Dominican Currency

Dominican Pesos is the best for walking around cash. Some businesses do accept credit cards, while others do not. Some businesses accept U.S. Dollars while others do not. So your best bet is to ask first and have plenty of Dominican Pesos, that’s what’s been working best for me living here.

It's better to have small denominations 500 pesos and maybe some 1000, taxis,indrive cars are easier to manage as they tend to say (i don' t have menudo(change)) to keep the change etc.

indrive is cheaper than uber and u pay cash, one sets up rate based on their recomendation on app, a lot cheaper than taxi or uber

Before I left the US, I ordered pesos with my bank.  If I got my request in before noon, it would be there for pickup the next day.  You're right, the exchange rate wasn't great, but I figured it can't be worse than what I'd get at the airport here.  I brought pesos and USD with me, just to be prepared either way.

The taxi drivers at the airport seemed to prefer USD.  Any prices quoted were in USD.  Maybe they assumed we wouldn't already have pesos on us?  Even here in town, if you want to take an excursion outside the town, the taxi drivers will ask you if you're paying in pesos or dollars.  They'll do the conversion for you which seems to be a fair rate IMO, but they're prepared to take either.

Around Sosua, I have found that most small shops will quote a price in pesos.  There are a few restaurants that will give you the bill in RD, USD, and Euro so you can see the price in all three currencies.  They also take credit cards.  Many will charge your card in RD and let your bank/card do the conversion.  At the supermarket (Supermacado Playero), the cash register will show pesos but they can take USD, if I recall.  Again, credit cards accepted with your bank/card doing the conversion.

I find it easier to pay in pesos when they quote a price in pesos - that way I don't have to do the math and conversion to see if I'm getting the correct change back. :-)  I have been ripped off a bit when I didn't have the exact amount in pesos and had to use USD... she gave me change back in pesos... a bit less than what I should've gotten in USD.

Many places charge a fee for using a credit card.  I try to use cash the most and card as a last resort.

You’ll hear “no change” many times, so make sure you have small denominations, including 50s and coins for tips.

The ATMs here will dispense a few small bills, so I tend to make a couple of back-to-back withdrawals of smaller amounts to get more small bills - that’s easier than having to go into the bank for change.

Exchange your money here to get the best rates. ASK for smaller bills.  Most stores run out of change or use it as an excuse to not give it to you.

@Mark and Al I recommend having many bills of 500, 200, 100, and 50. No one ever has change. Nearly all the ATMs give bills of 1000 which does not help you on the street. I recommend going to the ATM of Asociación Cibao which allows you to select the denomination of bills you prefer. Some Scotiabank ATMs, but not all, also give you the option to select small denominations.  Best of luck!

I have never suffered the 'No Change' game...... must be a tourist area thing.

Since 2009..... never seen it

Never had a problem usually I have the opposite problem they want to give me the 500 and 1000 and I want the 2000…. So when I go to the stores I don’t have to carry a wad of cash 3 inches high

There are plenty of places to exchange money at better than home country rates.  2-3 in Cabarete alone.  No reason to stop at the airport. 

Never exchange at the airport , never  , pay the taxi from the airport in dollar’s till u get to the hotel…and then ask them for a good exchange place outside the the hotel or have the taxi stop somewhere along the route to the hotel  , he’ll know

@WillieWeb

Don't kid yourself. The taxi drivers do it in the city too

In fact, some small businesses start the day with NO CHANGE in the cash register. I had that issue with a local dry cleaner in Santo Domingo.  Always have small bills in cash.  ALWAYS

Regards,

John

I have always used my bank card to withdraw pesos from Atms. My first trip down I brought a lot of pesos. The American dollar is widely accepted and I never had a credit card refused except at tiny colmados.

Thank you to everyone for your advice!  We now have a plan for a mix of US and Dominican currency and we will be "boots on the ground" in 5 days....

FWIW pay attention to how badly your US CC rapes you when you use it out of country.

Some double dip, both charging out an INTERNATIONAL PURCH TRANS FEE, which can be 3%, and also giving you a far worse exchange rate than a bank would.

Others charge you nothing and give you the same exchanged rate as a bank.

I already checked, our CC does not charge any fees for out of country purchases.