Paborn

I am a 74 year old retired corporate type who worked in New York for 30 years. I have been traveling to the Dominican Republic for 40 years . I am headed back in June , was there in February. I love the place! I never stay in resorts, I used do to gay or gay friendly hotels now I just use airbnb.
The DR may be the "8th poorest nation " but I have to question that - is it based on the poor distribution of income? It is, I do know, the wealthiest place in the Caribbean, it is the number one tourist destination in the area. It handled Covid very well and stayed open for travel. indeed, I was there several times during the period.
I have both American friends who live there and Dominicans. It is a very friendly place. I'm deeply shocked by some of the comments here. 
Safe? there are bad areas in every country and in every city. Don't go there. You don't have to stay in a resort - there is a burgeoning middle class and too many restaurants and entertainment venues to mention.
There are a few gay bars and one hustler bar. One can meet a gay Dominican or pick someone up - IT IS NOT HARD. I have made over 160 trips in my 40 years and have heard of people having trouble but I believe they would have had trouble anywhere. 
On my next trip I will be in an Airbnb - very affordable, see movies, go to a jazz club, eat at cheap place and white table cloth one, go to a friends new exhibit at a gallery and, yes, go to a gay bar. I prefer a long term friend and I have one who I will be with. I find the country amiable, the people friendly and sincere. It has its problems but it's not Haiti or Jamaica. Haiti is extremely dangerous a total no go. What I consistently hear about Jamaica is that you must stay in the resorts as it is very dangerous. That IS NOT THE SITUATION IN THE DR - not by a long shot.

I am a 74 year old retired corporate type who worked in New York for 30 years. I have been traveling to the Dominican Republic for 40 years . I am headed back in June , was there in February. I love the place! I never stay in resorts, I used do to gay or gay friendly hotels now I just use airbnb.
The DR may be the "8th poorest nation " but I have to question that - is it based on the poor distribution of income? It is, I do know, the wealthiest place in the Caribbean, it is the number one tourist destination in the area. It handled Covid very well and stayed open for travel. indeed, I was there several times during the period.
I have both American friends who live there and Dominicans. It is a very friendly place. I'm deeply shocked by some of the comments here. 
Safe? there are bad areas in every country and in every city. Don't go there. You don't have to stay in a resort - there is a burgeoning middle class and too many restaurants and entertainment venues to mention.
There are a few gay bars and one hustler bar. One can meet a gay Dominican or pick someone up - IT IS NOT HARD. I have made over 160 trips in my 40 years and have heard of people having trouble but I believe they would have had trouble anywhere. 
On my next trip I will be in an Airbnb - very affordable, see movies, go to a jazz club, eat at cheap place and white table cloth one, go to a friends new exhibit at a gallery and, yes, go to a gay bar. I prefer a long term friend and I have one who I will be with. I find the country amiable, the people friendly and sincere. It has its problems but it's not Haiti or Jamaica. Haiti is extremely dangerous a total no go. What I consistently hear about Jamaica is that you must stay in the resorts as it is very dangerous. That IS NOT THE SITUATION IN THE DR - not by a long shot.

I am a 74 year old retired corporate type who worked in New York for 30 years. I have been traveling to the Dominican Republic for 40 years . I am headed back in June , was there in February. I love the place! I never stay in resorts, I used do to gay or gay friendly hotels now I just use airbnb.
The DR may be the "8th poorest nation " but I have to question that - is it based on the poor distribution of income? It is, I do know, the wealthiest place in the Caribbean, it is the number one tourist destination in the area. It handled Covid very well and stayed open for travel. indeed, I was there several times during the period.
I have both American friends who live there and Dominicans. It is a very friendly place. I'm deeply shocked by some of the comments here. 
Safe? there are bad areas in every country and in every city. Don't go there. You don't have to stay in a resort - there is a burgeoning middle class and too many restaurants and entertainment venues to mention.
There are a few gay bars and one hustler bar. One can meet a gay Dominican or pick someone up - IT IS NOT HARD. I have made over 160 trips in my 40 years and have heard of people having trouble but I believe they would have had trouble anywhere. 
On my next trip I will be in an Airbnb - very affordable, see movies, go to a jazz club, eat at cheap place and white table cloth one, go to a friends new exhibit at a gallery and, yes, go to a gay bar. I prefer a long term friend and I have one who I will be with. I find the country amiable, the people friendly and sincere. It has its problems but it's not Haiti or Jamaica. Haiti is extremely dangerous a total no go. What I consistently hear about Jamaica is that you must stay in the resorts as it is very dangerous. That IS NOT THE SITUATION IN THE DR - not by a long shot.

I went to Santo Domingo for a few days one fairly recent winter and we stayed in the colonial zone. A very nice hotel close to the river (canal?) and some traffic of what I assumed to be local trade of both genders, that is, older gents bringing up the elevator young males or local women presumably not related. There appeared to be a group of American men, not sure if they were like a buddy pack, that engaged with what appeared to be a local “sexertainment” middle man at times accompanied by a few young females. Out in the open yet discreetly, and the staff knew the deal. But it didn’t seem smarmy and I thought it was a system that worked out for everybody.
However, one older male hotel guest ended up on the lift with me and I thought the local youngster with him was quite young, though I assume legal age because I am told that non registered guests ID are checked. Perhaps it was not a sexual transaction anyway.
The area of several square blocks seemed almost UNESCO world heritage badged, maybe it is? I thought the overall feel as far as the area not including oceanfront was somewhat like Puerto Vallarta, so not like a cloistered hotel property but comfortable and an appealing environment and certainly a lot of interesting sights and places to relax, particularly if you do not need or like lollygagging on beach sand or slowroasting your skin by a pool. As long as the weather was nice it was very pleasant and no boredom set in. There seemed ample potential for picking a favourite public terrace to perch and chill out, safely, with a vibrant mingling of local families and visitors.
If there is a process, overt or subtle, for engaging trade within that context, it certainly appeared to be a user-friendly district with good amenities within which it could be done comfortably, not risking life or limb.
Overall, a top 3 experience of winter getaways over a few decades. I’d do it again. 

When my aunt & uncle moved to Manila after almost 40 years in NYC, they were offered protection by the local crime lord.  They thought it might be a scam or a joke since they bought into one of the nicer neighborhoods, but friends & family advised them to do so.
At first they bristled at giving money to a criminal, but they grew to appreciate the freedom of being able to walk around without a care in the world.  They are untouchable because no criminal will risk retribution from the crime boss.  They can even  whip out their iPhone 14 Pro Max's in broad daylight!  I wonder if such arrangements are possible in other places.
I know this thread is for Colombia, Costa Rica & DR, but allow me to plug Cuba here.  While foreign visitors to Cuba still have to be wary of ripoffs (like in any tourist spot), crime like theft or kidnapping is a much lesser concern.  Because the regime so desperately needs the hard currency that tourists contribute to the economy, crimes against foreigners are dealt with very severely.  Mind you, a jinatero charging you triple his usual rate is not considered a crime.  But at least you can pull out your wallet or smartphone on the streets of Havana without becoming an instant target.

I am a 74 year old retired corporate type who worked in New York for 30 years. I have been traveling to the Dominican Republic for 40 years . I am headed back in June , was there in February. I love the place! I never stay in resorts, I used do to gay or gay friendly hotels now I just use airbnb.
The DR may be the "8th poorest nation " but I have to question that - is it based on the poor distribution of income? It is, I do know, the wealthiest place in the Caribbean, it is the number one tourist destination in the area. It handled Covid very well and stayed open for travel. indeed, I was there several times during the period.
I have both American friends who live there and Dominicans. It is a very friendly place. I'm deeply shocked by some of the comments here. 
Safe? there are bad areas in every country and in every city. Don't go there. You don't have to stay in a resort - there is a burgeoning middle class and too many restaurants and entertainment venues to mention.
There are a few gay bars and one hustler bar. One can meet a gay Dominican or pick someone up - IT IS NOT HARD. I have made over 160 trips in my 40 years and have heard of people having trouble but I believe they would have had trouble anywhere. 
On my next trip I will be in an Airbnb - very affordable, see movies, go to a jazz club, eat at cheap place and white table cloth one, go to a friends new exhibit at a gallery and, yes, go to a gay bar. I prefer a long term friend and I have one who I will be with. I find the country amiable, the people friendly and sincere. It has its problems but it's not Haiti or Jamaica. Haiti is extremely dangerous a total no go. What I consistently hear about Jamaica is that you must stay in the resorts as it is very dangerous. That IS NOT THE SITUATION IN THE DR - not by a long shot.

I am a 74 year old retired corporate type who worked in New York for 30 years. I have been traveling to the Dominican Republic for 40 years . I am headed back in June , was there in February. I love the place! I never stay in resorts, I used do to gay or gay friendly hotels now I just use airbnb.
The DR may be the "8th poorest nation " but I have to question that - is it based on the poor distribution of income? It is, I do know, the wealthiest place in the Caribbean, it is the number one tourist destination in the area. It handled Covid very well and stayed open for travel. indeed, I was there several times during the period.
I have both American friends who live there and Dominicans. It is a very friendly place. I'm deeply shocked by some of the comments here. 
Safe? there are bad areas in every country and in every city. Don't go there. You don't have to stay in a resort - there is a burgeoning middle class and too many restaurants and entertainment venues to mention.
There are a few gay bars and one hustler bar. One can meet a gay Dominican or pick someone up - IT IS NOT HARD. I have made over 160 trips in my 40 years and have heard of people having trouble but I believe they would have had trouble anywhere. 
On my next trip I will be in an Airbnb - very affordable, see movies, go to a jazz club, eat at cheap place and white table cloth one, go to a friends new exhibit at a gallery and, yes, go to a gay bar. I prefer a long term friend and I have one who I will be with. I find the country amiable, the people friendly and sincere. It has its problems but it's not Haiti or Jamaica. Haiti is extremely dangerous a total no go. What I consistently hear about Jamaica is that you must stay in the resorts as it is very dangerous. That IS NOT THE SITUATION IN THE DR - not by a long shot.

thank you for the first-person & recent observations re; Dominican Republic 
this forum is full of Nick Minaj cousins friends balls syndrome - lots of “opinions” based on no actual experience 

I am a 74 year old retired corporate type who worked in New York for 30 years. I have been traveling to the Dominican Republic for 40 years . I am headed back in June , was there in February. I love the place! I never stay in resorts, I used do to gay or gay friendly hotels now I just use airbnb.
The DR may be the "8th poorest nation " but I have to question that - is it based on the poor distribution of income? It is, I do know, the wealthiest place in the Caribbean, it is the number one tourist destination in the area. It handled Covid very well and stayed open for travel. indeed, I was there several times during the period.
I have both American friends who live there and Dominicans. It is a very friendly place. I'm deeply shocked by some of the comments here. 
Safe? there are bad areas in every country and in every city. Don't go there. You don't have to stay in a resort - there is a burgeoning middle class and too many restaurants and entertainment venues to mention.
There are a few gay bars and one hustler bar. One can meet a gay Dominican or pick someone up - IT IS NOT HARD. I have made over 160 trips in my 40 years and have heard of people having trouble but I believe they would have had trouble anywhere. 
On my next trip I will be in an Airbnb - very affordable, see movies, go to a jazz club, eat at cheap place and white table cloth one, go to a friends new exhibit at a gallery and, yes, go to a gay bar. I prefer a long term friend and I have one who I will be with. I find the country amiable, the people friendly and sincere. It has its problems but it's not Haiti or Jamaica. Haiti is extremely dangerous a total no go. What I consistently hear about Jamaica is that you must stay in the resorts as it is very dangerous. That IS NOT THE SITUATION IN THE DR - not by a long shot.

I am a 74 year old retired corporate type who worked in New York for 30 years. I have been traveling to the Dominican Republic for 40 years . I am headed back in June , was there in February. I love the place! I never stay in resorts, I used do to gay or gay friendly hotels now I just use airbnb.
The DR may be the "8th poorest nation " but I have to question that - is it based on the poor distribution of income? It is, I do know, the wealthiest place in the Caribbean, it is the number one tourist destination in the area. It handled Covid very well and stayed open for travel. indeed, I was there several times during the period.
I have both American friends who live there and Dominicans. It is a very friendly place. I'm deeply shocked by some of the comments here. 
Safe? there are bad areas in every country and in every city. Don't go there. You don't have to stay in a resort - there is a burgeoning middle class and too many restaurants and entertainment venues to mention.
There are a few gay bars and one hustler bar. One can meet a gay Dominican or pick someone up - IT IS NOT HARD. I have made over 160 trips in my 40 years and have heard of people having trouble but I believe they would have had trouble anywhere. 
On my next trip I will be in an Airbnb - very affordable, see movies, go to a jazz club, eat at cheap place and white table cloth one, go to a friends new exhibit at a gallery and, yes, go to a gay bar. I prefer a long term friend and I have one who I will be with. I find the country amiable, the people friendly and sincere. It has its problems but it's not Haiti or Jamaica. Haiti is extremely dangerous a total no go. What I consistently hear about Jamaica is that you must stay in the resorts as it is very dangerous. That IS NOT THE SITUATION IN THE DR - not by a long shot.

I am a 74 year old retired corporate type who worked in New York for 30 years. I have been traveling to the Dominican Republic for 40 years . I am headed back in June , was there in February. I love the place! I never stay in resorts, I used do to gay or gay friendly hotels now I just use airbnb.
The DR may be the "8th poorest nation " but I have to question that - is it based on the poor distribution of income? It is, I do know, the wealthiest place in the Caribbean, it is the number one tourist destination in the area. It handled Covid very well and stayed open for travel. indeed, I was there several times during the period.
I have both American friends who live there and Dominicans. It is a very friendly place. I'm deeply shocked by some of the comments here. 
Safe? there are bad areas in every country and in every city. Don't go there. You don't have to stay in a resort - there is a burgeoning middle class and too many restaurants and entertainment venues to mention.
There are a few gay bars and one hustler bar. One can meet a gay Dominican or pick someone up - IT IS NOT HARD. I have made over 160 trips in my 40 years and have heard of people having trouble but I believe they would have had trouble anywhere. 
On my next trip I will be in an Airbnb - very affordable, see movies, go to a jazz club, eat at cheap place and white table cloth one, go to a friends new exhibit at a gallery and, yes, go to a gay bar. I prefer a long term friend and I have one who I will be with. I find the country amiable, the people friendly and sincere. It has its problems but it's not Haiti or Jamaica. Haiti is extremely dangerous a total no go. What I consistently hear about Jamaica is that you must stay in the resorts as it is very dangerous. That IS NOT THE SITUATION IN THE DR - not by a long shot.