Money in the Dominican Republic: Currency, Exchange, ATMs
The currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican peso (DOP), but US dollars are accepted almost everywhere: tours, taxis, hotels, souvenirs. The real question is not “will they take dollars” but “at what rate” - and that is where the details can save you a noticeable amount over a trip.
For the current peso rate against the dollar, euro and other currencies, check our currency converter - it updates daily. This article covers the practical side: what money to bring, where to exchange, where to withdraw and what to pay with in different situations.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Currency | Dominican peso (DOP, RD$) |
| Rate | ~60 pesos per 1 USD, live rate on the converter |
| The $ sign | Peso prices are also written with $ - ask if unsure |
| Are dollars accepted | Yes, almost everywhere; change comes back in pesos |
| Cards | Supermarkets, restaurants, hotels - yes; often in colmados too; markets and guaguas - cash |
| Where to exchange | Casas de cambio - best rate; airport - worst |
| ATMs | RD$200-300 local fee per withdrawal + your bank’s fee |
| Cash per day | $50-100 per person outside the hotel |
Currency: the Dominican peso
The peso is written as RD$ or simply $ - and that is the main tourist trap. A “$500” price tag in a local shop means 500 pesos, not dollars. When in doubt, ask “¿pesos o dólares?” - it is a common question here.
The rate floats around 60 pesos per dollar, but it moves. Before the trip and on the ground, check the converter: it shows live USD, EUR and CAD rates against the peso plus conversion tables for common amounts.
Euros and Canadian dollars are easy to exchange in tourist areas as well.
Dollars or pesos: what to pay with
The simple rule: big expenses in dollars, small ones in pesos.
Dollars work where the amounts are significant: excursions, transfers, rentals, a restaurant bill in a tourist area, hotels. Our tours, for example, are paid in cash to the driver on the day of the trip - USD or pesos, whichever suits you.
Pesos are for everything small and local: the colmado (the corner mini-market), the guagua (local minibus), roadside fruit, street food, small tips. Many colmados now take cards too, but do not count on it - cash pesos always work. They may accept a dollar bill, but the change will come back in pesos at their own rate - usually not in your favor.
Bills and coins
Peso bills: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000. Coins: 1, 5, 10 and 25 pesos.
A practical point: a colmado or a taxi driver may have no change for a 2000 peso bill. When exchanging, ask for smaller bills - “billetes pequeños” - and keep a stock of 100s and 200s.
With dollars the rule is the opposite: bills must be intact and clean. Torn, taped, heavily worn bills and old series are often refused - check your cash before you fly.
Where to exchange money
From the best rate to the worst:
Casas de cambio - exchange offices. Usually the best rate and no lines. They operate in every town, and in tourist areas you will find one on every block. Rates are displayed outside - easy to compare a few.
Banks - Banco Popular, Banreservas, BHD. The rate is slightly worse than exchange offices but reliable. Bring your passport and expect a line. Hours are roughly 8:00-17:00 on weekdays, Saturday until midday.
Hotels - convenient but noticeably worse rates. A last-resort option.
The airport - the worst rate in the country. If you need pesos right after landing, exchange the minimum - taxi and first small expenses - and do the rest in town.
Keep the exchange receipt: it makes it easier to convert leftover pesos back before your flight home.
ATMs
ATMs (cajeros) are found at bank branches, in La Sirena supermarkets, malls and gas stations. They dispense pesos from international Visa and Mastercard cards.
Count the fees: the local bank charges RD$200-300 per withdrawal, and your bank adds its own foreign withdrawal fee. The limit per withdrawal is usually RD$10000-20000 depending on the bank, so fewer and larger withdrawals cost less.
Safety-wise: use ATMs inside bank branches and supermarkets rather than standalone street machines. Withdrawing cash at night on an empty street is a bad idea in any country.
Cards
International Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted in supermarkets, chain restaurants, hotels, pharmacies and gas stations. More and more colmados have terminals too, but it is a lottery: one takes cards, the next one does not. Markets, guaguas and beach vendors - cash only.
If a terminal offers to charge you in dollars instead of pesos, choose pesos. That is DCC (dynamic currency conversion), and its exchange rate is always worse than your bank’s.
Tell your bank about the trip in advance so the first payment in the Dominican Republic does not freeze your card.
How much money to bring
A working estimate per person per day outside the hotel: $50-100 covers cafe meals, transport, small purchases and tips. A day with an excursion adds its price on top. For a detailed cost breakdown see how much a Dominican Republic vacation costs, and for transport prices the getting around guide.
Do not carry all your cash at once: the day’s amount in your wallet, the rest in the hotel safe.
Tipping
Restaurants automatically add 10% service (propina legal) to the bill - it is required by law and is not the waiter’s tip. On top of that, 5-10% in cash for good service is customary. Who, how much and when - in detail in our tipping guide.
Safety
Simple rules that work everywhere:
- Do not show your full stack of cash when paying - keep small bills separate
- Split your money: part in the wallet, part in another pocket or bag
- Keep the main cash reserve and documents in the hotel safe
- Photograph your cards on both sides and save your bank’s phone number in case of blocking
The Dominican Republic is not a dangerous country, but flashing money is a bad idea anywhere. More on staying safe in is the Dominican Republic safe.
Questions about your trip?
Planning a Dominican Republic vacation - browse our tours across the country. For questions about payment, prices and itineraries, message us on WhatsApp - we reply fast and to the point.