- Thread starter Bob K
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Cabarete Visitors Beware!
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Hummm
Let's hope that the tourists aren't next on the list, would be a bad move on their part, my guess is they probably wouldn't make it home. Bad enough with the Dominicans and Haitians to watch out for....weather your a local, tourist or expat.
Ahhh, time for my cup of tea before I retire......in my "unlocked" house with the keys in the ignition of my "unlocked" car......
Have a good night.
Let's hope that the tourists aren't next on the list, would be a bad move on their part, my guess is they probably wouldn't make it home. Bad enough with the Dominicans and Haitians to watch out for....weather your a local, tourist or expat.
Ahhh, time for my cup of tea before I retire......in my "unlocked" house with the keys in the ignition of my "unlocked" car......
Have a good night.
Are you saying the new tourist most favoured destination is Mexico? I wish them well :cheeky::
Grenade attack wounds 5 in Mexican beach town
That's just today's news btw. There are a whole heap of previous examples.
And if you're an expat in Mexico City?
'never, never use street taxi cabs, which are usually green VW beetles. Why? Because Mexico City's most common crime is the "Kidnapping Express."
In the kidnapping express scenario, criminals will hold you at gun-point inside a taxi cab that you hailed down from the street. They work against the clock by forcing you to withdraw money from your credit card, whisking you from one ATM to another. We recommended that you never carry your credit card with you. Kidnapping express may take place anywhere within the greater metropolitan area of Mexico City.
The taxi cab you enter off the street may be a so-called "pirate" or "gypsy," driven by a trained gang member and followed by a second taxi cab, from which other criminals jump out to kidnap you. Kidnapping express normally takes place rapidly. If you are grabbed just before midnight, the assailants will hold you longer. After 12 a.m., ATMs will accept a new withdrawal. Therefore you will be whisked around town before and after midnight in order to steal the most money from your credit cards or ATM cards.'
Mexico Security in Mexico City
Car thefts in Mexico City?
'Do not leave your car in the street or with valet parking.'
Mexico Security in Mexico City
It's a fun read
all 12 pages of it.The scared gringos can be my guest and stay home. If they want a piece of Kansas when they go on vacation than my suggestion is to go there. Lots to do from what I've heard.:ermm:.
I've been to Mexico City twice and will be going again in two months. Never had any problems.
So please stop with the negative propaganda. Yes, Mexico as a whole is experiencing increased violence because of crime and drug trafficking, but if you go there you will see people going about their daily lives just like anywhere else.
And just like anywhere else, try to take precautions concerning your safety.
As for Cabarete, it seems like whenever something happens to a tourist in the DR it gets blown out of proportion and suddenly it becomes "Paradise Lost".
How about this-if you see some cuero coming at you wanting to greet you as if you are her long lost novio, don't let her put her hands on you.
What the OP fails to mention(and I've seen this many times) is that these tourists let these chicas feel them up. They seem quite happy with the attention they get from some strange young woman, and then cry wolf once they realized that their wallet has been lifted.
I understand that being treated like a rock star is everyone's fantasy, but use some discretion with these low lives and guaranteed you will drastically reduce the risk of getting "ganked" and/or "vicked".
I've been to Mexico City twice and will be going again in two months. Never had any problems.
So please stop with the negative propaganda. Yes, Mexico as a whole is experiencing increased violence because of crime and drug trafficking, but if you go there you will see people going about their daily lives just like anywhere else.
And just like anywhere else, try to take precautions concerning your safety.
As for Cabarete, it seems like whenever something happens to a tourist in the DR it gets blown out of proportion and suddenly it becomes "Paradise Lost".
How about this-if you see some cuero coming at you wanting to greet you as if you are her long lost novio, don't let her put her hands on you.
What the OP fails to mention(and I've seen this many times) is that these tourists let these chicas feel them up. They seem quite happy with the attention they get from some strange young woman, and then cry wolf once they realized that their wallet has been lifted.
I understand that being treated like a rock star is everyone's fantasy, but use some discretion with these low lives and guaranteed you will drastically reduce the risk of getting "ganked" and/or "vicked".
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The point was, Berzin, that by comparison the DR is much safer than Mexico. As yet, we have police arrested for taking toll money from puntos, we have a current allegation that 4 of PP's police took out 3 civilians, one of who was presumed to be a dealer, what we don't yet have is the local police chief possibly complicit in taking out the head of a security detail set up to target gangsters. This sort of thing:
Cancun's police chief hauled away by Mexican troops | Chronicle | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
The nature of crime in the two countries is qualitatively different. But, as Robert says, it doesn't seem to stop tourists going to Mexico.
I don't see why it should stop them coming to the DR. At least in the DR when you step into a taxi all you have to worry about is the driver's driving skills.
Cancun's police chief hauled away by Mexican troops | Chronicle | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
The nature of crime in the two countries is qualitatively different. But, as Robert says, it doesn't seem to stop tourists going to Mexico.
1000's of Americans go to Cancun, now that's a place with a really low crime rate
I don't see why it should stop them coming to the DR. At least in the DR when you step into a taxi all you have to worry about is the driver's driving skills.
Mexico City?????
Lambada.....again you are comparing apples to oranges. Have you ever been to MX? Mexico City, Mexico City, the capital and like SD and Kingston in JA as well as NYC, all have the higher crime rates for their country. In Jamaica for example, Kingston is very dangerous but most of the crime is drug related to and between the locals. You don't see tourism crime like you do in the DR, spreading out to the rest of the country. Not just locals but expats and tourists as well are on the receiving end now. Stupid people, bite the hand that feeds you. Ha.
When I first started travel in the DR in 97, the capital had it's share of problems, wasn't much for crime in comparison on the north shore, east coast or even the interior. Very much like it's neighbor Haiti, there is NO place considered safe anymore. The UN has deemed Haiti one of the most dangerous places to visit or travel in the world! Do you really think that the DR will capitalize on tourism with that kind of neighbor? Yup, drugs promote crime and hurts tourism, plain and simple. Most 3rd world or poorer countries are destin, it's just a matter of time before the crooked government and police totally destroy the meaning of the word Democracy, which is my eyes is more Socialist at best. When you can't feel safe in small places like Sosua and Caberete, Jarabacoa, La Vega or other low keyed areas, it's time to look a little more closer. Canadians have always been a big part of the tourism in the Dr from day 1, point being they are going other places now. Weather they are considered the same safety wise will be in the cards not turned over yet, but the issue has nothing to do with comparisons of other countries, we're talking about the DR, and how the government and people are destroying the trust and tourism in coming years. This will effect you and everyone there, mostly the gringo expat who made the bad choice picking the Dr as there new home. Come on, half of the people from other countries that relocate there don't have a clue as to what they are doing, thus all the inquiries that keep a forum like this alive. I've done business in Santiago for 8 years, and I will still do the same but the property I bought to retire to someday was bought at a time of my love for the country, and has changed my long term plans in the future. I will continue to rent it out to the girls from Canada that work in the A/I's and find a more tolerable place to enjoy my retirement.
You have an epedemic at hand spreading like any virus.
Good luck....
Lambada.....again you are comparing apples to oranges. Have you ever been to MX? Mexico City, Mexico City, the capital and like SD and Kingston in JA as well as NYC, all have the higher crime rates for their country. In Jamaica for example, Kingston is very dangerous but most of the crime is drug related to and between the locals. You don't see tourism crime like you do in the DR, spreading out to the rest of the country. Not just locals but expats and tourists as well are on the receiving end now. Stupid people, bite the hand that feeds you. Ha.
When I first started travel in the DR in 97, the capital had it's share of problems, wasn't much for crime in comparison on the north shore, east coast or even the interior. Very much like it's neighbor Haiti, there is NO place considered safe anymore. The UN has deemed Haiti one of the most dangerous places to visit or travel in the world! Do you really think that the DR will capitalize on tourism with that kind of neighbor? Yup, drugs promote crime and hurts tourism, plain and simple. Most 3rd world or poorer countries are destin, it's just a matter of time before the crooked government and police totally destroy the meaning of the word Democracy, which is my eyes is more Socialist at best. When you can't feel safe in small places like Sosua and Caberete, Jarabacoa, La Vega or other low keyed areas, it's time to look a little more closer. Canadians have always been a big part of the tourism in the Dr from day 1, point being they are going other places now. Weather they are considered the same safety wise will be in the cards not turned over yet, but the issue has nothing to do with comparisons of other countries, we're talking about the DR, and how the government and people are destroying the trust and tourism in coming years. This will effect you and everyone there, mostly the gringo expat who made the bad choice picking the Dr as there new home. Come on, half of the people from other countries that relocate there don't have a clue as to what they are doing, thus all the inquiries that keep a forum like this alive. I've done business in Santiago for 8 years, and I will still do the same but the property I bought to retire to someday was bought at a time of my love for the country, and has changed my long term plans in the future. I will continue to rent it out to the girls from Canada that work in the A/I's and find a more tolerable place to enjoy my retirement.
You have an epedemic at hand spreading like any virus.
Good luck....
CigarJ,
BobK reported a couple of pickpocket crimes. What other tourist incidents are you aware of? I haven't heard of much of anything in quite some time.
You're outlook is negative... some examples to back up your sentiments would be appreciated. I live in DR & I'm not seeing (or hearing of) any rampant crime against tourists.
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i was staying at the Voramar hotel and my room was robbed. They have no security at all(too cheap). THey stole my sneakers clothes and toothpase while i was sleeping. I wasn't drunk and had no chica in my room it was a inside job. Don't stay at the Voramar in sosua, also its too far from town and very dirty around it, and when it rains you can't get in or out because a river floods and blocks the road going to town
Mr Cigarjoe,
I respect your right to your opinion, but I really do not think the island is as bad as you make out. Especially the North coast of the D.R.
Where is a 'tolerable' place?
The wildness and freedom of the D.R. inspires crime as part of the free market economy. It is a terrible thing, but there it is.
And yes, I think we should throw more and better resources at tackling it.
But I certainly do not think it makes living here intolerable.
I respect your right to your opinion, but I really do not think the island is as bad as you make out. Especially the North coast of the D.R.
Where is a 'tolerable' place?
The wildness and freedom of the D.R. inspires crime as part of the free market economy. It is a terrible thing, but there it is.
And yes, I think we should throw more and better resources at tackling it.
But I certainly do not think it makes living here intolerable.
Some people are "blindsighted" to exsisting conditions or problems in their own country. I'm guessing that you must fit in here somewhere or you don't read the papers and follow the daily posts. I'm not doing your homework for you listing all the related issues here.....go take a look for yourself. Start in the archives and go backwards, look at last week, last month, last year, it's all there, and posted by people like you that live there. Hummm
If I remember correctly Planner for one was mugged and hit over the head in Sosua a while back. Expats aren't targeted? Last post here describes something that most people don't bother even reporting, really not worthy with the more serious crimes at hand.
I've lived and traveled in the DR for sometime, I would not have bought property here unless I liked the place now would I? The negative you detect is not negative but my observations and my personal opinion on the counrty in general over the past decade. Open your eyes up 123, your living in a poor country, 3rd world with a drug problem and corrupt government and police, and anyone that looks around can't turn their back and make it go away. The whole world is having money problems which in turn transistions into more crime, throw in some drugs, and crime, translates to less tourism, period. Hate to say, but the DR has a long hard road ahead of itself, and need to run their country like the Democracy it claims to be. lol
If I remember correctly Planner for one was mugged and hit over the head in Sosua a while back. Expats aren't targeted? Last post here describes something that most people don't bother even reporting, really not worthy with the more serious crimes at hand.
I've lived and traveled in the DR for sometime, I would not have bought property here unless I liked the place now would I? The negative you detect is not negative but my observations and my personal opinion on the counrty in general over the past decade. Open your eyes up 123, your living in a poor country, 3rd world with a drug problem and corrupt government and police, and anyone that looks around can't turn their back and make it go away. The whole world is having money problems which in turn transistions into more crime, throw in some drugs, and crime, translates to less tourism, period. Hate to say, but the DR has a long hard road ahead of itself, and need to run their country like the Democracy it claims to be. lol
I agree - there is crime and it is horrible - but D.R. is no where near one of the worst places for crime.
Again, which country would you see as tolerable?
Again, which country would you see as tolerable?
Pedro, I guess it's all in how you lived before as far as what is considered "tolerable" Big word, it applies to each individual in a different way. If you had your choice, which most knowledgeable people do, would you pick the bucket of spring water or the slightly "tainted" one?
Just my thoughts, thanks for your insight.
Just my thoughts, thanks for your insight.
But 'where' is 'the bucket of springwater'?
I have a choice about whether to buy Evian at $3 per bottle and local water for 20c per bottle. I generally use the cheaper stuff!
I like this metaphor..
I have a choice about whether to buy Evian at $3 per bottle and local water for 20c per bottle. I generally use the cheaper stuff!
I like this metaphor..
Eyes open, I think.
Won't argue with you about increasing drug presence, corruption, etc.
But I don't think tourists for the most part get caught up in any of this.
If a tourist comes to DR to enjoy a 'middle class' vacation with normal moral values and actions - I don't think it's significantly more dangerous.
If tourists come in and hook up with someone to buy drugs, deal with prostitutes, get excessively drunk & wander around by themselves late at night... sure, problems can arise. Same as in NYC, Moscow, Hong Kong, London, etc.
The subject of this thread was the long-standing problem of female pickpockets on Cabarete beach at night. Its useful to remind people to be careful.
The off-topic debate above about relative crime levels here there and everywhere and whether things are worse or not (they seem worse to me, but tolerable) really gets us nowhere. Besides many of us are biased on this subject as our real estate interests give us a financial conflict of interest which skews perceptions and reporting.
About ten years ago a friend was on Cabarete beach at night with his wife drinking. When the man went alone to the water's edge to relieve himself a woman approached and somehow (this part of the story got a little vague) stole RD$1,000 that was in two RD$500 notes in his back pocket. The man sheepishly reported the theft to his wife who took matters into her own hands. The wife summoned the police, found the girl, went to the police station with the police and the girl in custody where they strip searched her and found one RD$500 note in her panties (the other must have gone to an accomplice, it was suspected). The thief remained in jail for the weekend, the recovered RD$500 was given to the police in appreciation and the story was told over and over with much chuckling, and speculation over exactly what the thief must have done to the happily married man to relieve him of his money.
Be careful out there!
The off-topic debate above about relative crime levels here there and everywhere and whether things are worse or not (they seem worse to me, but tolerable) really gets us nowhere. Besides many of us are biased on this subject as our real estate interests give us a financial conflict of interest which skews perceptions and reporting.
About ten years ago a friend was on Cabarete beach at night with his wife drinking. When the man went alone to the water's edge to relieve himself a woman approached and somehow (this part of the story got a little vague) stole RD$1,000 that was in two RD$500 notes in his back pocket. The man sheepishly reported the theft to his wife who took matters into her own hands. The wife summoned the police, found the girl, went to the police station with the police and the girl in custody where they strip searched her and found one RD$500 note in her panties (the other must have gone to an accomplice, it was suspected). The thief remained in jail for the weekend, the recovered RD$500 was given to the police in appreciation and the story was told over and over with much chuckling, and speculation over exactly what the thief must have done to the happily married man to relieve him of his money.
Be careful out there!
I can imagine trying to get that one past the Missus -
"Honestly dear, that 1000pesos - she stole it!" - "My Dxxk? That was out of my pants for entirely innocent reasons!"
Busted dude!
"Honestly dear, that 1000pesos - she stole it!" - "My Dxxk? That was out of my pants for entirely innocent reasons!"
Busted dude!
CFA is right, cigarjoe. Tourists are not targetted here. Yes crime has increased in the past 7 years, most victims are Dominicans because there are more Dominicans in this country than any other nationality. Residents of any nationality can be victims, which of course includes expats, but most victims are Dominicans.
Just to keep this thread light hearted I googled 'tourist destinations where last rites advisable before journey' :cheeky: and of course up came the Forbes.com research
For 2007
Worlds 10 most dangerous holiday destinations
For 2008
World's Most Dangerous Destinations - Forbes.com
Even Martinique doesn't feature
Martinique Tourism Update #2: Strike Having Little Impact on Vacations - Forbes.com
When I locate the DR on a list such as this I'll let you know.
Just to keep this thread light hearted I googled 'tourist destinations where last rites advisable before journey' :cheeky: and of course up came the Forbes.com research
For 2007
Worlds 10 most dangerous holiday destinations
For 2008
World's Most Dangerous Destinations - Forbes.com
Even Martinique doesn't feature
Martinique Tourism Update #2: Strike Having Little Impact on Vacations - Forbes.com
When I locate the DR on a list such as this I'll let you know
.it always amuses me that tourists will spend time 'conversing' with prostitutes, then be shocked when they get robbed! If a woman will sleep with strangers for money, the chances are their morals are not going to stop them stealing if they can. Ask the same tourists if they would spend time chatting with prostitutes back home and most would say "no"*, so why do it in Cabarete?
If you sleep with dogs, don't be surprised to wake up with fleas.
* and at a rough guess, those who do 'converse' with prostitutes back home are probably worldly-wise enough to not get robbed by prostitutes elsewhere
If you sleep with dogs, don't be surprised to wake up with fleas.
* and at a rough guess, those who do 'converse' with prostitutes back home are probably worldly-wise enough to not get robbed by prostitutes elsewhere
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