Travel Warning

I just returned from the DR on the 12th of November.On arriving in the Puerta Plata airport on the 4th I had the most unpleasent experiance of meeting the person whom I assumed was the head of their custom's department.After checking with the embassey and consulet in Washington DC about protocal on taking present's to my many friend's in the DR. I was told by this Senior Simon in custom's that the people in Washington were full of bull.Upon learning of this mistake from the people in Washington I requested my luggage be locked in custom's to be taken home with me when my vacation was over.Much to my dismay my request was denied an he proceded to log all my present's into custom log's.It was after 3 hour's that I was told I needed to bring $1,000.00 dollars to get my bags back.I returned the next day to pick up my first bag as the banks were closed for holiday and did not have enough money for everything.Senior Simon would not let my friend come with me to get my luggage but he made it very clear that I had to come back the next day to pick up my jewelry and that he wanted 1 of the personal CD players I had as a present for a friend.I assumed if he didn't get the CD player some of my jewelry might be missing as is some other articles that can't be found.It dismays me after going to the DR for so many years that a goverment that is trying to promote tourism in the USA would put the Mafia in charge of their coustom's office.I will post this warning on every web site and every newspaper until President Hipolito takes action so that tourist can travel there without the fear of being robbed by his offical's.I challenge the tourism administration to explain the actions of their custom officals and to right the wrongs of the past.Until then I have no recoarse but to tell travelers find a more tourist friendly destination until this goverment can clean up it's act.Sincerly, A victim of injustice.Jeff Taggart

This is an "interesting" story, but without the name of the "official" you only have a "story" Also,there are "limits"to what a person can "reasonably" bring as "gifts",to the DR. When you say "one" of the CD players,it sets off a "red flag" Also, the "attitude" of your post comes through" as "confrontational".If you used that tactic with the customs "official" your efforts were doomed to fail! I have brought in dozens of radios,vcrs.etc. and paid a "fee" once in 15 years! I always enter customs with two things,a smile, and a bag of M&M,s.Make that three things,100 pesos if needed.I have heard that Puerto Plata is more "difficult", probably due to "tourists" with "I,m better than you" attitudes! tommy

Thomas take a break....this Gentleman was just explaining his problem for the benifit of others, and it don't matter what type of attitude the man had.....Custom officials don't get to keep any of your/our personal items....wheather thier a gift or not! I for one believes this crap has to stop at the airports........the DR needs more consistency at all of it's airports, if in fact the countrie wants to bring more tourists in. This is certainly not the first time that I've heard of this kind of crap happining at the airports.....although nothing has ever happened to Myself upon entering or leaving....I have heard a lot of stories, and it has to stop, for the good of everyone!

I hope you get this to someone that can help. This is just a total rip off by the DR people over use of power. They think it is all ok but 2 weeks back they said in the news on here it was taken care of in SDQ but nothing siad about POP. You are right they need and want tourists and this will only stop people from coming there. Now with the problems of air travel the DR can not stand to lose any more travelers.
Good Luck.

Thomas: This is about the worst advice one can give to a tourist. You are continuing to promote corruption. No one should be obliged to give $100 pesos to get their luggage or personal gear returned intact. What this man has reported is a normal business practice at our airports that has to be eliminated by the government, and as much as I would like tourism to flourish in our country its is imperative that people continue to complain about this type of abuse and help make changes.

Thomas Roberts,
The bag of M&Ms may work well with your hooker friends but you can't buy a customs officer with it, especially when you are carrying electronic items.

TW we live in the real world! I do what is practical,and efficient to get my 2 trunks, 2 maletas, carry-ons,brief case, etc.through customs! I am not "promoting" corruption. I am surviving in a "corrupt" system. Tell me that you don,t know the "differance" between a "bribe" and a "propinita".You have done the same to speed-up service I,m sure.When my wife went to get a copy of her birth certificate I told her to take 100 pesos, so that when she was told that they "couldn,t find it", she could offer 100 pesos to whoever found her birth certificate. Worked just as I said! She got her certificate,someone had a few "presidentes" after work.tommy

Azb, it,s a case of "mind-over-matter!" I don,t mind,and you don,t matter!tommy

Tommy, I can't help but to ask if you are the ex-Criss Colon? I saw a previous post from "Carol" I think stating Tommy=Criss. Just wondering why you changed you name, I thought Criss Colon was more creative.

I agree with Thomas, Remember everyone the practice of a few dollars and a bag of M&Ms works all over the world, if it does the trick then so be it. I am traveling to DR in Febuary and you can bet your a-- that I will have a big bag of candy and a few dollars.