This Caribbean hotspot is understood for its stunning seashores and hospitable folks and attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists yearly. That is why it is essential to prioritize security from the second you arrive till it is time to say goodbye.
As with all worldwide vacation spot, vacationers ought to familiarize themselves with potential security issues to allow them to make knowledgeable choices about the place to remain, go to, and what actions to keep away from.
LATEST NEWS from the Dominican Republic:
December 2024 – British vacationers may very well be banned from coming into the Dominican Republic in 2025
The Dominican Republic plans to implement this coverage a new access restriction for British residents from November 30, 2025, in response to a latest replace from the UK International, Commonwealth & Growth Workplace (FCDO).
To realize entry, most guests should current a passport with a validity of at the very least six months. From subsequent yr the British must do the identical.
The brand new rule might additionally have an effect on residents of the US, Canada and Europe, though info thus far stays unclear and conflicting.
Crime statistics within the Dominican Republic
The worldwide knowledge platform Numbeoranks the Dominican Republic as a rustic with a excessive crime degree, scoring 70.17 factors.
Happily, not all the territory is equally affected by violence. Listed below are some key statistics relating to crime and security.
| Degree of crime | 70.78 | Excessive |
| Rising crime prior to now 5 years | 71.53 | Excessive |
| Nervous about automotive theft | 65.77 | Excessive |
| Getting your automotive stolen | 49.76 | Reasonable |
| Considerations about bodily assaults due to pores and skin coloration, ethnicity, gender, or faith | 24.52 | Low |
| Violent crimes equivalent to assault and armed theft | 69.57 | Excessive |
| Security when strolling alone in the course of the day | 55.99 | Reasonable |
| Security when strolling alone in the dead of night | 26.97 | Low |
Areas to keep away from
Vacationers ought to be additional cautious in sure elements of the island as a consequence of excessive crime charges.
This issues neighborhoods equivalent to Capotillo, Cristo Rey, Gualey, Los Guandules and Villas Agrícolas in Santo Domingoin addition to areas close by the border with Haiti.
Official journey recommendation
US journey recommendation
The US Division of State ranks the Dominican Republic as a Level 2 destinationwhich means the nation is as secure as Spain or Italy.
Nonetheless, the advisory highlights issues about violent crimes equivalent to armed theft, homicide and sexual assault throughout the island. It additionally notes that vacationer areas are typically higher managed.
Journey recommendation for Canada
The Canadian authorities advises vacationers to the Dominican Republic to do that exercise “a high degree of caution due to crime.”
The recommendation is that the majority violent crimes happen in huge cities, whereas vacationers are sometimes focused for petty crimes equivalent to pickpocketing and bag snatching.
Please notice that crime usually will increase in the course of the holidays, particularly in resorts, seashores, airports and on public transport.
Security Suggestions for the Dominican Republic
- Follow well-liked vacationer hotspots equivalent to Punta Cana, Bavaro and La Romana, the place there’s a robust police presence.
- Don’t show valuables equivalent to jewellery, electronics or giant quantities of money.
- Go away your passports safely at your lodging.
- Do not flag down random taxis to keep away from overpaying.
- Don’t go to distant seashores after darkish.
- By no means depart your drinks unattended or settle for drinks from pleasant strangers at native bars.
- Driving situations will be chaotic for People or Europeans. Solely lease a automotive if in case you have expertise in such environments.
- Keep away from swimming alone; the island has a number of robust currents.
- You probably have an emergency, name native police at 911.