Crime in Dominican Tourist Zones

[coastlineconstruction]

All belongings stolen at playa Diamante near Cabrera.
You get to the beach, you see absolutely no one in site, so you leave your things and go for a swim. (You think to yourself, I'm watching the only road in, I'll see when someone comes!) Suddenly you notice someone pops out from behind a bush, takes your things, and disappears behind the bush (Hey, they were hiding there the whole time!.) Now try and find them running barefoot through the jungle that surrounds the beach (GL they took your shoes too.) I personally know others that this same thing has happened to on the same beach. BEWARE

[BushBaby]

Using your definition of 'CRIME' I voted 'yes' because on at least two occasions I have property removed from my baggage at the customs at Puerto Plata airport. Fortunately there were two of us present at the time & were able to see the 'slight of hand' so challenged the act. The goods (with an accompanying RED face ) were returned fairly quickly!!! ~ Grahame.

[drcaycu]

Does Santo Domingo count as a tourist area???

[ben jammin]

could i change my no to a yes. forgot i had some electronics stolen at SD airport customs and didn't realise this to be a tourist area but makes sense that it is. thanks, ben

[michelleh]

No, but my friend had his credit card cloned.

[Windjammer]

Edited: A Texaco gas station is not a tourist attraction, much less in Santiago. Sorry!

[NALs]

Folks, a Santiago gas station is not a tourist zone or attraction!

Its more places like all of Cabarete, Sosúa, the historic center of Puerto Plata and its malecón, Cofresí-Costambar, Playa Dorada, Colonial Zone/Gazcue/Malecón of Santo Domingo, Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, La Romana-Bayahibe, Bávaro-Punta Cana, Las Terrenas, Las Galeras, and maybe Jarabacoa/Constanza; although these last two places are much more popular among Dominicans than foreigners.

Off the top of my head, that's pretty much it as far as tourist zones goes.

The attractions are self explanatory and with the exception of Santo Domingo, every other region has about a handful of 'attractions.' A gasoline station is NOT an attraction. Museums, cultural centers, monuments, trendy hot spots (clubs, restaurants, etc), hotels, etc are.

-NALs

[El_Uruguayo]

Items removed from baggage at SDQ aprox value U$100. Pickpocketed at JetSet - $1000. Scammed at Boca Chica for $500 (silly me). Lessons learns, ladies conquered, awesome tan acquired: priceless!!

[Black Dog]

It might be interesting to run a pole along side this one to see if people have been victims of crime elswhere, either on vacation or where they live if it's not in the DR.
Could give an interesting comparison!

[El_Uruguayo]

The above mentioned "crimes" were in the space of 3 months. In the other 1.5 or so years I lived in the DR, I had nothing happen. As for comparisons, I was robbed in brazil at gunpoint on a 1 week vacation in Florianopolis, I have spent a total of about 6 weeks in brazil accumulated. 1 attempt of pickpocketing in 1 month in spain. I had 2 instances of theft in Uruguay in 7yrs. And 1 instance of theft in Canada in 7yrs.