If you’re coming from abroad, it’s worth saving these numbers before you arrive. You’ll almost never need them — but when you do, you don’t want to be searching for them on bad hotel wifi.

General emergencies: 911

The Dominican Republic uses 911 as its single emergency number — police, ambulance and fire — the same way it works in the US or Canada. It’s the number to call first for any real emergency: an accident, a robbery in progress, a medical emergency.

Tourist police (CESTUR): 809-200-3500

For anything that is NOT an immediate emergency — a theft that already happened, a scam, a lost item, or a complaint about a tour operator — there’s a dedicated line for tourists: the Cuerpo Especializado de Seguridad Turística (CESTUR), at 809-200-3500. It’s staff trained specifically to assist visitors, and usually faster than explaining your situation from scratch through 911.

You’ll also see the number 809-222-2026 published under the name “POLITUR” (this same unit’s previous name) in embassy guides and tourism sites — it’s still active, so you can save both.

A practical tip

Save these three numbers on your phone BEFORE you arrive, not when you already need them: 911, 809-200-3500 (CESTUR), and your host or property manager’s WhatsApp. If you’re staying with us, that last number is literally Ángel’s — someone who knows the area, speaks your language, and can help you sort out almost anything faster than any general hotline, from a flight issue to pointing you to real medical care if you genuinely need it.