Does anyone know?

Ok, this may sound like a really stupid question, but does anyone know the drinking age in the Dominican Republic?

Search the archives. This message has come up many times on the board. My book says 18 but I know a bar owner that swears it is 21.

The most popular bar in Boca Chica was shut down a couple weeks ago (for a day) and the owners arrested for a minor (under 18) in the bar. They were not even drinking alcohol and the bar is an outdoor patio with no real "entrance", as it is completely open on two sides.

So the age is at least 18 and the government signs posted all over town that say you must be 18 to enter and "help protect our minors". Needless to say, the drinking age is currently being heavily enforced in Boca Chica at the most popular bars.

That said, in general the drinking age is ignored and when it is enforced, it usually only applies to residents of the DR, not tourists.

Jim Hinsch JimHinsch@CSI.COM

Very interesting subject matter you address3ed, it could cause havoc in the wrong hands

You must be 18 years old to legally buy alcohol and cigarettes in the Dominican Republic. Recently, there has been a general "Crack down" on minors purchasing either and many store and bar owners are being careful--which means they are not selling to 12 year olds.