Robbery warning, Punta Cana. Dominican Republic

[letterboy]

But I do have one question of the poster who was disparaging of Canadians in general . . . Where is this "Canadia" of which you speak?

Canadian I'd the part of Canada all these dang snowbirds need to go back to.

:-D

I thought there was a punta Cana Mexico as well... Oppps

Sent from my pasture using Tabableet 2

 

[ScubaSteve1962]

I was there in Feb also, no worries. But I know, not matter what city I travel in whether it be in the US or any of the islands, there are certain things you don't do! And in all the guidelines at EVERY hotel I've stayed at, wearing expensive jewelry, and flashing large amounts of cash is a no no.

---------- Post added March 27th, 2013 at 09:03 PM -------
Not all caribbean islands are crime destinations. Come to Cayman Brac and wear all the jewelry you want. On Brac, you can stroll anytime, anywhere without the fear of assault, robbery, rape or murder. When I lost my wallet a few months ago, I just had to go to the police station and pick it up. No credit cards or money were touched. Apparently, that is the way it is whenever anyone losses something. I never lock up anything when I am on Cayman Brac or Little Cayman, and haven't had an issue yet. If you want a crime free , awesome vacation, than try the Sister Islands. Cheers

If you read what I wrote, I said when you travel anywhere in the US, Canada, or the Caribbean you should use the same precautions. I've never had an issue any where either, I went to Punta Cana last month, left my back pack on the trolley that transferred us to the terminal, my laptop, tablet, and other electronics were in it, got it back with everything there, leave my camera, and other electronics in my room all the time, and never had anything stolen, forgot to lock my safe with cash, credit cards and passport visible, nothing was touched. To make a big deal out of someone getting robbed like it never happens is ridiculous people get robbed all the time in all over the world. Hawaii is a great tourist destination, first time I went there got my rental car and opened the truck, there is a big ole sticker DO NOT LEAVE ANY VALUABLES IN THE TRUNK!! never stopped me from going back again!!

Also when in Hawaii, I stay at Hilton Hawaiian Village, if you don't know it's the hotel featured on Hawaii 5 O, great place to stay love to stay there, but one of the first things they tell you is "Do not walk on the beach after dark"

 

[Low]

Looking at GMs, that resort is at the end of the road with no resorts or anything to the north of them… and with a minimal about of research we find out that country is on the poorer side of the scale. Why leave the resort, going to a lesser populated area and make yourself a target? I'm going to Punta Cana in a few days and I already decided to leave my real jewelry at home.

 

[DandyDon]

I wouldn't take fake jewelry either. Could still attract the wrong attention. In this case, the couple walked past a guard who said nothing, but it's not in his job to discourage anyone from leaving the compound. Doing so is a personal call, personal risk. I'd do it, but try to not look like a target.

 

[letterboy]

wonder if I can take my sidearm. . .

 

[kelemvor]

wonder if I can take my sidearm. . .

I thought the same thing, until DandyDon mentioned he couldn't even carry a pockeknife.

 

[DandyDon]

I thought the same thing, until DandyDon mentioned he couldn't even carry a pockeknife.

I don't know about that country? Some prohibit knives on your person, so you'd want to check. I used to wear a belt knife everywhere, onto planes in the 80s, but nowadays such would be asking for trouble.

 

[gypsyjim]

wonder if I can take my sidearm. . .

um.....if your name is Nanny Bloomberg I am sure you could work out something.

Us, working folks........wanna make a bet?

I wouldn't take fake jewelry either. Could still attract the wrong attention. In this case, the couple walked past a guard who said nothing, but it's not in his job to discourage anyone from leaving the compound. Doing so is a personal call, personal risk. I'd do it, but try to not look like a target.

Obviously our customers made more than a few mistakes, which they are very much aware of (NOW).

As novices for such travel this young couple took the remote location of the resort as a good sign, and were impressed and enticed by the resort's advertisements of a safe fun get away, and they did not realize the reputation bad of the DR before this trip.

The guards lack of interest and warnings by either those guards, or even a posted sign, when they strolled on the inviting beach, they took as confirmation of the sense of security that they incorrectly felt.

While I have since made some accurate, non precious copies of several of this couple's more valuable pieces of jewelry, but I also attempted to pass on my observation that even such low value copies look very inviting to someone who is not aware that they are fake, if they are worn in a questionable environment (but I am just the craftsman, and do not deal directly with these customers). My suggestion is to leave anything that even looks valuable at home in the safe, and wear obviously cheap, fun play jewelry that no-one wants to take.

 

[Bill Parker]

The DR is a scary country when it comes to crime. It's the only place I saw fast
food restaurant (a Burger King) that had a guard armed with a shotgun and that
was during the daytime even. You need street smarts there if you leave the AI
(all inclusive) by yourself. If you go book the trip through an AI and use the AI's
transfer service to get to and from the airport. I'd only leave the AI on side trips
booked through the AI trip desk. There are scum that roam the streets just
outside the bounds of the AIs and they shouldn't be trusted blindly. Otherwise
you're taking extra risks and asking for trouble. I've been there six times and
fended off a dozen or more attempts to pick my pocket. The moment you let
down your guard there you'll be pounced on. Be safe.

 

[gypsyjim]

My gf and other friends have visited DR, but I have not.
Once a friend of mine a long time ago described being inside a "Resort" that resembled an armed camp, with 12' chain link and barbed wire enclosing it, and guards patrolling the perimeter with what our media likes to call "assault weapons", I decided to spend my $$ elsewhere.