Travel & safety — Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic covers the eastern two-thirds of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.

The capital city is Santo Domingo, located on the south coast of the island.

Tourist facilities vary according to price and location.

Spanish is the official language.

Though English is widely spoken in major cities and tourist areas, it is much less common outside these areas.

Foreign tourists are often considered attractive targets for criminal activity and you should maintain a low profile to avoid becoming a victim of violence or crime.

In dealing with local police, you should be aware that the standard of professionalism might vary.

Police attempts to solicit bribes have been reported, as have incidents of police using excessive force.

Protests, demonstrations, and general strikes occur periodically.

Previous political demonstrations have sometimes turned violent, with participants rioting and erecting roadblocks, and police sometimes using deadly force in response.

Political demonstrations do not generally occur in areas frequented by tourists and are generally not targeted at foreigners.

However, it is advisable to exercise caution when traveling throughout the country.

Street crowds should be avoided.

In urban areas, travel should be conducted on main routes whenever possible.

Power outages occur frequently throughout the Dominican Republic, and travelers should remain alert during blackout periods, as crime rates often increase during these outages.

If you are considering overland travel between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, you should first consult the Country Specific Information page, the Travel Warning for Haiti, and the Messages for U.S. citizens page on the U.S.

Embassy in Port-au-Prince's website for information about travel conditions in Haiti.

While Santo Domingo and the majority of the tourist destinations within the Dominican Republic are located several hours from the Haitian border, the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti has contributed to increased congestion in the area between Barahona, Dominican Republic, and the Haitian border along route 44.

There were two incidents involving attacks against U.S. citizen relief workers as they traveled from Haiti to Santo Domingo.

In both cases, the U.S. citizens observed common safety practices such as traveling in a large group and in conjunction with other vehicles.

Despite the extra precautions, the groups were attacked.

In one incident, armed men blocked the highway with burning tires and opened fire on a passing bus.

The armed men also shattered a bus window with a rock and the bus driver was forced to ram the burning blockade in order to escape to safety.

In another incident, armed gunmen and men with machetes detained a group of U.S. citizen relief workers for several hours.

The U.S.

Embassy cautions its staff to use extreme caution while in Haiti.

Other than official business, travel to Haiti for U.S.

Embassy personnel is discouraged.

The Department of State has issued a Travel Warning for Haiti.

U.S. citizens who travel to Haiti despite this Warning, especially in the area along route 44 near the border of Haiti, should travel in groups during daylight hours and use caution.

Drivers who encounter illegal roadblocks should stop a significant distance away, drive in reverse or turn around, and drive to the nearest town to report the blockade to local authorities.

Drivers should do their best to leave the danger zone and get to safety.

Crime continues to be a problem throughout the Dominican Republic.

Street crime and petty theft involving U.S. tourists does occur, and you should take precautions to avoid becoming a target.

While pick pocketing and mugging are the most common crimes against tourists, reports of violence against both foreigners and locals are growing.

Valuables left unattended in parked automobiles, on beaches, and in other public places are vulnerable to theft, and car theft remains a problem.

Travelers to the Dominican Republic should strongly consider leaving valuable property at home.

We recommend bringing no item on your trip that cannot be easily replaced, and to make contingency plans in case of theft.

These precautions include: making photocopies of all credit cards and licenses which include the numbers to call in order to report theft; photocopies of passports and birth certificates; and leaving emergency funds with someone at home in case it is necessary for money to be sent on short notice.

Carry cellular telephones in a pocket rather than on a belt or in a purse.

Avoid wearing headphones, which make the bearer more vulnerable and readily advertise the presence of a valuable item.

Limit or avoid display of jewelry; it attracts attention and could prompt a robbery attempt.

Limit cash and credit cards carried on your person.

Be sure to store valuables, wallet items, and passports in a safe place.

There are continuing reports of thefts that target tourists en route from the airport to their hotel or home.

Some U.S. citizens have been victimized in taxis.

In a typical case, a taxi with rolled-down windows stops at a traffic light, and a motorcyclist reaches in and steals a purse or other valuables.

You are advised to utilize the taxi service authorized by the airport if you did not make arrangements before arrival.

Even when using such an authorized taxi service, you should always be aware of the potential for a criminal to stalk travelers leaving the airport parking area.

Motorcyclists have also been known to steal purses or jewelry of pedestrians.

U.S. citizens in privately owned vehicles have also been targeted, and you should always keep doors and windows locked and be aware of your surroundings to deter criminals.

Some travelers returning to local residences in privately owned vehicles have been followed, assaulted, and robbed upon arrival at their home.

Several U.S. citizens have also been targeted and robbed at bus stations, possibly as a result of gang activity.

Take measures to safeguard your personal security at all times.

The dangers present in the Dominican Republic are similar to those of many major U.S. cities.

Criminals can be dangerous -- many have weapons and are likely to use them if they meet resistance.

Visitors walking the streets should always be aware of their surroundings.

Be wary of strangers, especially those who seek you out at celebrations or nightspots.

Travel with a partner or in a group if possible.

Many public transportation vehicles are unsafe, especially the route taxis or “carros publicos” in urban areas.

These are privately owned cars that run along certain routes, can take up to six or more passengers, and are inexpensive.

Passengers in “carros publicos” are frequently the victims of pick pocketing, and passengers have on occasion been robbed by “carro publico” drivers.

Urban buses (“guaguas”) are only marginally better.

We are also aware of at least one incident in which the driver of a “motoconcho” (motorcycle taxi) robbed a U.S. citizen passenger.

The U.S.

Embassy cautions its staff not to use these modes of transportation.

As an alternative, some scheduled interurban bus services use modern buses and run on reliable timetables.

These are generally the safest means of intercity travel.

With respect to taxis, visitors to the Dominican Republic are strongly advised to take only hotel taxis or taxis operated by services whose cabs are arranged in advance by phone and can subsequently be identified

While you are traveling in the Dominican Republic, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

In some places you may be questioned if you don’t have your passport with you.

In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States as well as the Dominican Republic.

If you break local laws in the Dominican Republic, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Persons violating laws of the Dominican Republic, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Dominican Republic are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Arrest notifications in host country: Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in the Dominican Republic, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S.

While adequate medical facilities can be found in large cities, particularly in private hospitals, the quality of care can vary greatly outside major population centers.

There is an emergency 911 service within Santo Domingo, but its reliability is questionable.

Outside the capital, emergency services range from extremely limited to nonexistent.

Blood supplies at both public and private hospitals are often limited, and not all facilities have blood on hand even for emergencies.

Many medical facilities throughout the country do not have staff members who speak or understand English.

A private nationwide ambulance service, ProMed, operates in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata and La Romana; the telephone number is 809-412-5555.

ProMed expects full payment at the time of transport.

Consult closely with your medical practitioner in the United States regarding any locally available treatments or therapies before traveling to the Dominican Republic for procedures which are not licensed and approved in the United States.

Experimental procedures carry certain risks as the quality of treatment varies from U.S. standards.

The U.S.

Embassy maintains a non-comprehensive list of medical providers in the Dominican Republic.

The availability of prescription drugs varies depending upon location.

Also, specific brand name drugs may not be available in the Dominican Republic.

There have been some instances of counterfeit drugs infiltrating the Dominican market.

You are advised to make sure you are traveling with an adequate supply of prescription drugs to meet your needs while in the Dominican Republic.

Tap water is unsafe to drink and should be avoided.

Bottled water and beverages are considered safe.

Dengue: Dengue is endemic to the Dominican Republic.

To reduce the risk of contracting dengue, the U.S.

Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends wearing clothing that exposes as little skin as possible and applying a repellent containing the insecticide DEET (concentration 30 to 35 percent) or Picaridin (concentration 20 percent or greater for tropical travelers).

Because of the increased risk of dengue fever and the ongoing risk of malaria in the Dominican Republic (see below), practicing preventative measures is recommended by the CDC.

Forfurther information on dengue fever, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website.

Cholera: According to the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Health, more than 15,000 suspected cases of cholera and 262 related deaths have been reported throughout the country from November 2010 to early 2013.

Several cases have been reported in travelers returning from Punta Cana resorts.

Cholera vaccine, available in many countries, but not in the U.S., is recommended for aid and refugee workers only.

Extreme care in hygiene and food habits for travel to risk areas, including resort areas, is advised.

Carry oral rehydration salts in case of severe watery diarrhea.

Azithromycin is recommended for diarrhea self-treatment; the epidemic strain of Vibrio cholerae has reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and other quinolones.

Malaria: There are occasional reports of cases of malaria in areas frequented by U.S. and European tourists including La Altagracia Province, the easternmost province in which many beach resorts are located.

Malaria risk is significantly higher for travelers who go on some of the excursions to the countryside offered by many resorts.

Prior to visiting the Dominican Republic, travelers should consult the CDC web site for more information on malaria.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Be aware that sexually transmitted diseases are common in the Dominican Republic.

Please take appropriate precautions to help stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Cosmetic Surgery: The U.S.

Embassy in Santo Domingo and the CDC are aware of several cases in which U.S. citizens experienced serious complications or died following elective cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic.

The CDC's W

While in the Dominican Republic, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning the Dominican Republic is provided for general reference only.

Traffic in the Dominican Republic moves on the right side of the road.

Speed limits vary from 25 mph in the city to 60 mph on rural roads, but they are generally not enforced.

Drivers are required to carry liability insurance.

If you do drive in the Dominican Republic, you should be aware that the utmost caution and defensive driving are necessary.

Traffic laws are similar to those in the United States, but undisciplined driving is common, due to a lack of adequate traffic controls.

Many drivers will not use turn indicators.

It is common for a vehicle operator to stick his hand out the window to signal a turn.

Drivers can also be aggressive and erratic, often failing to yield the right-of-way even when road signs or signals indicate that they should.

Turning right on red lights is permitted, but should be done with caution.

Travel at night on intercity highways and in rural areas should be avoided, due to animals on the road, poor road conditions, poor lane markers, missing manhole covers, large potholes, unmarked speed bumps, and other vehicles being driven at excessive speeds, often with malfunctioning headlights or taillights.

Drivers should be aware that road hazards and closures are often indicated by piles of debris littered across the roadway, without any lettered signs or reflective surfaces to help call attention to the road condition.

Often times, there is no indication of the road hazard whatsoever.

Blackouts also increase the danger of night travel.

Mudslides and bridge washouts can be a problem during and after heavy rains.

The distances between reliable roadside services or major population centers can be considerable, which also increases the risk involved in driving after dark.

Traffic accidents often result in serious injury or death.

This is often the case when heavy vehicles, such as buses or trucks, are involved.

Traditionally, vehicles involved in accidents in the Dominican Republic are not moved (even to clear traffic), until authorized by a police officer.

Drivers who violate this norm may be held legally liable for the accident.

Dominican law requires that a driver be taken into custody for driving under the influence or being involved in an accident that causes serious injury or death, even if the driver is insured and appears not to have been at fault.

The minimum detention period is 48 hours; however, detentions frequently last until a judicial decision is reached (often weeks or months), or until a waiver is signed by the injured party (usually as the result of a cash settlement).

Visitors to the Dominican Republic might want to consider hiring a professional driver during their stay in lieu of driving themselves.

Licensed drivers who are familiar with local roads can be hired through local car rental agencies.

In case of accidents, only the driver will be taken into custody.

Pedestrians tend to step out into traffic without regard to corners, crosswalks, or traffic signals.

Many pedestrians die every year crossing the street (including major, multi-lane highways) at seemingly random locations.

Pedestrians do not have the right-of-way, and walking along or crossing busy streets – even at intersections with traffic lights or traffic police present – can be very dangerous.

Seat belts are required by law, and those caught not wearing them will be fined.

There are no child car seat laws.

The law also requires the use of hands-free cellular devices while driving.

Police stop drivers using cell phones without the benefit of these devices.

Penalties for those driving under the influence and those involved in accidents resulting in injury or death can be severe.

Motorcycles and motor scooters are common in the Dominican Republic, and they are often driven erratically.

Dominican law require