DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - You Guys Have Really Scared me about Crime in DR, PLEASE help!!!

**VDAu5p33** · 07-15-2012, 05:29 PM

After coming across this wonderful site I read completely, every post, the thread about tips to avoid danger/crime in the DR. Practically every hope and dream I had established of finding my long sought after retirement, surf paradise was shattered. I even had nightmares of a shootout last night.
I am well travelled in 3rd world locales such a Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Mexico etc but none of them were as bad as is described here about DR. In Costa Rica I was pickpocketed in Jaco but.... at the time I was allowing prostitutes to approach me after midnight...THAT I understand. Definitely understand that if I hang out where I shouldnt be and do what I should not be doing the risks are high...but everyday life?

Not being able to drive my car to the beach to surf in a remote area without fear of robbery or machete attack? WOW! To be assaulted while "reading a map on the street", "stopped at a red light" or have to have razor wire, attack dogs, bars, walls, gates, guns, pepper spray, baseball bats, killer hedges, anti dog poison medicine...well that is ridiculous sounding. To have to fear of assault, robbery, pickpocket, scams, roadblocks and other unscruplicity would ruin my "dream life" To get right to the point:

1.Can I expect this type of "stuff" everywhere in the DR. Is it more concentrated in the big cities and pure tourist towns?
2. Would areas such as Las Terrenas, Cabrera, Gallera, The Samana Peninsula area have a more peaceful and safe setting?
3. What areas along Northern coast are not yet over run with development and bad guys? Be specific.
4. What areas can I still get a near or on beach home at somewhat of a better price than other more developed region. I want to be able to surf almost daily so near the beach and surfbreaks is a prerequisite.
I am coming in October for my exploratory trip and would love some friends to get acquainted with prior to arrival.

Your's is a common problem for new users. You can read a couple of posts on a subject and conclude that things are worse than they really are.

I have been living in the DR since 1986, in Samana and for last 12 in Sosua. I would not have stayed this long if I feared for my life.

That said, it must also be noted that the country is not as safe as it was when I got here in 86. But I doubt many places are as safe now as they were then. Several years ago I was talking with somebody who had a pistol stuck in his stomach while he was walking in broad daylight through the main park in Boston.

If you live here, you do need to take precautions. Staying away from deserted beaches is one of them. A foreigner on a deserted beach is going to be a source of money for some poor country person.

Not acting like a rich foreigner and flashing lots of money is another precaution. But that is stupid to do anywhere.

When you make your exploratory visit, come to the North Coast. There are lots of expats living here. The North Coast is not over run with bad guys, but there are some to avoid, both males and females,

I have no doubt that if there were message boards like this for the countries you mentioned that you would be reading scary posts about those countries much like those you have read on dr1

07-15-2012, 05:29 PM	#2
VDAu5p33 Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 432 Senior Member	After coming across this wonderful site I read completely, every post, the thread about tips to avoid danger/crime in the DR. Practically every hope and dream I had established of finding my long sought after retirement, surf paradise was shattered. I even had nightmares of a shootout last night. I am well travelled in 3rd world locales such a Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Mexico etc but none of them were as bad as is described here about DR. In Costa Rica I was pickpocketed in Jaco but.... at the time I was allowing prostitutes to approach me after midnight...THAT I understand. Definitely understand that if I hang out where I shouldnt be and do what I should not be doing the risks are high...but everyday life? Not being able to drive my car to the beach to surf in a remote area without fear of robbery or machete attack? WOW! To be assaulted while "reading a map on the street", "stopped at a red light" or have to have razor wire, attack dogs, bars, walls, gates, guns, pepper spray, baseball bats, killer hedges, anti dog poison medicine...well that is ridiculous sounding. To have to fear of assault, robbery, pickpocket, scams, roadblocks and other unscruplicity would ruin my "dream life" To get right to the point: 1.Can I expect this type of "stuff" everywhere in the DR. Is it more concentrated in the big cities and pure tourist towns? 2. Would areas such as Las Terrenas, Cabrera, Gallera, The Samana Peninsula area have a more peaceful and safe setting? 3. What areas along Northern coast are not yet over run with development and bad guys? Be specific. 4. What areas can I still get a near or on beach home at somewhat of a better price than other more developed region. I want to be able to surf almost daily so near the beach and surfbreaks is a prerequisite. I am coming in October for my exploratory trip and would love some friends to get acquainted with prior to arrival. Your's is a common problem for new users. You can read a couple of posts on a subject and conclude that things are worse than they really are. I have been living in the DR since 1986, in Samana and for last 12 in Sosua. I would not have stayed this long if I feared for my life. That said, it must also be noted that the country is not as safe as it was when I got here in 86. But I doubt many places are as safe now as they were then. Several years ago I was talking with somebody who had a pistol stuck in his stomach while he was walking in broad daylight through the main park in Boston. If you live here, you do need to take precautions. Staying away from deserted beaches is one of them. A foreigner on a deserted beach is going to be a source of money for some poor country person. Not acting like a rich foreigner and flashing lots of money is another precaution. But that is stupid to do anywhere. When you make your exploratory visit, come to the North Coast. There are lots of expats living here. The North Coast is not over run with bad guys, but there are some to avoid, both males and females, I have no doubt that if there were message boards like this for the countries you mentioned that you would be reading scary posts about those countries much like those you have read on dr1
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