- Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, went missing while on spring break in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
- The U.S. Department of State urges Americans to “exercise increased caution” when traveling to the Dominican Republic due to concerns about crime.
- Tourists are advised to be aware of their surroundings, avoid displaying signs of wealth, and follow local safety guidelines.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old college student missing since Thursday had been vacationing in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Punta Cana, is a resort town on the eastern tip of the island that includes the Dominican Republic and Haiti. An “exhaustive search” of the waters off the Caribbean nation failed to turn up any trace of the missing University of Pittsburgh student, and her father urged authorities to pivot from assuming she’d drowned and consider possible foul play like “kidnapping or abduction,” he told WTOP-FM.
Sudiksha Konanki, who is from Loudon County, Virginia, was on a spring break trip with five female friends from Pitt, where she was a pre-med major.
Here’s what we know about Punta Cana, where Konanki was last seen:
Where is Punta Cana?
Punta Cana is about a 2.5 hour drive from the Dominican capital, Santo Domingo. Its 30 miles of white sand beaches draw tourists from all over North America and other regions.
Its all-inclusive resorts, water parks, 10 golf courses, marinas, entertainment districts and shopping areas draw a mix of students, families, couples, golfers and beachgoers.
The latest: Person of interest identified in disappearance of US student in the Dominican Republic
Why go to Punta Cana?
Off the beaches, Punta Cana also features lagoons and cenotes (deep, freshwater reservoirs fed by rain and river water, common in Mexico and the Caribbean).
and Scrape Park, two other Punta Cana attractions, feature forested ziplines, caves and trails.
Punta Cana’s airport is one of the busiest in the region
Punta Cana International Airport is the most-connected airport in the Caribbean and Central American region, according to the Dominican Republic’s tourism page. Flights from 26 countries bring as many as 2 million passengers a year into the country.
There’s also a relatively new port, Marina Cap Cana, opened in 2017 for small luxury cruise ships. It’s about an hour’s drive from Punta Cana’s most popular beaches and attractions and about 2 hours from Santo Domingo.
Is Punta Cana safe for Americans?
A June 2024 travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State urges Americans to “exercise increased caution” in a Level 2 notice. The advisory cites violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault, as concerns throughout the Dominican Republic but also notes that a 911 emergency system, and increased security and resources around tourist areas like Punta Cana “means these tend to be better policed that urban areas” like the capital city.
Still, the State Department notes, “the wide availability of weapons, the use and trade of illicit drugs, and a weak criminal justice system contribute to the high level of criminality on the broader scale.”
The search: ‘Exhaustive’ search for missing student presses on in Dominican Republic
What precautions should Americans take if traveling to Punta Cana?
The State Department urges Americans traveling to the Dominican Republican to be aware of their surroundings and follow tour and resort operators’ advice about local safety precautions. Tourists should also avoid displaying signs of wealth like wearing expensive jewelry, and, if robbed, not resist.
The State Department also says tourists should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, look for advisories on the department’s social media accounts, and prepare for contingencies, including completing a Traveler’s Checklist.
