How to be safer in the DR - Compilation of tips by DR1 Members

[edwin valencia]

Originally Posted by CyaBye3015

Are you talking about an all inclusive resort?

i will be living in a gated community but would like to lead a "normal" life shopping and eating where the locals do/edwin

[Mooseman]

This thread is a great read, very good information and answers many of my questions. For the AI people who may be seeing this, there was a comment way back about those fluorescent wristbands the resorts make you wear. They do mark you out as an outsider (or possible victim) when you are out and about. I covered mine up with a bracelet when off the resort property, just seemed prudent. The shorts idea never occurred to me and I wondered why Rocky always had long pants on - so it wasn't a knobby knees issue, then?

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by Mooseman

This thread is a great read, very good information and answers many of my questions. For the AI people who may be seeing this, there was a comment way back about those fluorescent wristbands the resorts make you wear. They do mark you out as an outsider (or possible victim) when you are out and about. I covered mine up with a bracelet when off the resort property, just seemed prudent. The shorts idea never occurred to me and I wondered why Rocky always had long pants on - so it wasn't a knobby knees issue, then?

Absolutely a great idea.
Having those wristbands makes you a prime target.
Good move, Moose.
PS: It's not that my knees are knobby, but it just ain't polite to leave that thing hanging out dragging on the ground, oh nevermind.

[Chris]

Safety Tip in the DR .. Absolutely avoid Rocky when he has shorts on

Let's keep to the topic folks. This is safety tips in the DR. If you want to ask questions about a specific area, open your own thread please. Let's keep this one clean.

[XXX]

1 NEVER TRUST A DOMINICAN
2 TRAVEL INFO charges: CARIBE TOURS buses,TAXIS,CARRITOS,MOTO CONCHES, and regular buses.
3 what not to wear: nothing of great value, specially at night.
4 If necessary always get a second price check from someone else.
5 always do high cost business with an Americanize person or Qualified Foreigners.
6 always remember rule 1

[Chris]

Originally Posted by XXX

1 NEVER TRUST A DOMINICAN

That is uncalled for! Keep comments such as this off this forum board please.

[trabajadora]

Originally Posted by Mooseman

This thread is a great read, very good information and answers many of my questions. For the AI people who may be seeing this, there was a comment way back about those fluorescent wristbands the resorts make you wear. They do mark you out as an outsider (or possible victim) when you are out and about. I covered mine up with a bracelet when off the resort property, just seemed prudent. The shorts idea never occurred to me and I wondered why Rocky always had long pants on - so it wasn't a knobby knees issue, then?

Although I'm living in Puerto Plata now, back when I was a vacationer staying at the AI, upon check-in I would request that my bracelet be placed on my wrist with lots of room to slip it off easily so that when I went out (I was always going to clubs to dance) I wouldn't be a dead giveaway. Occasionally, I'd get a front desk person who wouldn't honor my request. So in case they wouldn't, I'd always bring a black stretch wristband to wear over my bracelet. Then all I had to do was try not too speak much and let my friends do all the talking (ordering the Brugal, Presidente, etc.). So, it wasn't an original idea after all? I thought I had invented it!

[Kyle]

my rule is: look like a tourist, not like a target.
and above all drink responsibly !!

[Dafishguy]

Wow, great advice here folks. I am totally floored that I wasn't robbed my first two trips to the DR this summer. I wore my solid gold Rolex GMT II everywhere. I guess I was just one lucky SOB. I never had a problem or even a nibble while walking around or on the beach although at the waterfalls a guy did comment on my watch. That was it in the two - one week trips I made.

Or, maybe things are getting better? Nah, I doubt it.

Anyway, this trip coming up... My Rolex stays home.

Thanks for the great advice.

Take care

Richard

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by Dafishguy

Wow, great advice here folks. I am totally floored that I wasn't robbed my first two trips to the DR this summer. I wore my solid gold Rolex GMT II everywhere. I guess I was just one lucky SOB. I never had a problem or even a nibble while walking around or on the beach although at the waterfalls a guy did comment on my watch. That was it in the two - one week trips I made.

Or, maybe things are getting better? Nah, I doubt it.

Anyway, this trip coming up... My Rolex stays home.

Thanks for the great advice.

Take care

Richard

I agree that you could leave the Rolex at home, because it's so very valuable, but I also think that you represent the balance to this thread.
We all want to warn everyone of every type of danger, and the next thing you know, it's sounding like Beirut.
I don't have any problems walking around town, nor does most everybody I know.
It's arguable that it may be safer than, or as safe as most other places in the world, but the problem is that the culture is so different and the pace of life so mellow, that it hypnotizes newbies, tourists or anyone who's a bit green, and they can easily become crime targets, so they need to be warned, but then again, it would be a shame to paint such a scary picture of the place, that people either don't come or can't have fun anymore.
There has to be a balance, and you are it.
A normal person who has fun and doesn't get into trouble.