Hey guys. This post is for the new guys who have never been to the DR but are thinking of going. NEVER use American money in the DR. Yes, they will accept your American green , with a big smile on their faces. Why? You have now placed the "exchange rate" squarely in their hands. You will get screwed every time. I am not talking about tips. I am speaking of purchasing things. Always exchange your money.
My experience is mostly with Santo Domingo. When you arrive at the airport (Las Americas
SDQ) remember to have one 10 dollar bill per traveler. You must purchase a "tourist card" which is your entry tax. After you clear immigration and retrieve your bags, you must then go through customs. As soon as you clear customs, there is a bank directly on the right. But be advised, they charge a large fee to exchange money. In my opinion it is best to exchange a small amount ($100.00 usd) at this location. That way, you have money to eat a little something and have money for a taxi. Then seek out a bank in town with a better exchange rate. For me, Western Union has the best exchange rates in Santo Domingo. Other members might know of better locations than mine and I am sure they will correct me.
Another option is using your credit/debit cards. There are AMT's in the lobby area of
SDQ. They are located next to the the pizza place and video arcade. You can get a decent exchange rate using these machines. BUT! Beware of using cards in the DR. Not so much with ATM's but the DR is notorious for people stealing numbers from cards and then using the numbers to steal your money. For me personally, I only bring one card and it is for emergencies only.
Every man is different. I personally like the 1000 peso bill. What ever you are trying to do there, it always seems to be in that range. After a few purchases you will have plenty of smaller bills.
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