Is Santo Domingo Safe?

Is Santo Domingo Safe? If you are heading to the Dominican Republic, this is one of the most important questions to ask. I’ve traveled Santo Domingo as a solo female and I have lots to share. Here we will cover the following: is Santo Domingo safe, is the Dominican Republic safe, and is it safe to travel the DR as a solo female?

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The Dominican Republic is one of the best known (and most beautiful) tropical islands in the Caribbean. It is perfect for travelers who want to immerse themselves in a lively culture, have adventures in the jungles and caves, and swim in clear blue waters.

Located on the south side of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo is the capital city of the DR. It is also the oldest city in the Americas, so there are loads of old buildings to explore and fascinating history to learn.

But is Santo Domingo safe?

The Dominican Republic gets a lot of bad press in the USA. I heard of many safety concerns before visiting, from people I knew and from research online.

So, I am here to tell you about my personal experience traveling Santo Domingo as a solo female. Did I feel safe? Did anything happen? And what should travelers look out for?

This post will dive into everything above and more.

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Is the Dominican Republic Safe?

Currently, the United States has issued the Dominican Republic as a whole as a “Level Two” threat advisory. This means travelers should “Exercise increased caution in the Dominican Republic due to crime.”

In general, I do agree that travelers should always use caution and be aware of their surroundings. For most travelers, though, the Dominican Republic will be a welcoming and friendly place.

While traveling the country as a solo female, I never felt acutely unsafe or as if I were in a sketchy situation. But let’s talk about Santo Domingo specifically.

Is Santo Domingo Safe to Travel Right Now?

The vibrant capital of Santo Domingo is filled with lively locals, beautiful nature, incredible food, and lots of history. It is not a place to be skipped!

An thankfully, you won’t have to. Santo Domingo is typically safe for tourists, even for solo tourists. I would recommend that any traveler take the same precautions here as they would in other locales;

• don’t walk late at night alone
• always be aware of your surroundings
• don’t get inebriated
• have emergency numbers saved
• keep your money safe and secure
• know where you are headed and have maps downloaded before you go

Of course, no place in the world is 100% safe. Not even your home country. So let’s talk about typical scams and crimes in Santo Domingo.

Crime in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo travelers should be cautious and be aware of their surroundings. The main crimes that are reported here include petty theft and armed robbery.

More specifically, the highest risks include muggings, robbery, drug dealing, property crimes, armed robbery, assault, corruption, and bribery. While that may sound intimidating, not all of these are common experiences for travelers.

As a tourist, your biggest concerns will likely be petty theft such as pickpocketing and bag snatching.

Pro Tip: Be sure to check out my top travel safety items and gear. This list covers everything from pickpocket-proof gear, personal safety, and health and wellness. Don’t miss it!

How do we combat this?

• Travel light. Carry less luggage and valuables.
• Wear a scarf with a secret pocket or wear a money belt if you’re worried.
• Read up on keeping money safe on the road.
• Don’t wear flashy jewelry or watches.
• Carry a cross-body bag like this one, as it is much more difficult to snatch.’
• Always lock your room or rental.
• In hostel dorms, use a safety device like this for your bags.

Ladies, check out my Dominican Republic packing list for my full recommendations.

Though Santo Domingo is generally safe, the crime rate is on the higher side of the spectrum according to Numbeo. it currently has a crime index of 68.33.

To put that in perspective, Los Angeles’ crime rate for the past three years sits at 61.88, so not much lower. So be aware, and take precautions. But, in my opinion, Santo Domingo can be traveled safely in most cases.

Is it safe to travel Santo Domingo as a solo female?

I did travel Santo Domingo as a solo female, and I lived to tell the tale. I also explored farther outside the city, and found it to feel very similarly safe across the country.

In general, walking around during the daytime feels very. I explored the entirety of La Zona Colonial, Calle de las Damas, Three Eyes National Park, and Parque Colon, among many other attractions, solo. And, I have not one negative interaction to report.

PRO TIP: I highly recommend booking a walking tour of the area when you first arrive. This will help you get your bearings and ultimately feel much safer during your visit.

While I did occasionally walk around at night, it was only to locations nearby my apartment or for a specific reason (such as, to go buy dinner.)Plan to be cautious, particularly at night.

Lucky for me, I am an early riser, so most of my exploring was during the daytime.

Also, when traveling alone in Santo Domingo, it is helpful to learn some basic Spanish before you go. If not, have some helpful apps handy if you find yourself unable to communicate.

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Is Santo Domingo safe at night?

I want to be honest here – I suggest you avoid walking around at night, especially if you’re traveling alone. As we’ve covered, petty crime and violence can happen here. The less you expose yourself, the better.

If you want to explore the nightlife, take precautions. Don’t get drunk, avoid all drugs, and stick to crowded places with good reviews. Of course, avoid dark and empty streets, and use licensed taxis to get around at night.

Always know where you are in relation to your hotel, as well as how to get back to it. As you hopefully would anywhere, remove yourself from any situation that feels “off.”

If your flight lands in Santo Domingo at night, consider booking a private airport shuttle. That way, you don’t have to haggle with taxi drivers or deal with any uncertainty of who is official or not.

How to Get Around Santo Domingo Safely

You have a few main options to get around Santo Domingo.

First, walking. If it is daytime, and you are exploring the Zona Colonial or any other central area, you should be fine walking around. Crowds will be plentiful.

Alternately, consider using Uber or a taxi if you need to get anywhere farther out from the city centre.

And lastly, book some tours. Santo Domingo has loads of fun tour options! Booking these will not only save you the hassle of having to plan your daily itinerary, but they will also teach you the fascinating history of this city and the surrounding areas.

Is Santo Domingo Worth Visiting?

Yes, absolutely! Though it may sound a bit scary, the city of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic is a fascinating place.

As the first colonial city in all of the Americas, Santo Domingo is overflowing with interesting history and culture. Definitely explore beyond the white sand beaches, as beautiful as they are.

What Should You Not Do in the Dominican Republic?

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1) Don’t Stay only within your resort grounds.

There is so much to see in this beautiful country. It would be a complete shame to only see within the walls of your resort, when there are vibrant cities, deserted islands and underground caves to explore!

2) Don’t underestimate the sun.

Pack a reef-friendly sunscreen so that you stay sunburn free. Bonus, you are also protecting the beautiful Caribbean ocean life.

3) Don’t take unnecessary risks.

Use only official taxis or opt for Uber. Don’t carry all of your money in one place. And, don’t walk around alone at night.

Last Minute Safety Tips

When it comes to traveling Santo Domingo safely, there are a few precautions travelers should take to avoid any unpleasant situations.

Let’s recap!

• Don’t walk around at night alone. Even if in a group, be aware of your surroundings.
• Keep flashy jewelry at home and don’t carry valuables.
• Stash cash or credit cards in either a secret scarf pocket or in a money belt.
• Don’t leave your things out of sight, especially while on the street.
• Use licensed taxis or Uber in Santo Domingo.
• Buy a good lock for your suitcase and lock it whenever you leave your hotel. If in a hostel, consider a protective cover like this.
• Never leave your bag unattended and unlocked.
• Carry only what you need when going out into the city and leave the bulk of your belongings at your hotel.
• Use a cross-body bag like this one as it is much more difficult to snatch.
• Dress to blend in. Check out my full packing list for details.

If you follow these simple tips, you’ll be sure to have a great time exploring Santo Domingo. You don’t need to be looking over your shoulder all the time, but you do need to use common sense and caution.

For me, even as a solo female, it felt safe to travel Santo Domingo. Being aware of potential risks and how to avoid them will allow you to have the best time exploring this historic city!

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