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

[Lambada]

What you wear is of course up to you. But if you want to know how you will be perceived and what standard apparel is, see HB's post 14.

Shorts are acceptable in beach areas, of course.

[Chirimoya]

The no-shorts rule is out of date. Sure, as in most other places it's a no-no in formal settings. But many respectable Dominicans wear shorts in informal situations, well beyond the beaches.

I can't speak for stuffy Santiago, but Santo Domingo is more relaxed.

[Chris]

The issue here is .. will I be 'safer' wearing shorts, or 'safer' wearing no shorts Of course I mean dressing like most average people on the street.

Certainly in the Cabarete and Sosua areas many local people wear shorts, but then, those are beach towns. But I do not see the average middle class person going to the supermercado with shorts, unless it is a lady of the night.

[suitelady79]

Originally Posted by Hillbilly

Standard apparel here is collared shirts or poloshirts, khakis or jeans, shoes and socks.
this applies to all cities and towns. Shorts are considered to be "girly man" attire.
Women in short shorts are considered hookers and will be so treated.
Lots of jewelry? "Please come and rob me, mister"

About money:

Spread it out. The ATMs here will let you have enough for a dayor two. Plastic is accepted just about everywhere. CAsh in a couple of pockets.

Be nice. If you are a visitor, be nice. You do not have to become "blood brothers" with the staff, but do be nice. Smile.

Learn a few phrases, like "Cómo Estamos? " (the old-fashioned way to say HI!" Dominicans love to teach you how to speak...

If you live here, know your neighbors. A sancocho on one of these evenings with beer, toasted casabe with garlic butter and chicken and a few pork chops....Rice, avocado....and this just for the closest neighbors...

Dominicans love to ask personal questions: How much do you make.? How much did you pay for the house? stuff like that. Be very vague.

In the cities of the "interior" , like where I live, the thieves are seldom "random". Often times they have ties to your help or are actually part of your help...

Lights are good for nighttime protection. So are yappy little dogs. Big dogs tend to discourage people, and this is a good thing. Butthe yappy ones tell you someone strange is here...

A firearm is for killing people. Showing it off doesn't do much unless you are willing to pull that trigger, and know how to do it! Train yourself if you can afford one.

Someone once said that fences make for good neighbors. My mother sometimes talked about "spite fences" ....at any rate, good fences can be a major deterrant, especially now that razor wire is available... There are bushes that are beautiful and impenetrable, so a lot depends on your space.

Enough ramblings..

HB

Hillbilly,

I kind of worry about fences--as a woman I have been taught that fences, while they may keep some out, depending on the type of fence can also be a good hiding place for a thief/rapist/murderer--whatever. So if someone is planning to get a fence, make sure it is not a privacy type of fence. You want it to keep folks out as well as make anyone that does get past it still visible to passersby or neighbors. Your suggestions are very good!

[suitelady79]

I wanted to add a few things for the ladies as a person who travels to different places and sometimes alone:

Do your homework first. Check State Department website for any advisories that they may have. You might think some of it is over the top, but it's better to know of the possiblity that something will happen than to be ignorant of the possibilities.

BEFORE you leave your hotel, plan your route! The last thing you want to do is go outside and immediately look lost and in a daze. The thieves will LOVE YOU. People who don't know where they are or where they are going are so preoccupied with that that they lose track of what's going on around them and become easy targets.

Walk with an heir of confidence even if you have no idea where you are. If you are lost, go into a place that looks reputable and ask them for directions.

Learn the number of a cab company that can be called in case of an emergency.

Do not travel alone into areas that are poorly lit or have few people around.

Do not carry your money in your back pocket. If you have a bag keep your money in an inside zipper and keep the main bag zipper closed at all times.

Do not flash large amounts of money or credit cards. Take out only what you need and leave the rest in your bag until needed.

Do not carry your cell phone or camera on a waist attachment. If you have a bag leave these items in it and take them out only when needed.

When you are in a restaurant or other public venue, do not place your purse on the floor or leave it otherwise unattended.

Do not be easily distracted by loud noises or brawls going on around you. Thieves work in teams at times and sometimes cause distractions (dropping things, falling or other things) that take your attention off of your own personal safety and may cause you to become careless. If you do find yourself in a situation, REMEMBER to be consious of your own personal belongings if you are forced to help someone. Random stuff like picking things up for people should be avoided.

When riding the carro publicos, if you know you are taking one of them, do not carry anything valuable in your pockets. Keep any belongings in front of you and covered with your hands. Be fully aware of the locations of others' hands.

Leave valuable jewelry at home in your home country. I did read once that sometimes women who travel alone have been known to wear a fake wedding ring to ward off unwanted male attention--but don't let it be a gaudy one. A simple band might do the trick.

Sometimes you might have to take a long bus ride to get to another city in the country. Get a good night sleep the night before because you don't want to be falling asleep on a public bus.

Don't walk with your purse flinging around your knees or in some other careless manner. Have it tucked under your arm or other guarded position.

Beware of people with extra jackets or coats. In the tropical climate of DR, usually this is not necessary to have heavy jackets or coats and this could be used as a disguise for picking someones purse. If the hands are covered with the coat and the person is standing in close proximity to you, they may be trying to hide that they are about to or are robbing you.

On the beach, don't leave your belongings unattended.

Learn as much of the language as possible.

Make eye contact with people you are saying hello to or who may be near you. This will approve your ability to identify them if something should go awry.

This is just my 2 cents. Be confident, be vigilant, have fun!

[suitelady79]

A question to the folks that live in the DR, are the ATM's safe? I read on the state department website that there is some scam that can copy your number or some business like that. Does it accept american debit/credit cards? I have never had to use an ATM before because I always had enough, but the next time I go, I'm going for a longer time and don't want to carry all of the money I will need for the whole trip around the whole time.

I don't know if this is the right thread for this question but it is a safety concern of mine.

[cobraboy]

Originally Posted by suitelady79

A question to the folks that live in the DR, are the ATM's safe? I read on the state department website that there is some scam that can copy your number or some business like that. Does it accept american debit/credit cards? I have never had to use an ATM before because I always had enough, but the next time I go, I'm going for a longer time and don't want to carry all of the money I will need for the whole trip around the whole time.

I don't know if this is the right thread for this question but it is a safety concern of mine.

Just carry travelers checks.

I recall there was an ATM scam in Sosua a couple of years ago.

Originally Posted by suitelady79

A question to the folks that live in the DR, are the ATM's safe? I read on the state department website that there is some scam that can copy your number or some business like that. Does it accept american debit/credit cards? I have never had to use an ATM before because I always had enough, but the next time I go, I'm going for a longer time and don't want to carry all of the money I will need for the whole trip around the whole time.

I don't know if this is the right thread for this question but it is a safety concern of mine.

I've been using the BHD automatic teller machines for the last year to withdraw money from my US Bank of America account and have had no problems other than they charge you an arm and a leg for the transaction. I think it's about $10US. I would assume that most banks or tourist hotels would take or convert American Express checks. I would personally pay cash for most things unless your buying in a big established franchise like La Sirena, etc. or maybe on the resort grounds.

[Snuffy]

Chip...go into all the banks and find their exchange section...talk to the manager about taking your checks for exact dollar amount. One of them may accept your checks. If you know someone who has been banking at a bank for some time...have them take you and introduce you and explain what you need. I was in your situation and spending about $900 USD per year on fees until a friend did this for me. Now I write a check for $1000 USD and they give me $1000 USD no strings attached. I am not required to exchange for pesos there. Best of luck.

Originally Posted by Snuffy

Chip...go into all the banks and find their exchange section...talk to the manager about taking your checks for exact dollar amount. One of them may accept your checks. If you know someone who has been banking at a bank for some time...have them take you and introduce you and explain what you need. I was in your situation and spending about $900 USD per year on fees until a friend did this for me. Now I write a check for $1000 USD and they give me $1000 USD no strings attached. I am not required to exchange for pesos there. Best of luck.

Thanks Snuffy - I have an account at Banreservas and I'll give them a call tomorrow.