Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez has called for the installation of surveillance cameras in parts of Santo Domingo?s Colonial City, the Malecon seafront avenue and tourist areas in Puerto Plata, Sosua, Cabarete, Las Terrenas, Las Galeras, Juan Dolio and Punta Cana. He said that surveillance cameras would enhance security in these areas, and then the time limits for the sale of alcoholic beverages could be lifted. He proposed that the Ministry would pay for half of the cost, and local businesses would cover the other half. Speaking during an American Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Puerto Plata, he said that if tourists want to drink all night long, they should be allowed to do so. He commented that there are no similar time constraints in Cuba, Jamaica or Mexico.
In the DR, alcohol cannot be sold after 12 midnight from Sunday evening to Thursday evening, with an extension to 2 am on holidays and Friday and Saturday. Recently, the government extended to 1 am the liquor vending time for Cabarete. The measure does not apply to resorts.