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Let me simply begin by saying: I’m all for journey. However there’s an enormous distinction between zip-lining by way of a jungle and having your youngsters semi-held hostage by an Uber driver in the course of nowhere within the Dominican Republic.
On our latest journey to the DR, we stayed at a resort up in Miches — about an hour and a half from the airport. It’s distant, peaceable, and precisely the type of place the place you go to unplug and faux you don’t have 237 unanswered emails.
Noah (my oldest) and I took the lodge shuttle, which was completely uneventful. (Properly, aside from the shuttle driver pulling over, chasing two youngsters, after which getting right into a combat with what gave the impression to be their mom.) The identical couldn’t be stated for my youthful two youngsters, who landed later and didn’t have the shuttle as an possibility. So I, in a second of momentary parental delusion, despatched them an Uber.
Spoiler alert: NEVER. DO. THIS.
It All Begins With a Delay
The Uber was already sketchy earlier than it even began transferring. The app stated the driving force can be there in X quantity of minutes, however X rapidly become Y, after which Z. Advantageous, delays occur. However as soon as the driving force lastly picked up my youngsters, issues went downhill — and quick.
Simply exterior of city — aka the final place with lights, witnesses, and robust cell sign — the driving force pulled over on the facet of the highway in a reasonably distant space. He advised my youngsters (through Google Translate, as a result of he spoke no English) that he wouldn’t take them any additional until they gave him $90 USD. Money. Proper there. On the spot.
The Shake Down
To be clear, my youngsters aren’t fluent sufficient in Spanish to comprehend proper means what’s going on — they’re extra Duolingo-level “I can order tacos” fluent. Jonah tried to barter and supplied an additional $40, considering this man was simply making an attempt to hustle a tip. The motive force refused. He wished $90, or no experience. He would depart them exterior of a city on a darkish highway.
At this level, I’m on the telephone with them from the resort — pacing, panicking, and making an attempt to not let my mind spiral into each Dateline episode I’ve ever watched. I advised them: simply agree, I’ll determine the cash. I’m assuming he’ll take the bribe and get again on the highway.
Ultimately, after 15-20 nerve-wracking minutes parked in the dead of night on a Dominican roadside, he drives.
Distant Doesn’t Even Start to Describe It
Noah and I are on the resort and I’m dropping my minds. There’s nonetheless greater than an hour to go and the highway forward? Jungle. Literal jungle. Flashbacks hit exhausting — I used to be drugged within the DR again in 2017 (one thing I’ve by no means shared about publicly), and right here I used to be once more, regretting ever setting foot on this nation considering issues had improved. Spoiler: they haven’t.
I alerted the lodge workers. I advised them what was occurring. At 10:30 PM I requested them to name the police. Their response? “We’ll strive to search out the quantity.” Cute.
Quick-forward an hour later when I’m begging for the police: I understand they completely have been not calling the police. Why? As a result of, shock once more — all of them knew precisely what this was. A recognized Uber rip-off. And so they weren’t going to mess with the established order. (Consider I don’t find out about this rip-off but.)
The Arrival (and the Shakedown, Half II)
Whereas my youngsters are en route with a attainable extortionist, I’m operating across the lodge making an attempt to drag collectively the $90 in money. ATM #1 declines me. ATM #2 lastly coughs up sufficient. I’m now armed with $60 in USD and $33 USD in Dominican pesos, which I suppose equals please-don’t-hurt-my-kids cash.
And simply once I assume it’s over, the children name once more — “He’s misplaced.” Oh, now he’s misplaced? I needed to get a lodge workers member to offer him instructions. Technically, I begged 3 workers members to talk with him and at last, one did.
When my youngsters lastly arrive — hours later — I actually run to safety to fulfill them. I’m shaking, crying, grateful they’re okay. We stroll to the entrance desk… however guess who follows us?
Yep. The motive force. Onto the property. Previous safety. And now he’s demanding extra money. Loudly.
And Nonetheless, No One Helps
The cash I’ve already gathered is sitting there, on the entrance desk counter, as he continues asking for extra money. Safety watches. Lodge workers watches. Nobody intervenes. Actually, they pull out a taxi chart and begin explaining that I nonetheless owe him cash. Besides I’ve already paid greater than the listed fee of $140 USD.
Additionally, did we overlook what an Uber is? It’s supposed to be cheaper than a cab.
At this level, I’ve gone from scared to full-blown livid. I push the money towards the driving force and refuse to pay one other cent. He nonetheless gained’t go away. Safety nonetheless gained’t assist. The entrance desk begins pointing at my daughter and blaming her, which, what? WHY?
After 10 tense minutes of refusing and stonewalling, the driving force lastly offers up and leaves. Not as a result of lodge safety eliminated him — oh no. As a result of I screamed at him till he realized I wasn’t backing down.
So, What Did We Be taught?
When you’re serious about taking an Uber within the Dominican Republic: Don’t. Don’t for any cause ever step foot in an Uber within the Dominican Republic.
Right here’s why:
- Many Uber drivers run money scams and maintain vacationers hostage mid-ride.
- Most drivers communicate no English, making negotiations (or SOS calls) almost inconceivable.
- Locals — together with lodge workers — typically know that is taking place and gained’t intervene.
- Safety? Extra like silent spectators.
- Solely use verified lodge transportation or non-public switch firms.
The Backside Line
I really believed the Dominican Republic had cleaned up its act within the final decade. And perhaps in some areas, it has. However this expertise jogged my memory — painfully — that scams like this are nonetheless alive and nicely, and vacationers are nonetheless simple targets.
So take it from me: until you need to recreate your personal real-life Taken film, DO NOT TAKE AN UBER IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. It’s simply not definitely worth the threat.
FYI: Sure, I’ve reached out to Uber. They don’t care.
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