Despite being blessed by Mother Nature and having some of the friendliest people in the world, the Dominican Republic is not paradise. After years of increased drug trafficking, a justice system that is often seen to protect the criminals and not necessarily the victims, and the abundance and constraints of a growing economy have resulted in the perfect conditions leading to an increase in overall crime in the Dominican Republic.
Recent travel advisory revisions by the US and UK governments now reflect what has long been known locally. This country can no longer be considered a carefree vacation destination.
The United States State Department travel advisory for the Dominican Republic calls for travelers to “exercise increased caution due to crime.” Its citizens need to be alert because “violent crime, such as robbery, murder, and sexual assault, is common.“
The advisory states that the wide availability of weapons, the use of and the trade of illicit drugs, coupled with a weak criminal justice system all contribute to a high level of ongoing criminality.
Recommendations are for tourists to be aware of their surroundings and not physically resist any robbery attempt. Tourists are also advised to not openly display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
The Dominican Republic is now currently at level 2 of the US travel advisory system that has 4 levels of increasing severity. Level 1 being for people travelling in the United States; Level 2 contains warnings to strengthen awareness of security measures; Level 3 asks travelers to reconsider their need to travel to a destination and Level 4 is a warning for people to not travel to that particular country.
The Dominican Republic is the leading tourist destination in the Caribbean region and last year received over 5.9 million visitors. .
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US State Department
Diario Libre
18 February 2019
