Banks & Exchange Services in Santo Domingo

You may need to change some money, particularly if you plan to spend any amount of time in Santo Domingo. The coin of the realm is the Dominican peso (written RD$). At this writing, the exchange rate was approximately RD$34 to US$1.

Independent merchants willingly accept U.S. dollars, because the peso can fluctuate wildly in value. However, change will be in pesos. You can find cambios (currency exchange offices) at the airport, as well as on the street, and in major shopping centers. A passport is usually required to cash traveler's checks, if they're taken. Save some of the official receipts with the exchange transaction, so if you end up with too many pesos when you're ready to leave the country, you can turn them in for dollars. Some hotels provide exchange services, but, as a rule, hotels and restaurants will not give you favorable rates—casino cages are better. Banco Popular has many locations throughout Santo Domingo, and its ATMs accept international cards, though you can get only pesos. Major credit cards (American Express not as often) are accepted at most hotels, large stores, and restaurants.