Probably Is.
plink said:
Thanks Rick?
you don't understand for us that is short notice...it takes my hubby about that long to buy a car or a major purchase..LOL
anyway we have been to Aruba 2 x and have absolutely loved it there and did not want to be disappointed in this trip. we never needed a tourist card there just birth cert. don't want to make any mistakes that causes any delays at the airport. we have booked through apple so this is probably the $10 extra she was telling us about that was not covered in the booking price.
thanks for the help!!!
The tourist card is in essence the replacement for a visa obtained in advance (which some DR visitors need, not you). It is, simply put , a cheap-a_s_s method of making hard currency, cheap-assified more so recently by reducing the # of days you can stay from 90 to 15, so they can charge a tax on leaving of a measly 60 cents.
Most countries other than USA , UK, Canada and Mexico charge for them - Chile charges you (US: $100, Canada $55) for a one time stamp , Nicaragua $7 per entry, etc. taxes, pure and simple. And really there is probably some fee in a US arrival in teh taxes on your ticket also.
DO NOT lose the bottom 1/2. Keep a colour copy of your passport page with the photo ( and maybe the entry stamp and tourist card after you arrive, in black and white) with you when walking about and never carry the original passport , leave that in the safe in your room until you go and keep the 1/2 of the tourist card with it.
You will probably get a one per family customs card on the plane as well, it amazingly enough is free. I put the name Knute Rockne on mine and then sneak past customs and throw it away.