You’ve landed at Las Américas International Airport. The humidity hits you first, then the noise. You need a taxi to your hotel in the Zona Colonial. The driver says it’s forty bucks. You reach for your wallet, but wait. Are you actually supposed to pay in US dollars? Or should you have found an ATM the second you cleared customs?
People get weirdly stressed about money in the Caribbean. I get it. Nobody wants to be the tourist who overpays by 30% because they didn't understand the math on a cocktail.
The santo domingo dominican republic currency is the Dominican Peso (DOP). Locally, you’ll see it written as RD$. In January 2026, the exchange rate is hovering around 63 to 64 pesos for every one US dollar. That number moves, obviously. It fluctuates like any other market-based currency, but for a quick mental calculation while you’re staring at a menu, just think of it as roughly 60 to 1.
Honestly, the biggest mistake travelers make in Santo Domingo is assuming the US dollar is "king." Sure, it’s accepted in the big resorts and the fancy shops at BlueMall. But if you’re trying to buy a chimichurri burger from a street cart or pay a local taxi driver who isn't on Uber, that greenback is going to cost you.
Why You Should Stop Using Dollars in the Zona Colonial
When you pay in USD at a local shop in Santo Domingo, you aren't getting the "official" bank rate. You’re getting whatever rate the shopkeeper feels like giving you. Usually, that’s 50 or 55 pesos to the dollar. You’re basically handing them a 15% tip without even knowing it.
The Dominican Republic has a long history with the dollar. Back in 1905, the US dollar actually replaced the peso as the official currency for a while. It wasn't until 1947 that the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic really took the reins and issued the modern paper pesos we see today. Because of those deep ties, everyone knows what a dollar is worth, but they also know how to make a little extra off you if you insist on using it.
Stick to the peso. It’s colorful. It’s easier. The 1,000-peso bill (RD$1,000) features the Alcázar de Colón, which is right there in the heart of Santo Domingo. If you’re walking around the historic district, you’re literally looking at the money in your pocket.
Breaking Down the Bills and Coins
Dominican banknotes come in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, and 2,000.
The 2,000-peso bill is the big daddy. It’s useful for paying a dinner bill, but don’t try to hand that to a motoconcho (motorcycle taxi) driver for a five-minute ride. They won't have change. They’ll just look at you and shrug.
Coins exist too. You’ve got 1, 5, 10, and 25 peso coins. They’re basically "pocket junk" for most tourists, but they are great for tipping the guys who help you park your car or for small snacks. Anything smaller than a peso—the centavos—is pretty much extinct in daily life. Most prices get rounded up or down.
The Best Places to Get Cash in Santo Domingo
Don't use the airport exchange booths. Just don't.
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Those kiosks at Las Américas are notorious for having some of the worst rates in the city. You’re better off using an ATM inside the terminal if you’re desperate for cash immediately. Banks like Banco Popular, Banreservas, and Scotiabank are the gold standards here. Their ATMs are generally safe and give you the real mid-market rate, minus whatever fee your home bank hits you with.
If you have a stack of physical cash you want to swap, look for a Casa de Cambio.
In the city center, places like Caribe Express or Western Union are everywhere. Locals use Caribe Express for everything—remittances, bill payments, and currency exchange. It’s legit. However, keep in mind that they will ask for your passport. No passport, no exchange. It’s a legal requirement to prevent money laundering, so don’t take it personally.
A Quick Word on Tipping Culture
Tipping in Santo Domingo is a bit of a "double-dip" situation if you aren't careful.
By law, restaurants add a 10% service charge to your bill. Most tourists see that and think, "Cool, tip is covered."
Except it isn't.
That 10% is rarely seen by the person who actually brought you your mangu. It’s a "legal tip" that gets distributed in ways that don't always favor the server. Most locals will leave an extra 5% to 10% in cash on the table if the service was actually good.
- Hotel Porters: RD$50 to RD$100 per bag.
- Housekeeping: RD$100 a day is a nice gesture.
- Valet/Parking Attendants: RD$50 is plenty.
- Taxis: You don't usually tip unless they help with heavy bags, then maybe RD$100.
Scams and Safety: Keeping Your Pesos in Your Pocket
Santo Domingo is a big city. Like any big city, it has its share of people looking for an easy mark.
One common thing is the "short change" trick. You hand over a 1,000-peso bill, the cashier starts talking to you, gets you distracted, and hands you change for a 500. It happens fast. Always look at your bills before you hand them over and count your change before you walk away.
Then there’s the "dynamic currency conversion" at card machines.
When you pay with a credit card at a place like Adrian Tropical or a hotel, the machine might ask if you want to pay in USD or DOP. Always choose DOP. If you choose USD, the merchant's bank chooses the exchange rate, and I promise you, they aren't choosing the one that favors you. Let your own bank do the conversion.
Should You Even Carry Cash?
Honestly, you need a mix.
Uber works great in Santo Domingo and it’s usually the safest way to get around. It links to your card, so you don't even have to talk about money with the driver. Most major supermarkets (like Bravo or Sirena) and high-end restaurants in Naco or Piantini take cards without a hitch.
But if you want to experience the "real" Santo Domingo—the little shops in the barrios, the fruit vendors on the corner, or the entrance fee to a small museum—you’re going to need physical pesos.
I usually keep about 3,000 pesos in small bills (100s and 200s) on me for a day of exploring. It’s enough to cover lunch, a few waters, and a taxi if the Uber app glitches.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
Before you leave for your flight, call your bank. Tell them you're going to the Dominican Republic. If you don't, they might flag your first ATM withdrawal as fraud and leave you stranded without a cent in a foreign city.
Once you arrive, aim for a bank-affiliated ATM. Avoid the "standalone" ATMs you see in random convenience stores; they often have skimmers or insane fees.
Lastly, download a currency converter app that works offline. The math isn't hard, but when you're three Presidentes deep at a bar in the Plaza de España, you’ll be glad the app can do the 63.9-to-1 conversion for you.
Get your pesos, keep them in a front pocket, and go enjoy the city. The coffee is cheap, the history is deep, and as long as you pay in the local currency, you're getting the best deal on the island.