I lived there for 4 months in 1985 in a small village with a family. We had no running water, no electricity, and I taught healthcare and built latrines. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I travelled all around the country and always felt safe... but I was 18 and idealistic. It was the type of experience every American teenager should have to see another part of the world and people with completely different lives. The country is so much different today, I'm friends on Facebook with all the kids of the family I stayed up with now, they have so modernized. I'd love to go back!

Santo Domingo is beautiful, rich with ancient history, big local markets, and a very small island feel, smashed up to modern hotels, beautiful beaches, fantastic food and it's super cheap. The Northeast part of the country is where the club med and fancier places are if you are into the all inclusive style places. Seriously, I have a big heart of the Dominican people and the country, I never felt unsafe there. But sure, they are poor, don't do dumb stuff in poorer areas. But explore them! And feel safe in the more tourist areas.

That's how travelling to any third world country in Africa, South America and Latin America is going to be. Most of the world is poor. And your tourist dollars really help their economy.