Identified for its gorgeous seashores and welcoming locals, this Caribbean hotspot attracts thousands and thousands of tourists annually. That’s why it’s essential to prioritize security from the second you arrive till it’s time to say goodbye.
As with all worldwide vacation spot, vacationers ought to familiarize themselves with potential security issues to make knowledgeable choices about the place to remain, go to, and which actions to keep away from.
LATEST NEWS from the Dominican Republic:
Dec. 2024 – British Vacationers Might Be Denied Entry into the Dominican Republic in 2025
The Dominican Republic plans to implement a brand new entry restriction for British residents beginning Nov. 30, 2025, based on a current replace from the UK’s Overseas, Commonwealth & Improvement Workplace (FCDO).
To be able to be allowed entry, most guests are required to current passports with not less than six months of validity. Beginning subsequent yr, Britons might want to do the identical.
The brand new rule may additionally have an effect on residents from america, Canada, and Europe, although data stays unclear and contradictory to date.
Crime Statistics within the Dominican Republic
The worldwide information platform Numbeo, ranks the Dominican Republic as a rustic with a excessive crime degree, scoring 70.17 factors.
Fortuitously, not the complete 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 over the previous 5 years | 71.53 | Excessive |
| Issues about automotive theft | 65.77 | Excessive |
| Issues about having your automotive stolen | 49.76 | Reasonable |
| Issues about being bodily attacked because of pores and skin coloration, ethnic origin, gender, or faith | 24.52 | Low |
| Violent crimes corresponding to assault and armed theft | 69.57 | Excessive |
| Security when strolling alone throughout daylight | 55.99 | Reasonable |
| Security when strolling alone after darkish | 26.97 | Low |
Areas to Keep away from
Vacationers ought to train elevated warning in sure areas of the island because of excessive crime charges.
These embody neighborhoods corresponding to Capotillo, Cristo Rey, Gualey, Los Guandules, and Villas Agrícolas in Santo Domingo, in addition to areas close to the border with Haiti.
Official Journey Advisories
U.S. Journey Advisory
The U.S. State Division ranks the Dominican Republic as a Degree 2 vacation spot, which means the nation is as protected as Spain or Italy.
Nevertheless, the advisory highlights issues about violent crimes corresponding to armed theft, murder, and sexual assault throughout the island. It additionally notes that vacationer areas are typically higher policed.
Canada Journey Advisory
The Canadian authorities advises vacationers to the Dominican Republic to train “a excessive diploma of warning because of crime.”
The advisory reads that the majority violent crimes happen in main cities, whereas vacationers are sometimes targets of petty crimes corresponding to pickpocketing and bag-snatching.
Be reminded that crime tends to extend throughout the holidays, notably at resorts, seashores, airports and on public transportation.
Security Ideas for the Dominican Republic
- Stick with common vacationer hotspots like Punta Cana, Bavaro, and La Romana, the place there’s a robust police presence.
- Don’t flash valuables like jewellery, electronics, or massive quantities of money.
- Go away your passports safe at your lodging.
- Don’t flag down random taxis to keep away from being overcharged.
- Don’t go to remoted seashores after darkish.
- By no means depart your drinks unattended, and keep away from accepting drinks from pleasant strangers at native bars.
- Driving situations will be chaotic for Individuals or Europeans. Solely hire a automotive if skilled in such environments.
- Keep away from swimming alone; the island has a number of robust currents.
- When you have an emergency, name native police at 911.
