Bringing Cash

[RioChief]

For those who do not want to leave any paper trail, i.e. bank transactions in the DR....are there any safe/reliable places to exchange cash (USD) for the local currency ? Or is that highly unadvisable...? I am heading down for my first visit to DR in Jan....

[swiggy]

For those who do not want to leave any paper trail, i.e. bank transactions in the DR....are there any safe/reliable places to exchange cash (USD) for the local currency ? Or is that highly unadvisable...? I am heading down for my first visit to DR in Jan....

there are 15 storefront operations and a bunch of guys in the street (i never use them anymore although i have). of course make sure you have a place with a safe.

[rushdog34]

i brought cash to the western union during my trip and got the exact rate that was posted online at the time

[mikelodge]

For those who do not want to leave any paper trail, i.e. bank transactions in the DR....are there any safe/reliable places to exchange cash (USD) for the local currency ? Or is that highly unadvisable...? I am heading down for my first visit to DR in Jan....

You may have the wrong idea that people are out to jump you all over. It is no different than any third world country. You asked about paper trails and either I am confused or I think you are. If you carry cash down like most of us you can go to any bank and change a hundred here or there without anything getting back to the US. But why would you wait for them to be open or in line when as Swiggy mentioned there are over a dozen cambios around. It is just like Mexico you walk up to the window and they have the rate posted or write it on a note for you (36RD) then you slide a couple of hundreds to get you by for a day or two under the glass and they give you the pesos with the little paper from the calculator.

No ID, no paperwork, no trail, like mentioned JUST BE SURE YOU HAVE A REAL SAFE SAFE. Not a flimsy one sort of bolted down opened with a key. :lol:
Have a great trip and relax it is safer than most of Mexico.

You knew it was coming, I couldn't resist that. A couple of you get it. :rofl:

[Tiger]

There are money changers on many corners near ther Sousa strip. I always use them and never had any problems.

[greydread]

The front desk at the hotel should accommodate your need for cambio. Western Union has the best rate of exchange if you're in the neighborhood but I wouldn't waste time or money trvelling there for the few tenths of a peso difference. The Cambios at the airport SUCK. I've made several "cash only" trips and never had a problem.

[JD426]

The front desk at the hotel should accommodate your need for cambio. Western Union has the best rate of exchange if you're in the neighborhood but I wouldn't waste time or money trvelling there for the few tenths of a peso difference. The Cambios at the airport SUCK. I've made several "cash only" trips and never had a problem.
NEVER EVER EVER change money at the airport,even if you have to bring & pay your way with US dollars (singles and fives) til you get to your hotel.
but as far that .10 peso diff per dollar , I have to respectfully disagree on ,cause I would walk a MILE to get it just cause Im cheap that way . LOL
thats just me.

[ricwilli]

I found that out about the airport...it was 31 to 1 in the airport and a guy got me as I was exiting the airport at 35 to 1 which I thought was a great deal. The street guys in Sosua were offering 36 to 1!

[jacknback]

thanks for the airport exchange tip.don't they have a real bank in the airport? in costa rica they have "business exchanges"but if you go across the street and up to the second floor where you pay your exit tax you get the real rate.thank you

[Tiger]

thanks for the airport exchange tip.don't they have a real bank in the airport? in costa rica they have "business exchanges"but if you go across the street and up to the second floor where you pay your exit tax you get the real rate.


No. There is not a bank at the airport. There's one right near the strip in Sosua.

[jacknback]

sorry guys!!still trying to figure everything out.

[Tiger]

sorry guys!!still trying to figure everything out.



I liked that avatar you used a couple posts ago. Very nice.

[WickedWillie]

No. There is not a bank at the airport. There's one right near the strip in Sosua.

There is a BanReservas at POP airport unless it has closed in the last month.

[Tiger]

There is a BanReservas at POP airport unless it has closed in the last month.


Oops. My bad. I didn't know there was one there. Never used it. I think I am always too much in a hurry to get to the chicas.

[yayow]

As all have said plenty of places in any of the cities to exchange money, both during regular business hours and after hours (w/o creating that paper trail of where and when you were wherever), wouldn't exchange in most hotels however, or at the airport, or in restaurants or casinos. I wouldn't use U.S. dollars either to pay for anything once you hit ground except to pay for your lodging and maybe your rental, for example never in restaurants or shops, because they will give you the worst rates possible.

[the_Jayman]

NEVER EVER EVER change money at the airport,even if you have to bring & pay your way with US dollars (singles and fives) til you get to your hotel.
but as far that .10 peso diff per dollar .

GET OUTTTA TOWN . . granted I haven't been in a year and a half but I never got screwed out of more than a peso or a peo and a half @ the airports in the DR.

I've changes cash @ POP a dozen time at least. Soon as you get outside around the corner to your left.

Not alot but a couple hundred in US$ so I can hit the streets running . . . some pocket change.

I ALWAYS travel with cash (US$). In all the trips I have made I have used plastic maybe 3 times for well under $500 US.

Double check with ISOC the day or 2 before your trip to get an accurate assessment of what guys are getting around the north coast . . hit the Bank @ POP and Right outside is a place to buy your first Presidente of the trip ! ! !

[mikelodge]

NEVER EVER EVER change money at the airport,even if you have to bring & pay your way with US dollars (singles and fives) til you get to your hotel.
but as far that .10 peso diff per dollar , I have to respectfully disagree on ,cause I would walk a MILE to get it just cause Im cheap that way . LOL
thats just me.

With the rate of 36 to 1 that means ONE PESO is less than 3 cents

So .10 pesos is a difference of 10 pesos on a Hundred dollars 3600 vs 3610 so you would be saving about a quarter or 27.7 cents to be exact so if you are changing $500 you would save over a dollar taking the walk to get the better rate that in some cases may only be a few blocks.

Some of us and I agree with JD just don't like the feeling of being beat so we do it to save that dollar. Personally most hotel owners or bar owners know a money changer that will come to them for several hundred dollar exchanges. They don't want all their money in banks with paper trails either ask around.

[ricwilli]

The point to be made, at least at pop is to not use the money exchange located inside the airport!

[mikelodge]

The point to be made, at least at pop is to not use the money exchange located inside the airport!


The main point is and always has been as JD426 mentioned and has been posted in many threads before on many sites even for the traveling brain dead on Trip Advisor or Yahoo Travel is:

NEVER CHANGE MONEY IN ANY AIRPORT. It has been this way for decades. :confused:

[JD426]

The guy asked a question, I tried to steer him in the right direction.
Any you want to change $ at 31 to 1 just to buy a beer , instead of 36 or 36.10 to 1 at a cambio on Pedro Clisante, then go ahead and do that. Yes .10 is trivial, it was just to make a point. I always bring pesos back, just to avoid the airport banks. So call me cheap.

[mikelodge]

The guy asked a question, I tried to steer him in the right direction.
Any you want to change $ at 31 to 1 just to buy a beer , instead of 36 or 36.10 to 1 at a cambio on Pedro Clisante, then go ahead and do that. Yes .10 is trivial, it was just to make a point. I always bring pesos back, just to avoid the airport banks. So call me cheap.

I think we can even go as far as to say that not taking advantage of legal opportunities is similar for example. If you stay in a 4 or 5 star resort or hotel don't you take the top of the line toiletries even if you don't use them and put them in your bag. I always ask every maid in the hall with a cart for more lotion, coffee ect they don't give a shit and I brought home 40 plus packs of Kona coffee last year from Hawaii from only a ten night stay. So call ME Cheap :rofl:

[JD426]

I dont do that mike, I have no use for that stuff. that has nothing to do with the topic.

I just dont like BANKS skimming money from me on a simple exchange, its the same is paying a $2 atm fee, it just pisses me off and I wont give them my hard earned money that way if I dont have to. I despise bank fees of any kind. end of rant.

[yayow]

I dont do that mike, I have no use for that stuff. that has nothing to do with the topic.

I just dont like BANKS skimming money from me on a simple exchange, its the same is paying a $2 atm fee, it just pisses me off and I wont give them my hard earned money that way if I dont have to. I despise bank fees of any kind. end of rant.

Feel the same way about those banks, or restuarants etc. taking advantage don't like it, and that is the way they want you to think well it's only 10 cents, or it's just $2.00, it's no big deal. Well the banks have been doing it to us for years, and have been getting fat, because they do it to everone, and it does add up maybe not for you individually,but it adds up greatly for them, they are always taking and never giving anything back it sucks.

I would always prefer to deal with the fair dealing business man, than the one who consistently is trying to take advantage of me, no matter how small that advantage may be.

[samkne]

Is it better to get Pesos here (Canada) or just change it when I get to DR?

[rushdog34]

i guess that would depend where your getting the best rate.. no??


Is it better to get Pesos here (Canada) or just change it when I get to DR?

[eldorob]

. I always bring pesos back, just to avoid the airport banks. So call me cheap.

I've got three thousand peso's burning a hole in my carry-on...

[rushdog34]

lol i was 3500 up in pesos on my last trip before i even got off the plane


I've got three thousand peso's burning a hole in my carry-on...

[JD426]

I've got three thousand peso's burning a hole in my carry-on...

2,800 here, cant wait to spend em.

[mikelodge]

2,800 here, cant wait to spend em.

I have at least 7000 but that is only a couple hundred so if I get in after the cambios close I will have enough for the night. I don't want to be chasing around the first night and may just go with a TLN from Passions for 3500 that leaves me enough for dinner, a lot of drinks and a late night snack and tips without running out.

If I have 2000 left fine if it's just a few hundred better yet that means I had more fun.

[chicmatic]

I changed $100 at the airport in POP once...I knew I was taking a hit though and I try to avoid changing at the airport when possible. I'll chalk that one up to temporary insanity.

Not sure if I mentioned this in my trip report but BofA charged me $5 for each balance inquiry with their card. First 3 were unsuccessful but the 4th finally worked. My primary bank charges $1. I called BofA and they took the charges off. This time around, I'll still bring U.S. cash like I have been, pay for the taxi 20 U.S., and get change at the cambio. Oh, and I'm getting a travel card so I can be less worried about the ATM eating my primary card like last time.

[sporthobbyist]

I changed $100 at the airport in POP once...I knew I was taking a hit though and I try to avoid changing at the airport when possible. I'll chalk that one up to temporary insanity.

Not sure if I mentioned this in my trip report but BofA charged me $5 for each balance inquiry with their card. First 3 were unsuccessful but the 4th finally worked. My primary bank charges $1. I called BofA and they took the charges off. This time around, I'll still bring U.S. cash like I have been, pay for the taxi 20 U.S., and get change at the cambio. Oh, and I'm getting a travel card so I can be less worried about the ATM eating my primary card like last time.


If you really break it down, you lost like .25 on that exchange. I do not know about you. But .25 per 100 is nothing.

I mean if there are locations with better rates on the way, then by all means. But if you have no cash and the airport cambio is right there, is .25 per 100 really going to matter?

I will be bringing cash and will be changing when and where it is most convenient to me. the difference of .25 per 100 is really not a factor

[chicmatic]

I remember why I did it. I didn't bring as much U.S. cash as I would have liked so instead of spending $20 on a taxi, I used my card at the airport currency place to withdraw some pesos. I agree, .25 per $100 wouldn't be worth mentioning but I believe their exchange rate was around 32 to 1. I don't have the receipt but remembered that I wouldn't be fucking with them anymore..similar to a lame chica.


If you really break it down, you lost like .25 on that exchange. I do not know about you. But .25 per 100 is nothing.

I mean if there are locations with better rates on the way, then by all means. But if you have no cash and the airport cambio is right there, is .25 per 100 really going to matter?

I will be bringing cash and will be changing when and where it is most convenient to me. the difference of .25 per 100 is really not a factor