Don't spend too much time in the sun, avoid sunburn, drink plenty of water, don't drink too much alcohol and avoid coconut-based drinks (it acts as a laxative). Take the same precautions as you would at home, e.g. if food doesn't look properly cooked, don't eat it. Check that meats are cooked properly, etc.
Compounding the country's travel problems, hotel employees have brutally assaulted guests at Punta Cana resorts; tourists have been seriously ill (but not killed) at the same resorts where other Americans died; and baseball star David Ortiz was shot in the back in Santo Domingo, the island's capital. To contact the Punta Cana police in an emergency, dial 911 as you would in the US. So, is it safe to travel to Punta Cana in particular? Crime in Punta Cana is significantly lower than in the rest of the Dominican Republic. These deaths in the Dominican Republic made headlines and caused tourism figures to drop by more than 80%, which in turn prompted the country's National Tourism Safety Committee to announce an initiative to investigate and prevent future deaths in Punta Cana and other tourist areas.
Recent crime statistics show that the highest incidents of sexual assault in the Dominican Republic occurred in six specific areas, including Punta Cana. If you're looking for everything the typical Caribbean holiday offers - swaying palm trees, relaxing breezes, clear waters, endless beaches, even kid-friendly hotels and romantic resorts for reasonably priced destination weddings - chances are you'll find yourself flying into the Dominican Republic, and your final destination will be popular tourist destinations like Punta Cana, Puerto Plata or Sosúa. However, that doesn't mean that Punta Cana doesn't have its own dangers, although you shouldn't let Punta Cana's warnings stop you from going to its beautiful beaches and resorts. Tourism is big business here, thanks in large part to Punta Cana's enviable climate, so the Dominican Republic makes sure that hotels, resorts and beaches are well patrolled.
Despite the deaths in Punta Cana that have garnered media attention, the crime rate in Punta Cana's main tourist area is low; its beaches and other attractions are guarded by a police force called CESTUR that is specifically dedicated to protecting travellers, resorts and attractions.
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