The Dominican Republic is the second-largest Caribbean country and shares an island, Hispaniola, with its neighbor Haiti. Often called “the D.R.” for short, the Dominican Republic is located just two hours away from Miami.
Travelers often appreciate the D.R.’s array of attractions and breathtaking landscapes. The country is a great place to travel, as it includes tranquil white-sand beaches, Pico Duarte (the Caribbean’s tallest mountain), and historic Spanish cathedrals. Visitors who want to soak up the scenic environment during their stay can see the country’s rainforest, deserts, and lush green valleys during nature and wildlife tours. A popular destination is Punta Cana on the country’s eastern side, which has some of the best beaches, affordable experiences, nightclubs, fresh seafood, and water sports.
Although the Dominican Republic is a major tourist destination, it does have safety concerns, and travelers should be mindful no matter where they are.
Official Travel Advisories
The U.S. Department of State and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) are very informative resources that provide travelers with insight. According to the Department of State’s travel advisory, the Dominican Republic is a “Level 2” destination. That means travelers should exercise increased caution when visiting and be cognizant of particular threats within the D.R. In cases of emergency or times when tourists need travel assistance, there’s a U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic. However, before embarking on their Caribbean adventure, travelers should educate themselves about the country’s local customs, cultural background, and people via the CIA’s World Factbook. The latter summarizes all of the information needed, plus travel tips.
The State Department last updated its travel advisory in June 2024. In early March 2025, a 20-year-old female University of Pittsburgh student went missing in Punta Cana during a spring break trip taken with other young women. As of this reporting, the days-long search for Sudiksha Konanki remains ongoing. Authorities in the Dominican Republic are collaborating with United States federal and local counterparts to aid in the search. Konanki is an Indian national from Loudoun County, Virginia. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a spokesperson for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Chad Quinn, said that while there’s no current criminal investigation or suspect, a 24-year-old named Joshua Riibe has been named a “person of interest.” Riibe is possibly the last person to see Konanki. Quinn reportedly gave that update on the case March 12.
Currently, neither the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) nor the World Health Organization (WHO) has travel advisories to heed if going to the D.R. However, the CDC recommends that travelers have all their routine vaccinations and avoid contaminated water, getting bug bites, or being around sick people and rodents in the Dominican Republic.
Is The Dominican Republic Safe For Tourists And Solo Travelers?
Technically, the Dominican Republic has a relatively high crime rate. That includes petty and violent crimes, which are mostly opportunistic. Pickpocketing, robbery, and bag snatching are common in large urban cities like Santo Domingo. On the occasion that those crimes occur, they have not disproportionately targeted tourists. The country takes safety very seriously, so there have been improvements regarding that and security.
Crime generally does not impact the tourism industry, and the security at resorts and tourist areas has been strengthened for a better sense of safety. The Dominican Republic is a popular travel destination where most travelers may feel safe. That includes solo travelers, who, like others, should use common street smarts and remain vigilant.
How To Stay Safe In The Dominican Republic
Tourists should always exercise a baseline of personal safety precautions. In the D.R., consider that the majority of crime has to do with possessions and theft. With that in mind, avoid flaunting expensive things and carrying large amounts of cash.
Again, staying alert and vigilant around strangers or in public places is a smart move. It’s also advisable to avoid poorly lit places and going anywhere by yourself late at night.
The D.R. has a high road accident rate, so travelers should use public transportation to avoid accidents. The country has a dependable bus service that is easily accessible for tourists. Inexpensive public buses like Metro Tours or private bus companies like Caribe Tours offer ways to get around. Taxis and rideshare services are best for traveling more centrally. Taxis are commonplace and usually available around major tourist areas or attractions.
Hotels can even get taxis for their guests, so only reputable companies like Apolo Taxi are used. Rideshare apps may cost less than taxis during low-traffic times. Always confirm the fare before getting into a ride to avoid scams.
Regardless of the mode of transportation, travelers should follow standard public transport safety precautions, especially while abroad. These include, but are not limited to, securing personal possessions, staying alert while traveling, and ensuring that drivers and vehicles are legitimate and certified.
Where To Stay In The Dominican Republic
As the country’s largest city, Santo Domingo offers travelers a more metropolitan experience. It’s the historical capital city and a generally safe place for tourists. La Zona Colonial, Gazcue, and Bella Vista are some safe areas that tourists may enjoy. From those places, there’s easy access to downtown and popular stops. Places in Santo Domingo that travelers should avoid are Arroyo Hondo and Cristo Rey, due to the amount or types of violent crimes that have occurred in those areas.
For a more relaxed and laid-back feel, plan to stay in Punta Cana. This eastern destination is one of the Dominican Republic’s safest areas since it has such low crime rates. Punta Cana also has world-renowned beaches and all-inclusive hotels offering plenty of amenities. This area is located in La Altagracia Province, which is generally considered a comfortable and secure destination.
Best Time To Visit The Dominican Republic
The most pleasant weather is between December and March. The country’s clear skies and low humidity are perfect for escaping the winter’s bitter cold. The Dominican Republic’s tropical weather during this time is excellent. Budget travelers may prefer visiting between May and September, when there are reduced prices on flights, accommodations, and even activities.
People Also Ask
Is it safe to walk around Punta Cana? Tourists are generally safe exploring Punta Cana on foot as it’s one of the safest areas in the Dominican Republic. However, visitors should avoid walking around alone at night. Future updates in the Konanki case will shed more insight, so you can determine the safety risk and your comfortability more aptly.
Is it safe to travel to the Dominican Republic? Travelers should not have problems getting to (and around) the Dominican Republic, as it’s generally a safe place to visit.
