most white folks lack. While they gyrate their hips and shake their butts like it's second nature, most tourists tend to watch from the sidelines, intimidated. Maria A. recommends taking Latin dance lessons before coming to Punta Cana "to give the locals a run for their money." She adds that salsa, bachata and merengue classes are a safe bet.
5 Kick it old school.
Most tourists haven't played domino since their childhood. Even likelier, most people only know it as that game where you tip over dotted blocks. In Punta Cana, playing dominoes in front of a colmado is a timehonored tradition, much like chess in American parks. So if you see old guys playing, join 'em and make fast friends. Nothing will make you seem more local than a cold beer and a game of dominoes with a leathery local, says Pedro Almonte, a Punta Cana native.
DON'T
1 Hibernate in the hotel.
Many tourists fear what's outside of their shiny, comfy resorts — or see no need to leave a place where everything is included and paid for. But the real Dominican experience awaits outside, so come out of hiding and shake your hips to some bachata. Party like a local, with the locals — most people recommend the Verón Tropical (it's on the main drag in Verón) car wash, bar and nightclub for its deafening music and throbbing dancefloor. If you're lucky, you might even catch a live concert by a local musician.
2 Order the wrong thing.
Be careful when ordering. Punta Cana resident Clara González, author of Aunt Clara's DominicanCookbook, says, "If you remember just one thing when ordering at a Dominican restaurant, it definitely has to be that mofongo and mondongo, however similarsounding, are two very different dishes." (Hint: Mofongo is a tasty plantainbased dish, flavored with pork crackling, while mondongo is stewed tripe.)
3 Make a face.
A running joke among Dominicans is the face most healthconscious tourists make when taking a sip of coffee or juice in the Dominican Republic. Be prepared knowing that coffee and juice are almost always extremely sweetened here.
Punta Cana resident Ilana Benady is the coauthor of four books about the Dominican Republic, including Culture Smart Dominican Republic: The Essential Guide to Customs and Culture (Kuperard, 2010).
Reader Comments
- Loved it! Congrats Aunt Ilana! (Posted on 01 Feb 2012)
