The Visa Experts
Menu

Safety and Security

Foreign tourists are often considered attractive targets for criminal activity and you should maintain a low profile to avoid becoming a victim of violence or crime.  In dealing with local police, you should be aware that the standard of professionalism might vary.  Police attempts to solicit bribes have been reported, as have incidents of police using excessive force.

Protests, demonstrations, and general strikes occur periodically. Previous political demonstrations have sometimes turned violent, with participants rioting and erecting roadblocks, and police sometimes using deadly force in response.  Political demonstrations do not generally occur in areas frequented by tourists and are generally not targeted at foreigners.  However, it is advisable to exercise caution when traveling throughout the country.  Street crowds should be avoided. In urban areas, travel should be conducted on main routes whenever possible. Power outages occur frequently throughout the Dominican Republic, and travelers should remain alert during blackout periods, as crime rates often increase during these outages.

If you are considering overland travel between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, you should first consult the Country Specific Information page, the Travel Warning for Haiti, and the Messages for U.S. citizens page on the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince's website for information about travel conditions in Haiti. While Santo Domingo and the majority of the tourist destinations within the Dominican Republic are located several hours from the Haitian border, the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti has contributed to increased congestion in the area between Barahona, Dominican Republic, and the Haitian border along route 44.

The U.S. Embassy cautions its staff to use extreme caution while in Haiti. Other than official business, travel to Haiti for U.S. Embassy personnel is discouraged. The Department of State has issued a Travel Warning for Haiti. U.S. citizens who travel to Haiti despite this Warning, especially in the area along route 44 near the border of Haiti, should travel in groups during daylight hours and use caution. There have been several cases of convoys being attacked along this route despite the extra safety precautions.

Drivers who encounter illegal roadblocks should stop a significant distance away, drive in reverse or turn around, and drive to the nearest town to report the blockade to local authorities. Drivers should do their best to leave the danger zone and get to safety. 

Stay up to date on safety and security information:

For additional safety and security information in the Dominican Republic, please review the Embassy's messages for U.S. citizens and security notices.

CRIME: Crime continues to be a problem throughout the Dominican Republic. Street crime and petty theft involving U.S. tourists does occur, and you should take precautions to avoid becoming a target. The dangers present in the Dominican Republic are similar to those of many major U.S. cities. Criminals many have weapons and are likely to use them if they meet resistance. Visitors walking the streets should always be aware of their surroundings. Be wary of strangers, especially those who seek you out at celebrations or nightspots. Travel with a partner or in a group if possible.

While pick pocketing and mugging are the most common crimes against tourists, reports of violence against both foreigners and locals are growing. Crime levels tend to rise during the Christmas season. You should take extra precautions when visiting the Dominican Republic between November and January.

Valuables left unattended in parked automobiles, on beaches, and in other public places are vulnerable to theft, and car theft remains a problem. Travelers to the Dominican Republic should strongly consider leaving valuable property at home. We recommend bringing no item on your trip that cannot be easily replaced, and to make contingency plans in case of theft. These precautions include: making photocopies of all credit cards and licenses which include the numbers to call in order to report theft; photocopies of passports and birth certificates; and leaving emergency funds with someone at home in case it is necessary for money to be sent on short notice.

Credit card fraud is common in the Dominican Republic and has increased significantly in Santo Domingo and other resort areas of the country.  If you elect to use your credit or debit cards, you should never let the cards leave your sight. You should also pay close attention to credit card bills following time spent in the Dominican Republic. There have been reports of fraudulent charges appearing months after card usage in the Dominican Republic. Victims of credit card fraud should contact the bank that issued the credit card immediately.

Minimize the use of automated teller machines (ATMs), which are present throughout Santo Domingo and other major cities. ATM fraud schemes often result in cards becoming jammed within the ATM card reader. Once the card owner has concluded the card is irretrievable, the thieves extract the card for their use. Sophisticated “insiders” scams also occur, where criminals access and manipulate electronic data entered by legitimate card holders at properly functioning ATMs to steal funds from checking accounts.  Exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings when using an ATM card.

Carry cellular phones in a pocket rather than on a belt or in a purse.  Avoid wearing headphones, which make the bearer more vulnerable and readily advertise the presence of a valuable item. Limit or avoid wearing jewelry; it attracts attention and could prompt a robbery attempt.  Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and credit cards on your person.  Be sure to store valuables, wallet items, and passports in a safe place.

We strongly advise visitors to the Dominican Republic to take only hotel taxis or taxis operated by services whose cabs are arranged in advance by phone and can subsequently be identified and tracked. You should always use the taxi service authorized by the airport if you did not make arrangements before arrival. There are continuing reports that tourists have been targeted leaving the airport parking area and en route from the airport to their hotel or home.  Some U.S. citizens have been victimized in taxis while stopped at traffic lights, allowing a passing motorcyclist to reach in and steal purses or other valuables.

Many public transportation vehicles are unsafe, especially the route taxis or “carros publicos” in urban areas.  Passengers in “carros publicos” are frequently the victims of pick pocketing, and passengers have on occasion been robbed by “carro publico” drivers. Urban buses (“guaguas”) are only marginally better. U.S. citizens have been robbed by motococho (motorcycle taxi) operators. The U.S. Embassy cautions its staff not to use these modes of transportation.  As an alternative, some scheduled interurban bus services use modern buses and run on reliable timetables. These are generally the safest means of intercity travel.

U.S. citizens residing in private homes have been the victims of robberies, sometimes resulting in fatal violence.  In one case, an elderly couple in San Pedro de Macoris was violently assaulted in their home and the husband murdered.  In another case, a home in Puerto Plata was broken into and the visiting U.S. citizen occupants assaulted, tied up, and robbed. In still another case, two elderly U.S. citizens in Santiago were robbed and attacked in their home with a machete. One died and the other was hospitalized with critical injuries.

U.S. citizens in privately owned vehicles have also been targeted.  The U.S. Embassy continues to receive reports from U.S. citizens who have been stopped while driving and asked for “donations” by criminals who masquerade as police officers before they are allowed to continue on their way.  Regulations require police to wear a nametag with their last name.  If Dominican police stop you for a traffic violation, you should request a traffic ticket rather than paying an on-the-spot fine. You also have the right to ask police for identification. U.S. citizens have reported being robbed by youths in uniforms that resemble the green uniform of the Dominican traffic police or by individuals dressed in military fatigues who told victims they were police and requested the victims to follow them to a police station prior to robbing them.

Some travelers returning to local residences in privately owned vehicles have been followed, assaulted, and robbed upon reaching their destination.  Several U.S. citizens have also been targeted and robbed at bus stations, possibly as a result of gang activity. Take measures to safeguard your personal security at all times.

Although kidnappings are not common in the Dominican Republic, U.S. citizens have been kidnapped and held for ransom in the past.

The U.S. Embassy calls attention to certain criminal techniques that have surprised U.S. citizens and other victims in recent years:

  • Several individuals reported robberies perpetrated by criminals on mopeds (often coasting with the engine turned off so as not to draw attention). The driver approaches a pedestrian, grabs his or her cell phone, purse or backpack, and then speeds away. This type of robbery is particularly dangerous because the motorcyclist reaches the intended victim at 15–20 miles per hour and often knocks the victim to the ground.
  • The Embassy has received reports of crime involving apparent police collaboration. A seemingly-friendly stranger shakes hands with a tourist, who then finds that the stranger has placed a small baggie of cocaine or other substance into the tourist’s hand. The tourist is then immediately apprehended by a police officer, and pays a “fine” to the police to be set free.
  • U.S. citizens have been victimized at the airports in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana as they checked in their luggage and prepared to leave the country. Smugglers obtained an authentic airline baggage tag in a U.S. citizen’s name and placed it on baggage that contained drugs, presumably to be retrieved by an accomplice at the other end of the flight.
  • Criminals may also misrepresent themselves in an effort to gain access to your residence or hotel room. In one case, Dominican police arrested a building’s maintenance man and an accomplice for a violent crime against a U.S. citizen. There have been instances when U.S. citizens were robbed of large amounts of cash immediately prior to a scheduled financial transaction by thieves with apparent inside knowledge of the transaction. In one case, a U.S. citizen was robbed just outside his attorney’s office, and in another case a U.S. citizen reported he was victimized by two police officers.

Beaches and Resorts: Crime can happen anywhere and everyone must take personal responsibility to stay alert and aware of their surroundings at all times. Read the U.S. Embassy’s security tips for more information.

The Embassy regularly receives reports of individuals and families who have become victims of crime while within the boundaries of their resort hotel.  A growing number of these crimes involve the burglary of the room and even the removal of the room safe. In general, the criminals do not commit their crime in the presence of the guest, but it is not unheard of for guests to be victimized in their own room while sleeping. Hotels generally will not assume responsibility for valuables left in a room.

The Embassy has received numerous reports of sexual assaults at resorts, particularly at resort beaches. Victims are isolated and forced into compromising circumstances, sometimes by resort employees ingratiating themselves with the guest.  Many hotels have policies that discourage employee fraternization with guests.  Report any unwanted attention you receive to hotel management. Be aware of cultural differences and stay in the company of your traveling companions.

There have been reports of sexual assault targeting inebriated victims or involving date rape drugs. Be cautious of accepting any drink or food from a stranger, as it may have been tampered with. “All-inclusive” resorts are well known for serving abundant quantities of alcohol and there are no laws in the Dominican Republic against serving alcohol to intoxicated persons. Drink responsibly. Remember that excessive alcohol consumption may decrease your awareness of your surroundings, making you an easy target for crime.

If you become a victim of sexual assault and another violent crime, we urge you to report the incident immediately to the Embassy’s American Citizen Services Unit during working hours, or to the U.S. Embassy’s duty officer after hours. You should also report the incident to local authorities for a police report. It is essential that sexual assault victims insist on an immediate examination by an authorized police medical examiner (medica legista) to ensure that a documented report is available for any future prosecution of the case. 

Water Sports: Visitors to the Dominican Republic, including to local resort areas, should carefully assess the potential risk of recreational activities. Some of the swimming areas at popular beaches around the Dominican Republic are subject to dangerous undertows. Many beaches lack life guards and/or warnings of unsafe conditions. Resort managers usually offer current information on local swimming and surf conditions. You should not swim alone, particularly at isolated beaches.

You are further cautioned to weigh carefully the risks inherent in sports such as white water rafting or activities involving jumping from or swimming near waterfalls, particularly following heavy rains when swollen rivers and streams increase the potential for dangerous flash floods. In flash flood conditions, helmets and life vests may not provide adequate protection. U.S. citizens have perished during flash floods that followed rains, even though they were wearing helmets and life jackets. Participants in eco-tourism adventures should carefully assess the risks of any activity, as safety standards and first response assistance are often not comparable to those found in the United States.  Exercise caution while visiting isolated beaches during severe weather conditions. Areas of dangerous surf and undertow are often unmarked.

Tourist Police: The Dominican Republic has police that are specially trained to assist tourists who require assistance. This public institution is called CESTUR and represents a cooperative effort between the National Police, Secretary of the Armed Forces, and the Secretary of Tourism. CESTUR typically has personnel in tourist areas to provide first responder type assistance to tourists. If you are the victim of a crime, CESTUR can help you get to a police station so that you may file a police report and seek further assistance. CESTUR is located at the corner of 30 de Marzo and Mexico, Bloque D, Governmental Building, Santo Domingo. The general phone number is 809-221-8697. Visit CESTUR's website for more information.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime, you should contact the local police and the U.S. Embassy or. We can:

  • Replace a stolen passport
  • For violent crimes such as assault or rape, help you find appropriate medical care
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and contact family members or friends
  • Although the local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime, consular officers can help you understand the local criminal justice process and can direct you to local attorneys

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in the Dominican is “911”.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

Safety and Security Flag

Population: 10,847,910


Total Land Area: 48,320 km2


Population/km2: 224.50