Is It Safe to Travel to the Dominican Republic Right Now? What to Know Before You Go

"Consulting the U.S. State Department's travel advisory system, the agency's last update for the Dominican Republic was in June of last year with a 'Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution' level. This means there is no immediate reason for the government to discourage travel to the country. And the fact that the advisory hasn't been updated for close to a year should also bring some peace of mind to visitors planning a trip."

"Still, the agency lists 'violent crime' as a concern to tourists and advises travelers to 'not display wealth and be wary of meeting individuals online in secluded locations.' A deeper dive into the security risks in the Dominican Republic published by the State Department's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), also warns that some crimes occur by traffic stops as criminals frequently travel by motorcycles."

"The Dominican Republic's tourist board also has their own set of safety tips for visitors which include keeping your passport and valuables in a hotel safe, using your phone or camera discreetly, and avoiding walking alone at night. 'When walking around big cities, dress like a local and know where you are headed' the tourist board also advised."

The Dominican Republic attracted a record 11.6 million visitors in 2025, drawing travelers to destinations like Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, and Puerto Plata for beaches, hiking, and culture. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 2 travel advisory for the country, indicating no immediate reason to discourage travel. The advisory, last updated in June, lists violent crime as a concern and recommends avoiding displays of wealth and meeting strangers in secluded locations. Additional security risks include crimes at traffic stops involving motorcyclists. The Dominican Republic's tourist board provides safety guidance including securing valuables in hotel safes, using cameras discreetly, avoiding solo nighttime walks, dressing like locals, and knowing destinations beforehand.

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