Safety in the Dominican Republic

I am taking my family on a trip to the Dominican Republic in April 2000. I have heard that the unrest in Haiti has spilled over into the Dominican Republic and that many of the resorts have armed guards on their beaches and strongly suggest that tourists stay off the beaches at night. Is there any truth to this? Do I need to be terribly concerned with this situation. Please be kind enough to e-mail me if you have any information or advise. Thank you.

dgeller718@aol.com

If you look further down the board you will find other messages regarding safety. So briefly here: Don't be concerned. The tension between Haiti and the Dominican Republic - which is complex and goes a long way back but is not threatening (unless you are a Haitian in the DR) - has nothing to do with the guards, which are mainly there to keep vendors away from certain beaches. You will also see armed guards in banks.

I have recently travelled around with my husband and two little boys in the Dominican Republic and we felt perfectly safe - as long as you take your usual precautions for being in another country where you may not speak the language. So for it being unsafe to leave the beaches or go outside the resort areas: Pure nonsense and folly. And a waste as well. You ought to see more of the country than the tourist resorts. There is a lot to see and people are friendly.

Regards, Susanne

don`t worry too much ........ it is a beautiful country with nice and friendly people. go and meet the people on the streets , even if you don`t speak the language. i agree with susanne 100 % !!!

have a nice time Uwe

I travel down there safely all the time. Just don't do anything stupid or be naive. I'm from Chicago and it can get bad if one is foolish, careless or naive. Crime is everywhere in the world. Wherever you go,you ain't in Kansas Dorothy.