Dominican Republic
Money in Dominican Republic: currency, ATMs, cards and tipping
The Dominican peso (DOP) is the currency, but Punta Cana resorts and tours often quote US dollars. Carry pesos in cash for colmados, guaguas and motoconchos; use cards at resorts, supermarkets and city restaurants. Restaurant bills already add 18% ITBIS tax plus 10% service, so tip extra only for good service.
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GuideDominican Republic
Key facts
- Currency
- Dominican peso (DOP); US dollars widely quoted in Punta Cana
- Cash needed for
- Colmados, guaguas, motoconchos, small comedores, markets
- Cards work at
- Resorts, supermarkets, city restaurants, larger hotels
- Tax and service on restaurant bills
- 18% ITBIS plus 10% legal service charge
- ATM safety
- Use machines inside banks or malls, in daylight
- Typical extra tipcheck
- DOP 50–100 for a meal; US$1–2 per bag; US$2–5 per day for housekeeping
- Best cash to carry
- Pesos for daily spending; a few US$20 notes for resort extras
By purse, month and price
What you carry changes with where you stay and when you travel. Resort zones run on dollars and cards; everywhere else runs on pesos and cash. High season (December to April) means longer ATM queues and busier banks in Punta Cana and Samaná, so take more cash out at once rather than hunting for a machine each day.
| Traveller type | Carry | Card use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resort stay (Punta Cana, Bávaro) | US$100–200 in small notes plus DOP 3,000–5,000 | Fine for the hotel bill, spa and tours | Prices quoted in US dollars; expect two to three times Santo Domingo prices |
| City and beach hopping | DOP 5,000–10,000 in mixed notes | Cards at hotels and supermarkets; cash elsewhere | Coaches between regions cost DOP 400–600 |
| Budget and guesthouse | DOP 3,000–6,000, mostly small notes | Rarely needed | Comedores, guaguas and motoconchos are cash only |
| Long stay or remote area | DOP 10,000+ | Backup card only | ATMs thin out outside Santo Domingo, Santiago and resort towns |
2026 estimate, per person. Amounts are starting points, not limits.
Step by step
Change a small amount at the airport for the first taxi or transfer, then use bank ATMs or casas de cambio in town for better rates. Airport kiosks are convenient but usually give the weakest rate. Banks in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata and Punta Cana have ATMs that accept foreign cards; machines inside a bank branch or mall are the safer choice, and daylight is better than a dark street corner.
Tell your bank you are travelling so the card is not blocked, and carry a second card from a different network. When a machine offers to convert the charge into your home currency, decline and pay in pesos: the conversion rate is usually worse. Keep the receipt and check the amount on your banking app.
Cards work at resorts, supermarkets and city restaurants, but small shops (colmados), motoconchos and guaguas want cash. Carry small notes and coins: a DOP 2,000 note for a DOP 250 lunch plate is awkward for a small vendor. Keep a separate stash of emergency cash away from your wallet.
Restaurant bills already add 18% ITBIS tax and a 10% legal service charge, so the total on the bill is not the menu price. Check whether service is included before adding more; many visitors tip on top anyway for good service.
- Airport: change only what you need for the first transfer.
- Town: use bank ATMs or casas de cambio; compare the rate.
- Always choose to be charged in DOP, not your home currency.
- Keep small notes for transport, snacks and tips.
- Split cash between bag, wallet and a hidden backup.
Notes
Tipping is not obligatory but is expected in tourist areas. A restaurant that already added 10% service may still get an extra 5–10% for good service. Hotel housekeeping usually gets US$2–5 per day, porters US$1–2 per bag, and tour guides US$5–10 per person for a half-day trip. Taxi drivers are not tipped as a rule; agree the fare before you get in.
Punta Cana is a dollar zone in practice: tours, spa treatments and many menus are priced in US dollars, and change may come back in a mix of currencies. Ask which currency the price is in before you agree. In Santo Domingo and smaller towns, pesos are the norm and you will often get a better price in local currency.
Do not change money on the street. Counterfeit notes exist, and the rate is rarely better than a bank. When you receive change, glance at the notes; the 2,000-peso note and the 200-peso note can be confused at a glance.
Cards can be skimmed. Use ATMs attached to a bank branch, cover the keypad, and avoid machines in isolated spots at night. If a card is swallowed or a machine fails, call your bank the same day. For connectivity while you sort this out, see our eSIM page.
- Restaurant: check the bill for 18% ITBIS and 10% service before tipping extra.
- Housekeeping: US$2–5 per day, left daily rather than at the end.
- Guides and drivers: US$5–10 for a half-day tour.
- Taxis: no tip; agree the fare first.
- Never change money with a street vendor.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What currency is used in Dominican Republic?
The Dominican peso (DOP). Resorts and tour operators in Punta Cana often quote prices in US dollars, and you can usually pay in dollars there, but change is given in pesos. For daily spending outside resorts, carry pesos.
Should I use cash or a card in Dominican Republic?
Both. Cards work at resorts, supermarkets and city restaurants. Cash is needed for colmados, guaguas, motoconchos, small comedores and markets. Carry small peso notes and keep a backup card from a different network.
How much should I tip in Dominican Republic?
Restaurant bills already include 10% service, so add 5–10% only for good service. Housekeeping gets US$2–5 per day, porters US$1–2 per bag, and guides US$5–10 for a half-day. Taxis are not tipped.
Are ATMs easy to find?
Yes in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and other tourist towns. Use machines inside banks or malls in daylight. Outside these areas ATMs are thinner, so take enough cash before heading to remote beaches.
Can I pay in US dollars everywhere?
No. Dollars are accepted in Punta Cana resorts and many tour offices, but shops, transport and comedores elsewhere expect pesos. Paying in dollars outside tourist zones usually gets you a poor rate and change in pesos.
Is the 10% service charge on my bill a tip?
It is a legal service charge added to restaurant bills, alongside 18% ITBIS tax. It goes to staff through the business, not directly to your server, which is why many visitors add a small extra tip for good service.
Deep dive
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