The houses that have bars are made of concrete. They dont burn like a frame houses.
- Thread starter Chris
- Start date
Safety in The DR
The houses that have bars are made of concrete. They dont burn like a frame houses.
E
engineerfg
Guest
For those who are being scared off by this forum: Is it dangerous? In terms of theft, yes. In terms of "random" violence, not so much (IMHO).
For tourists planning to visit, hopefully this will reassure you:
- First and foremost: (on the North Coast, at any rate) I have heard very very few stories of tourists being physically injured in crimes. Mostly, they are not interested in hurting you, they just want your stuff.
- Common sense: If you don't have it, they can't steal it. If you don't need it here, leave it at home.
- Theft is the largest issue. Make sure your hotel has a security box, and use it.
- Try not to carry much cash and valuables around. If you're shopping or drinking close to your accommodation, you can always go back to your room to get more money. If you're going further afield, you can probably use your bank card to get cash for unexpected expenses.
- If (when) I do get robbed, I plan to just hand over my wallet / purse and let them have it. Really, if I lose $50 or $100, I can still afford to eat. I'm not sweating it too much.
For those planning to move here / new residents:
- I think that the people who have been talking here about guns, dogs, hedges, etc. are living in houses, and those probably not in gated communities. If you are considering buying a house, you do need to understand these security issues. You are not protected by the state / police, so you need to provide your own protection.
- However, there are choices that you can make. Personally, I'm not prepared to defend myself with a gun, so I choose to live in a condo with good security. (I have already had my previous condo robbed, because I did not choose wisely for good security. Shockingly, I have survived the loss of those electronics.)
- Protect your reputation. Reputations spread very, very quickly here, and you may prefer the reputation of someone who never has very much money. Try not to pay large sums of money on the spot; say that you need to get money and come back tomorrow. If you make a habit of overpaying, making loans, or buying drinks for 'new friends', some may not reward your generosity with appreciation ... rather, you may be perceived as 'rich', thereby marking yourself as a target. Slow down ... you'll have plenty of opportunities to be generous once you get established and know who needs your generosity.
For tourists planning to visit, hopefully this will reassure you:
- First and foremost: (on the North Coast, at any rate) I have heard very very few stories of tourists being physically injured in crimes. Mostly, they are not interested in hurting you, they just want your stuff.
- Common sense: If you don't have it, they can't steal it. If you don't need it here, leave it at home.
- Theft is the largest issue. Make sure your hotel has a security box, and use it.
- Try not to carry much cash and valuables around. If you're shopping or drinking close to your accommodation, you can always go back to your room to get more money. If you're going further afield, you can probably use your bank card to get cash for unexpected expenses.
- If (when) I do get robbed, I plan to just hand over my wallet / purse and let them have it. Really, if I lose $50 or $100, I can still afford to eat. I'm not sweating it too much.
For those planning to move here / new residents:
- I think that the people who have been talking here about guns, dogs, hedges, etc. are living in houses, and those probably not in gated communities. If you are considering buying a house, you do need to understand these security issues. You are not protected by the state / police, so you need to provide your own protection.
- However, there are choices that you can make. Personally, I'm not prepared to defend myself with a gun, so I choose to live in a condo with good security. (I have already had my previous condo robbed, because I did not choose wisely for good security. Shockingly, I have survived the loss of those electronics.)
- Protect your reputation. Reputations spread very, very quickly here, and you may prefer the reputation of someone who never has very much money. Try not to pay large sums of money on the spot; say that you need to get money and come back tomorrow. If you make a habit of overpaying, making loans, or buying drinks for 'new friends', some may not reward your generosity with appreciation ... rather, you may be perceived as 'rich', thereby marking yourself as a target. Slow down ... you'll have plenty of opportunities to be generous once you get established and know who needs your generosity.
Give Freely
Yes, when in Puerto Plata do as the 'puerto plate?os' do.
CUANTA IMPOTENCIA EN UN ABRIR Y CERRAR DE OJOS
donP
Yes, when in Puerto Plata do as the 'puerto plate?os' do.
CUANTA IMPOTENCIA EN UN ABRIR Y CERRAR DE OJOS
donP
Man, there are some really good tips here. Thanks for all the advice that has been added to this thread, I'm finding it most enlightening. I've been in the states for the last 20 years and just moved back this past month, so a lot of the questions I've had have just been put into perspective - thank you. 
)
)Wow all this safety stuff makes me think that I am safer in Miami, which is not very safe if you watch the 6 o'clock news. Is there really a safe place any more? Good grief!
Should I be nervous, since I'm coming to Bayahibe with my friend and we are NOT staying in an All-Inclusive?
Just read a couple of really good tips for safety. I haven't read this entire thread, so please forgive me if they have already been mentioned.
First, if you have a newer car with one of those things that automatically locks the doors to the car, put it on your bed stand at night. If someone is breaking into your house, push the panic button. The car alarm will go off and the neighbors will be alerted. The alarm will scare off the intruder. If it doesn't, as it continues, someone will eventually come by to see why you don't shut off the alarm.
Secondly, keep a can of wasp or hornet spray (the kind that shoots 20 feet or so) by your bed. It shoots farther than pepper spray and temporarily blinds the assailant. Because it shoots a greater distance, you are not as likely to have it affect you.
I have never felt any danger here in the DR. However, a couple of ounces of prevention can't hurt!!
Lindsey
First, if you have a newer car with one of those things that automatically locks the doors to the car, put it on your bed stand at night. If someone is breaking into your house, push the panic button. The car alarm will go off and the neighbors will be alerted. The alarm will scare off the intruder. If it doesn't, as it continues, someone will eventually come by to see why you don't shut off the alarm.
Secondly, keep a can of wasp or hornet spray (the kind that shoots 20 feet or so) by your bed. It shoots farther than pepper spray and temporarily blinds the assailant. Because it shoots a greater distance, you are not as likely to have it affect you.
I have never felt any danger here in the DR. However, a couple of ounces of prevention can't hurt!!
Lindsey
no....
there are issues with some break ins.. usually of expat homes in more isolated areas
tourists are pretty much off limits!!
So we keep posting this stuff for ourselves.....
Don't wear a **** load of jewellery... I came off the bus in Santo Domingo and some ass tried to pull my gold chain off my neck... bastard got sacked in the nuts with my fist and fell to the ground like a screaming baby...
I'm pretty sure I scared my husband with my reflexes hahaha
I'm pretty sure I scared my husband with my reflexes hahaha
about guns
I?ve read most of the posts here and I wonder about one thing.
If you really are in a situation where you have to use a gun to protect yourself and even are able to pull the trigger, what happens after that???
I?ve lived in quite some 3rd world countries and one thing i?ve learned is that if a foreigner is involved in any kind of incident where a native got hurt, the foreigner will always pay... no matter if its his/hers fault or not, its just because the foreigner is most likely the one who is able to pay.... and just everybody opens the hand, police, lawers, hospital, family and so on...
a police officer told me once in SEA, if i would have stayed in my home country, this accident would have never happened, so its my fault and i have to pay.... as simple as that
so i can just imagine to pull a gun and hurt or even kill an attacker here in DR would put you in huge trouble, no matter if you were in danger or not.
how would you handle this, just pay the cop of with a few $1000 or what?
I?ve read most of the posts here and I wonder about one thing.
If you really are in a situation where you have to use a gun to protect yourself and even are able to pull the trigger, what happens after that???
I?ve lived in quite some 3rd world countries and one thing i?ve learned is that if a foreigner is involved in any kind of incident where a native got hurt, the foreigner will always pay... no matter if its his/hers fault or not, its just because the foreigner is most likely the one who is able to pay.... and just everybody opens the hand, police, lawers, hospital, family and so on...
a police officer told me once in SEA, if i would have stayed in my home country, this accident would have never happened, so its my fault and i have to pay.... as simple as that
so i can just imagine to pull a gun and hurt or even kill an attacker here in DR would put you in huge trouble, no matter if you were in danger or not.
how would you handle this, just pay the cop of with a few $1000 or what?
For people who do not live in DR and are just travelling there for a few weeks and are not staying at an all inclusive, I recommend having one trusted person drive you around instead of using taxis or renting a car(if possible). This is especially true for Santo Domingo. I am american and I personally use a driver when I travel to DR(Santo Domingo). I have been to Santo Domingo over 15 times in the past 6 years and have never had a problem. I have known my driver for years and he is very reliable. He is a taxi driver and when I go to DR, he only works for me during that time. I would never rent a car because 1)it's expensive 2)driving around sto dgo at any time during the day(especially at night) is dangerous 3)if you get in an accident that would just cause you unwanted problems.
Having my driver is cheaper than renting a car and safer. Not only does he drive me around, but if I go to exchange money he is with me. He may go to the store for me, get me good deals on items that I would have normally been overcharged for. If I go to buy something, I usually tell him before hand what I want and give him the money and I have him do the talking once we are inside the store. Drivers in the sto. dgo. know where to go and where not to go. They also know a lot of people. When any friends or family members go to DR they use my driver. It's better than having to use taxis or renting a car. I keep him by myside at all times. If I go to eat, he will hang around at another table. If go shopping, he will walk with me. When I met my wife out there, when we would go out, my driver would be there also. It's worth the $50 or so a day to have someone drive you around and watch your back at the same time. If I have a group of people with me, he would just borrow a minivan for that time period.
Aside from that, I also always wear a money belt, the type that stays close to the body and I tuck it under my pants. I keep a copy of my passport in it. I also carry small pocket change(100, 50 pesos) outside of my money belt in case I need to just make a small purchase so I dont have to go in my money belt.
Having my driver is cheaper than renting a car and safer. Not only does he drive me around, but if I go to exchange money he is with me. He may go to the store for me, get me good deals on items that I would have normally been overcharged for. If I go to buy something, I usually tell him before hand what I want and give him the money and I have him do the talking once we are inside the store. Drivers in the sto. dgo. know where to go and where not to go. They also know a lot of people. When any friends or family members go to DR they use my driver. It's better than having to use taxis or renting a car. I keep him by myside at all times. If I go to eat, he will hang around at another table. If go shopping, he will walk with me. When I met my wife out there, when we would go out, my driver would be there also. It's worth the $50 or so a day to have someone drive you around and watch your back at the same time. If I have a group of people with me, he would just borrow a minivan for that time period.
Aside from that, I also always wear a money belt, the type that stays close to the body and I tuck it under my pants. I keep a copy of my passport in it. I also carry small pocket change(100, 50 pesos) outside of my money belt in case I need to just make a small purchase so I dont have to go in my money belt.
hello Guys ,
Posted a few times before and as a quick update Im think of coming to DR to investigate investments work but also with a long term view to settling down there
Have read all the threads - has anyone out there lived anywhere else in South or Central America. How does it compare in places of danger as a direct comparrison to DR.
I lived in Colombia (Cali , Bogota) and Peru (Lima , actually Los Olivos and Comos) for over 4 years - both these cities were pretty dangerous but you could avoid most problems with care and common sence................
Having looked at the you commentents and understanding DR is in the Caribean so a very mixed culture and not entirely Latino DO YOU FEEL THAT IS ONES THE THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES TO CONSIDER SETTLING DOWN IN??????
Posted a few times before and as a quick update Im think of coming to DR to investigate investments work but also with a long term view to settling down there
Have read all the threads - has anyone out there lived anywhere else in South or Central America. How does it compare in places of danger as a direct comparrison to DR.
I lived in Colombia (Cali , Bogota) and Peru (Lima , actually Los Olivos and Comos) for over 4 years - both these cities were pretty dangerous but you could avoid most problems with care and common sence................
Having looked at the you commentents and understanding DR is in the Caribean so a very mixed culture and not entirely Latino DO YOU FEEL THAT IS ONES THE THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES TO CONSIDER SETTLING DOWN IN??????
I guess for 1800 pesos this guy will give up his life to drive you and be you go to guy. but where would the normal tourist/ visitor who cant afford $200 a week ( or even if we can afford it) find a gem like this guy?
I surely could use one.