Agreed. The thing is that this discussion is not happening in a vacuum. I want to make it abundantly clear that this situation is illegal and could be avoided for other tourist planning on visiting. A bit of common sense with a dash of precaution followed by checking of ID for age compliance will make their pay for play adventures in DR or any other country less reckless. As an added bonus they wont be considered for blackmail or be deprived of their freedom for unsavory behavior with manors
I think we need to state it more clearly to be honest. So here's Maria's guide to cedulas just in case it helps anyone.
All Dominican nationals aged over 18 have a cedula which has their date of birth on it. If anyone doesn't have a cedula, they are not Dominican or under-age. Haitians will have an ID card from Haiti or a passport, other nationalities always have some form of ID. So no cedula or ID = no go. If you are thinking of having casual sex with anyone (or indeed if you're thinking of letting anyone into your house ie to repair the washing machine) it's always a good idea to take a photo of their cedula and make sure it is uploaded to the internet. All decent hotels will insist that Dominican visitors produce their cedula before going to your room, and the hotel will take a copy. The police can find anyone if you have a copy of their cedula.
Some young people who are under 18 also have cedulas. The word MENOR will be clearly printed on the back of the cedula in big letters and their date of birth is also on the front. So even if someone waves a cedula at you, it doesn't mean they are over 18, you must check that the date of birth is 2003 or before.
