Dominican Republic : Safety by City
Dominican Republic - safety as a countryComprising the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, with the other third consumed by Haiti, the Dominican Republic is a Caribbean country with two coastlines: the Atlantic Ocean to the North and the Caribbean Sea to the South.
The Dominican Republic, or DR, is the ideal destination for adventurists since it boasts a diverse ecosystem of swamps, alpine ranges, vast deserts, rainforests, and beaches.
The DR is a paradise for outdoor activity enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those who want to relax on the beach.
One of the lesser-known destinations is Playa Rincon, a secluded beach on the island’s Northern Shore.
The closest town is only 12 miles away, Las Galeras, where most hotels, restaurants, bars, and shopping are located.
If you’re interested in a relaxing DR vacation at Playa Rincon and want to learn more about the safety aspects of the area, keep reading!
Warnings & Dangers in Playa Rincon
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
There are plenty of risks in traveling to Playa Rincon, but violence is not a significant concern. Following standard safety guidelines like never leaving your belongings unattended, being aware of your surroundings, not drinking the water, remaining in groups, and taking taxis back to your accommodation late at night will ensure a safe and pleasant stay in the DR.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Although no local public transit exists in this part of the island, taxis and minivan services are available and safe. When entering the taxi, make sure the driver uses the meter to ensure you receive a fair price. Also, only call licensed taxi services, which your accommodation can assist with. Although Las Galeras is a safe town, it's best to use a taxi when returning to the lodging late at night to avoid any issues.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
While pickpockets are around, the chance of having an incident is low, especially if you remain vigilant and monitor your belongings. When at Playa Rincon, do not leave your belongings on the beach unattended, as this is an opportunistic crime for anyone to go through your items. Use common sense, and you will not have any issues on your trip.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Hispaniola is a hotspot for natural disasters like tsunamis, tropical storms, heat waves, landslides, hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes, and droughts. This means you must explore the updated situation in the Playa Rincon area the night before traveling and adjust packing as necessary. Preparing for natural disasters is beneficial, even if you need to pack a few extra items.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
A mugging could occur if you are wandering in secluded areas late at night, such as on the beach or down dimly lit streets in Las Galeras. To avoid this, don't wander off main roads, stay with groups, avoid flashing expensive items, and if you end up in an abandoned area, calmly turn around and return the way you came.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
No recent terrorism has occurred in the DR, so the probability of an attack, especially at Playa Rincon and in the surrounding area, is incredibly low. To take further precautions, avoid religious and political demonstrations if you come across any, and read more about the political activities in the area before arriving in the country.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
Identity theft and credit card cloning are critical issues across the country. To avoid problems, only use bank ATMs and not the freestanding machines on the street. Also, petty fraud with overpriced goods and services is common, primarily if locals identify you as a tourist. This doesn't mean every local is out to scam you, but just be cautious and aware when making purchases, and do comparison shopping to get the best price.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
Women traveling solo could experience some verbal abuse and harassment. Cases of sexual aggression, rape, and assault against foreign women have been reported. Therefore, it's essential to remain in a group, especially at night, not walk around alone, and take taxis if planning to come home late.
TAP WATER RISK: HIGH
The DR has a crumbling infrastructure, even in the touristy areas, especially regarding the drinking water. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends visitors only drink bottled water with sealed tops or purified water when visiting the country. Bacteria and contamination from aging pipes can cause severe illness, ruining your trip. Bottled water is incredibly cheap, so you aren't going to go broke regularly purchasing this vacation-saving product.
Safest Places to Visit in Playa Rincon
Playa Rincon and the surrounding area are safe for visitors who exercise normal caution.
The locals are helpful and friendly, and it’s a small community where neighbors watch out for one another and visitors.
However, it’s still important to not let down your guard and use common sense.
Places to Avoid in Playa Rincon
Playa Rincon is perfectly safe, but it’s important to avoid swimming when lifeguards are not on duty or at night.
Also, always follow the posted beach signs, which could indicate strong currents and riptides, dangerous wildlife, incoming storms, or other ocean-related dangers.
Also, hanging around on the beach alone at night isn’t a wise idea due to the potential for banditos to rob you.
While security in the area has drastically improved because it’s less isolated, it’s still important to be cautious.
Also, Las Galeras is perfectly safe, just avoid secluded and dimly lit areas at night for extra caution.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Playa Rincon
- Apply Sunscreen. The sun in the DR is scorching and can cause extreme sunburn, especially for those without a base tan or coming from a cold weather climate. To avoid skin damage and issues, apply sunscreen with SPF50 regularly throughout the day, especially if you’re swimming. Extreme sunburn is one of the most common hazards for visitors who don’t apply sunscreen.
- Avoid Secluded Places. Like in any city, town, village, or neighborhood globally, avoid secluded places, especially poorly lit ones. These areas are the perfect hideout for criminals to rob or mug an unsuspecting tourist who wanders down the wrong street. If you end up in this situation, hand over your belongings without a fight.
- Be Careful on Roads. Due to the lack of mass transit in the area, most visitors rent a car and drive to Playa Rincon. Driving on the backroads near the beach can be hazardous due to narrow lanes and curving landscape mixed with slippery conditions. Also, driving laws are more like guidelines for locals, so being alert and implementing defensive driving is your best option for remaining safe.
- Don’t Engage in Illegal Activities. Engaging in illegal activities like buying and taking drugs or involvement in the sex industry is always an elevated risk idea. In addition to being arrested, being mixed up with gangs and drug dealers can leave you injured or worse. The country has a major drug problem since it’s on a drug shipping route from South America, so staying away from these illegal activities will ensure your safety.
- Leave Car Rentals in a Guarded Lot. The parking lot at Playa Rincon is perfectly safe and well-patrolled during the day. Leaving your car overnight is not advisable, as theft and break-ins occur in secluded areas. When parking in one of the local towns, try to find a guarded lot and avoid parking on the street overnight. Your hotel likely has a guarded lot, and the surrounding towns are walkable, so you shouldn’t need to drive and park anywhere at night.
- Only Carry What You Need for the Day. Don’t leave all your eggs in one basket by bringing all the cash and credit cards out for the day. You will not have money for the rest of the trip if you’re unluckily robbed. Also, never bring your passport with you when out of the accommodation. Instead, keep all these items in a locked safe or luggage and pull money or credit cards out as necessary for the day.
- Only Use Bank ATMs. Freestanding ATMs are not advisable due to debit card cloning, which can drain your bank account without your awareness. Instead, find ATMs inside of banks that are legitimate financial institutions and will protect your withdrawals from scams.
- Never Leave Belongings Unattended. When enjoying the sun and surfing in Playa Rincon, don’t leave your belongings unattended, even if just for a moment to dip in the ocean. If you are alone and want to go swimming, bring your items as close to the waterline as possible and keep an eye on them at all times.
- Place Personal Items in the Trunk. Since you will likely rent a car, parking in a guarded lot isn’t enough, especially at night. Even if you’re running into a store for a minute, ensure all belongings are secured in the trunk, out of sight. This eliminates opportunistic theft.
- Remain Hydrated. As mentioned, the sun is incredibly hot, especially for those who aren’t used to getting some sunshine in winter. In addition to applying and reapplying sunscreen, bring plenty of bottled water to remain hydrated, even if you are out shopping for the day.
So... How Safe Is Playa Rincon Really?
Despite the medium overall risk level, Playa Rincon is safe for visitors who exercise typical precautions.
Due to the popularity of the country with tourists, police presence has increased in recent years, thus lowering violent crime levels.
However, that doesn’t mean you should be completely relaxed and aloof in Playa Rincon.
Scams, opportunistic crimes, and natural disasters are prevalent, so being prepared for all situations is the best way to remain safe.
How Does Playa Rincon Compare?
City | Safety Index |
---|---|
Playa Rincon | 64 |
Punta Cana | 64 |
Santo Domingo | 31 |
Sosua | 77 |
Samana | 78 |
Jarabacoa | 54 |
Las Terrenas | 52 |
Sofia (Bulgaria) | 73 |
Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
Niagara Falls (Canada) | 87 |
Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
Useful Information
Visas
Visitors must acquire a visa unless they originate in a visa-exempt country. Otherwise, the list of 108 visa-exempt countries doesn't need this document if staying in the country for under 90 days; only a valid passport is required.
Currency
The national currency is the Dominican Peso, which has the same symbol as the dollar ($) and is also displayed as RD$ to differentiate it from other pesos. One peso is divided into 100 centavos using the cents symbol. ATMs are available in the area, and most places accept credit cards. However, carrying cash is always important as the credit card equipment may not work, and local vendors may only accept cash.
Weather
The best months to visit Playa Rincon are January through April, June and July, October, and December. Average temperatures don't vary much, with tropical weather feeling hot and humid year-round. Unlike other tropical destinations, the island doesn't have a wet and dry season, so expect rain on your vacation, mostly in short bursts.
Airports
At 33 miles away, the closest airport is Samana Airport. However, many visitors who don't want to rent a car take the bus from Punta Cana to Las Galeras, which takes around 9 hours. Flying into Santo Domingo and driving three hours to Las Galeras is a good option for those who wish to rent a car.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is always advisable when visiting another country. Since the Dominican Republic is subject to a range of natural disasters, having medical protection covered by the insurance company is necessary in an emergency. Travel insurance can also cover car rental insurance, lost or stolen items, flight delays, and other issues during your trip.
Playa Rincon Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High °C | 28 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 |
Low °C | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 32 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
High °F | 82 | 84 | 84 | 86 | 88 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 86 | 84 |
Low °F | 64 | 64 | 66 | 68 | 70 | 90 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 70 | 68 | 66 |
Dominican Republic - Safety by City
City | Safety Index |
---|---|
Bayahibe | 52 |
Cabarete | 53 |
Jarabacoa | 54 |
Las Terrenas | 52 |
Playa Rincon | 64 |
Punta Cana | 64 |
Samana | 78 |
Santo Domingo | 31 |
Sosua | 77 |