North and Central America and Caribbean

You should never become involved with drugs of any kind in the Dominican Republic.  There are severe penalties for all drug offences.  If you are found guilty of being in possession of drugs you are likely to receive a long prison sentence plus a hefty fine.  Arrests of British Nationals for being in possession of drugs when leaving the Dominican Republic have sharply increased since 2006.  Possession of even small quantities of illegal drugs can lead to imprisonment.  All sentences are served in the Dominican Republic where prison conditions are harsh. You should pack all your own luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.

The DNCD (Dominican Drug Enforcement Agency) has stepped up their efforts to clamp down on drugs with several recent examples of successful operations. Seizures at ports and airports around the Dominican Republic have increased and included a high number of foreigners, including British nationals, detected by sniffer dog units.
 
Homosexuality is widely accepted in the Dominican Republic.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Your trip.