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Located in the Atlantic Ocean, the Dominican Republic sits between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, providing travelers with a tropical environment to experience some of the world’s best beaches, fantastic resorts, and plenty of recreational and leisure opportunities.
However, visiting the Dominican Republic is sometimes not just about exploring a tropical paradise. Travelers can become victims of violent crime or island scams if they are not careful.
Effective February 1, 2023, the US State Department will designate the Dominican Republic as a Level 2 warningTravelers should be cautious for a reason Violent crimes such as armed robbery, sexual assault or murder.
Recommended: Mexico travel advisory 2023
Which areas of the Dominican Republic are dangerous for tourists?
Over the years, professional tourist police teams, the establishment of a 911 system, and the many resources available at resorts have made it easier for tourists to visit most of the resorts. Still, it’s important to be careful when planning a trip to the city.
High crime areas in the capital Santa Domingo includes Arroyo Hondo, Cristo Ray, Gazcue, Naco and Villa Argrola. These places should be avoided due to high rates of theft, assault and murder.
La Duarte, in Santa Domingo, is very crowded and chaotic, making it one of the most dangerous streets to visit.
Important safety tips when traveling to the Dominican Republic
Here are a few tips to help travelers stay safe while visiting the Dominican Republic:
- Read the State Department’s warning before planning travel.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler registration program for alerts and to make it easier to find a traveler in an emergency.
- Know your surroundings.
- Avoid walking alone, especially at night.
- Do not leave luggage unattended, especially on the beach.
- Do not leave drinks unattended.
- If packed, deliver the item; Do not do more damage.
- Avoid displaying signs of wealth.
- Follow the advice of recreation and tour guides.
- Stay at your resort unless traveling with a guided tour booked at your resort.
- Prepare an emergency plan in case of an emergency.
The most common tourist traps and scams in the Dominican Republic
Millions of tourists visit the Dominican Republic every year. Unfortunately, while the idea is to experience a peaceful beach vacation, many criminals are waiting for an unsuspecting tourist to fall victim to one of their many scams.
One of the most common scams is the airport taxi scam, where a taxi that takes travelers from the airport to their accommodation will not open the meter and may charge a lot of money for a short ride, regardless of the distance. It is best to book ground transportation through a travel agency, tour company or resort.
City taxis operate in a similar fashion to airport taxis, charging a lot for the trip and expecting the unsuspecting passenger to pay the fare.
Similarly, the Uber scam is where the driver claims the app isn’t working properly and the passenger has to pay for the ride, which is far more than what the app actually costs.
Finally, camera fraud is where a local gives the camera to a tourist and asks them to take a picture. Then, when the camera returns, they blame the traveler and insist that he pay for the damage.
In this situation, the best thing is to not accept what is given to you in your hand, and if something is placed in your hand, put it on the ground and continue walking.
Frequently asked questions about safe travel to the Dominican Republic
Is Punta Cana safe to visit?
Punta Cana is one of the safest places to visit in the Dominican Republic and one of the most visited areas, it has many safe and secure resorts.
Additionally, the presence of the tourism police in this area of the Dominican Republic is relatively high.
Is it okay to stay at a resort in the Dominican Republic?
One of the safest places for tourists to stay when visiting the Dominican Republic is their resort. Most resorts employ private security, and the tourism police make frequent visits to the resorts.
While staying at the resort, you are much less likely to become a victim of crime or violence than exploring public attractions, nearby neighborhoods or city centers.
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