This message is to advise U.S. citizens traveling and residing in the Dominican Republic that demonstrations are expected to take place in Las Terrenas, Samaná Province, following a breakdown in discussions over electricity prices. Media reports indicate that organizers are calling for a demonstration on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, and every Wednesday thereafter. Previous demonstrations on this same issue resulted in several deaths. Although the protests do not appear to be targeting U.S. citizens, we encourage you to exercise caution and avoid large gatherings when traveling in the area. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in the Dominican Republic enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) on the State Department’s website. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy.
Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, (including the Travel Warning for the Dominican Republic), Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for the Dominican Republic. For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website.
Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to have travel information at your fingertips.
For all emergencies involving U.S. citizens, contact the American Citizen Services (ACS) unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, located at:
Ave. Republica de Colombia # 57,
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
telephone 809-567-7775; after hours emergency telephone 809-567-7775:
E-mail: SDOAmericans@state.gov.
Hours: 7am – 4pm
You may contact the Consular Agency in Puerto Plata at:
Villanueva Street at the corner of Juan Bosch (formerly John F. Kennedy Ave.). Abraxa Bookstore Bldg., 2nd. Floor, Puerto Plata
telephone (809) 586-8017, (809) 586-4204, (809) 586-8023; Fax (809) 586-8015
E-mail: PuertoPlataConsularAgency@state.gov
You may contact the Consular Agency in Bávaro/Punta Cana at:
Palma Real Shopping Village, Business Center, Second Floor, Suite 1, Bávaro, La Altagracia
Telephone (809) 552-8990
E-mail: PuntaCanaConsularAgency@state.gov
