Dangerous to leave resort?

[Al Fresco]

Reading through these message boards I notic there are a lot of expats with a lot of DR experience and insight. Hopefully I can get some reality to work with before going down in December.

A friend of mine just came back from staying in Playa Dorada. He told me that his rep said they should be very careful leaving the resort. He has traveled a bit and was skeptical because he was warned: don't take any unofficial tours - yet the only 'official' ones seemed to be the tours offered by his rep. They told him to be careful of local restaurants, something about restaurants that aren't 'crystal.' They told him not to rent motorcyles or cars. Anyway, he has traveled to different countries and ended up buying a jeep safari tour from a beach vendor (not his rep, and it was half the price) that goes to a river with 7 steps or chutes that you climb up and slide down like a natural waterslide. He said he had the time of his life and it was beautiful and he couldn't figure out what was so dangerous.

However he said that other guests in his hotel were so paranoid that they wouldn't dare step out of the resort to go anywhere. They ended up hanging out in the resort the whole time, and also got real bored.

What's the scoop? Is the Dominican Republic really dangerous once you go outside your hotel?

[Peter & Alex]

In a nutshell - the answer to your question is NO!!!
Go out and enjoy yourself. Just be as careful as you would normally be in any holiday destination.

[mkohn]

The only thing I'd recommend is maybe getting a driver instead of renting a car and getting recommendations for good tours.
We got a driver in Puerto Plata and he took us around almost the whole day. It was fun too. You see much more of how many Dominicans live if you go outside the AI.
Have a great trip.
mk

[Ken]

The reps only interest is to sell tours and make a commission. Unfortunately, this is a common problem and deprives a great many people of a wonderful experience.

My wife and I wouldn't have been living in the DR since 1986 if it was dangerous to walk the streets.

[Robert]

Al Fresco - As Ken said, it’s a way for the reps to earn commissions.
In the case of this particular rep (parasite), he/she couldn’t careless about your friend and his vacation. Your friends US$ is their #1 priority, sad but very true.

Bottom line…

Make the effort to go outside of your compound and see and experience a little bit of what this Country has to offer. It truly is a paradise if you embrace it with an open mind and arms.

Better still, email me your travel dates and I will come and meet you and who is ever with you and personally take you on a “real” tour outside of your hotel and show you some of the local highlights.

Robert.

[tondra]

I made my very first trip outside of the US to the DR in Feb. I was a woman traveling alone as well. I took a taxi by myself to Sousa (I too was staying in the Playa Dorada complex) and had a great time. By the time my taxi driver got me to Sosua, I felt like I had a big brother, as he made sure I got to the right place and the person I was to meet was expected to be there. I was introduced to the owner of the bar/restaurant and met some great people.

I can't wait to go again when I can stay longer, off the resort and discover more of the DR.

I am sure you will enjoy your stay as much as I did.

Tondra

[Dominican Babe]

Ken is spot on. The reps earn commission on every tour they sell, so it is not in their interest for you to go out on your own or book through someone on the beach. They try extremely hard to protect their income, which I can understand, but the only way they can do that is by using scare tactics.

I think their tactics work particularly well at Playa Dorada simply because it is a gated complex, with security guards on both of the gates. Incoming tourists - particularly first timers - see this and assume it must be a dangerous place outside the gates. The reps then simply play on this at their "welcome meetings", which is their main opportunity to sell tours.

But it isn't only in the DR where this happens, these reps are the same the world over. At the end of the day, they are sales people, they have targets to meet and money to earn.

My advice is to ignore them, get out and about, and enjoy. You'll have a blast.

[GREATZKY]

That is the biggest bunch of bull... I never felt unsafe the 8 months I lived there. the reps are creep's. Go have fun, but dont be stupid!!!

[Chirimoya]

I wonder how many tourists fall for this one? If they did their research before visiting the DR (like you are doing) they would find out that the crime rate here is very low compared to other Caribbean and Latin American tourist destinations.

I once flew to the DR on a British charter flight (cheap flight-only deal) and was astounded when I watched the 'introductory video' for the punters. Among other things it informed you that the language is Spanish. Wow. It also went on to describe the locals as 'friendly' as long as you came into contact with them in controlled situations (cue shot of smiling kids) and made the absurd warning about the dangers that lie outside the resort. I felt like standing up and telling all my fellow passengers what the real deal was! I am sad to say that I controlled that urge...

The tour operators/resorts are exploiting the ignorance of the tourists. Brits especially have heard about crime in Jamaica and think the DR is going to be the same. It isn't!

Do your research and you will see that the DR has much to offer beyond All Inclusives. You can come to an AI and combine it with independent travel, or even better, ditch the AI option altogether.

Chiri

[sliverghost]

Al Fresco

Go for it! The DR is wonderful. Check out my articles on the forum or go to www.worldisround.com and look up the DR and atricles.

I went alone and had a blast!!! I can't wait to return!

"Life is what you make it."

"Get outside, feel the sunshine and the rain! There is no second chance"

"Dream it, Live it, Love it"