Money & Currency
The official currency is the Dominican Peso (DOP), abbreviated as RD$ or DOP. At the same time, US dollars (USD) are accepted almost everywhere — the Dominican Republic effectively has a dual currency system.
Exchange Rate (Guide 2025/2026)
| Currency | ≈ DOP |
|---|---|
| 1 Euro (EUR) | ≈ 65 DOP |
| 1 US Dollar (USD) | ≈ 58 DOP |
| 1 Swiss Franc (CHF) | ≈ 68 DOP |
Withdrawing Cash
- ATMs (ATM/Cajero): In every city and all tourist centers. Banco Popular, Banreservas, and Scotiabank are the most common
- Fees: Dominican banks charge 200–500 DOP (3–8 USD) per withdrawal. Additionally, there is the fee from your home bank. A travel credit card without foreign transaction fees (e.g., DKB, Barclays, N26) saves significantly
- Limit: Usually 10,000–20,000 DOP per withdrawal (approx. 150–300 USD). At some ATMs, you can withdraw in USD (useful if you need both currencies)
- Safety: Withdraw during the day, in well-lit areas. Cover the PIN entry. In Santo Domingo, do not use ATMs on lonely streets
Credit Cards
Visa and Mastercard are accepted in hotels, resorts, upscale restaurants, and large stores. In Comedores, Colmados, and with street vendors, only cash is accepted. American Express is less commonly accepted.
Tips for Currency Exchange
- Pay in Pesos: If you pay in USD, vendors round the exchange rate in their favor — you pay 10–20% more
- Do not exchange at the airport: Worst rates. Withdraw from an ATM or exchange at a currency exchange office (Casa de Cambio) in the city
- Small Bills: Keep 100- and 200-Peso bills ready — for Motoconchos, street vendors, and tips. 2,000-Peso bills can be problematic
💡 Tipp
The best strategy: Withdraw pesos at the ATM and pay everywhere in pesos. Keep an additional 100–200 USD in cash as an emergency reserve. A credit card without foreign transaction fees (DKB Visa, Barclays Platinum, N26 Metal) can easily save you 50–80 EUR in fees over a two-week trip.