Compare Dominican Peso Exchange Rates in the Dominican Republic

Getting Dominican pesos for your trip to the Dominican Republic

Prices across the country are mostly in pesos (RD$), the tourism ministry notes. Banks and licensed exchange offices nationwide handle US dollars and euros easily, and a few offices also accept sterling. Banks set their prices against the Central Bank's daily reference figure, yet what you are offered still differs by date and by counter.

Exchange agents need approval from the Monetary Board under Monetary and Financial Law 183-02 of 2002, and the Central Bank publishes the current list. For UK visitors the simplest plan is a fee-free card and a bank machine on arrival; keep any airport exchange to the first fare, as the ministry advises, since MoneySavingExpert ranks unordered airport cash as the costliest choice.

The FCDO says banned or dutiable goods must be declared, and Diario Libre reports that sums above US$10,000 have to be declared at arrival or departure; the customs authority's traveller's guide raises that same threshold.

Best ways to pay in the Dominican Republic

Fee-free debit cards

Which? says a withdrawal abroad usually triggers two charges from your bank, sometimes plus one from the machine. A card that waives both, used for a few larger withdrawals, keeps costs down.

Credit cards

The tourism ministry's advice is simply to bring one for emergencies. Avoid cash withdrawals on it.

Cash machines

The ministry calls bank machines a safe source of pesos with the best rates, names Scotiabank and Banco Popular among the established networks, and advises an indoor machine used during the day.

US dollars

Tourist-area businesses tend to take dollars, but below the banks' rate. Supermarket and mall prices are fixed; elsewhere agree the price first.

Using cards in the Dominican Republic

Most purchases carry 18 per cent ITBIS sales tax, and restaurant, bar and hotel bills also include a legal 10 per cent service charge, so read the total before tipping. No official figure for card acceptance in shops was found.

• Bank cash machines, the ministry's preferred source of pesos
• Airline tickets bought abroad, which already include the US$10 tourist card and the US$20 departure tax

Tips

• Pay in pesos: When a card machine offers sterling, pick pesos. Which? and MoneySavingExpert agree that billing in pounds hands the conversion to the retailer, usually on poorer terms.

ATMs in the Dominican Republic

No Dominican bank was found publishing what a UK-issued card pays at its machines. Banco Popular's price list, valid from 27 September 2026, covers its own customers only: 5 per cent of the sum when they withdraw overseas, RD$75 at a rival Dominican bank. Branches shut at 5pm on weekdays, but the ministry says supermarket and mall machines work later.

Cash machines to use

• Machines attached to a bank, which Which? recommends
• Indoor machines used in daylight, as the tourism ministry advises

Cash machines to think twice about

• Standalone machines, which Which? says often charge extra on withdrawals

Check the on-screen fee before you confirm; MoneySavingExpert notes that some overseas machines charge an operator fee whatever card you use.

Changing money in the Dominican Republic

Before handing over notes, check the agent appears on the Central Bank's list and compare at least two rates.

The DGII says the US$10 tourist card has been included in every airline ticket issued outside the country since 25 April 2018, and Diario Libre (June 2026) reports that it applies to non-resident foreigners entering without a visa. The US$20 departure tax is also included, the tourism ministry confirms. The FCDO says the free online entry and exit form must be filled in before arrival and again before departure, up to 7 days ahead, and that British tourists may stay 30 days visa-free, with rules that could change after 31 December 2026.

Tipping in the Dominican Republic

Under article 228 of the Labour Code, hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars must add 10 per cent when customers eat or drink on site; a 2021 Supreme Court ruling confirmed it does not apply to orders eaten elsewhere. The ministry also suggests an extra 10 per cent so the server is tipped directly.

• Restaurants, cafes and bars: 10 per cent is on the bill; anything more is optional
• Taxis: no tip expected, unless the driver helps out exceptionally