Nestled within the Atlantic Ocean, the Dominican Republic is ready between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, offering a tropical oasis for vacationers to expertise a number of the world’s greatest seashores, fabulous resorts, and loads of recreation and leisure alternatives.
However, visiting the Dominican Republic is typically not all about exploring a tropical paradise. When vacationers will not be cautious, they will fall sufferer to a violent crime or island rip-off.
As of February 1, 2023, the U.S. Department of State lists the Dominican Republic as a Level 2 warning, the place vacationers ought to train elevated warning because of violent crime, equivalent to armed theft, sexual assault, or murder.
Suggested: Mexico Travel Advisory 2023
Which Areas of the Dominican Republic are Dangerous for Tourists?
Over the years, knowledgeable vacationer police corps, the establishment of a 911 system, and plenty of sources obtainable in resort areas have made it safer for vacationers to go to most resort areas. Still, it’s important to stay cautious when contemplating journey into city areas.
High-crime areas within the capital metropolis of Santa Domingo embody Arroyo Hondo, Cristo Ray, Gazcue, Naco, and Villa Argrola. These areas are greatest averted as a result of excessive theft charge, muggings, and homicide.
La Duarte, a avenue in Santa Domingo, may be very crowded and chaotic, making this one of many riskier streets to go to.
Important Safety Tips When Traveling to the Dominican Republic
Here are just a few suggestions to assist vacationers hold themselves secure when visiting the Dominican Republic:
- Read the Department of State’s warning earlier than planning a visit.
- Enroll within the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for alerts and to make it simpler to find a traveler in an emergency.
- Be conscious of your environment.
- Avoid strolling alone, particularly at night time.
- Do not go away baggage unattended, particularly on the seashore.
- Do not go away drinks unattended.
- If mugged, hand objects over; don’t threat additional damage.
- Avoid displaying indicators of wealth.
- Follow the recommendation of resort and tour guides.
- Stay at your resort until touring with a guided tour booked at your resort.
- Prepare a contingency plan in case of an emergency.
Safety Updates:
February 20- The International Health And Wellness Tourism Congress returns Will be held in Dominican Republic in November
The “VI International Health and Wellness Tourism Congress,” which is able to happen on November 1 and a pair of, this yr, on the JW Marriott Hotel in Santo Domingo, was introduced by Dr. Alejandro Cambiaso, president of the Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS), and Amelia Reyes Mora, president of AF Stategic Communication.
“The activity features important conferences and panels with renowned national and international speakers, aimed at the top players of the sector, such as health centers, dentistry, clinical and pharmaceutical laboratories, hotels, insurers, banks, investment funds, investment, airlines, medical facilitators, government, transportation, legal advisors, accreditors, among others,” stated Dr. Alejandro Cambiaso.
“This international congress constitutes a platform for multi-sector integration, innovation, networking, business development, and investment opportunities, and public-private synergies at a local and international level,” expressed Amelia Reyes Mora.
Most Common Tourist Traps and Scams within the Dominican Republic
Millions of vacationers go to the Dominican Republic yearly. Unfortunately, although the thought is to expertise a peaceable seashore trip, many criminals are ready for an unknowing vacationer to fall sufferer to considered one of their many scams.
One of the commonest scams is the airport taxi rip-off, the place the taxi that takes vacationers to their resort from the airport doesn’t activate the meter and, whatever the distance, can cost extreme quantities of cash for the brief drive. It is greatest to e book floor transportation by means of a journey company, tour firm, or resort.
City taxis work the identical manner as airport taxis, the place they have an inclination to cost an excessive amount of for the journey and anticipate the unknowing traveler to pay the price.
Similarly, the Uber rip-off is one the place the driving force claims the app isn’t working accurately, and the passenger should pay money for the experience, and the price far exceeds what the associated fee by means of the app would have been.
Finally, the digital camera rip-off is the place a neighborhood will hand a vacationer their digital camera and ask them to take a photograph. Then, when the digital camera is handed again, they drop it, blaming the traveler and insisting they pay for the damages.
The neatest thing to do on this scenario is to not settle for something handed to you, and if one thing is ready in your hand, place it on the bottom and proceed strolling.
FAQs About Safe Travel to Dominican Republic
Is Punta Cana Safe to Visit?
Punta Cana is without doubt one of the most secure locations to go to within the Dominican Republic and is without doubt one of the most extremely visited areas, with many secure and safe resorts.
Additionally, the presence of the Tourism Police is comparatively excessive on this space of the Dominican Republic.
Is It Safe to Stay at a Resort within the Dominican Republic?
One of the most secure locations vacationers can keep when visiting the Dominican Republic is at their resorts. Most resorts make use of personal safety, and the Tourism Police make frequent visits to the resorts.
When staying on the resort, the chance of falling sufferer to legal exercise or assault is way decrease than when exploring public points of interest, close by neighborhoods, or metropolis facilities.