single female traveler

[creole]

hello all!

in a few weeks time i'm planning a short trip to the DR for a few days. i spent a couple of hours in SD on my last (and first) trip to the DR and i loved the atmosphere there.

i now have the chance to go back to the dr for a few days and was thinking that i'd like to spend maybe 4-5 days in SD and then maybe move on to a beachside resort.

question now is - how safe is it for a single female - that acutally looks dominican - but doesent speak much spanish to travel alone - especially in Santo Domingo? i've travelled extensively in the past, but most of the time was able to speak the language - except in brazil - and i had no problems....

any advice is much appreciated!
thx!

 

[Ken]

Your question has been asked by other women in the past. The answer given has always been, come and enjoy your stay. Just take the precautions you have taken in any of your travels, such as staying out of areas that don't look like you belong there, and don't load up on jewelry and flash large sums of money.

My wife and I have been living in this country for almost 17 years, and she frequently goes to Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo on her own.

 

[Mcinbrass]

I would say...

...that its very safe during the daytime. In the evening I would take a taxi anywhere I wanted to go and I would not walk unescorted on the streets at night. Like Ken said exercise common sense and usual caution. If you would like more info, please email me . Im going March 22 and have been there 11 times.

 

[Dominican Babe]

I've been quite a number of times on my own - mind you, I don't look even close to being Dominican! But I've never encountered any problems. As long as you take the same precautions as you would at home you'll be fine.

I'm sure you'll have a great time - let us know how you get on.

 

[Glasnot]

Amazing.... this country is being changing for worst. 15 years ago, people could walk safetly without any kind of problems. You could sleep in a park with a million dollars in yr pocket and nobody touched you.

I hope we get back in our original customs of respect and solidarity.

Creole, anyway, you will find that dominicans love foreigners, so enjoy your trip.

Glasnot

 

[Hillbilly]

Perhaps not 15 years ago but certainly 40 years ago when el Jefe was here!.
Sad but true.
Creole: Thou shalt not have a problem unless you go looking for one. Talk to some of the ladies onthis forum, get their input, maybe hook up with one or two..Be careful of Jan, she of the colmados...(Just kidding)
Please do a search on the FAQs or in the Archives...

Enjoy your stay...

HB

 

[Glasnot]

Creole:
I recomend Jan for yr walk in Sto Dgo. She really knows how to pass good time. Obviously, as a americana aplatanada, she drinks a lot.

 

[judyisnice]

CREOL
HB said it to the letter.
I'v been in the D.R. many times on my own , and you only get what your looking for . If you take the same precautions you do anywhere else ,your going to be fine. So enjoy!
I'm going to visit again on the 27th of this month.
Judy

 

[creole]

THANKS

your replies are appreciated!! like i mentioned - my concern is not so much the dangerous places, its more not being able to speak the language very well and getting mistaken for a domincan - which in my last trip was often the case, and some dominicans thought i was making a not so funny joke... but i guess i'll just have to go and see, and jump in the deep end )

thanks again - and for those of you that are also on their way.... happy travels!

 

[Jan]

Sorry I didn't respond sooner. I have been walking the streets here in Santo Domingo alot the last few days. My Mom and 2 of my aunts are here and I'm showing them a good time. I wouldn't be afraid at all. Just be aware of your surroundings. Here in the Zona Colonial area there are usually perople on the streets all the time so that makes it a little safre than the more quiet areas. If you need any info or a little tour email me and I'll give you my number so you can get intouch when you get here. Tonight I'm taking the family to the free concert then to the Zone to do some dancing. Then tomorrow to the Carnival! And of course I took them to some of my favorite Colomodos! They are having a great time! They may even be in one of those Peace comercials!

 

[tondra]

I just came back from my first trip to the DR solo. I do not look Dominican, but my Spanish is very limited. I just kept repeating, "Yo hablo espanol muy un pocito." Even when the individual I was attempting to talk to could not speak English well, if at all, we were eventually able to communicate our needs. I found that when they discovered I was traveling alone, they often took me under their wing and made sure I was okay.

As has been said before, just use your common sense and be aware. I had no scares while I was there, just smiles and a few "offers." Even when the "offers" were refused, there was no problem.

Actually, traveling alone I think I met more people than I would have had I been traveling with someone. So.......enjoy the adventure!

Tondra

 

[BushBaby]

So Tondra, you didn't oversleep for the lourney back?? You did actually LEAVE us??
Glad you had a good time & we look forward to seeing you again fairly soon.

Creole, for your beach resort, come up & see us in Puerto Plata. We love tourists up here & treat them very well. As long as you obey the rules Hillbilly set out, you are still safe walking the streets at night here too - you may get a couple of "offers" you might want to ignore, but you will be safe!! Playa Dorada is good for non-Spanish speaking people as most people there understand basic English & American. Get in touch whilst your here - I'm in the book!! - Grahame.

 

[tondra]

Grahame, how nice of you to be so diplomatic about my departure from the US. Unfortunately, I did make my plane back home on time only to be met by 10 degree weather with no coat. Brrrrrrr!

I just popped you an email so you should be getting it soon. Thanks for being such a great host and She who must be Obeyed was wonderful too!

Tondra