Identified for its gorgeous seashores and welcoming locals, this Caribbean hotspot attracts tens of millions of holiday makers every year. 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 considerations to make knowledgeable choices about the place to remain, go to, and which actions to keep away from.
LATEST NEWS from the Dominican Republic:
March 2025: Search intensifies for lacking US pupil in Dominican Republic (CNN.com)
The seek for 20-year-old College of Pittsburgh pupil Sudiksha Konanki, who disappeared throughout a spring break journey to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, has intensified. Konanki was final seen within the early hours of March 6 on the seashore close to the Riu República Lodge, the place she had been vacationing with buddies. Surveillance footage exhibits her leaving the resort foyer round 4:15 a.m., accompanied by an unidentified man and two girls. Whereas her buddies returned to the resort round 5:55 a.m., Konanki remained on the seashore with the person, who was later seen leaving alone at roughly 9:55 a.m.
Dominican authorities have launched intensive search operations involving drones, helicopters, and canine models to find Konanki. Though preliminary experiences counsel she might have drowned on account of robust currents, her household disputes this concept, urging investigators to contemplate different prospects, together with kidnapping or human trafficking. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Workplace in Virginia, the place Konanki’s household resides, has said there is no such thing as a proof to assist the drowning conclusion presently. The investigation continues, with help from U.S. federal companies and the Embassy of India.
Dec. 2024 – British Vacationers Could 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, in line with a current replace from the UK’s International, Commonwealth & Growth Workplace (FCDO).
With the intention to be allowed entry, most guests are required to current passports with a minimum of six months of validity. Beginning subsequent 12 months, Britons might want to do the identical.
The brand new rule may have an effect on residents from america, Canada, and Europe, although info stays unclear and contradictory to this point.
Crime Statistics within the Dominican Republic
The worldwide knowledge platform Numbeo, ranks the Dominican Republic as a rustic with a excessive crime degree, scoring 70.17 factors.
Happily, not the complete territory is equally affected by violence. Listed below are some key statistics concerning crime and security.
| Stage 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 on account of pores and skin colour, ethnic origin, gender, or faith | 24.52 | Low |
| Violent crimes akin 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 on account of excessive crime charges.
These embrace neighborhoods akin 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 Stage 2 vacation spot, which means the nation is as protected as Spain or Italy.
Nevertheless, the advisory highlights considerations about violent crimes akin to armed theft, murder, and sexual assault throughout the island. It additionally notes that vacationer areas are usually higher policed.
Canada Journey Advisory
The Canadian authorities advises vacationers to the Dominican Republic to train “a excessive diploma of warning on account of crime.”
The advisory reads that the majority violent crimes happen in main cities, whereas vacationers are sometimes targets of petty crimes akin to pickpocketing and bag-snatching.
Be reminded that crime tends to extend in the course of the holidays, significantly at resorts, seashores, airports and on public transportation.
Security Suggestions for the Dominican Republic
- Persist with standard 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 giant 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 circumstances might be chaotic for People or Europeans. Solely hire a automotive if skilled in such environments.
- Keep away from swimming alone; the island has a number of robust currents.
- If in case you have an emergency, name native police at 911.