The U.S. State Department revised its travel advisory for the Dominican Republic on June 18 and noted that the country’s security situation remains stable, unlike neighboring Haiti.
According to the agency, the DR remains in the rankings “Level 2: Be extra careful,” meaning that visiting this country is as safe as traveling to Spain, Italy or France.
But don’t let this fool you into believing that a visit to the Dominican Republic is as safe as a visit to a European capital.
“Violent crime, including armed robbery, murder and assault, is a problem throughout the Dominican Republic,” reads the advice.
In recent years, the country has created a special tourist police and launched a 911 system that has increased security in some major tourist hotspots.
However, the wide availability of guns among the population and an inefficient criminal justice system prevent the country from reducing its biggest concerns about crime.
Traveler safety varies from place to place. Resorts such as Punta Cana and Puerto Plata are heavily protected due to their dependence on tourism.
But crime can be a problem in some parts of Santo Domingo, including Gazcue, Cristo Rey, Arroyo Hondo, Naco and Villa Agricola. Cases of violent crimes such as theft, robbery and even murder have been reported.
To help you have a safer trip, the US government has some recommendations for Americans traveling to the DR. Here is a summary of the most important points:
- Don’t try to resist any robbery attempt. Your life is more valuable than money.
- Leave valuables in your accommodation and dress neatly to avoid unwanted attention from potential thieves.
- The locals know their country. Follow the advice of your resort staff about safety and places not to visit.
- Register in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to help you locate if an emergency occurs.
Other safety recommendations include sticking to safer neighborhoods, such as Zona Colonial.
Especially at night, don’t go alone or explore remote areas without the company of a legal tour operator.
Tourism in the Dominican Republic will boom in 2024
On the other hand, the island’s appeal is undeniable. Between January and April it welcomed 4 million tourists, breaking all previous tourist records.
During this period, the country received 3,039,302 air travelers, up 10% from last year, and 1,139,381 cruise passengers, up 15% from 2023, Tourism Minister David Collado said.
“If we combine all these figures, we have 4,178,683 visitors in the first four months of the year, which is another record,” Colado said.
Americans are the country’s largest market, accounting for 53% of all arrivals.
It is predicted that the Dominican Republic will surpass 11 million visitors by 2024, breaking all historical records.
