keithrogan, Maybe, when (if) you come back, you should tie up with a local that would show you where it is safe to walk and where not. I live in Cabarete and walk anywhere at night. I walk just about anywhere in the 'tourist areas' in Sosua at night. I've never even felt threatened. If you know what you are doing there is very little danger. But each to his own, and if you want to experience empty beaches, someone else may want beaches full of people.
About trash, this is the DR you know. We don't have organized trash collection systems that work all the time. Sometimes trash piles up, and frequently the businesses in the area get together and clean up. Sosua has been cleaned up to a great extent in certain areas.
Don't leave your valuables on the beach unattended. This seems to me a piece of common sense that most sensible folks would understand without spelling it out. If they don't, they will get ripped off. Even at Disney they will get ripped off. And you know what, they should get ripped off, otherwise they'll never learn.
And lastly, possibly your hotel manager wanted to sell you a 'guide' for the duration of your visit. This happens frequently - instead of giving people clear and truthful guidance, hotel staff frequently scare "uncertain" looking tourists into spending more money and hiring a guide. I know one couple who were sold an armed guard. Do remember also, people playing dominoes in the middle of the night on the street in the DR are not dangerous. And most of the "ladies of the night" are not dangerous either.
About trash, this is the DR you know. We don't have organized trash collection systems that work all the time. Sometimes trash piles up, and frequently the businesses in the area get together and clean up. Sosua has been cleaned up to a great extent in certain areas.
Don't leave your valuables on the beach unattended. This seems to me a piece of common sense that most sensible folks would understand without spelling it out. If they don't, they will get ripped off. Even at Disney they will get ripped off. And you know what, they should get ripped off, otherwise they'll never learn.
And lastly, possibly your hotel manager wanted to sell you a 'guide' for the duration of your visit. This happens frequently - instead of giving people clear and truthful guidance, hotel staff frequently scare "uncertain" looking tourists into spending more money and hiring a guide. I know one couple who were sold an armed guard. Do remember also, people playing dominoes in the middle of the night on the street in the DR are not dangerous. And most of the "ladies of the night" are not dangerous either.