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Santo Domingo Warnings or Dangers

Santo Domingo travel tips posted by real travelers and Santo Domingo locals.
Local Time 5:28 am Monday, May 12, 2008
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Popular Warnings or Dangers | Miscellaneous Warnings or Dangers Tips | All Tips (20)
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Watch out for Metal Ceiling Fans!
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  • This is kind of funny. The first night we were in the Dominican Republic, one of our girls sleeping on the top bunk stood up and busted her head open with the metal ceiling fan that was right over her. Just thought I'd say WATCH OUT!!! Its okay if you do get hit though, you can go to the nearest clinic where you'll be the only car on the parking lot at 1 a.m. and you'll get treated really well and get stitched up for about $23 american dollars! And in less than a week, they'll have your stitches out... really good service!

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    Street Sign merely Suggestions
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  • Coming from America, where you can get a ticket for going 2 miles over the speed limit, you will be surprised how in Santo Domingo, street signs seem to be merely suggestions rather than strict regulations. A month ago, when I went on a mission trip we saw a "One Way" sign pointing left, but traffic was going right. Funny! It's an exciting adventure driving through the highways cause you hear alot of honking going on. A local traffic custom is that the larger the vehicle, the greater the right of way, regardless of the traffic laws. Driving is aggressive and erratic, and drivers often do not yield the right of way even when road signs or signals indicate they should. Okay.. here's a funny story about traveling at night: One of our girls busted her head open with a metal ceiling fan the night we arrived and had to be rushed to the emergency room after 12 a.m. Well, on the way there, the guy that was driving ran a redlight and one of our sponsors going w/ them asked what that was about and the guy said "its the quarter-to-one rule... run the red light." Then they came to a green light and he brought the car to a full stop. What was that about?? "Quarter-to-one rule... the other person is probably running the red light." So just watch out but have fun!!

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  • Website: www.dr1.com

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    dodgy old men with guns
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  • photo taken from hidden corner! - Santo Domingo
    photo taken from hidden
    corner!
    by willy_wonka
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    i did not feel any immediate danger in santo domingo, and as a single female, the unwanted attention i would sometimes receive was always stopped with a firm no. of course, as with anywhere, common sense prevails, and keeping your bag or wallet tight on you is the best way to go. however i did witness an argument, which was almost comical, if it hadnt been for the fact a gun was brandished! across from my hotel, two men from rival businesses were arguing outside in the street. i think one had told a customer not to go to the other, and had badmouthed his name and business. a crowd had gathered, and these two old men were yelling at each other, and everyone was giggling. one of the guys picked up a rock, and was threatening to throw it at the guy, we all were still laughing. they were so old and senile it was ridiculous. one of the guys walked into his house, and the next thing you know he comes out with an old style gun, circa 1750 or something it looked like! oh boy, did the crowd run quick! i hid with some young kids behind a wall, and we watched the argument dissolve peacefully. kind of funny in hindsight, but at the time seeing a gun was not so great!

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    Beware of pickpocketers
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  • In santo domingo, like in every city in the world basically, you have to be careful of your belongings. There are always people in the streets who are asking to help you, asking you for money or even children who would come by themselves asking for money or selling something. Just make sure you're not alone. I always encounter these things, and its usually harmless people but you can never be to cautious. When you're driving in and around the city or walking to the Malecon or around the airports. If you are in a hotel resort, you basically have nothing to worry about.


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    ATM machines
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  • If you need to withdraw money, use the ATM machines located on a bank's premises and do it while the bank is open. This in case the machine "eats" your card so that you can get it right away. Also the usual: be aware of your surroundings, look out for weird looking people and protect your pin code with your body and hands as much as you can. Also check in case the ATM machine has been tampered with and what not. There are plenty of articles on the Internet about this. Some say it's a good idea to have a separate ATM card with little money in it, and that you transfer money to it from your main account whenever needed. That could help you out in case that your card gets skimmed (even after taking all precautions).


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    Amber and Larimar shopping
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  • Most of the time the amber and larimar jewels some street sellers (and some souvenir shops) sell at Calle El Conde are fake. And they look so much like the original that it's difficult to spot, so what can you do to be sure you're getting the real deal? Buy your amber/larimar jewelry at the Amber or Larimar Museums or from a reputable jewelry store/merchant. For more info, read the articles I submit about amber and larimar. They also have some tips on how to test fakes from original pieces. And last but not least, it's against the law to export rough pieces of amber.

  • Website: www.dr1.com/articles/amber.shtml www.dr1.com/articles/larimar.shtml

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    Less is more
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  • The less jewelry you wear, the better. Thieves are attracted to bling bling, even if it's cheap or fake. Also, if you're not going to use your expensive cell phone, leave it in the safe of your hotel or locked inside your suitcase. Also, and although this is a given there's a lot of people that miss it or ignore it, don't flaunt your money. Take with you the cash you might think you need and put it safely in your front pocket. It's a good idea to take an ATM card and withdraw money if needed.


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    Dogs
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  • The city is full of homeless dogs. They are all quite docile, but I still would recommend a rabies vaccine.

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    A quiet place?
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  • The Colonial Zone looks like a quiet place. Don't forget you are in a big city and some bag-snatcher could catch sight of you. Using good sense you'll avoid troubles. Don't walk with your wallet in the back pocket, don't put on showy jewels, hold on to your camera. Don't go around alone at night. In short the usual precautions as good tourist.

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    Beware of hustlers
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  • On areas having a lot of tourists there's bound to be hustlers trying to push you inside their shops to sell you stuff at high prices. Do not give into them. Always haggle. It's possible that the shop next door has the same item (or a better one) for a better price.


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    More Santo Domingo Tips
    Overview
     
    General Tips
    Tips: 42 - Photos: 30
    Restaurants
    Tips: 38 - Photos: 16
    Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 47 - Photos: 22
    Things To Do
    Tips: 180 - Photos: 164
    Nightlife
    Tips: 14 - Photos: 9
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 25 - Photos: 21
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 4
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 20 - Photos: 6
    Transportation
    Tips: 55 - Photos: 44
    Local Customs
    Tips: 27 - Photos: 20
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 0
    Shopping
    Tips: 22 - Photos: 17
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 3 - Photos: 1
    Flights
    Tips: 13 - Photos: 12

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