Positioned within the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is an attractive vacation spot for these searching for an attractive beach-front break. Recognized for its excellent seashores, stunning cities, scrumptious delicacies, and a few of the finest rums on this planet, the Dominican Republic is a sought-after vacation spot for a lot of.
That stated, in relation to security and crime statistics, its infamous repute for the excessive charge of petty crimes and violence usually places many individuals off.
Fortunately, as a result of its repute as some of the sought-after locations within the Dominican Republic amongst holidaymakers, it’s secure to say that individuals wouldn’t go to Punta Cana as steadily as they do in the event that they felt they had been in danger.
On this article, we’ll discover simply how secure the city of Punta Cana is, and a wide range of ideas and issues to remember to make sure your security throughout your go to.
Crime in Punta Cana
Crime within the Dominican Republic is comparatively excessive, however don’t let this put you off!
In terms of tourism, particularly in tourist-heavy areas, guests are usually properly protected against crime within the nation, because the Dominican Republic needs to maintain its repute as an ideal vacation vacation spot.
Crime charges in Punta Cana are comparatively low in comparison with the remainder of the nation. That stated, crimes probably to have an effect on vacationers embrace pickpocketing, bag snatching, theft of unattended objects, scams, and sexual harassment. Vacationers are impossible to be a sufferer of violent crime.
Are Resorts in Punta Cana Harmful?
In the event you’re staying in a resort in Punta Cana, you possibly can relaxation assured understanding that you just’re in one of many most secure locations attainable.
Resorts in Punta Cana have a large number of measures in place to make sure the protection of their friends, together with entry management, secure storage amenities, hearth security measures, lifeguards by the pool and on the seashores, medically skilled employees, background checks on all staff, 24-hour safety, and loads of on-site safety cameras.
That stated, there have been a small variety of thefts from rooms and safes. These are usually uncommon, however measures ought to be taken to make sure the protection of your precious items. Don’t depart your precious objects unattended, guarantee to lock your room and maintain your belongings safe.
The right way to Keep Secure in Punta Cana
In terms of staying secure in Punta Cana, listed below are just a few common precautions to take:
- Keep away from Utilizing Your Credit score / Debit Playing cards
Bank card cloning and id theft are each massive issues within the Dominican Republic. For that reason, it’s finest to make use of money at each likelihood. Make sure to trade sufficient foreign money earlier than you permit your property nation, and solely take your card with you as a last-case situation.
You must keep away from utilizing your card to pay for issues, and likewise keep away from utilizing ATMs in public areas.
- Don’t Take Many Valuables
Costly items akin to smartwatches and costly jewellery will be eye-catching to pickpockets and people seeking to steal from those that are rich. If a pickpocket or thief sees you sporting costly clothes and jewellery, they could make you a goal.
It’s higher to decorate down a bit of and keep away from designer clothes that exhibits off the model identify, and costly branded equipment (notably purses and bracelets).
Don’t take numerous costly objects and devices with you that you’ll have to depart unattended within the resort room both. Even for those who depart them within the secure their is a small danger of those being stolen, so attempt to restrict to simply the objects you will have to take with you.
- Keep away from Avenue Hustlers
Within the Dominican Republic, vacationers are a few of the wealthiest folks, and the locals know this. Many make it a every day ritual to exit onto the streets to promote issues to vacationers or do them favors in trade for money.
One instance I got here throughout not too long ago was a vacationer who was about to purchase one thing at a memento store however was approached by a person who advised him he may assist get this merchandise cheaper. Assuming he was simply being a pleasant native, the vacationer went with the person to the opposite retailer, discovering the merchandise on sale there for ¼ of the value. It was solely then that the native who led them there started asking how they might repay him.
It’s necessary to remember the fact that even in conditions like this one, the place it could appear to be real kindness from an area, there’s a great likelihood they’re simply being useful within the hopes that you just’ll pay them for it.
One of the simplest ways to deal with these sorts of road hustlers is with a well mannered however agency “No, thanks.” After this, they’ll possible proceed to push their merchandise or attempt to get your consideration. Merely ignore them, and stroll away.
- Keep in Vacationer Areas
To make sure your security, it’s finest to remain in tourist-heavy areas. If attainable it’s finest to simply keep in the resort!
That stated, we perceive that typically whenever you’re on trip, you’ll wish to exit and uncover the nation you’re visiting. One of the simplest ways to do that is by reserving respected excursions, ideally instantly by the resort you’re staying with. It will mean you can uncover probably the most superb elements of the nation, while making certain your security.
- Don’t Stroll Alone
In the event you select to depart the resort and exit exploring within the city, it’s finest to go together with your journey accomplice.
While it helps guarantee each of your security, it ought to be remembered that that is particularly necessary for those who’re strolling someplace at evening, or in a extra distant space.
Is Punta Cana Secure For Solo Vacationers?
Being a solo traveler usually places you at a better danger for petty crime. That stated, that is simply the identical regardless of the place you journey. In the event you’re planning on touring to Punta Cana by yourself, it’s necessary to be further vigilant, and comply with the following pointers to make sure you’re further secure:
- Discuss to Folks
While you’ll possible be speaking to folks anyway, for those who’re an introvert, it’s possible you’ll wish to put in a bit of further effort right here and make dialog as a lot as attainable. It’s a good suggestion to get ideas and journey recommendation from employees at your lodging (even issues so simple as which restaurant they might advocate, or what dish it’s best to attempt throughout your keep!).
It’s additionally a good suggestion to attempt to make associates with some folks your age who could also be staying in the identical lodging as you.
- Drink in Moderation
In the event you’re a solo traveler on a night out in Punta Cana, make sure to drink sparsely. Having the ability to maintain your thoughts targeted and conscious of your environment is essential.
Pickpockets will possible discover for those who develop into inebriated, as it’s a lot simpler to reap the benefits of somebody who’s drunk.
- Keep in Contact With Household and Mates at Dwelling
Retaining in contact with your loved ones and associates again at house might help you keep secure. Messaging them recurrently while on trip, and even setting check-in instances with them might help them to know if something dangerous occurs.
- Be a part of Excursions and Excursions
Excursions and Excursions are a good way of getting across the Dominican Republic safely. By becoming a member of a good tour group, you may make associates and uncover all the wonder this superb nation has to supply, with out having the stress and worries of looking for your personal method round.
Is Punta Cana Secure for Feminine Vacationers?
It’s necessary that feminine vacationers stay vigilant wherever they select to journey, however this notably applies to these touring solo.
In the event you’re touring alongside male associates, or with your loved ones or a accomplice, you’re a lot much less more likely to be a goal of some crimes (notably sexual harassment).
Sadly, sexual harassment and sexual assault are two fairly outstanding crimes within the Dominican Republic. These have been reported in Punta Cana, even typically inside resorts.
In the event you’re a feminine touring to Punta Cana solo, it’s necessary that you just don’t plan this journey until you’re feeling 100% assured in with the ability to maintain your self secure. It’s suggested to be extraordinarily cautious when touring right here.
In the event you’re a feminine touring to Punta Cana together with your accomplice, household, or associates, it’s a bit of simpler to really feel secure, notably for those who’re touring with males.
That stated, listed below are some ideas that can assist you keep secure as a feminine traveler when visiting Punta Cana:
- Be Agency and Well mannered with Males if They Offer you Undesirable Consideration
If a person tries to make advances on you, it’s necessary to be well mannered when declining. Appearing impolite proper off the bat, or simply ignoring them can lead to them in a short time changing into upset. This may escalate the scenario, and make it extra harmful.
Alternatively, being overly pleasant may also put you at risk. In the event you give off any feeling that you could be have an interest, they may very well be very upset whenever you in the end decline.
Merely responding with a “No, thanks”, or “Sorry, I’m in a rush” ought to be sufficient.
In the event you’re touring with male associates or a accomplice, they need to have the ability to step in and enable you.
In fact, for those who really feel as if you might be actually at risk, if the aggressor is persistent or begins to seize at you, make sure to make a fuss, shout, scream, and do all you possibly can to attract consideration to the scenario.
- Be Conscious When Ingesting
Aside from merely being cautious about how a lot you’re consuming, it’s necessary to remain vigilant and guarantee your drink doesn’t get spiked. By no means depart your drink unattended, and make sure to maintain it coated in case you are distracted (dancing, speaking to somebody, trying away, and so on.).
Don’t settle for drinks which have already been poured, or drinks from strangers, and if anybody affords to purchase you a drink, make sure you watch the bartender pour from begin to end, and don’t take your eyes off it for even a second!
- Don’t Share too A lot Data
Make sure to not share an excessive amount of info with folks you’ve simply met, regardless of how pleasant they could appear. It’s necessary to not give out any details about the place you’re staying (notably for those who’re exterior of the resort), your room quantity, and even locations you’re planning on visiting for the remainder of your journey.
Getting Round Punta Cana Safely
The simplest and most secure method to get round Punta Cana, and the Dominican Republic, is often by organized excursions. In the event you e book these by your resort, they’ll be with a good firm, so you possibly can relaxation assured understanding that you just’re secure.
One other time you’ll be needing to journey is to and from the airport. Once more, reserving your transfers as a part of a package deal trip, or instantly together with your resort is a good way of making certain you have got a secure journey.
It’s necessary to keep away from utilizing native motorbike taxis, referred to as “motorcoaches,” as these are sometimes unsafe and may contain scams. In the event you actually want to journey by public transport, it’s necessary to stay to official taxis or trusted transportation providers.
By no means, beneath any circumstances, settle for a journey from a stranger.
Conclusion
Total, Punta Cana has related dangers to most different standard beachside vacationer locations, notably these throughout the Caribbean. Regardless of the repute of the Dominican Republic, you’ll be happy to know that Punta Cana is without doubt one of the most secure locations within the nation.
As long as you stay vigilant while touring, and comply with the information now we have outlined above, try to be simply advantageous throughout your travels to this superb vacation spot!
