What does everyone think about Punta Cana right now? DD has a trip planned...

[traces7]

My DD and her boyfriend have a trip planned for Punta Cana the first week of August. Staying at Secrets Beach Royal. They're getting very nervous about going with everything that is going on down there now. I am too! None of us have ever been there. They are thinking of cancelling their trip and going to Riveria Maya instead. DD has been there before but her boyfriend hasn't. I don't know what to tell them. I feel like they should wait and see what happens between now and then. They have the trip insurance and can cancel up to the day before the travel agent told them. But I know they really want to take a vacation this summer (they're college students). Anybody have any advice? Thanks in advance. Anyone else going or cancelling trips in the coming months?

 

[happily single]

There is absolutely no way I would go to anywhere in the DR. Not sure if you saw, but there wasn’t yet another American death there. This time it was in a different part of the DR. There are just too many other places that the kids could visit

 

[sonnyjane]

My DD and her boyfriend have a trip planned for Punta Cana the first week of August. Staying at Secrets Beach Royal. They're getting very nervous about going with everything that is going on down there now. I am too! None of us have ever been there. They are thinking of cancelling their trip and going to Riveria Maya instead. DD has been there before but her boyfriend hasn't. I don't know what to tell them. I feel like they should wait and see what happens between now and then. They have the trip insurance and can cancel up to the day before the travel agent told them. But I know they really want to take a vacation this summer (they're college students). Anybody have any advice? Thanks in advance. Anyone else going or cancelling trips in the coming months?

In my opinion, nothing will happen in the next month or two that will change anything in either direction dramatically. It’s been a shady destination for a long time, long before these recent stories. It’s also visited by tons of tourists and for most of them, nothing bad ever happens. So, they’re either comfortable with it or not, but if decide now - no point in waiting.

 

[lovin'fl]

Nope, wouldn't go. Plenty of other places to go (in the Caribbean) where travelers aren't dying at an alarming rate.

 

[Toolulu22]

If i had a trip planned for this summer and had the opportunity to change plans without incurring cancellation fees, I would. Likely I would change plans regardless. Frankly, there seems to be a systemic problem that has occurred at multiple locations that has caused several deaths. Nope, I wouldn’t go near the island until they know what the heck is going on for sure and there have been no problems for several months. At least!

 

[Jennasis]

No way. No how. We visited back in 2002...wouldn't go back.

 

[traces7]

Hmm! Thanks for the replies! DD says she just feels like she wouldn't be able to enjoy it if they did go. She'd be worrying the whole time. I know Riveria Maya can be iffy too though. We did ok there when we went. It was just me and DD. I did see there was another death. We've been keeping up on the stories.

 

[antmaril]

I would not travel to the DR. I’m invited to a destination wedding in October at an all-inclusive in Cancun, Mexico and that is making me nervous. I am not sure what to do.

 

[3smithboys]

We are going on a cruise in August and stopping in the DR (not in PC) but we decided that we are just staying in the cruise controlled port area where they have a great pool and activities. We are bringing bottled water off the ship and will not eat or drink anything there. We may be overreacting, but until they figure out how these 8 people have died, I’m not taking any chances.

If I could switch my vacation, especially without penalty, I would. Mexico isn’t without risk, but if they stay within the resort and don’t travel around, they should be fine. My college aged son wants to go to Cabo next SB and we aren’t thrilled with Mexico... but it now seems better than the DR (where he was this year, luckily nothing happened to all of them!)

 

[aprilgail]

There is absolutely no way I would go to anywhere in the DR. Not sure if you saw, but there wasn’t yet another American death there. This time it was in a different part of the DR. There are just too many other places that the kids could visit

I agree- no way would I go anywhere near there!

 

[Skippy918]

My coworker switched her vacation from punta Cana to Aruba. It’s costing her some $$$ but it’s worth the peace of mind.

 

[avengerspoilerer]

Why on earth would she not go? There have been 9 American tourists over the past YEAR out of 2.5 million visitors from America. One of those deaths was nothing more than a heart attack.

There were more people killed in Chicago in one weekend. Stop with the irrational fear fed by the manipulating media.

I am going in September to the HR in Punta Cana and can’t wait!

 

[Colleen27]

Why on earth would she not go? There have been 9 American tourists over the past YEAR out of 2.5 million visitors from America. One of those deaths was nothing more than a heart attack.

There were more people killed in Chicago in one weekend. Stop with the irrational fear fed by the manipulating media.

Exactly. Yeah, the stories are unsettling - especially the ones that took place at the same resort within days of one another and the speculation that drinks from the minibar might be a common thread - but it is still an insignificant level of risk compared to the number of people who travel there without incident. Even if we assume for a minute that all of the deaths were foul play, your odds of dying in a car accident in any given year (1 in about 80) are way worse than your odds of becoming a victim of whatever is happening in the DR in the past year (1 in about 275,000). It is literally more dangerous to drive to the airport than to vacation in the DR.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

They think they've isolated a cause. Bootlegged booze tainted with Methanol. Lot's of people sick that survived.

 

[Malyficent]

To me, the risk is fairly minimal as a couple PP pointed out. My sister was just there in May and plans to return next May. Timing won’t work out for us to join her next year but I’m hoping to do so the following year (it’s an annual trip with her friends).

However you stated that your daughter is worried that she won’t be able to relax and enjoy herself. Case closed. What’s the point of taking a vacation when she won’t be able to relax? This has nothing to do with is it really safe, it’s her ability to enjoy her vacation.

I think she should cancel.

 

[nkereina]

I also wouldn't go. Aside from the recent situations that have occurred with American tourist deaths and illnesses, it is an impoverished country with non-potable water. I'm sure the resorts are beautiful, but its not where I'd want to vacation. And frankly, Mexico (Riviera Maya) isn't much better in terms of safety. Have they considered Aruba, St. Martin, or Bahamas? Or even St. Thomas or Puerto Rico? There's other options with higher standards and better U.S. relations that would make for a more enjoyable vacation, IMO.

 

[stitch'sgirl]

I had a friend that went about a month ago. She said several people in her group got sick. I asked her what she thought was causing all of this and she thought it was mini bars being tainted. The on the news that night they said the FBI was looking into the mini bars! I have never used the mini bar in my travels (too cheap). I don't think I ever would.

 

[nkereina]

I had a friend that went about a month ago. She said several people in her group got sick. I asked her what she thought was causing all of this and she thought it was mini bars being tainted. The on the news that night they said the FBI was looking into the mini bars! I have never used the mini bar in my travels (too cheap). I don't think I ever would.

The DR, Punta Cana in particular, is a mecca for all inclusive resorts. The mini bars at all inclusive properties are almost always included in the cost of your stay. In other words, it doesn't cost extra. It would be very easy for hotel staff to taint these somehow, but I'm not sure what the motive or benefit would be. But I have also heard of several potentially mini bar related incidents.

I have to wonder if its something related to their water supply. I remember traveling to the DR years ago (10+) and our tour group was instructed to not drink the water under any circumstances. The tour guide said to keep our mouths shut in the shower, use bottled water for teeth brushing, etc etc. The resort provided large bottles of water in our room every day. Meanwhile, all the drinks they served us had ice cubes that undoubtedly were made from the same non-potable water we were told not to drink.

 

[traces7]

They were also worried about all the sicknesses. Many of the people who have gotten sick did not drink from the minibar. We know Mexico isn't much better. But, she has been there, so knows what to expect. They're trying to find a trip in the same price range. Thanks for all the advice. They're still thinking about it!

 

[mnrose]

I hate how the media exploits this. I'm not a fan of the DR, but I don't think it's that "dangerous." Keep the deaths in perspective. There are definitely resorts I'd avoid...like the one that so badly handled the woman who was attacked. But, not the entire country.

Mexico's danger is similarly misrepresented. If you are involved in a drug cartel, heck yes, Mexico is very dangerous. If you go there and don't go to buy or trade in drugs, Rivieria Maya is as safe (or safer) than most American cities in terms of likelihood of being randomly murdered. I love Mexico, and I won't let some people's demonization of the entire country and people dissuade me from going.

As for OP's daughter, there's no way to manage her "feelings." If she feel she can't enjoy the trip, then go somewhere else. Life is too short to waste any vacation dollars or time.

And, just to show how distorted our views are on which countries are "safe", according to the UN, the intentional homicide rate in the Bahamas (listed above as an alternate destination for OP's daughter) was 28.40 per 100,000 residents and the DR was 15.18 per 100,000 residents, Puerto Rico 18.51, the US as a whole 5.31. However, we all know that danger can vary by location within the US. (High of 12.4 as a state average in Louisiana to low of 1.3 in North Dakota). In particular, if you are concerned about being murdered, best to avoid New Orleans (38 per 100,000), St. Louis (66.07), Memphis (27.73), etc.. I do know people here who talk openly about visiting those cities, and they seem to do so without fear of being murdered.