Safety in Las Terrenas, DR
 

Is the Las Terrenas area a safe area for 65+ couple to spend a couple of weeks? Want to relax in a somewhat quiet area, enjoy walks on beach, visit local farmer markets, & some shopping. Still looking for information about transportation between Santo Dimingo airport & Las Terrenas. I posted a question about it, but no responds yet.

Yesterday there was a Canadian (87) killed in Las Terrenas, he had been living here for many years.
They say crime happens everywhere... so it depends where you are at a given time.
All the best.
dr101.info

My guess would be a "no." Find someplace safer. You can't just walk around the DR. You have to stay in an all inclusive and not leave. I would perhaps look into Grand Cayman?

I am sorry, and should have included this for some street cred. I know this because my husband is a News Photographer and he has been there several times and says it's one of the worst places you can visit when just out walking around. Take in mind that he has been to many of the biggest slums in the world shooting video.

Well, the DR is visited by more than 4 million tourist per year and only few have bad experiences.
Unfortunately, an elderly couple on a walk on a lonely beach is looked upon as prey in many country nowadays.
You can have a wonderful holiday here (I have been living here for more than 15 years...) and if you wish to travel around you can always hire a driver who'd also be your guard.
Saludos
dr101.info

One can leave an AI in the Dominican and be safe and have a wonderful time. Is there crime, yes. Do "most" tourists visit and have zero crime troubles, yes. Are there "safer" places for this couple, probably. Just don't paint DR as a "you cant leave your resort" type of places....it's not true, and not fair.

I in no way intended this to be a negative post on the DR. One of the units I was looking at stated they had guards with guns, & that was a concern of mine. We were looking at renting a place from a private party on VRBO or the Homwaway.com sights. We would not be out at night on beach, but would like to go out for dinner, or feel safe going to farmers market, beach during the day. Thank you for all our relpies.

Wondering if my posts are readable? When I log on I see my posts way over on the right side with only 1, 2 or 3 letters at a time in a verital column. Is that the way you responders are viewing it? Not sure if it is my computer or if I am doing something wrong when posting. Sorry if you have to read it in a column.

When I read the reviews listed above I can't help but think that the majority are inaccurate or based on a limited knowledge of the area. I have lived in Las Terrenas for 6 years and found the town to be very safe. You need to use common sense, especically when you travel. Also, although it is difficult please try to leave your North American thinking at home. You are not in Kansas anymore. If you don't want to have a real world experience than stick the the sterile all in-clusive environment.

S

I've been to the D.R.many times,and speak Spanish quite well. The D.R.is experiencing more and more crime,but is not as yet among the most crime ridden areas of the western hemisphere.There are indeed safer places such as Barbados,Cuba or the Cayman Island,but it is not Jamaica nor other such high crime areas. Common sense as well as not being in remote or sparsely populated areas especially at night is always recommended. To this point they have in no way earned a bad reputation so far as safety is concerned,and they are friendly and helpful people.

So Steve, are you saying that because someone wants to be in an area that is considered safe, that means they don't want to have a "a real world experience"?? It's no secret that there are areas in the DR that aren't exactly friendly and inviting.....that is just a fact. I understand that the DR is no Kansas, and cultures are different. But people have every right to want to be safe, and still experience "real world experiences". No need to judge people who might enjoy the AI type of vacation. It's not for me either, but I have zero right to judge what others find appealing. Bottom line is that there are in fact other islands that are considered MUCH safer areas to get out and explore without as much risk.