Siestas and Fiestas - How to Plan Errands and Activities on Dominican Time

In the last three weeks, the Fiesta schedule of the Dominican Republic has taken on a life of its own. The Dominican holidays started with Christmas Eve, carried through New Year’s and are still going strong as we celebrate the official Three King’s Day holiday today – although the actual holiday was January 6^th. January will continue as a series of shortened weeks with Our Lady of Altagracia Day – celebrated from January 21^st until January 24^th – and will encompass Day of Duarte which actually falls on the 26^th of January this year.

In addition to the numerous business and government closings to accommodate those fiestas, the siesta is still a common custom throughout the Samana Peninsula. That means any business may be closed from any portion of the afternoon from 1pm to 3pm. Those hours may be posted by the business, but don’t be surprised if there’s no notice except a closed storefront.

All of that siesta’ing and fiesta’ing means one thing – plan if you can. I find my daily activities are dictated by the schedules of others in a way I would never have expected in the US. Suffice it to say, you don’t run out for a last minute dinner ingredient for Christmas dinner here in Las Terrenas. And you don’t try to pick up a gallon of milk after lunch. The most important thing you can do is get to know the local rhythm.

There are a surprising number of businesses that open between 7 and 8 am – so getting up early to get things done is definitely an option. In fact, today, some business were open – even though it is a holiday – but only until 1pm. Other businesses have been closed since last Thursday in observance of the declared holiday. In the tourism sector, though, many businesses have been putting in very long hours since the long holiday weekends are designed with tourism in mind. Don’t expect the local hotels and clubs to be closing shop early.

Another solution is to focus your business dealing to later in the day. Many Dominican retailers and service providers keep hours as late at 7pm to accommodate their clients. That includes banks, insurance offices and many other businesses you might expect to operate 9am-5pm.