Puerto Rico vs Dominican Republic. Which is the safe place to relax and play?

Question

Puerto Rico vs Dominican Republic. Which is the safe place to relax and play?

Answer 1

I have been to the Dominican Republic twice now and i personally really loved it. I personally never felt unsafe either time i was there and its the Caribbean (aka paradise), of course it is relaxing. There are also so many activities to do - on my trip i went on a safari around the area, para sailing and also sailed a catamaran which i have to say were some of the highlights of my trip.

Answer 2

DR is a great place to visit as long you stay in a resort who has ever thing you need. If you are willing to adventure outside of the resort, make sure you go with somebody who you know, and who knows his/her way around. Is very common in DR to have blackouts, the last thing you need is to be stranded on a small town with no electricity(it happened to me). DR can be very cheap to shop, great weather. I have to say that I had a great time in DR, considering that my luggage disappeared at the terminal, my brother in law had to give money to an employee of the airline to get it for me. To add insult to injury, I had to give money to the custom employee who was checking out the bags after he heard me complaining about the long lines. After a few pesos, he moved me to the front of the line. A couple for Ecuador or Peru who stayed at the same resort that stayed in one of my trips told me that he tried to cross a very busy intersection with no traffic lights. A cop stopped the moving traffic so he could cross the street. Once he crossed the street the cop asked for a tip. The thing that I must disliked about DR the amount of guns I saw on the streets. I have to admit though, DR has so many beautiful places, but is safer to go with somebody who's from there.

Puerto Rico however has plenty advantages, is a territory of the United States, so you don't have to worry about currency exchange. Weather is as good as DR, but if you go from the months of June to September there's a good chance is going to rain. It's hurracaine season.

If you don't speak spanish there's no need to worry, both places have english speaking people working at the hotels.

Answer 3

Long story short, Puerto Rico. I learned this in my Chicano/Latino studies class

Answer 4

definetely dominican republic..it is calmer more beatiful and peaceful...pr in the other hands is going thru a violent crime period

Answer 5

i would say puerto rico because when you go to the dominican republic you stay in a place that is not the real country and in puerto rico you see the culture and puerto rico is very very safe unless you are involved in the drug community.

Answer 6

U.S. Deparment of State  travel alert to US citizens who travel to the Dominican Republic.

June 16, 2008

CRIME:  Crime continues to be a problem throughout the Dominican Republic.  Street crime and petty theft involving U.S. tourists does occur, and precautions should be taken 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.  Criminals can be dangerous and visitors walking the streets should always be aware of their surroundings.  Valuables left unattended in parked automobiles, on beaches and in other public places are vulnerable to theft, and reports of car theft have increased.  Cellular telephones should be carried in a pocket rather than on a belt or in a purse.  One common method of street robbery is for at least one person on a moped (often coasting with the engine turned off so as not to draw attention) to approach a pedestrian, grab his or her cell phone, purse or backpack, and then speed away.  This type of robbery is particularly dangerous because the motorcyclist reaches the intended victim at 15–20 miles per hour and often knocks the victim to the ground.

Many criminals have weapons and are likely to use them if they meet resistance.  Be wary of strangers, especially those who seek you out at celebrations or nightspots.  Traveling and moving about in a group is advisable.  The dangers present in the Dominican Republic, even in resort areas, are similar to those of many major U.S. cities.  Expensive jewelry attracts attention and could prompt a robbery attempt.  Limiting the cash and credit cards carried on your person and storing valuables, wallet items, and passports in a safe place is recommended.

Burglaries of private residences continue to be reported as well as crimes of violence.  Criminals may also misrepresent themselves in an effort to gain access to your residence or hotel room.  In one 2005 homicide, a U.S. citizen was murdered by two men who posed as repairmen to gain access to the apartment.  In another, the Dominican police arrested the building’s actual maintenance man and an accomplice for the crime.

The U.S. Embassy continues to receive reports from Americans who have been stopped while driving and asked for “donations” by someone who may appear to be a police officer before they would be allowed to continue on their way.  Usually, the person(s) stopping the American drivers had approached from behind on a motorcycle; several of these motorcyclists pulled up alongside the driver's window and indicated that they were carrying a firearm.  In some cases, the perpetrators were dressed in the light green uniform of “AMET,” the Dominican traffic police; however, they often seemed too young to be police officers or wore ill-fitting uniforms that might have been stolen.  In another incident, individuals dressed in military fatigues told the victim they were police and requested the victim to follow them to the police station prior to robbing him.  Such incidents should be reported to the police and the Consular Section.  If Dominican police stop an American driver for a traffic violation, the driver should request a traffic ticket rather than paying an on-the-spot fine.  The driver also has the right to ask police for identification. New regulations require police to wear a nametag with their last name. While everyone driving in the Dominican Republic should abide by traffic laws and the instructions of legitimate authorities, Americans finding themselves in the aforementioned scenarios should exercise caution.  In general, drivers should keep their doors locked and windows closed at all times and leave themselves an escape route when stopping in traffic in the event of an accident or other threat.  Incidents involving police may be reported to the Internal Affairs Department of the National Police at 809 688-1777 or 809 688-0777.

In 2006, the U.S. Embassy received reports of Americans and others who were victims of vehicular-armed robberies in the northern provinces of the Dominican Republic.   At least three of the reports indicate the victims were intercepted during the morning hours, when there was little other traffic, while driving on rural highways connecting Santiago and Puerto Plata.  Drivers should exercise extreme caution when driving at night and use major highways when possible.

Although kidnappings are not common in the Dominican Republic, in 2007, two American citizens were kidnapped and held for ransom, in separate instances.  

Many public transportation vehicles are unsafe, especially the route taxis or “carros publicos” in urban areas.  These are privately owned vehicles 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.  The U.S. Embassy is also aware of at least one incident in which the driver of a “motoconcho” (motorcycle taxi) robbed an American 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 and tracked. There are continuing reports of thefts that target Americans as they leave the airport in a taxi that lacks air-conditioning.  The driver rolls down the windows and when the taxi stops at a traffic light, a motorcyclist reaches in and steals a purse or anything they can grab.   Travelers are advised to utilize the taxi service authorized by the airport if they have made no arrangements before arrival.  Credit card fraud is common and recent reports indicate that its incidence has increased significantly.  The U.S. Embassy strongly advises Americans to restrict severely the use of credit/debit cards in the Dominican Republic.  The increase in credit card fraud is particularly pronounced in the eastern resort areas of the Dominican Republic.  According to reports, store workers, restaurant service staff and hotel employees may conceal devices that can instantly record the credit card information.  Often, this device appears to be a normal card reader used by businesses.  Credit or debit cards should be carefully protected and never allowed out of the owner’s sight.  Stolen cards are often used to the maximum amount before the victims are able to contact the bank.  Victims of credit card fraud should contact the bank that issued the credit card immediately.  It is advisable to pay close attention to credit card bills following time spent in the Dominican Republic.  There have been reports of fraudulent charges appearing months after card usage in the Dominican Republic.

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are present throughout Santo Domingo and other major cities.  However, as with credit cards, the use of ATMs should be minimized as a means of avoiding theft or misuse.  One local ATM fraud scheme involves sticking photographic film or pieces of paper in the card feeder of the ATM so that an inserted card becomes jammed.  Once the card owner has concluded the card is irretrievable, the thieves extract both the jamming material and the card, which they then use.  There are other ATM scams as well.  Exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings when using an ATM card.

The overall level of crime tends to rise during the Christmas season, and visitors to the Dominican Republic should take extra precautions when visiting the country between November and January.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available.  Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law.  In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.  More information on this serious problem is available at http://www.cybercrime.gov/18usc2320.htm.

Beaches and Resorts:   The Embassy regularly receives reports of individuals and families who have become victims of crime while within the boundaries of their resort hotel. A growing number of these crimes involve the burglary of their room and even the removal of the room safe. While in general the criminals do not commit their crime in the presence of the guest it is not unheard of for guests to be victimized in their own room. Vigilance is strongly recommended.  

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

The Embassy occasionally receives reports of instances of sexual assault at the resorts, particularly while at the beach.  Ã¢Â€ÂœAll-inclusives” are well known for serving abundant quantities of alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption may decrease a person’s ability to be aware of their surroundings, making them an easy target for crime.  As such, the Embassy strongly encourages vigilance at all times.