The DR is a 3rd World SHITHOLE! There, I said it. And I speak from experience, having been to several parts of this planet which are complete shitholes.
I would also put Mexico into this category.
I just can't believe people pay good money to go down to these "resorts" that are made up to be more American and to just spoil you. Most never leave the resort, so why even go???? Plenty of great places in America (or wherever you are from) to stay and be pampered, without having to worry about ingesting tainted moonshine alcohol, being drugged and raped, or worse yet, kidnapped, held for ransom, and then killed and buried in the dessert.
When I go to other countries, I go there to experience that culture, cuisine, history, etc. Hell, I even do that when I'm traveling around my own country of America.
People who go to Mexico, Haita/Jamaica, the DR, and certain Central/South American countries are DUMB AS HELL, and deserve a Darwin Award.