US Travel Advisory.....seems to be getting worse..........

[POP Bad Boy]

.............according to my "Google Alert" the US travel Advisory changed in October 2006 and now has an alert regarding safety while driving that mentions the road from Santiago to Puerto Plata...............

Google Blogs Alert for: Puerto Plata


Dominican Republic~US Travel Advisory
By host
At least three of the reports indicate the victims were intercepted during the morning hours, when there was little other traffic, while driving on rural highways connecting Santiago and Puerto Plata. Drivers should exercise extreme ...


"In 2006, the U.S. Embassy has received reports of Americans and others who were victims of vehicular-armed robberies in the northern provinces of the Dominican Republic . At least three of the reports indicate the victims were intercepted during the morning hours, when there was little other traffic, while driving on rural highways connecting Santiago and Puerto Plata. Drivers should exercise extreme caution when driving at night and use major highways when possible. "
Dominican Republic

[Snuffy]

Just going along slowly checking all out. It is sad to hear that it is no longer safe. I always thought those campo areas were safer than the city.

[NALs]

It's always wise to check travel advisories from several governments.

So, here are several additional advisory reports from a few reputable governments, aside from the US which has been posted as the OP.

UK: "Whilst violent crime against tourists is rare, there has been an increase in armed muggings and robberies against the local population. You should take particular care if you are passing through isolated tourist areas on foot or on tourist scooters, particularly at night. If attacked, you are advised not to resist. You should take precautions to reduce the risk of being targeted. If you leave your hotel complex, do not wear expensive jewellery or carry large amounts of cash or expensive items such as cameras. Keep your valuables, including your passport in hotel safety deposit boxes. Be particularly careful after dark and avoid quiet, poorly lit areas."

UK's Travel Advisory for the Dominican Republic

Canada: "The security situation is stable, but demonstrations and protests occasionally occur. These are not targeted at foreigners and do not happen near the resorts. Canadians should exercise caution, monitor local news reports, and avoid large crowds and demonstrations. The crime rate is generally low, but violent crime, including assault, has affected a few foreigners. Petty crime is common. There have been incidents involving robbery, including in major resorts."

Also, this sentence made it to the Canadian travel advisory for the DR: "Avoid excursions that are not recommended by tour operators."

Canada's Travel Advisory for the Dominican Republic

-NALs

[NALs]

Originally Posted by Snuffy

Just going along slowly checking all out. It is sad to hear that it is no longer safe. I always thought those campo areas were safer than the city.

Perhaps those campos are still safer than the cities, but what they certainly are not is crime-free.

A crime-free campo is a thing of another Dominican Republic which didn't received a deluge of deportees, drug transhipment, moral devaluation, etc.

-NALs

[Hillbilly]

A crime-free campo is a thing of another Dominican Republic which didn't received a deluge of deportees, drug transhipment, moral devaluation, etc.

Oh NALS, sometimes you are so right!! Back in the Old Days....sad but so, so true!!

HB

Keep it DR related please Chip. If everyone posts what is happening in their home towns in other countries, we will never get a DR related post. Rule of the board, keep it DR related.

[cobraboy]

Originally Posted by Hillbilly

A crime-free campo is a thing of another Dominican Republic which didn't received a deluge of deportees, drug transhipment, moral devaluation, etc.

Oh NALS, sometimes you are so right!! Back in the Old Days....sad but so, so true!!

HB

And, like me, the older we get, the better the Good Old Days were...

Things are never the same. One must adapt.

[PabloPaul]

If you can drive and I mean really DRIVE, you will have fewer problems.

[dv8]

out of curiosity i checked polish ministry of foreign affairs page.
here's what they say about travel in DR:

there is major danger of crime. no terrorist connections have been observed. the level of petty crime is lower than in europe or other latin american countries. tourist zones and beaches are monitored by security patrols. outside the resorts it is not advised to wear jewelery or carry large amounts of cash.

seems truthful. at least no: DO NOT STICK YOUR NOSE OUTSIDE THE RESORT stuff...

[GForce209]

Does it say "there is major danger of crime" or "there is no major danger of crime"

The first quote doesn't make much since when read with the rest of the advice.