thanks again....yeah was wondering about the comfort level of a next to the body belt (might be a bit uncomfortable) our passports are a very great concern to me as are the ATM card and credit cards...losing a few dollars is not as much of a concern...I like the extra pocket inside the front of the pants idea...great idea that is...so sounds like you would recommend having travelers checks also...had heard might have trouble cashing them...but reading in here doesn't sound like that is really a problem...thanks
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Safety in The DR
well just got back from a trip to AAA office here in Tampa bought a kinda neato pouch thingie that goes inside of pants and clips to top of pants or belt...will be hidden and out of sight (hopefully) just didn't like the idea of a money belt wrapped around me on bare skin under my shirt, so it is kinda like the pouch you told me you sewed in front of trousers...thanks for the idea...got some travelers checks and some cash so ready to head down that way tomorrow....looking forward to my visit...again thanks for all the useful information everyone has contributed to this thread...will let you know how things went when I get back...
About 7 years ago I was returning home to the DR from a visit to UK and was transporting quite a bit of cash and travel cheques (easily changeable here btw) so I wore 2 next to the skin body belts both of which bulged. It was OK leaving UK because a sweater over the top just made me look pregnant (at 56 as I was then!). Course by the time I landed here I looked both pregnant and hot but I was travelling alone so the discomfort was outweighed by the necessity. Had I had fewer stacks of TCs in the body belts they would have been quite comfortable. But they do make you perspire in warm climates.
back from my trip...spent 8 days in Santo Domingo...carried my money/travelers checks around in the little pouch I bought at AAA...I was staying with a person who visits the DR on a regular basis and knows their way around the area I was staying so felt safe with them going with me. I could not find a bank in the the area I was in who would cash my travelers checks but was told if I went to a more tourist type area probably could have cashed them. I ran low on money last few days and just went to an ATM in the area with the person with me to kinda watch my back. Was the day afer christmas and tho the banks were crowded the ATM machine was not and I withdrew 300 USD and was only charged $1 fee which is actually less than most ATM machines here in the USA. The exchange rate was the same as the exchange rate I had been getting for my USD 33.2. The instructions at the ATM were in spanish and english. The ATM was outside a Banco Popular bank. I never felt threatened or unsafe during my trip and I traveled around in local taxis BUT the drivers were known to the person I was staying with.
how to carry cash, my mum's guide
my mum is an oldish person, vertically challenged and little heavy around tummy, you will not see her running after the thief.
her financial tactics is:
when carrying large amounts of money have your bag stuck firmly under your arm. in the bag have all feminine rubbish. in your hand have a worn out plastic shopping bag in which place a bag of sticky sweets, few used hankies and harlequin book with an envelope as a book mark. in said envelope carry the cash you want to pay into the bank. while walking swing the plastic bag carelessly.
it has always worked for her. i don't know if it would work here as well... :ermm:
my mum is an oldish person, vertically challenged and little heavy around tummy, you will not see her running after the thief.
her financial tactics is:
when carrying large amounts of money have your bag stuck firmly under your arm. in the bag have all feminine rubbish. in your hand have a worn out plastic shopping bag in which place a bag of sticky sweets, few used hankies and harlequin book with an envelope as a book mark. in said envelope carry the cash you want to pay into the bank. while walking swing the plastic bag carelessly.
it has always worked for her. i don't know if it would work here as well... :ermm:
ATMs: Can be rip off,
Just back from Cabarete where I had to use an ATM. The ATM stated on the screen that it could not complete my transaction yet I was charged $62 USD on my statement. The next ATM I went to worked fine. Now I have to challenge the improper charge and will surely loose because all bastard bankers claim that ATM cannot malfunction like that. I recommend only using ATMs at bank locations so that you can bitch at someone if ripped off not to mention that many bank locations have 24 hr. security on site for added protection.
Just back from Cabarete where I had to use an ATM. The ATM stated on the screen that it could not complete my transaction yet I was charged $62 USD on my statement. The next ATM I went to worked fine. Now I have to challenge the improper charge and will surely loose because all bastard bankers claim that ATM cannot malfunction like that. I recommend only using ATMs at bank locations so that you can bitch at someone if ripped off not to mention that many bank locations have 24 hr. security on site for added protection.
Travel Security in Latin America, 'en general'
I have travelled a bit in some very shabby places in Latin America and I will share advice for Gringo travellers in Latin America.
TOPICS
Language
Caching Cash
Prepare To Be Robbed
Protect That Passport
Watch Everything, Look at No One
Dress Down, NO JEWELRY
Be Ready To Pay & Move On Quickly
Watch That Back
1) Learn the language, simple grammar & 500 vocabulary words of Spanish can get you to Tierra del Fuego and back easily.
2) Always seperate your cash into min. two locations: what is necessary on hand for the day and keep the rest in safety box at hotel and if no safety box available put into a small pouch and stuff in your briefs, inside pocket, fanny pack or your wife's panties.
3) If walking a lot always carry a fake-out wallet readily available to quickly turn over with $20 of local currency in small bills & maybe some expired credit cards in it to satisfy a potential robber. Keep real money and CCs inside your pants or in travel wallet hidden under your shirt. Plan ahead, be smart. Think like a criminal. If robbed, immediately give them the fake-out wallet and let them run away.
4) Never carry your Passport on your person if not entirely necessary, carry your tourist card or a homeland ID like drivers license or other ID instead when going out to dinner, partying, etc. though there are places where you must use a Passport like at a Money Exchange, CAMBIO, or when purchasing something expensive with a credit card. I like to have a second photocopy wadded up on my person as this can make a shop keeper happy usually. Always put a clear photocopy of your passport inside your luggage and leave it for the unthinkable. If you loose or get robbed of your Passport, a photocopy of your Passport can grease the wheels at the Embassy and save you day(s) of waiting for replacement. Also having pre-made, set of 2, duplicate passport photos already on hand with the photocopy can get your Passport replaced in a matter of a two hours versus having to locate a place to get new passport photos taken which could mean a day or two if a weekend. Embassies usually will not furnish you with Passport photos. That may have changed a bit in this digital age.
5) Watch everything when walking but ignore eye contact and keep moving when someone approaches you unrequested. Don't let them touch you or your person which means your family as well. Touch from strangers means you are going to get pocketpicked or worse. The international language of 'Keep your hands off of me!' is the same all over the world.
6) Dress down, dress simple, never carry exposed wallet, purse, camera or anything of value. Unseen is unknown. NEVER WEAR FLASHY JEWELRY! GUYS, ALWAYS KEEP WALLET IN FRONT POCKET, NEVER THE BACK POCKET.
7) When rousting about town on foot or in taxis, try keeping about $20 worth of local currency in small bills and coins readily available in front pocket for quick transactions and exact change as this will prevent you from having to pull out your wallet and expose your larger cache of bills to unforseeables or gettting into an argument with a taxi driver over him not having change for the fare. If travelling by taxi get your approximate change ready before the taxi stops and pay the taxi driver the exact fare, plus may tip, before exiting the vehicle and then move on so that they cannot change the fare on you. FYI: Always get the driver to agree to fare up front unless there is a working meter in the taxi which is almost NEVER in Latin America.
8) If you do stop to look at a shop window, cafe menu, movie poster, trinket shop, try to put your ass towards the nearest wall and look around to see where others are in respect to you and your family. Watch your fellow travellers or family members' backs and make sure they are watching yours. Pickpockets and theives prefer to sneak up on you PERIOD!
9) When travelling with others, train them ahead of time on the above so everybody travels smart. Criminals are looking for a weak link, don't be one.
Hope this helps others as it has served my well over the years.
Pal
I have travelled a bit in some very shabby places in Latin America and I will share advice for Gringo travellers in Latin America.
TOPICS
Language
Caching Cash
Prepare To Be Robbed
Protect That Passport
Watch Everything, Look at No One
Dress Down, NO JEWELRY
Be Ready To Pay & Move On Quickly
Watch That Back
1) Learn the language, simple grammar & 500 vocabulary words of Spanish can get you to Tierra del Fuego and back easily.
2) Always seperate your cash into min. two locations: what is necessary on hand for the day and keep the rest in safety box at hotel and if no safety box available put into a small pouch and stuff in your briefs, inside pocket, fanny pack or your wife's panties.
3) If walking a lot always carry a fake-out wallet readily available to quickly turn over with $20 of local currency in small bills & maybe some expired credit cards in it to satisfy a potential robber. Keep real money and CCs inside your pants or in travel wallet hidden under your shirt. Plan ahead, be smart. Think like a criminal. If robbed, immediately give them the fake-out wallet and let them run away.
4) Never carry your Passport on your person if not entirely necessary, carry your tourist card or a homeland ID like drivers license or other ID instead when going out to dinner, partying, etc. though there are places where you must use a Passport like at a Money Exchange, CAMBIO, or when purchasing something expensive with a credit card. I like to have a second photocopy wadded up on my person as this can make a shop keeper happy usually. Always put a clear photocopy of your passport inside your luggage and leave it for the unthinkable. If you loose or get robbed of your Passport, a photocopy of your Passport can grease the wheels at the Embassy and save you day(s) of waiting for replacement. Also having pre-made, set of 2, duplicate passport photos already on hand with the photocopy can get your Passport replaced in a matter of a two hours versus having to locate a place to get new passport photos taken which could mean a day or two if a weekend. Embassies usually will not furnish you with Passport photos. That may have changed a bit in this digital age.
5) Watch everything when walking but ignore eye contact and keep moving when someone approaches you unrequested. Don't let them touch you or your person which means your family as well. Touch from strangers means you are going to get pocketpicked or worse. The international language of 'Keep your hands off of me!' is the same all over the world.
6) Dress down, dress simple, never carry exposed wallet, purse, camera or anything of value. Unseen is unknown. NEVER WEAR FLASHY JEWELRY! GUYS, ALWAYS KEEP WALLET IN FRONT POCKET, NEVER THE BACK POCKET.
7) When rousting about town on foot or in taxis, try keeping about $20 worth of local currency in small bills and coins readily available in front pocket for quick transactions and exact change as this will prevent you from having to pull out your wallet and expose your larger cache of bills to unforseeables or gettting into an argument with a taxi driver over him not having change for the fare. If travelling by taxi get your approximate change ready before the taxi stops and pay the taxi driver the exact fare, plus may tip, before exiting the vehicle and then move on so that they cannot change the fare on you. FYI: Always get the driver to agree to fare up front unless there is a working meter in the taxi which is almost NEVER in Latin America.
8) If you do stop to look at a shop window, cafe menu, movie poster, trinket shop, try to put your ass towards the nearest wall and look around to see where others are in respect to you and your family. Watch your fellow travellers or family members' backs and make sure they are watching yours. Pickpockets and theives prefer to sneak up on you PERIOD!
9) When travelling with others, train them ahead of time on the above so everybody travels smart. Criminals are looking for a weak link, don't be one.
Hope this helps others as it has served my well over the years.
Pal
Just back from Cabarete where I had to use an ATM. The ATM stated on the screen that it could not complete my transaction yet I was charged $62 USD on my statement. The next ATM I went to worked fine. Now I have to challenge the improper charge and will surely loose because all bastard bankers claim that ATM cannot malfunction like that. I recommend only using ATMs at bank locations so that you can bitch at someone if ripped off not to mention that many bank locations have 24 hr. security on site for added protection.
For future reference, which was the dodgy ATM?
This new thread seems relevant to the topic here
http://www.dr1.com/forums/living/58249-us-travel-advisory-seems-getting-worse.html
http://www.dr1.com/forums/living/58249-us-travel-advisory-seems-getting-worse.html
recent concern?
i'm planning on traveling to cabrete with 35 people (25-65) for my wedding...unfortunately some of our group isn't well traveled, or traveled at all for that matter...i'm a female who traveled solo in europe for 4 months with no worries or problems.... obviously common sense comes into play- but not everyone has a 'common sense' when it comes to traveling, and sometimes they may think that they do- but don't. should i be concerned about safety in cabrete staying at villas/or small hotel?
lulove, please start a new thread in the North Coast forum. And no, don't be concerned but don't be idiots either.
i'm planning on traveling to cabrete with 35 people (25-65) for my wedding...unfortunately some of our group isn't well traveled, or traveled at all for that matter...i'm a female who traveled solo in europe for 4 months with no worries or problems.... obviously common sense comes into play- but not everyone has a 'common sense' when it comes to traveling, and sometimes they may think that they do- but don't. should i be concerned about safety in cabrete staying at villas/or small hotel?
lulove, please start a new thread in the North Coast forum. And no, don't be concerned but don't be idiots either.
Last edited by a moderator:
A Canadian company called Tilley makes long & short pants with hidden secure pockets. Very useful for keeping money safe. I believe they sell over the internet.
Security Clothes.
I use Tilley clothes all the time. Very secure & easy to wash/wear, including underwear Highly reccommended!! Canadian Bob.
A Canadian company called Tilley makes long & short pants with hidden secure pockets. Very useful for keeping money safe. I believe they sell over the internet.
I use Tilley clothes all the time. Very secure & easy to wash/wear, including underwear Highly reccommended!! Canadian Bob.
Just back from Cabarete where I had to use an ATM. The ATM stated on the screen that it could not complete my transaction yet I was charged $62 USD on my statement. The next ATM I went to worked fine. Now I have to challenge the improper charge and will surely loose because all bastard bankers claim that ATM cannot malfunction like that. I recommend only using ATMs at bank locations so that you can bitch at someone if ripped off not to mention that many bank locations have 24 hr. security on site for added protection.
Wasn't the Scotia Bank ATM was it? We got warned off that by our Dominican friends last year who told us it was rife with fraud... Maybe that was a bit of a sensationalism though!
When DRIVING in the DR I've learned to lock my doors. IF you are driving with your windows down, DON'T put anything on the seat that could be grabbed (esp in city driving). I PREFER driving a beat-up, partially rusted jepette because virtually no one thinks I have $. Keep peso and 5 peso coins (maybe some 10s & 20s to) separate from the rest of your $. When you park and are approached by a local kid to "watch your car" give him a small coin and tell him that he'll get more after when you return. I've developed relationships with many of these 9-14 year olds and they actually run up to hug me after almost a year of being here (not that I trust them completely but at least I know they recognize me & that I don't carry a lot of $).
Sometimes you HAVE to trust in the kindness of DR strangers. I'm not naive & grew up just over the NYC line on LI...still things happen. I've had motoconchos come to my rescue several times (my car fell into one of the open usually grated and clogged sewer area; 2nd flat tire in a week when the moto took my tire and had it repaired; leading me through a bad construction area where things were closed and traffic was dead stopped--MC stopped traffic for me to get through)--TIP them. We need to establish that the Foreign Nationals are not here merely to TAKE from this country.
On top of the above, I almost never wear jewelry that is expenive--not even my wedding ring, but I must wear a medic alert which many locals have TUCKED IN my shirt FOR me. And, my clothing has continued to get shabbier over time (that drying in the sun wears things out faster than dryers in the US.) When alone in the cities, I always wear shoes I can run in & mind the open man holes & sewer drains.
My experience has been quite positive (although sobered by Matilda being shot last summer, and several other people having issues). One must TRY to speak Dominican but don't expect to understand everyone in SPM even if you speak Spanish perfectly.
WOMEN--DON'T SMILE AT MEN!!! I know this sounds absurd because I'm naturally gregarious and smile at everyone (unless things are REALLY bad). Why shouldn't you smile at men? Because they WILL assume you want to go have a roll in the hay. I'm serious. My teenage son told me this after a month of being here "Mom, you smile too much. These guys think you are looking for a man." I laughed but it's true. In fact, Matilda warned me off one guy who I had danced with at Giulias (thanks to her, I don't have him moving in with me and the rest of my family.)
I've got lots more if you want the perspective of a 44 yr old US-born but world travelled woman with 3 kids and a dh here. Just ask.
Sometimes you HAVE to trust in the kindness of DR strangers. I'm not naive & grew up just over the NYC line on LI...still things happen. I've had motoconchos come to my rescue several times (my car fell into one of the open usually grated and clogged sewer area; 2nd flat tire in a week when the moto took my tire and had it repaired; leading me through a bad construction area where things were closed and traffic was dead stopped--MC stopped traffic for me to get through)--TIP them. We need to establish that the Foreign Nationals are not here merely to TAKE from this country.
On top of the above, I almost never wear jewelry that is expenive--not even my wedding ring, but I must wear a medic alert which many locals have TUCKED IN my shirt FOR me. And, my clothing has continued to get shabbier over time (that drying in the sun wears things out faster than dryers in the US.) When alone in the cities, I always wear shoes I can run in & mind the open man holes & sewer drains.
My experience has been quite positive (although sobered by Matilda being shot last summer, and several other people having issues). One must TRY to speak Dominican but don't expect to understand everyone in SPM even if you speak Spanish perfectly.
WOMEN--DON'T SMILE AT MEN!!! I know this sounds absurd because I'm naturally gregarious and smile at everyone (unless things are REALLY bad). Why shouldn't you smile at men? Because they WILL assume you want to go have a roll in the hay. I'm serious. My teenage son told me this after a month of being here "Mom, you smile too much. These guys think you are looking for a man." I laughed but it's true. In fact, Matilda warned me off one guy who I had danced with at Giulias (thanks to her, I don't have him moving in with me and the rest of my family.)
I've got lots more if you want the perspective of a 44 yr old US-born but world travelled woman with 3 kids and a dh here. Just ask.
counting your $-ATMs, Banks, & cashiers
Okay...NO it's not sensationalism...That one does that (not sure if it's intentional) BUT regardless, ANY TIME you get $ handed to you...via ATM, Banker, or change from a caja, COUNT IT. The ATM thing happens A LOT! My dh has had it happen 2x (& I had it happen once) in JD where he is given money but they short him. The key here is to always print your receipt and keep it. Then contact YOUR personal bank (wherever) where the ATM was issued and challenge it. It takes 2-3 weeks for them to sort it out but they do. In my case, I went right into the bank and told them (this requires Spanish) and they did a recount of their $ in the ATM when they later refilled it that day. I rec'd a call and went to pick up my 1000 pesos.
Cashiers and gas station attendents will short you; I can't say if it's intentional or the inability to make change. It happens. Count your change.
Wasn't the Scotia Bank ATM was it? We got warned off that by our Dominican friends last year who told us it was rife with fraud... Maybe that was a bit of a sensationalism though!
Okay...NO it's not sensationalism...That one does that (not sure if it's intentional) BUT regardless, ANY TIME you get $ handed to you...via ATM, Banker, or change from a caja, COUNT IT. The ATM thing happens A LOT! My dh has had it happen 2x (& I had it happen once) in JD where he is given money but they short him. The key here is to always print your receipt and keep it. Then contact YOUR personal bank (wherever) where the ATM was issued and challenge it. It takes 2-3 weeks for them to sort it out but they do. In my case, I went right into the bank and told them (this requires Spanish) and they did a recount of their $ in the ATM when they later refilled it that day. I rec'd a call and went to pick up my 1000 pesos.
Cashiers and gas station attendents will short you; I can't say if it's intentional or the inability to make change. It happens. Count your change.
securing your car
The easiest way : For example my boat has a battery switch which in case of a fire cuts off the current this can also be installed in a car so when you leave the car there is no current going to the key switch. When they try to steal the car where are they going to go they will think the battery is dead and move on . Just make sure you are the only one that knows where this switch is.
The easiest way : For example my boat has a battery switch which in case of a fire cuts off the current this can also be installed in a car so when you leave the car there is no current going to the key switch. When they try to steal the car where are they going to go they will think the battery is dead and move on . Just make sure you are the only one that knows where this switch is.
I initially posted this to start a new thread "prostituting pickpockets".
http://www.dr1.com/forums/north-coast/62223-prostituting-pickpockets.html
It was suggested that the post might be useful in this "How to be safer in the DR" thread.
_________________________________________________________________
Can't believe the "Are they all prostitutes?" thread gets closed on the one day when I finally get something interesting to add... (well, interesting as far as I'm concerned, probably boring and uninteresting to the people who read this...)
Anyway, I've got a dodgy leg with no feeling in it (don't ask why, it's a short story drawn out too far as it is). As a result I trip up regularly and at the best of times. On a dodgy pavement, I trip and stagger like a drunk even when sober. So this evening, as I stagger like a drunk, back to my abode I was approached by a puter. Not taking 'no gracious' (sp? I'm bad enough in English, let alone Spanish) she walked with her hand on my shoulder, with me repeating the words I wrote before, probably pronounced as badly as I spell.
Anyway, the point is, as she let go of my shoulder her hand went for my arse, or more probably my arse pocket. Fortunately, being sober and half expecting it, I caught her fingers before she got there. Another, this time 'firm' "NO", she turned around and went in search of another client/victim.
And the point?
Well... I can now be one of those DR's who lament the increase in crime after my first brush with an over enthusiastic prostitute...
and I can complain about how Cabarete is going down hill, given this was only 10:30pm...
But if that thread asking "are they all prostitutes?" wasn't closed, I could have responded with "yes, when a woman approaches you who you don't know and she starts to touch you, she is a prostitute... and quite probably a thief, so watch your pockets rather than asking her for Spanish lessons!
...which would have been so much quicker and easier
_________________________________________________________________
In short, if a prostitute starts to touch you, tell them in no uncertain terms to stop doing so. She's looking for your wallet. If a prostitute tries to talk to you at night, don't stop walking. How do you know if she's a prostitute? Simple, it's it's after dark and she's approaching you...
Don't be frightened but do be safe.
http://www.dr1.com/forums/north-coast/62223-prostituting-pickpockets.html
It was suggested that the post might be useful in this "How to be safer in the DR" thread.
_________________________________________________________________
Can't believe the "Are they all prostitutes?" thread gets closed on the one day when I finally get something interesting to add... (well, interesting as far as I'm concerned, probably boring and uninteresting to the people who read this...)
Anyway, I've got a dodgy leg with no feeling in it (don't ask why, it's a short story drawn out too far as it is). As a result I trip up regularly and at the best of times. On a dodgy pavement, I trip and stagger like a drunk even when sober. So this evening, as I stagger like a drunk, back to my abode I was approached by a puter. Not taking 'no gracious' (sp? I'm bad enough in English, let alone Spanish) she walked with her hand on my shoulder, with me repeating the words I wrote before, probably pronounced as badly as I spell.
Anyway, the point is, as she let go of my shoulder her hand went for my arse, or more probably my arse pocket. Fortunately, being sober and half expecting it, I caught her fingers before she got there. Another, this time 'firm' "NO", she turned around and went in search of another client/victim.
And the point?
Well... I can now be one of those DR's who lament the increase in crime after my first brush with an over enthusiastic prostitute...
and I can complain about how Cabarete is going down hill, given this was only 10:30pm...
But if that thread asking "are they all prostitutes?" wasn't closed, I could have responded with "yes, when a woman approaches you who you don't know and she starts to touch you, she is a prostitute... and quite probably a thief, so watch your pockets rather than asking her for Spanish lessons!
...which would have been so much quicker and easier
_________________________________________________________________
In short, if a prostitute starts to touch you, tell them in no uncertain terms to stop doing so. She's looking for your wallet. If a prostitute tries to talk to you at night, don't stop walking. How do you know if she's a prostitute? Simple, it's it's after dark and she's approaching you...
Don't be frightened but do be safe.