How Much Money Should I Bring to the Dominican Republic and Other Money-Related Questions Answered

The Dominican Republic received over 6 million tourists last year. Many of the visitors to the Caribbean nation arrive from the United States.

And yet, up to 40 million Americans say that they can’t afford to go on vacation this year. You may be surprised by what you can afford.

Are you asking yourself – how much money should I bring to the Dominican Republic for my vacation?

We’ll answer these questions and many more FAQs below. Let’s get started!

1. How Much Money to Bring to Dominican Republic: What Currency Does the Dominican Republic Use?

The official currency of the Dominican Republic is called the Dominican Peso. This is commonly abbreviated as RD$.

You can find denominations of RD$20, RD$50, RD$50, RD$100, RD$200, RD$500, RD$1,000 and RD$2,000. You can also get coins of RD$1, RD$5, RD$10 and RD$25.

2. How Much Is a Dollar in the Dominican Republic?

The conversion rate for RD$ into US$ is around RD$50 into US$1. Therefore, if an item costs up to RD$500 it is around US$5.

3. What Is the Best Currency to take to the Dominican Republic?

You should take Dominican Peso with you on your vacation.

However, since the country has a lot of international tourism, many places also accept US dollars.

You can often even pay in other major currencies, such as Euros.

4. ATMs and Credit Cards?

You shouldn’t worry about taking too much money with you from home.

You can also withdraw cash at the ATMs, but ATMs often charge about $10 per withdrawal for US cards, and those fees, foreign transaction fees, and other extra fees can affect your budget. ATMs are common across the country, especially in the tourist spots.

It is also common to be able to pay with credit cards or debit cards. Hotels and restaurants almost always accept card payments, and Mastercard cards are widely accepted in hotels, shopping centers, and other tourist areas, though what is accepted can vary in smaller local spots. Reliable phone and internet access also helps with navigation, messaging, and managing costs while traveling. If you need to exchange money, a bank usually offers the best rates.

Make sure you arrive with some cash for immediate expenses, and avoid airport exchange because the rates are usually worse.

5. How Much Does Transport Cost?

You need to decide how you’re going to travel around the country during your vacation. There are many options depending on your budget and travel needs, and transportation costs vary based on how much of the country you plan to explore, with resort hubs like Punta Cana often priced differently from city travel elsewhere in the country.

You could rent a car for a day. This could cost approximately RD$3,000. Vehicle rental companies operating in the Dominican Republic include Hertz, Avis, and Alamo.

If you’re driving, you need to know that gas costs approximately RD$50 per liter. Remember, gas stations often close around six o’clock in the evening.

You can also travel around the city with a local bus or guagua, a public transport option that generally costs just a few euros, or around RD$50, per ride. This can help you save money on travel costs and keep your transportation budget affordable.

If you want to hire a taxi during your vacation, this can also be quite affordable. From the International Airport to Santo Domingo, it can cost around RD$2,200.

6. How Much Does it Cost to Eat and Drink?

Americans spend an average of $33 per day on food while on vacation.

The prices of drinks and food in restaurants and cafes are on average cheaper than the United States.

There are always a wide variety of cuisines available. This also includes the local cuisine, which you need to sample for yourself.

Ensure that you order the national dish called sancocho. It is made with beef, potatoes, and cassava. It can cost as little as RD$200.

Street food at local markets can cost roughly 75 to 150 pesos per serving and offers reasonable prices.

Remember to try the local rum before you leave the Dominican Republic. You’ll also find delicious milkshakes here.

You can normally eat in a restaurant for under RD$1,000 per person, with off-resort meals often costing about $10–$15 each. A nice meal for two can cost around 3,000 pesos. However, many casual places offer a cheaper menu.

For a local beer, you can expect to pay under RD$200. Drinks at a bar often run about $3 to $6, depending on what you order. While a cup of coffee will cost around RD$125, so overall food and drink spending stays manageable.

7. How Much Does Accommodation Cost?

Accommodation costs vary significantly depending on travel style, location, and whether you choose a hotel, Airbnb, or resort. There are luxury five-star hotels and budget-friendly rentals.

You can get a double bedroom in an average hotel for approximately RD$4,000, though rates can range from about 30 euros a night at entry-level hotels to 45 euros at mid-range properties and around 100 euros at luxury hotels, reflecting the country’s lower cost. Private Airbnbs can start around USD $30 per night, and a three-night stay can total about 11,400 pesos. A mid-range hotel or private Airbnb often falls in the $60–$150 per night range. An inclusive resort bundles accommodations and meals into one price, which can lower day-to-day spending, and travelers can sometimes save more with hotel or resort deals, especially when comparing packages.

8. How Much Do Leisure Activities Cost?

Many tourists spend most of their time relaxing on the sun-soaked beaches. However, there are also many activities to enjoy in your free time. As you budget for your trip, popular day trips and excursions to top destinations such as Saona Island often cost about $60 to $100 per person. Some travelers also set aside a little for gifts or souvenirs during beach outings and day trips.

You can go to the movies for around RD$250 per ticket. There are many cinemas which show English language movies in the country.

You could also visit a museum, for example, the Museo de Arte Moderno. Admission is normally around RD$150.

9. Is Tipping the Custom?

It is also important to be aware of the tipping culture in the Dominican Republic. You may be surprised when you receive the check at restaurants.

Many restaurants add 28 percent (18% tax and 10% service charge). This isn’t always made clear before you order, so check whether the service fee is already on the bill before tipping more.

Even though the 10% service charge is usually included in restaurants and hotels, you can still leave housekeeping tips of $2 to $5 per day, and it helps to bring small US bills for this purpose. Bartenders and servers often receive $1 to $2 per service when service quality is good.

Porters usually get $1 to $2 per bag for luggage assistance. Carry a mix of small bills in your wallet for tips, especially at all-inclusive resorts.

When you travel by taxi, the taxi driver may expect you to round up or give an extra dollar or two.

If you hire a tour guide, you should also make sure you generously tip them after the tour. A good rule is 10–15% of the activity cost for excursion guides, since many don’t receive a regular salary and depend on tips.

10. How Much Money Should I bring to the Dominican Republic?

The total budget of your vacation in the Dominican Republic, as part of planning a trip abroad, depends on your travel style, but a reasonable plan is about $100–$150 per person per day, with accommodation and food as the main expense categories; if you’re wondering whether the dominican republic expensive, it’s often good value compared with other Caribbean destinations. An all-inclusive holiday can be easier to budget day to day, with about £50 in extra daily spending money and around $200–$400 in cash for tips and small purchases.

However, you don’t have to take this amount in cash. You can regularly pay with a credit card and withdraw money at ATMs. For non-all-inclusive stays, budget about $150–$250 per person per day, and set aside $50–$100 for incidental costs daily. Total costs still depend on accommodation, transportation, and activities.

Therefore, if you’re deciding how much spending money to bring, think in terms of trip length: for a week, about $300–$400 in cash is a practical target for tips and small purchases, while longer stays should scale up from there based on activities and resort extras. As a concise example of how much cash and total costs can vary, a 10-day all-inclusive trip can run about $1,500 to over $2,300 per person.

Book Your Next Vacation to the Dominican Republic

How can you decide whether to travel somewhere on vacation without knowing how much everything costs before you board the plane?

If you’re wondering – “how much money should I bring to the Dominican Republic?” then you’ve got your answer here.

If you’re searching for a beach vacation for your next breakaway, then check out our blog post on the best beaches around the world.

1. Well written however still lost in currency

2. I am thinking about taking a 5 day vacation to the Dominican republic, what are some names of the local hotels? Thanks!