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Safety in Dominican Republic

pianodinosaur

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I have been interested in taking a trip to the Dominican Republic. However, there has recently been a great deal of publicity about American citizens being poisoned at various resorts. How Concerned should we be about this?
 

hapatino

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Having lived in the Dominican Republic for 20+ years in the 80s and 90s, I would say that it is probably less dangerous than many other tourist destinations in Latin America. That said, tourists should always be careful about where they go and what they eat and/or drink. I would specially caution drinking alcohol from any in room mini bar in any place in Latin America. The region as a whole, suffers from adulterated/counterfeit alcohol that can be deadly and very difficult to identify just by looking at the container. I would also shy away from eating food from any street vendor. As a whole, sanitary conditions are not optimal and (very important) not used to this type of food and condiments, tourists do not have the antibody buildup that the local population probably has that can ward off upset stomachs, and other intestinal problems that can ruin a vacation. Take precautions and enjoy this most beautiful country with very friendly population.
 
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chemteach

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I have been interested in taking a trip to the Dominican Republic. However, there has recently been a great deal of publicity about American citizens being poisoned at various resorts. How Concerned should we be about this?
Personal safety does not seem to be the issue. Rather, something has been happening with drinks containing alcohol, and a large number of people have died from what seems to be tainted alcohol over the last year. You can google Dominican Republic strange deaths, and you can find a number of recent instances. But as a total percent of tourists, it is likely still a small number. Just a question of your thoughts on the risks.
 

moonstone

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AJCts411

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This is the problem, no one is taking responsibility for the issues. A politician saying the deaths are a coincidence, all natural causes. Toxicology testing out of service. The evidence points to adulterated alcohol. And there is a lack of security and some evidence that the resort security and staff is involved in some of the assaults and thefts. I've been to DR to resorts 5 times, last time about 5 years ago. Never had a problem, never heard of a problem. Knowing the above I would go back to a high end resort, living off the "resort grid", which is my preferred way now, probably not unless I knew I was renting in a expat neighborhood.
 

CPNY

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After to speaking to many Dominicans about this they all say “we aren’t surprised” or “this is why I bring my own alcohol”. Clearly this is a known occurrence. I’ve been to the DR once and would never return. So many nicer islands to visit in the Caribbean.
 

CPNY

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I have been interested in taking a trip to the Dominican Republic. However, there has recently been a great deal of publicity about American citizens being poisoned at various resorts. How Concerned should we be about this?
So many better places. Seriously don’t bother. The beaches are mediocre for the Caribbean, safer destinations are around. I wouldn’t leave the resort. Not to mention every resort, especially in Punta Cana is all the same, right on top of each other. Go to Aruba, Jamaica ohh I wanna take ya to Bermuda, Bahamas, so many other places
 

pianodinosaur

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Been to Aruba, Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, St Lucia, Sint Maarten, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Grand Cayman, Turks and Caicos. They were all very nice. Bermuda is on our Bucket list.
 

Sandy VDH

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Been to every island nation in the caribbean EXCEPT for Martinique and Montserrat. I have sailed past Martinique, now I don't know why we did not stop. But Montserrat is obvious for not having much travel, the volcano eruption in 1995 has made the capital city and the south end of the island uninhabitable. They are still far from recovering.

That was the last major eruption in the Caribbean, but these islands are all there because of volcanism, as the Atlantic Plate is being subducted under the Caribbean plate. It will happen again somewhere. The most active has likely been Kick 'em Jenny, a submarine volcano just north of the Grenadines, and the Soufriere in Guadaloupe. https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/carribean.html

There are plenty of nice places to visit in the Caribbean, they are just NOT as cheap as either Cuba or DR.
 
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