If the Dominican Republic is the goal of your vacation, dangers for tourists should not interfere with your vacation. Here, as in other popular tourist destinations, there are things to watch out for. The information below will help you avoid trouble and fully enjoy your vacation in an exotic country.
What to fear in the Dominican Republic
1. Crime. There is practically no terrorism in the Dominican Republic. However, from time to time, often before elections, riots and clashes with local police occur. Therefore, it is better for tourists not to appear in poor areas and not to attend demonstrations.Street robbery or pickpocketing is quite common, as is fraud and car theft. The most attractive object for criminals is a passport; in their opinion, it represents the greatest value. It’s also worth keeping an eye on your pocket money, credit cards, driver’s license, airline tickets - it’s best to leave all this in the hotel safe. It is better to make photocopies of documents; they will be enough to carry out any actions.
While on the street, do not count your cash.
Street robberies occur at night and even during the day. In this case, robbers commit crimes alone or in a group, on foot or on two-wheelers. Watch out for motorcyclists or cyclists passing by, and do not hold a mobile phone or camera in your hands or on a lanyard. It is better to carry your mobile phone in your inner pocket.
Do not leave valuables in cars, as thefts or thefts directly from the car are not uncommon here. It is better to leave money in small bundles in different places. This way, in case of theft, you will have at least some funds left. Leave large sums in the safe and take with you as much as you need. Try not to pay with large bills in bars or show the contents of your wallet.
Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach; it is better not to take them with you at all.
Use caution when using ATMs.
After drinking alcohol, it is better to go to your room, as tipsy tourists are a target for scammers. Do not travel around the country alone, it is better to travel in groups.
If you have a credit card, be careful too. Use only those ATMs that are located in bank branches and in serious establishments. After you leave the country for some time, keep an eye on the balance on your credit card, as scammers may postpone their scams until the owner leaves.
There have been cases when tourists have been slipped counterfeit banknotes, so currency exchange should only be done at exchange offices.
2. Natural hazards.
Dangers in the Dominican Republic They can also wait in nature. Jellyfish that are found near the shore can leave burns. More poisonous individuals are not found off the coast, but they can be encountered while diving. Under no circumstances should they be touched.
Be careful when swimming, as there may be sea urchins on the bottom.
Sea urchins also pose some danger. The thorns, which can be stepped on, do not break and dig into the leg, after which they dissolve only after a few weeks. At the same time, they cause severe pain. Therefore, when walking on the reefs, wear shoes, and if you get needles in your feet, pull them out immediately.
The eight-pointed star, which can also be found, is very poisonous.
3. Weather features. Some weather events pose quite serious hazards in the Dominican Republic. From July to August, tropical cyclones, powerful torrential rains, squally winds and hurricanes often sweep across the country. At this time, tour operators sell tours very carefully. In order to avoid troubles, listen to the media about weather news and recommendations that they will give you.
4. Road traffic.
On the roads of the Dominican Republic, be extremely careful and attentive.
If you rent a car or drive around the country in your own car, be careful on the roads. When they see tourists driving, locals may deliberately throw themselves under the wheels in order to receive financial compensation later. You need to stop only at the request of the traffic police (the distinctive inscription AMET on the car), since there is a possibility of being stopped by scammers in police uniform. Remember how dangerous locals behave on the road, be extremely careful.
5. Health. When traveling to the Dominican Republic, purchase an insurance policy to avoid additional costs. Bring glasses and sun cream as there is a high level of solar activity here.
In the Dominican Republic, do not even think about drinking tap water.
Don't drink local tap water, buy mineral or purified bottled water.In the Dominican Republic, there are frequent cases of infections: Dengue fever, yellow fever, malaria, tetanus and others characteristic of a tropical climate. Maintain personal hygiene and do not purchase questionable food in cafes and stores.
Safety during vacation is an issue that has recently interested many tourists. Due to events in Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and other countries in the Middle East, as well as frequent incidents in Thailand and other Asian countries, many tourists attach great importance to safety issues when choosing a holiday destination.
Is it dangerous in the Dominican Republic? Despite the fact that crime in the Dominican Republic, as in many other Latin American countries, is not a rare phenomenon, the safety of tourists here is ensured quite well.
Of course, there are dangers in the Dominican Republic, but you cannot name a single country that does not have any dangers. We can only say that in the last few years there has not been a single serious incident involving tourists from Russia in this country.
In this article we will talk about the main dangers for tourists in the Dominican Republic and give some tips to help you make your stay in this country as safe as possible.
Is it possible to swim at night in the Dominican Republic?
Although it is unlikely that anyone will forbid you to swim in the ocean/sea at night, we still do not recommend doing it. Why? The fact is that at night you can hardly see anything under water, and the likelihood of stepping on a sea urchin or some other sea creature at night is much higher than during the day. However, there will be no lifeguards on the beach at night, so there will be no one to help you.
As for swimming pools, most hotels prohibit swimming in them from 7-8 pm.
Hurricanes in the Dominican Republic
Hurricane season in the Dominican Republic begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. According to the National Meteorological Department, the critical period for the possible impact of this natural phenomenon in the country is from August 15 to September 15. Records for the last 120 years show that the country was hit by at least twenty hurricanes during this period, five of which were the most catastrophic. These are hurricanes Lillis (1894), San Zeno (1930), Agnes (1966), David (1979) and George (1998). According to the researchers, cyclonic activity changed in 1995 to a hyperactive period that could last two or three decades.
Approximately 80 tropical cyclones develop worldwide each year, and about half of these cyclones reach hurricane strength. Many cyclones originating in the Atlantic pass just north of the Dominican Republic and go to Mexico or the southern United States. Sometimes they reach the eastern Pacific Ocean, where they are given a new name according to a given list for cyclones or typhoons, as it is called in some areas of the Pacific Ocean.
Is it possible to get caught in a hurricane in the Dominican Republic? If you travel to this country between June and November, there is a risk of being caught in a hurricane, but the greatest likelihood of this is in August and September, and the least in June and November. In general, the likelihood of being caught in a powerful hurricane in the Dominican Republic is small, although if you pay attention to the cyclical nature of the last five powerful hurricanes, you can assume that the next such hurricane will occur in the coming years. However, even if you are not lucky enough to get caught in such a hurricane, you should not worry, since Dominicans are always prepared for this natural phenomenon. Hotel buildings in this country are built taking into account the possible impact of a hurricane on them. In addition, there are often shelters near hotels.
Tsunami in the Dominican Republic
Are there tsunamis in the Dominican Republic? The last powerful tsunami to hit the shores of the Dominican Republic occurred back in 1946. Although tsunamis are difficult to predict, the Caribbean is not a place where large tsunamis often occur.
Tsunami in the Dominican Republic in 1946
More than 100 people were killed and another 20 thousand were left homeless as a result of the tsunami generated by a magnitude 8.0 earthquake that occurred on August 4, 1946, off the coast of Nagua (northern coast of the Dominican Republic). The tsunami penetrated several kilometers into the community of Matanzas, where the wave height was approximately 2.5 meters. The earthquake is strongly felt in parts of Haiti, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and eastern Cuba. The tsunami caused severe damage in the northern part of the Dominican Republic, from Samana to Puerto Plata.
Although the wave was only 2.5 meters high, it penetrated several kilometers deep, causing serious damage to Matanzas. The maximum wave height was estimated at 4-5 meters. Such a wave hit Nagua.
Earthquake in the Dominican Republic
Not long ago, the island of Hispaniola, on which the Dominican Republic is located, experienced a strong earthquake. True, it happened in Haiti on January 12, 2010. This earthquake, which was preceded by vibrations and small movements, measured 7.3 on the Richter scale and killed more than 2,000 people. In addition, hundreds of thousands suffered, not only from the earthquake itself, but also from other disasters it caused, such as floods, cholera and famine.
There are two fault lines in the Caribbean. The first fault line extends west of Jamaica, while the second fault line runs north-south along northern Cuba and Haiti. This suggests that cities such as Port-au-Prince, Kingston, or Santiago de los Caballeros are most at risk. The Dominican Republic is unlikely to suffer much from an earthquake, although this cannot be ruled out. In any case, Punta Cana, La Romana and other resort areas of this country are relatively far from the fault line, so the likelihood that the epicenter of an earthquake will be near these resorts is very small.
Diseases in the Dominican Republic
How can you get infected or get sick in the Dominican Republic? Theoretically, tourists can get sick from malaria, Zika virus and cholera in the Dominican Republic. However, in practice this is almost impossible. There is only one known case where a tourist returned from the Dominican Republic to Russia with the Zika virus.
In general, if you take all precautions and don’t do anything stupid, then the risk of getting any serious disease in the Dominican Republic will be almost zero.
Are there mosquitoes in the Dominican Republic? These insects are found in every tropical country, and the Dominican Republic is no exception. In resort areas, mosquitoes often plague tourists, especially those who have not taken any precautions against them. In addition to their nasty bites, mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases such as the Zika virus and malaria. Therefore, it is important to do everything to drive mosquitoes away from you.
Mosquito activity may vary depending on the season, time of day, weather conditions and specific area. In humid areas (natural pools, lakes, swamps) there are usually a lot of mosquitoes. Additionally, there are usually more mosquitoes during the rainier periods of the year than during the dry season. Also keep in mind that mosquito activity is usually higher during dusk and dawn. To prevent mosquitoes from bothering you, try to use different means, such as repellents, sprays, creams. Avoid mosquitoes from entering your room by leaving windows open. If possible, do not use perfumes, colognes, body creams, hair spray, etc., as the aroma attracts mosquitoes.
Despite the fact that currently only one tourist from Russia has become infected with the Zika virus in the Dominican Republic, the total number of tourists affected by this virus is more than a hundred. Most of them are American, which is not surprising considering that tourists from the United States are the most numerous in the Dominican Republic.
Since the Zika virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, it is important to ensure that you are not exposed to mosquito bites. We wrote about precautions above.
Malaria in the Dominican Republic
Do not believe those who say that there is no malaria in the Dominican Republic. But the fact is that the country is in the stage of preliminary elimination of this disease. There is a moderate risk of malaria in rural areas of the western regions (border with Haiti). In large cities of the Dominican Republic there is no risk of contracting malaria, but in coastal resort areas this risk is very low. Back in 2004, there was an outbreak of malaria in Punta Cana, but the area is now considered one of the safest in this regard.
In the Dominican Republic, the number of malaria cases has been rapidly declining in recent years. Back in 2012, there were about 1,200 cases of malaria, but in 2015 the number of such cases dropped below 300.
Dangerous animals of the Dominican Republic are another fear of tourists going on vacation to this country. One of the most dangerous animals for tourists is the shark. Are there sharks in the Dominican Republic? Yes, these marine animals live in the waters around this country, but the last shark attacks on people in the Dominican Republic were recorded a long time ago.
You don't have to worry too much about sharks in the Dominican Republic, as most shark species that may swim close to the coast are actually harmless. Dangerous sharks usually do not swim closer to the shore than 2-3 kilometers. Additionally, in Punta Cana, most hotels have barriers to keep sharks out, and small boats monitor the area to prevent any nasty surprises for tourists.
So now you know that you shouldn’t be afraid of sharks in the Dominican Republic if you don’t plan to swim far.
Snakes in the Dominican Republic
Are there snakes in the Dominican Republic? The bad news is that there are snakes here, but the good news is that they are not dangerous. It’s hard to imagine that in a country with large tropical forests there are no poisonous snakes. Moreover, to meet a non-venomous snake here, you need to try hard. The fact is that some snakes in the Dominican Republic are endangered, while other snakes are caught in order to obtain any medicines and remedies.
There are only a few species of snakes in the Dominican Republic. The most popular of them is the Dominican boa (boa constrictor). This snake does not pose any danger to humans and, as a rule, approaches houses only because it senses the presence of mice. The Dominican boa constrictor can be up to four meters long. Its color can be anything: from black and brown to gray and red. It feeds on small vertebrates and lives in forests and on river banks. Sometimes boa constrictors appear on plantations, but they are beneficial because they eat birds and rodents that are harmful to agriculture, frogs and other small vertebrates.
There are three endemic species of "green snakes" on the island of Hispaniola, which live primarily within specific habitats. These snakes can be found in all famous resort areas except Punta Cana. Although all three types of snakes are shy and try to hide when a person approaches, bites still happen. According to those who have been bitten by these snakes, there is a feeling of numbness in the area of the bite. But no one in the Dominican Republic died after being bitten by these snakes.
The Federal Tourism Agency called on Russians in the Dominican Republic to take precautions due to the approach of Hurricane Irma. It has already been called the most powerful in the Atlantic over the past decade
Photo: Ivan Alvarado / Reuters
The Federal Tourism Agency warned citizens about the passage of Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean Sea and called on Russians in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela, Florida and the Virgin Islands to take precautions. This follows from a message from the department received by RBC.
The authorities recommended tourists who went on holiday to these countries to refrain from staying in the coastal zone, from swimming in the sea, and urged them not to approach the windows and strictly follow the instructions of local rescue services, tour operators and hotel administrations. All vacationing Russians, Rostourism emphasized, should have an adequate supply of water, food, medicine, documents and a charged mobile phone.
The Federal Tourism Agency assured that some hotels in the Dominican Republic where Russians are staying are taking measures for the possible evacuation of vacationers to safe areas.
“At the same time, according to the National Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic, hotels in this country are prepared to face the elements, food and drinking water supplies have been created, protection zones have been established, external structures have been cleaned and strengthened, and there is no need for mass evacuations,” — the department said in a statement.
Russian tourist Tatyana Miklyaeva, who is vacationing in the Dominican Republic, learned about the approach of Hurricane Irma from local residents. According to her, on the night of September 7 there was a strong wind, there was no damage on the territory of the hotel where she and her relatives were staying, but “a couple of palm branches and leaves” were torn from the trees by gusts. The travel agency ANEX Tour, which organizes trips to the Caribbean republic, did not warn its clients about the impending Hurricane Irma, it told RBC. There are many people left on the island, on the coast and in hotels in the Dominican Republic. According to her, none of the tourists were evacuated, “although the hotels took all possible safety measures.”
People were no longer allowed on the beach on September 6, and windows in restaurants were sealed with tape. On the evening of September 6, from 20:00, tourists were asked not to leave their rooms; they were brought candles and dry rations; in the morning, hotel staff escorted them to the restaurant, Miklyaeva said.
Another Russian tourist (who asked that her name not be used) stated that ANEX Tour on September 6 evacuated two families with children under two years old from the resort of Punta Cana to the capital of the Dominican Republic. “We started to panic and called ANEX Tour to Moscow. We and another family with a child under two years old were asked to evacuate to Santo Domingo,” she said. A tourist complained about the lack of information after the evacuation: “They threw a note under the door telling them to stay in their rooms, there was a strong wind outside.” According to her, on September 6, the Canadian and American embassies took out all their tourists, leaving only Russians at the Natura Park Beach & Spa Eco Resort in Punto Cana.
The ANEX Tour press service was unable to promptly respond to RBC's request; a request was sent to the company.
Many people remained on the island, coast and in some hotels in the Dominican Republic after the authorities warned about the approach of Hurricane Irma; tourists are not being evacuated. A tourist from Russia, who returned to Moscow the day before on Wednesday, September 6, told RBC about this.
Air traffic in the Dominican Republic was interrupted due to unsuitable weather conditions. As a local resident living near the resort of Punta Cana told RBC, flights scheduled for Thursday, September 7, were postponed to the next day. Due to strong winds, power and water were cut off in some parts of the city, she said. “Tour operators offered to move guests to the capital, but yesterday it became clear that the hurricane was moving north and this was pointless. But yesterday everyone was definitely nervous,” added the local resident.
Employees of the Dreams Palm Beach Resort & Spa Punta Cana hotel in Punta Cana notified tourists about the hurricane, a tourist from Russia told RBC. According to her, each vacationer made his own choice - to stay in the hotel or fly to Russia. “The hotel provided overnight accommodation, a lot of food, drinks, various games, generators were turned on, and we had air conditioning and electricity,” said the tourist.
On September 6, in Miami, local residents began boarding up windows and closing shops, said Natalya, a Russian woman vacationing there. The girl did not buy a tour, but went on vacation on her own. Many of the locals left for the northern part of the state on buses, she said. “Unfortunately, we do not have such an opportunity; all tickets are sold out. They are silent about evacuation. We are completely in the dark,” she added.
On Tuesday, September 5, a state of emergency was declared in the US state of Florida and Puerto Rico due to the approach of Hurricane Irma, which formed in the Caribbean Sea some time after Hurricane Harvey left the region. To eliminate the possible consequences of the elements, the authorities called in the National Guard. Irma was assigned the fifth, maximum power category and was called the most powerful hurricane in the Atlantic over the past decade. The wind speed in the center of the storm reaches 298 km/h.
Hurricane Irma is already hitting the islands of Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin, which are part of French territories and are located in the Caribbean. There, the disaster claimed the lives of ten people, injured another 25, and left nearly one and a half thousand residents homeless. French Interior Minister Gerard Colomba emphasized that Irma destroyed 95% of buildings in Saint-Martin.
There is also a deceased person in the British overseas territory - on the island of Anguilla. A two-year-old boy died on the island of Barbuda, owned by the state of Antigua and Barbuda. Puerto Rico reported three deaths.
Before heading to the paradise Dominican Republic, it would be a good idea to ask what dangers are fraught with vacationing in a country with friendly and radiant people. Below is a list of the most common dangers that can ruin the most pleasant vacation experience.
Drinking water and fruits
WHO has repeatedly recorded cases of cholera infection in the Dominican Republic. However, they are few in number. In addition, hotels carry out water analysis every 4 hours. But in neighboring Haiti, the disease statistics are depressing - 2,000 deaths recently. 
It is strongly recommended to use only bottled water for consumption and cooking, and thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits by pouring boiling water over them. 
Vaccination
When entering the Dominican Republic, a certificate of vaccinations is not required; only a recommended list of vaccinations is offered for review. But given the fact that most infectious diseases are registered in the country, they will not be superfluous. 
Especially for those planning an independent trip. So these are yellow fever, malaria, hepatitis A and rabies. As an additional protective measure, it is worth stocking up on good repellents - mosquitoes on the island are very active.
Underwater beauties and their downside
Usually it is safe to swim on the shore, but divers and simply lovers of beauty should know that it is not worth touching anything with your hands. 
Danger can come from both seemingly harmless coral reefs, which sometimes leave a burn, and marvelous jellyfish, which sting with terrible force. This also applies to some beautiful starfish. An encounter with a sea urchin promises to leave needles stuck in your feet as a long but unpleasant memory.
Pickpockets and thieves
No matter what anyone says, the crime rate in the Dominican Republic is increased. Therefore, you should be careful on the streets and public places: do not leave personal belongings unattended, do not carry a lot of cash with you, do not withdraw money from street ATMs, giving preference to foreign banks, do not wear expensive jewelry, and much more. 
All documents, tickets, visas and securities must be kept only in the hotel safe. Smiling dark-skinned maids should not be trusted.
Deceivers and charlatans
All currency exchange operations are best only in banks, but not in trays or from individuals. The number of counterfeit banknotes in circulation is amazing. 
It is not recommended to pay for purchases with a credit card, as cases of money fraud are common. 
Public and private transport
Transport in the Dominican Republic is a separate risk for Russian tourists. People here have never known about traffic rules, nor about traffic police posts. Drive however you want, even if you’re drunk. Traffic signs don't mean much. In general, you should think several times before getting behind the wheel of a rented car. Public transport also leaves much to be desired. The Dominican principle is “to be in trouble, but not to be offended.” Motoconcho drivers should be avoided on the tenth road. The risk of injury is very high.
In my notes about the Dominican Republic, I wrote a lot about the people of this country and how easy and calm everything was there.
Nevertheless, consider the issue of security separately.
I’ll immediately show you the most dangerous gangsters I met in the Dominican Republic :)
The first one late in the evening in the local area, and the second one in the forest.
These are the gangsters)))
What else can you say about safety...
Of course, there are nuances to consider to stay safe.
And all these nuances are standard. The main thing is not to forget about them.
Do not hold large sums of money in your hands in plain sight, do not leave valuables anywhere, do not walk through dark areas at night with money in your hands or expensive equipment in plain sight, and so on.
Local Russian expats generally agreed with me that the Dominican Republic is safe and the police are adequate. But they still gave one important piece of advice.
There are no police on city beaches at night - and there were cases (with Russians) when someone decided to go down to the night sea from the embankment in Santo Domingo, and a knife was stuck in him there. The valuables were taken. Fortunately, the man survived. They said that local gopniks don’t even speak like in Russia. They just silently stick a knife in, take away valuables and run away. In this regard, be careful at night.
At the same time, both Russian expats and the Dominicans themselves told me that they don’t remember a single message about someone being robbed somewhere during the day, not that they caused any damage :)
In general, from the point of view of precautionary measures, nothing supernatural.
And finally, one Dominican woman who gave me a lift said something brilliant and simple:
“Well, in your own country, you won’t walk around a dark, unfamiliar suburb with a lot of money in your hands, a camera and a laptop and approach people who look like bandits? It’s the same with us! Standard precautions are the same everywhere.” :)
Therefore, during the trip I had to joke, taking photographs like this with captions:
<< Dominican Republic is a very dangerous country. All you have to do is step outside the hotel and there are people with guns everywhere :( >>
In fact, the capital has many armed police near the historical center and the main cruise port. And even a kilometer away there is a military unit. That's why there are people in military uniform with weapons. Where they are, it couldn’t be safer :)
<< As soon as we left the hotel, the gopniks immediately came up and offered to give up the camera on good terms: (They still smile, like I’m not going anywhere...>>
I already wrote about baseball players - nice guys :) They love to be photographed :)
<< The Dominican Republic is so dangerous for independent travelers that it is better not to go without a knife. There are street gangs everywhere. But...the best defense is an attack. So I decided to create my own gang. There are three of us so far. My black brother and I are with a machete, and the third one, behind us, “I’ll stab you out” - a dangerous man, he doesn’t even need a knife. Beware of gangs in the Dominican Republic! >>
And it’s not at all necessary to create your own gang in the Dominican Republic)))
<<The safest thing to do in the Dominican Republic is to be a local. Therefore... Meet us! Me and my new Dominican family on a picnic! Do we really have cute kids?>>
But you can start your own family in the Dominican Republic! :) Love is such a thing... who will contradict you :)
And generally speaking...
How can it be dangerous in a country led by Putin? :)))
Safe travels everyone!
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INDEX
=== Other posts about this trip: ===
