The Dominican Republic is set between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, providing a tropical oasis for travelers to experience some of the world’s best beaches, fabulous resorts, and plenty of recreation and entertainment opportunities.
In general, the Dominican Republic is considered a safe country for tourists but not in all areas. As of June 6, 2023, the U.S. Department of State lists the Dominican Republic as a Level 2 warning, where travelers should exercise increased caution due to violent crime, such as armed robbery, sexual assault, or homicide.
Suggested: Mexico Travel Advisory 2024
Which Areas of the Dominican Republic are Dangerous for Tourists?
Over the years, a professional tourist police corps, the institution of a 911 system, and many resources available in resort areas have made it safer for tourists to visit most resort areas. Still, it is vital to remain careful when considering travel into urban areas.
High-crime areas in the capital city of Santa Domingo include Arroyo Hondo, Cristo Ray, Gazcue, Naco, and Villa Argrola. These areas are best avoided due to the high theft rate, muggings, and murder.
La Duarte, a street in Santa Domingo, is very crowded and chaotic, making this one of the riskier streets to visit.
Important Safety Tips When Traveling to the Dominican Republic
Here are a few tips to help travelers keep themselves safe when visiting the Dominican Republic:
- Read the Department of State’s warning before planning a trip.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for alerts and to make it easier to locate a traveler in an emergency.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Avoid walking alone, especially at night.
- Do not leave bags unattended, especially at the beach.
- Do not leave drinks unattended.
- If mugged, hand items over; do not risk further injury.
- Avoid displaying signs of wealth.
- Follow the advice of resort and tour guides.
- Stay at your resort unless traveling with a guided tour booked at your resort.
- Prepare a contingency plan in case of an emergency.
LATEST UPDATES / NEWS from the Dominican Republic:
January 15, 2024: Minister Joel Santos Echavarría reports positive crime reduction trends in early 2024
Joel Santos Echavarría, the Minister of the Presidency of the Dominican Republic, reported notable progress in crime reduction as of early 2024, attributing the success to the Joint Task Force’s efforts.
This force, comprising the National Police, Armed Forces, National Drug Control Directorate, and the Attorney General’s Office, has achieved a significant decrease in the homicide rate, from 13.1 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022 to 11.5 in 2023. Regional reductions include 8.03% in Puerto Plata, 9.06% in both Mao and Higüey, 9.08% in Santiago and Bonao, and 9.09% in San Francisco of Macorís.
The country has also seen a decline in theft and violent injuries. Additionally, the Task Force seized 16.05 million grams of illegal drugs, marking a record high and illustrating substantial advancements in combating drug trafficking.
August 17 – The Dominican Republica President determined to reduce crime
In addition to expressing unhappiness with the existing state of citizen security in the Dominican Republic, President Luis Abinader noted that efforts are being made to reduce crime indicators. He pointed out that over the past 30 years, crime, unemployment, and the high cost of living have been the main concerns of citizens.
Abinader claimed that thefts and robberies have decreased in recent years, partly due to the government’s successful measures. He stressed that social discord or violence among acquaintances accounts for a large portion of homicides rather than criminal activity.
Despite these obstacles, the President is determined to implement policies that would increase the security of citizens and improve the standard of living of Dominicans in general.
Most Common Tourist Traps and Scams in the Dominican Republic
Millions of tourists visit the Dominican Republic every year. Unfortunately, though the idea is to experience a peaceful beach vacation, many criminals are waiting for an unknowing tourist to fall victim to one of their many scams.
One of the most common scams is the airport taxi scam, where the taxi that takes travelers to their resort from the airport does not turn on the meter and, regardless of the distance, can charge excessive amounts of money for the short drive. It is best to book ground transportation through a travel agency, tour company, or resort.
City taxis work the same way as airport taxis, where they tend to charge too much for the trip and expect the unknowing traveler to pay the fee.
Similarly, the Uber scam is one where the driver claims the app is not working correctly, and the passenger must pay cash for the ride, and the fee far exceeds what the cost through the app would have been.
Finally, the camera scam is where a local will hand a tourist their camera and ask them to take a photo. Then, when the camera is handed back, they drop it, blaming the traveler and insisting they pay for the damages.
The best thing to do in this situation is not to accept anything handed to you, and if something is set in your hand, place it on the ground and continue walking.
The post Is Dominican Republic Safe? Travel Advisory 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.
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By: Viktor Vincej
Title: Is Dominican Republic Safe? Travel Advisory 2024
Sourced From: www.travelinglifestyle.net/is-dominican-republic-safe-travel-advisory-2023/
Published Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2024 21:40:51 +0000
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