Caribbean • Updated August 2026

Country Risk Report

Dominican Republic

Overall Risk Rating

Low

Capital

Santo Domingo

Languages

Spanish (official)

Currency

Dominican peso (DOP); US dollars widely used

Executive Summary

The Dominican Republic is classified as a LOW risk destination and is the Caribbean's most visited country, with large, well-established resort areas that are generally safe and self-contained. Violent crime against tourists is uncommon in the main resort zones, so the everyday risks are petty crime and scams, road safety, natural hazards and a crime backdrop in some urban areas rather than instability. Petty crime, including theft, pickpocketing and resort-area scams, is the most common issue, and there is a higher level of violent crime, including armed robbery, in parts of Santo Domingo and some urban areas, which mostly affects locals but warrants awareness. Tourist areas such as Punta Cana are heavily oriented around resorts and are generally secure, though incidents can occur. The country is politically stable, but the situation on the border with Haiti is a significant concern, given Haiti's severe insecurity, and the border area carries heightened risk and is subject to controls and tension. Practical risks include poor road safety, which is a leading hazard, hurricanes during the Atlantic season, and strong currents at some beaches.

Risk Matrix

Category	Risk Rating	Commentary
Armed Conflict	Low	No armed conflict; the Haiti border is a distinct concern.
Terrorism	Low	No significant terrorism threat.
Kidnapping	Low	Kidnapping of travellers is uncommon; express incidents are rare.
Crime	Moderate	Petty crime and resort scams; higher violent crime in parts of Santo Domingo.
Civil Unrest	Low	Occasional protests; politically stable.
Health & Medical	Moderate	Reasonable private care in cities and resorts; public care limited.
Internal Travel	Moderate	Poor road safety, the Haiti border and hurricane disruption.
Digital / Cyber	Moderate	Card fraud, cloning and scams occur.

Essential Precautions

1Guard against petty crime and scams, including theft, pickpocketing and resort-area scams.

2Be aware of urban violent crime, including armed robbery in parts of Santo Domingo and some urban areas.

3Avoid the Haiti border area, given Haiti's severe insecurity and border tension.

4Take particular care on the roads, as road safety is poor and accidents are a leading hazard.

5Prepare for the hurricane season, from around June to November.

6Heed coastal currents and flags, as drownings occur at some beaches.

7Use official or hotel-arranged transport, and keep valuables out of sight.

8Hold appropriate travel and medical cover, including for water and adventure activities.

Security Situation

Low

The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean's most visited country, with generally safe, self-contained resort areas. The everyday risks are petty crime and scams, road safety, natural hazards and an urban crime backdrop rather than instability, with the Haiti border a distinct concern.

Santo Domingo and the South

Moderate

Santo Domingo and the south include the capital, functioning with petty crime and higher violent crime in some areas the main concerns.

Punta Cana and the East (Resorts)

Low

Punta Cana and the east are the main resort zones, heavily oriented around secure resorts.

Puerto Plata and the North

Low

Puerto Plata and the north are tourism areas, generally safe with standard precautions.

The Haiti Border (the West)

High

The Haiti border in the west carries heightened risk given Haiti's insecurity and should be avoided.

Detailed Risk Assessment

Armed Conflict

Low

The Dominican Republic is not in armed conflict. The main external concern is the severe insecurity in neighbouring Haiti and its effect on the border, rather than any internal conflict.

Terrorism

Low

There is no significant terrorism threat in the Dominican Republic. Standard vigilance is sufficient.

Kidnapping and Crime

Moderate

Kidnapping of travellers is uncommon and express incidents are rare. The main issue is petty crime and resort scams, with a higher level of violent crime, including armed robbery, in parts of Santo Domingo and some urban areas that mostly affects locals.

Internal Travel

Moderate

Poor road safety, the Haiti border and hurricane-season disruption are the main travel concerns. Resort transfers and domestic flights are well organised, and self-driving requires care given driving standards.

Health and Disease

Moderate

Reasonable private healthcare is available in the cities and main resorts, but public care is limited, and serious cases may require transfer. Mosquito-borne illnesses including dengue are present, and travellers should use private facilities and hold cover.

Cultural and Religious Sensitivities

Low

The Dominican Republic is welcoming and tourism-oriented, predominantly Catholic with a vibrant culture, and normal respect for local customs is sufficient. Sensitivity around the relationship with Haiti and around poverty and inequality is advisable.

LGBT Travellers

Moderate

Same-sex activity is legal, and tourist areas are generally relaxed, but there are limited protections and conservative social attitudes in places. Discretion is more advisable outside resort areas.

Diplomatic and Government Situation

Low

The Dominican Republic is a stable democracy with functioning institutions and good consular access, managing significant pressures from the situation in Haiti. Governance is robust and the main risks to visitors are criminal and practical rather than political.

Digital and Cyber Threats

Moderate

Card fraud, cloning and scams occur, and travellers should guard financial information and use trusted ATMs. Connectivity is good in cities and resort areas.

Vaccinations & Health Hazards

Strongly Recommended

Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended for some travellers due to food and water risk.
Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended for some travellers.
Rabies
Consider for rural or long stays.
Routine vaccines
Ensure the standard UK schedule is complete.

Other Health Hazards

Mosquito-borne illness: Dengue and other mosquito-borne illnesses are present; take bite-avoidance measures.
Hurricanes: The Atlantic hurricane season runs roughly June to November.
Road safety: Poor road safety is a leading hazard; use reputable transport.
Water safety: Heed flags and currents at beaches.

Choosing the Right Insurance

Cover for the Dominican Republic is available on a specialist basis, with the Haiti border area addressed on referral. The resort and tourist areas are manageable with standard precautions, and cover should include medical care, using private facilities, and evacuation.

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Annex A - Key Risk Dynamics

Checkpoints and Detention Triggers

Routine checkpoints operate; cooperate calmly. Carry a copy of ID and a clear travel purpose. Avoid the Haiti border area. Avoid photographing security incidents and installations.

Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics

Kidnapping of travellers is uncommon. Armed robbery occurs in parts of Santo Domingo. Petty crime and scams affect resort areas. Comply calmly during a robbery.

High-Risk Travellers

Urban travellers face higher crime in parts of Santo Domingo. Haiti border travellers face insecurity and should avoid the area. Night and lone travellers face opportunistic crime. Those displaying valuables face targeting.

Annex B - Key Preparation & Checklists

Essential Preparation and Medical

Resort areas are low risk; guard against petty crime. Take extra care in parts of Santo Domingo. Prepare for the hurricane season. Hold medical and evacuation cover.

Digital Security and Checkpoints

Guard against card cloning and use trusted ATMs. Be alert to resort and card scams. Connectivity is good; consider an eSIM. Limit public location sharing.

Movement and Operational Security

Use official or hotel-arranged transport. Avoid the Haiti border given insecurity. Take care given poor road safety. Heed flags and currents.

Conduct and Legal Compliance

Respect local customs and culture. Keep valuables out of sight. Be sensitive around Haiti and inequality.

This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.