City, Dominican Republic
Is La Romana safe?
Reasonably safe in resort and tourist areas with normal care.
Is La Romana safe?
Reasonably safe in resort and tourist areas with normal care. The city centre has petty crime and aggressive touts, and road accidents are the larger risk.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: None/5, .
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-06-11.
- Homicide rate in Dominican Republic: 10.9 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Dominican Republic: 64.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Tourist police 809-200-3500 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in La Romana at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | None/5 · |
| Crime | Bag snatching from motorcycles, theft from cars and beaches, and occasional street robberies after dark in the city. |
| At night | Resort areas and Bayahíbe's main street are fine; use taxis in the city after dark and avoid walking alone on dark streets. |
| Solo women | Solo women get frequent attention and catcalls, usually non-threatening. Use registered taxis at night and avoid secluded beaches alone. |
| Other risks | Hurricanes Jun–Nov; Rip currents on open beaches; Chaotic traffic and motorbike accidents |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Boat touts selling overpriced Saona excursions on the beach
- Motoconcho or taxi drivers quoting inflated prices to foreigners
- Street money-changers offering rates that shortchange you
Take care
- Walking in the city centre after dark
- Leaving valuables on the beach or in parked cars
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Carry a copy of your passport photo page and entry stamp at all times.
- Even small amounts of drugs mean prison, often after years of pre-trial detention.
- Drivers in injury crashes are held in custody, even when not at fault.
How La Romana compares in Dominican Republic
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Punta Cana | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cabarete | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Las Terrenas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Santo Domingo | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Puerto Plata | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is La Romana safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women get frequent attention and catcalls, usually non-threatening. Use registered taxis at night and avoid secluded beaches alone.
Is La Romana safe at night?
Resort areas and Bayahíbe's main street are fine; use taxis in the city after dark and avoid walking alone on dark streets.
What is the crime rate in La Romana?
Bag snatching from motorcycles, theft from cars and beaches, and occasional street robberies after dark in the city. Nationally, Dominican Republic records 10.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in La Romana?
Tourist police 809-200-3500 · All emergencies 911.
More about La Romana
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
- Casa de Campo Resort
- CEDIMAT
- Uber La Romana
- DiDi operating cities, Dominican Republic
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.