To date Dominican Republic is very popular among tourists from all over the world, because it is a great opportunity to have a good rest and get the most out of your trip. Indeed, this resort is distinguished by its incredible nature and good service, but you should be prepared for some dangers that lie in wait for you at this resort.
If you contact for advice to your tour operator, it is unlikely that he will list all the possible dangers for you, because this is a matter of business. Most likely, you will be provided with information that characterizes this resort only from the best side. But on the Internet you can find reliable information from tourists who have experienced all sides of the holiday medal in the Dominican Republic. That is why we offer you a list of possible dangers. Dominican Republic so that you can protect yourself and your family.
1. Infections in the Dominican Republic. In fact, in the Dominican Republic, various ones are very common, which are transmitted through everyday life. In order to protect yourself and your loved ones, you must correctly follow all the rules of hygiene and avoid eating food from dubious shops and cafes. Cholera is still common in the Dominican Republic today, so it is better to avoid unknown establishments and suspicious people. Avoid contact with the local population so as not to risk your health and follow the instructions of the hotel administration.
2. Typhoon in the Dominican Republic. In all the photos that the travel agency employees will show you, you will see the smooth sea and luxurious beaches with white sand and beautiful palm trees. In fact, tourists should be aware that typhoons are not such a rarity in this area. Depending on the time of year and weather conditions, real Typhoons regularly come from the Atlantic Ocean. If you pay attention to the peculiarities of the Dominican Republic, you will notice that most of the hotels are not built very close to the beach, because there is always a possibility that the elements of nature will damage the building and vacationers. To reduce the risk, visit this resort from December to April, when there are practically no typhoons there.
3. Voodoo in the Dominican Republic. In fact, this culture has survived to this day, so tourists should be wary of local residents who adhere to ancient traditions. You can take a chance and chat with those who preach far from Catholicism, or you can choose a less extreme form of recreation.
4. Sharks in the Dominican Republic. In the Dominican Republic, these cartilaginous fish can swim close to the shore, because the locals fed them for their entertainment. Today, sharks attack almost all yachts and boats that go to sea in order to eat. No one claims that you cannot avoid trouble, but it’s still not worth the risk once again.
5. Diving in the Dominican Republic. At the bottom, off the coast of the Dominican Republic, there are indeed sunken ships with jewelry and antiques, so every year many extreme lovers are interested in diving in this area. In fact, not all coastal areas of the sea are equally safe for your life. It is better to give preference to a simple dive to enjoy the beautiful corals and small fish. The Caribbean Sea indeed holds an incredible amount of secrets and treasures, but it is also dangerous for inexperienced tourists who do not dive professionally.
6. Fraud in the Dominican Republic. In the Dominican Republic, some species are quite well developed. For example, the police may not always be the true police, and a pedestrian whom you sort of hit on the road can quickly and deftly rob your car and your bags. Try to avoid communicating with people who are near the road, do not take fellow travelers with you and in every possible way refuse help and various "profitable" offers. There are common cases here when people throw themselves under the wheels of a car in order to receive monetary compensation and at the same time clean your car. Be vigilant and try not to drive a car at night.
7. Financial fraud in the Dominican Republic. If you decide to pay with a bank card everywhere, then it is better to refuse this idea right away. In the Dominican Republic, people spend years honing their art of stealing money from credit cards, which can be a significant blow to your wallet.
You may realize that your card has been charged significantly more funds than was indicated on the price tag or on the menu, much later. Try to withdraw money from official bank branches. It is better to give preference to entertainment on the territory of the hotel in order to protect yourself from unnecessary troubles. And always keep a close eye on all banking transactions that you make in this resort.
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Among the numerous, one might say, heavenly corners of our planet, most Russian travel lovers prefer to spend their legal vacation period or weekends in the amazing Dominican Republic, immersed in greenery. Which is not at all surprising, because it is these places that can deservedly boast of a luxurious exotic beach area, covering hundreds of kilometers, which has all the conditions for excellent rest and relaxation.
Of course, it is most convenient for Russian tourists to overcome a decent distance by air transport. However, many are wondering: is it possible to fly to the Dominican Republic now?
Tourists arriving in the country will be able to:
- as long as you like to bask under the gentle rays of the sun, conveniently located on the snow-white coast;
- admire unsurpassed natural beauties, especially coral reefs;
- get acquainted with a very distinctive, but very interesting local culture.
And, of course, there is the opportunity to make unforgettable excursions to numerous attractions. ancient country, the discoverer of which is considered to be H. Columbus. Wherever the traveler goes, he will certainly expect a warm welcome from the locals, who greet all guests kindly.
In particular, our compatriots were very alerted by the hurricane in the Dominican Republic on the night of September 19, 2017, or rather, by its strength and power. Let's try to analyze the topic of interest more carefully and consider what other dangers are fraught with rest on an island immersed in greenery.
Is it dangerous to rest on a very popular resort island?
If you carefully analyze the main question, is it dangerous to fly to the Dominican Republic now, then it is not so easy to find an unambiguous answer to it. After all, everything that is currently happening on the island is, of course, the restoration of the Republic after the serious damage caused by a natural disaster.
However, some areas that were not badly affected by the hurricane have been almost completely restored and are able to receive guests, offering quite a reasonable price for a vacation. Of course, it will not be possible to fully appreciate the former beauties of the dilapidated Republic, but every guest will be able to see the natural sights.
Whether it is worth going to the Dominican Republic now, of course, everyone must decide on their own. And if the answer is yes, you should definitely find out what dangers the island-resort, remote from Russia, is fraught with, regardless of the time of year, and tour operators are trying their best to hide quite significant shortcomings.
If we take this issue seriously, then the situation in the Dominican Republic is developing in such a way that danger can await a tourist almost anywhere and at any time of the day. However, it is quite simple to secure your vacation and make it really memorable if you familiarize yourself with the main points in advance, which you must, as they say, “get around” and in no case become a participant in them.
TOP 10 dangers that may await tourists in the Dominican Republic
Here are some potential hazards to avoid:
- First of all, do not make contact with French-speaking black citizens, who are quite numerous in the southern part of the island or near the capital. The fact is that they are Haitian migrants who arrived on the island in search of work. Not everyone can find a job in the Dominican Republic, and since money is constantly needed for food, naive tourists can become victims of organized criminal groups.
- Given the confirmed fact that there are numerous infectious diseases on the island, including syphilis, yellow fever, malaria and even rabies, it is advisable to get vaccinated before traveling. On vacation, you need to wash your hands thoroughly, preferably 2-3 times, with soap and water under running water. Men should try not to "contact" with local beauties.
- The quality of the water on the island, to put it mildly, is not the best. Therefore, the use of bottled water is recommended for drinking and cooking. Vegetables and fruits after washing under running water should be thoroughly poured over with boiling water. This has been the case in the Dominican Republic for a long time.
- Typhoons are another danger awaiting guests and residents of the Republic. That is why comfortable hotels are being built not on the coast itself, but at a certain distance. And answering the question of whether it is worth going to the Dominican Republic now, given the possibility of typhoons, you can answer this: the period starting from the end of November and ending in March is considered the safest time to relax on the island.
- In these wonderful places, unfortunately, a turbulent seismic situation is visible. There is a high probability of earthquakes, since the island is located on an incompletely formed alpine zone. Tourists should not be very afraid about this, because special services announce a possible earthquake in advance, but it’s always worth remembering exactly where things and documents are left, and everyone without exception. Studies have shown that the region of Punta Cana and La Romana has the lowest intensity of seismic waves, therefore, if possible, it is best to choose hotels located in these quietest areas of the island for relaxation.
- Tourists who have arrived for the first time must know that the ancient religion is still used on the island, especially in provincial areas. There are many voodoo sorcerers here. Whether it is necessary to seek meetings with its representatives, or, on the contrary, try to protect yourself from such communication - of course, everyone needs to decide on their own.
- A fascinating form of recreation - diving - is available to everyone. Indeed, near the waters surrounding the island, many ships sank, and what kind of adventure lover refuses to try his luck in search of sunken countless treasures. However, before giving your consent to participate in an underwater study, you should carefully consider whether you are ready to entrust your own life to an unknown team, going with it to conquer the depths of the sea.
- An excellent holiday on a magnificent yacht, which can be rented for the entire holiday, will undoubtedly appeal to everyone without exception. But swimming and diving from a yacht into open sea waters should be abandoned by those who value their own health. The fact is that it is in these places that you can often find sharks of solid size that attack water vessels without fear, mistaking transport for ordinary bait. The explanation for the habit of predators can be quite simple - relatively recently, the so-called golden generation of vacationers fed ferocious sharks with the favorite delicacy of predators as entertainment, and right from their hands.
- Given the statistics, the activities of local thieves' organizations are developed in the Dominican Republic. Not to become a victim of criminals, regardless of the area that the traveler has chosen for recreation, ordinary vigilance and caution in dealing with very suspicious personalities will help.
- You should also not use the services of exchange offices operating in private street pavilions if after the end of the holiday period there is still local currency available. This operation should be carried out only in special institutions, despite the fact that street offers will be more profitable. As previously noted, in this Republic the level of fraud is quite high, so the currency of gullible tourists can be easily exchanged for perfectly fake dollars.
You should also not use bank cards to pay for various goods. It is best to withdraw your own savings at ATMs operating inside the hotel complex.
Rest in the Dominican Republic on health, but take into account the risks
It should be borne in mind: if the traveler still becomes a victim of scammers, then contacting the local police is unlikely to correct the current situation, because for local authorities the tourist is primarily additional source income. In such circumstances, it is best to contact the police agency that works directly with tour operators to increase the chance of recovering stolen money or personal items.
Summing up, we can come to the following conclusion: the situation in the Dominican Republic, given the risks, is practically no different from other resort places. After all, the above fears can await tourists in any, even the most modern country.
Therefore, answering the question of whether it is worth going to the Dominican Republic now, you can answer this way: of course, it is worth it if you familiarize yourself in advance with the risks of staying on a magnificent immersed in greenery paradise island. Additional knowledge will help create a vacation that will remain in the memory of every tourist, and a lot of entertainment and viewing the incredible beauty of natural attractions will turn pastime in a mysterious country into the most memorable and wonderful adventure. We hope that our article helped you understand what the situation is like in the Dominican Republic for tourists.
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In the Dominican Republic, tourists can meet not only pleasant experiences and events, but also dangers that lie in wait at every step. They say that if you are forewarned, you are forearmed. Therefore, before going on vacation, you should familiarize yourself with the reverse side of the "Caribbean paradise".
The roads of the country pose an increased danger for foreigners due to such categories of scammers as street thieves on scooters, traffic police and pedestrians who throw themselves under the wheels.
The first representatives of the criminal world can simply grab a handbag, phone or camera from a pedestrian, and also, without a share of shame, grab everything that is “wrong” through the open window of your car. Agility and speed of the Dominicans can only be envied. To avoid trouble, it is recommended to always drive with the windows up and the doors locked. If you are on foot, then personal belongings should be kept closer and tighter, if suspicious personalities appear nearby, go to a store or change direction abruptly.
Legislation in the Dominican Republic functions in such a way that local residents are always right if a foreigner is involved in the conflict. The police are criminalized and corrupt so much that Russia can not even compete with them. The road patrol can check your documents only at the borders of cities, while the presence of a special booth, uniform and special designations is mandatory. In case of violation of traffic rules, you must pay a fine only in an official institution and in no case at the scene of the accident.
In the Dominican Republic, there are people who literally throw themselves under the wheels of a car in cities. Of course, they can do this only with confidence that there will be no harm to health. The goal of such scammers is the same - to obtain financial compensation from a foreigner due to an accident. Therefore, you should be as careful and careful as possible while driving.
If you're looking to save money on your credit card, managing the cost of your Dominican vacation is only half the battle. Credit card fraud is widespread in this country, so it is better to use ATMs in banks or respectable hotels to withdraw cash. In entertainment establishments, cashless payments for foreigners are allowed only in extreme cases, since over time you may find that you dined for an amount several times higher than the figure on your bill. On vacation in the RD, many are advised to give priority to cash in local currency.
Often foreign tourists fall for the bait of street currency traders offering favorable currency exchange conditions. It is highly recommended not to pay attention to dubious offers of this type.
In the Dominican Republic, it is not recommended to carry valuables and all available money with you, it is better to partially store property in a hotel safe and in different parts of bags, things and suitcases. Valuable items should not be left unattended on the beaches, and when meeting the local population, be on your guard at all. When renting a car, be sure to check the technical condition of the vehicle so that later you will not be charged for the repair of non-existent or outdated malfunctions and damage.
Before going to the heavenly Dominican Republic, it would not be out of place to ask what dangers are fraught with rest in a country with friendly and radiant people. Below is a list of the most common dangers that can spoil 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 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, thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits, dousing them with boiling water. 
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 who are planning an independent trip. So it's yellow fever, malaria, hepatitis A, and rabies. As an additional measure of protection, it is worth stocking up on good repellents - mosquitoes on the island are very active.
Underwater beauty and its reverse side
It is usually safe to swim on the shore, but divers and just lovers of beauty should know that it’s not worth touching anything with your hands. 
The danger can be both seemingly harmless coral reefs, sometimes leaving a burn, and marvelous jellyfish, stinging with terrible force. The same goes for some beautiful starfish. Meeting with a sea urchin promises to leave needles stuck in the feet for 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, preferring foreign banks, do not wear expensive jewelry and much more. 
All documents, tickets, visas and securities must be kept only in the hotel safe. You should not trust smiling black maids.
Deceivers and charlatans
All currency exchange operations are better only in banks, but not in stalls or private 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 scrolling money fraud are not uncommon. 
Public and private transport
Transport in the Dominican Republic is a separate risk for a Russian tourist. They don’t know about traffic rules here, as well as about the posts of the traffic police. Ride as you like, even if you're drunk. Traffic signs mean little. In general, it is worth thinking several times before driving a rented car. Public transport also leaves much to be desired. The principle of the Dominicans is "in close quarters, but not offended." Cab drivers on "Motoconcho" should be bypassed on the tenth road. The risk of injury is very high.
Safety during the holidays is an issue that has recently been of interest to many tourists. Due to events in Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and other countries of the Middle East, as well as due to frequent incidents in Thailand and other Asian countries, many tourists attach great importance to security issues when choosing a vacation spot.
Is it dangerous in the Dominican Republic? Despite the fact that crime in the Dominican Republic, like in many other countries in Latin America, is not a rare occurrence, the safety of tourists is provided quite well here.
Of course, there are dangers in the Dominican Republic, but you cannot name a single country in which there are no dangers. We can only say that in the last few years there has not been a single serious incident with 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 at night in the ocean / sea, we still do not recommend doing this. Why? The fact is that almost nothing is visible under water at night, and the likelihood of stepping on sea urchin or some other sea creature is much higher at night than during the day. At the same time, there will be no lifeguards on the beach at night, so there will be no one to help you.
As for the pools, in most hotels it is forbidden to swim 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 Administration, the critical period regarding the possible impact of this natural phenomenon in the country is the period 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 had the most catastrophic consequences. These are hurricanes Lilis (1894), San Zenona (1930), Agnes (1966), David (1979) and George (1998). According to the researchers, the 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 leave for Mexico or the southern United States. Sometimes they make it to the eastern Pacific, where they are given a new name from a given list of cyclones, or typhoons, as they are called in some parts of the Pacific.
Can you get caught in a hurricane in the Dominican Republic? If you go to this country between June and November, then there is a risk of getting into a hurricane, but the highest probability of this is in August and September, and the lowest in June and November. In general, the probability of getting into a powerful hurricane in the Dominican Republic is small, although if you pay attention to the cyclical nature of the last five powerful hurricanes, we can assume that the next such hurricane will be in the coming years. However, even if you are not lucky enough to get into such a hurricane, then you should not worry, because the Dominicans are always ready 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 that hit the coast of the Dominican Republic occurred back in 1946. Although it is quite difficult to predict such a phenomenon as a tsunami, the Caribbean is not the place where powerful tsunamis often occur.
Tsunami in the Dominican Republic in 1946
More than 100 people died and another 20,000 were left homeless as a result of a tsunami generated by an earthquake of magnitude 8.0, which 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 quake 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. Max Height waves were estimated at 4-5 meters. Such a wave hit the Nagua.
Earthquake in the Dominican Republic
Not so 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. Preceded by wobbles and small movements, this earthquake measured 7.3 on the Richter scale and killed more than 2,000 people. In addition, hundreds of thousands were affected, not only by the earthquake itself, but also by other disasters it caused, such as floods, cholera and famine.
There are two fault lines in the Caribbean. The first of these extends west of Jamaica, while the second fault line runs north to 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 the earthquake will be near these resorts is very small.
Diseases in the Dominican Republic
What can you get infected or get sick in the Dominican Republic? Theoretically, tourists can get malaria, Zika virus and cholera in the Dominican Republic. However, in practice this is almost impossible. Only one case is known when a tourist returned from the Dominican Republic to Russia with the Zika virus.
In general, if you take all precautions and do not do stupid things, then the risk of getting some kind of serious illness in the Dominican Republic will be practically zero.
Are there mosquitoes in the Dominican Republic? These insects are found in any tropical country, and the Dominican Republic is no exception. In resort areas, mosquitoes often disturb tourists, especially those who have not taken any precautions against them. In addition to 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 the specific area. In humid areas (natural pools, lakes, swamps) there are usually a lot of mosquitoes. In addition, 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 disturbing you, try to use different means, such as repellents, sprays, creams. Keep mosquitoes out of your room by keeping windows open. If possible, perfumes, colognes, body creams, hairspray, etc. should not be used as the scent attracts mosquitoes.
While only one tourist from Russia has contracted the Zika virus in the Dominican Republic so far, the total number of tourists affected by the virus is over a hundred. Most of them are Americans, 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 bitten by these insects. 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 the rural areas of the western regions (on the border with Haiti). There is no risk of contracting malaria in the major cities of the Dominican Republic, and 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 cases of malaria has been rapidly declining in recent years. Back in 2012, there were about 1200 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 scariest animals for tourists is the shark. Are there sharks in the Dominican Republic? Yes, these marine animals live in the waters near this country, but the last shark attacks on people in the Dominican Republic were recorded a very long time ago.
You don't have to worry too much about sharks in the Dominican Republic, as most shark species that can swim close to the coast are actually harmless. Dangerous sharks usually do not swim to the shore at a distance of less than 2-3 kilometers. In addition, in Punta Cana, most hotels have barriers that prevent sharks from entering, and small boats monitor this area to prevent unpleasant surprises for tourists.
So now you know that you should not be afraid of sharks in the Dominican Republic if you do not 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 is even 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, and other snakes are caught in order to obtain any medicines and remedies.
There are only a few types of snakes in the Dominican Republic. The most popular of these 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 along river banks. Sometimes boas appear on plantations, but they are beneficial, as they eat birds harmful to agriculture and rodents, frogs and other small vertebrates.
There are three endemic species of "green snakes" on the island of Hispaniola, which are found mainly within certain ranges. These snakes can be found in all known resort areas except Punta Cana. Although all three types of snakes are shy and try to hide when a person approaches, bites still occur. According to those who have suffered from the bites of these snakes, numbness is felt in the area of the bite. But no one in the Dominican Republic has died after being bitten by these snakes.
