Us Gives New Travel Advisory To Popular Cruise Destination

With the town of Puerto Plata seeing over 2.8 million visitors enter by cruise ship in 2024, the Dominican Republic is one of the most popular ship destinations in the Caribbean.

The coastal city in the north of the country is home to the main Taino Bay port used by cruise lines such as Norwegian  (NCLH)  and Royal Caribbean  (RCL) , while the nearby Amber Cove port was built for private use by Carnival  (CCL)  and its partner Holland America for itineraries that pass through the Greater Antilles region.

The Dominican government is also in the process of constructing a new cruise port in the southwestern part of the country in order to attract travelers looking to explore some of the more remote nature and beaches away from popular resort cities such as Punta Cana, Las Terrenas, and Puerto Plata.

"Travel insurance is an important step": U.S. Embassy

While resort areas are generally quite safe, the Dominican Republic has the elevated "exercise increased caution" State Department rating due to poverty-related crime in its larger cities. 

At the start of September, the U.S. Embassy in the country has also issued a new warning around getting travel insurance in order to "focus on enjoying [the] trip without worry."

"Securing travel insurance is an important step that should not be overlooked," the embassy advisory continues further. "Medical care in the country requires upfront payment, even in emergencies, and costs can quickly escalate. Travel insurance can cover hospital visits, canceled flights, lost luggage, and even medical evacuation if needed."

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The embassy note on insurance was released after several incidents in which American travelers got injured while on vacation and were unaware that their coverage from back home would not apply abroad.

On June 12, the State Department reissued a separate travel advisory around crime in the country; it reminds travelers to pay attention to their surroundings and avoid displaying overt signs of wealth if alone or walking in isolated areas late at night in particular.

Image source: Shutterstock

Headed to the Dominican Republic? Here is what you need to know about safety

"Violent crime is a concern in the Dominican Republic, despite more police presence in areas often visited by tourists,” the update reads. "Do not display wealth and be wary of meeting individuals from online in secluded locations."

The level two travel ranking remains unchanged and is shared by countries such as France, Germany, and Italy due to the risk of terrorist attacks in their capital cities as well as China due to its history of strained relations with the United States (it was moved down from level three's "reconsider travel" in November 2024).

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The Dominican Republic remains an overall safe and popular tourist destination; according to numbers shared by the country's tourism board, a record-setting 7.2 million international visitors came in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period in previous years.

Just over half of those visitors came from the continental United States, while Canada was the next-highest source of tourism with 7% of the total. Argentina, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Mexico, and Spain all followed as the countries bringing in the highest numbers of travelers to the Dominican Republic.

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Make a free appointment with TheStreet’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.

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