Punta Cana currency

When traveling outside of their home country, most visitors often worry and are curious about foreign currency.

You may be asking yourself questions such as:

  • What kind of currency is accepted in this region?,
  • Where will I be able to exchange my own money for the accepted currency?
  • And What type of credit and debit cards will be accepted in this country?

Each of these questions is valid and should be answered prior to undertaking the trip.

Here we will provide some tips to help answer these questions for travelers planning their trip to the Punta Cana, Dominican Republic region.
money exchange in punta cana

What Currency Is Used In Punta Cana?

The official currency of the country is the Dominican Peso (DOP).

However, because Punta Cana is a hot spot for international tourism most shops, hotels, excursion companies and restaurants accept US dollars and Euros.

We’ve made an incredible list with the best things to do in Punta Cana, click here, so you don’t miss any of them.

In fact many visitors go about their trips without ever using any other currency than the US dollar, but it is advisable that each member of your party has some Dominican currency in his or her wallet, also.

The value of the DOP typically hovers between 45 to 51 Pesos per US dollar.

Should I Bring Cash Or Exchange Once I Arrive?

punta cana atmTravelers can bring foreign currency with them to Punta Cana, rather than exchanging it prior to their visit.

If you prefer it, you can bring the money in cash and exchanging it at the desk of the hotel or at the bank or exchange houses located in Punta Cana, rather than exchanging through your credit or debit card.

But of course you can also use ATM machines located at most hotels and throughout Punta Cana.

Though most banks will accommodate your desires to pull out pesos from your bank account, you may find it to be more difficult in some parts of Punta Cana where there are no ATMs.

Additionally, be aware some banks have a limit to the amount of money you can withdraw in a day or a single transaction.

Travelers should bring plenty of small dollar bills in order to leave tips and exchange small amounts of cash.

What Credit And Traveler’s Cards Are Accepted?

credit card accepted in punta canaAlmost all of the major Punta Cana hotels and resorts will accept American Express, Diner’s Club, Airline Rewards, and other cards. Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere.

Most travelers do not experience any problems paying with their credit cards.

It will be important to remember, however, that some shops and small restaurants may only accept cash as a form of payment.

Dominican Republic Current Bills and Coins

punta cana currency  

Money Travel Tips

  • Try not to exchange your money into the largest bill (2,000) for many small businesses refuse to accept them. This is because the 2,000 pesos bill is the most forged bill in the Dominican Republic.
  • Try to keep your money in bills as much as you can. Loose change is spent faster and lost easier than bills.
  • Try to exchange your money into the smaller bills (50, 100, 200 and 500) for most places will claim they don’t have enough change to give back. This will force you either to walk away empty handed or to forfeit some of your change to the cashier.

Click here, so you don’t miss any of these incredible things to do here in Punta Cana.

81 COMMENTS

  1. Hi me and hubby are travelling to PC end of April was just wondering how much the tourist card is and so I pay it at the airport when we land? Thank you

    • Hi Nikki, the tourist card is now included on your plane ticket price and the airline pays the dominican government on your behalf. That’s great since you don’t have to wait in line to purchase it at the airport!

  2. I am coming to PC tomorrow but my all inclusive reservation package is on Thursday…is it safe to book airBnB for that one night or should I book 1 night at a hotel

  3. Hello I am going to the grand Bahia Bavaro 4/29-5/5. I have never been before but in reading many reviews I see that people had things stolen from their rooms and security is very bad.i am traveling alone will I be safe at the resort? And is there a section where I should request a room that’s not too far away from the main area? also what would an acceptable tip be for my maid since it is all inclusive? Thank you

  4. We are travelling to Punta Cana in end of Feb, is better to get Pesos or USD? or both? Also any recomendatins on what to do there? so excited to go!!

  5. I travelling to Punta Canta next week staying at the Magjestic Elegance. My question is I see the exchange is not favorable for the US dollar. I think it’s like $1.00 US = .50cent Peso’s. In that case is there a way to request American money at the resort via ATM or any other local bank.?

  6. Hello. I’m curious what should be the amount left as a daily tip for the house keeper? When we are in Cuba it was 2 Cuban pesos which is $2 USD as there are at par and in Cuba $2 goes far.

  7. Hi I’ll be visiting Punta Cana in may we are staying in an all inclusive resort we used booking.com so it says we pay when we get there in local currency. As of right now the USD is worth 47 DOP so does that mean we pay for the hotel we are getting it much cheaper ? The hotel is $900 usd but when paying in DOP currency you only need 20 USD to match that we are just confused about the payment

  8. HI I will be coming to Punta Cana on Wednesday from the UK. how much would you recommend I should bring with me for a week all inclusive visit? and what currency should it be? Thank you in advance.

  9. I am going to Santo Domingo, DR in February 2018 and wanted to find out what sites can i visit to see different tours to the beach and historic site seeing that includes transportation. Are the uber and taxis expensive to get around in the city? Is it a good idea to rent a car to get around or use the local transportation?

    • Hi =) I’d recommend using local taxis (you call the taxi company and request the taxi to come to where you are) during rush hour or for longer distances. UBER is great for short distances and non rush hour traffic. Renting a car is a good idea but I should warn you that traffic is hectic and Dominicans drive very aggressively and it can be both dangerous and stressful. Local transportation in Santo Domingo is not recommended for visitors, it’s very crowded and you kinda need some experience to use it properly. Here’s a link with some tours in Santo Domingo https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g147289-Activities-c42-Santo_Domingo_Santo_Domingo_Province_Dominican_Republic.html

      • Hi Geurra brothers,

        Please can you assist me?me and my husband are travelling to the DR PC in three weeks and would like to know if we can use euros readily instead of dollars?we are from the UK but have some euros left over from a previous trip.
        We are intending to bring DR pesos aswell for tipping purposes -how much do you think we will need for all inclusive resort two weeks and potentially 4 excursions tipping?
        We will probably pre book our excursions online is this wise to do so instead of paying there with the currency exchange rate etc?
        Also is it wise to get the tourist visa online or should we get it upon arrival st the Airport?
        Many thanks in advance,

        Annah

  10. HI,
    Me and my wife are set to go PUNTA CANA for a week stay in middle of September of this year 2017..What is the weather like during this month ?

  11. Hola I am a single 60’s but young lady coming to Dr Punta Caña in September. I will be in all inclusive hotel but I live in Spain so euros as I see from previous posts is ok to bring but should I also bring dollars. I won’t be venturing far on my own only the beach and local area in daytime.

  12. I just got back from Paris and I’m planning a trip for Punta Cana next year I used my Visa debit card through the whole time I was in Paret
    is can you do the same in the Dominican Repuberilic

  13. Hi, Do you only offer advice for Punta Cama. I am looking forward to playing a trip to Santo Domingo and I would like to enjoy myself. My question is how much money should I bring? Also when converting to USD to Dominican Pesos. How do I count the money. I hope I’m making sense. lol O understand that the current exchange rate or 47 peso to the USD. What does that mean? Any help would be appreciated. Muchos Gracias!

    • Hi Erica. Basically for every dollar you bring you’ll have 47(ish) dominican pesos. I’d recommend planning your budget based on the number of days you’ll be staying here in DR, will you rent a car (account for gas) will you not rent a car? (account for taxi and UBER money). Groceries are somewhat cheap and you can find cheap fast food everywhere. Hope this helps!

  14. I have a question how much is the cost for me imperial resort in punta cana to la romana cost to get there do they have uber

    • In June, the weather in Punta Cana can vary. It might not be as humid as other months but June is known as the beginning of hurricane season so you might expect a bit of rain. The normal temperature during the month of June is 86 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the late evenings. The UV index is at an 11 in the month of June so a bit of extra sun screen while lounging outside might be the way to go!

      • We’re in P.C. now and concierge told us there are actually some restrictions and/or Limits to how much you can bring back ie. 100 cigars, 2 Ltrs liquor, as much coffee as you can carry just make sure it’s in your carry on when you leave, if it’s in checked bag it will show up as powder and that’s not good. Have a great time and check out the blue hole!

  15. I am travelling to Punta Cana end of May, we plan on staying on the resort for the most of our 2 weeks but obviously we want to take money as well. I’m from the UK, would it be better for me to take US dollars or Peso’s?

  16. Hello I am traveling to Punta Cana in June. I will be tipping in US currency. what is the exchange rate for US money so I know a tip is a good one. Staying at all inclusive.

    Thank You

  17. Do all inclusive resorts need a credit card at check-in to hold for incidentals? I do not plan on taking one and my stay is already paid in full.
    I will be staying at the Grand Bahia Principe -Punta Cana.

  18. Hi, I’m heading to DR Grand Bahia Principe hotel La Romana at the end of march from Canada for the first time, we are debating if we should bring Pesos, or convert our cash to US$, I plan on bringing just enough US$ for the entry and departure tax but otherwise only have PESOS my girlfreind wants to just convert all to US$ ……any opinion on what is best ? ( we also plan to book excursion from hotel(

    Thanks
    Frank

  19. WHERE WOULD HAVE THE BETTER RATE FOR EXCHANGING CANADIAN DOLLAR. (AIRPORT? HOTEL? ATM?)
    LEAVE IN 3 DAYS SO TRYING TO GET LAST MINUTE INFO IN
    THANKS!

  20. I’m confused.. we are heading to PC Hard Rock next week and we have resort credits but have to pay 20% service fee when using resort credit. Is that 20% in pesos or us currency? Which one would cost me less?

  21. I would like to go snorkeling but most excursions are for a few hours and include other activities. Do you know of any that offer all day or longer hours of snorkeling?

  22. Hi, we are headed to Punta Cana in a few days. Looking to take a cab to the resort. Will cabs take USD? Or should we definitely plan on getting currency exchanged?

  23. Hiya there,am coming to Dominican republic from the uk next week, am a best to bring British pound sterling the peso in the uk is 53 to a pound and the usd is 1.20. are the rate better there to exchange. p.s what the best dolphin park where staying in Punta cana thanks John 🙂

    • Hi John, DO NOT bring British pounds since it will not be possible to exchange in many places and if you find a place willing to exchange it will not be at the best rate possible for you. Bring USD, the current rate is about 47 pesos per dollar. Sorry but we don’t recommend dolphin parks since none, even the best, offer a decent environment for the animals and we don’t refer business to them.

      Have a nice time in DR! 🙂

  24. I am traveling to Punta Cana for the first time. What would you recommend as a feasible tipping when dining. Would you recommend using U.S currency or peso?

    • Personally I go with about 10% of the check, if the check is less than $20 I try to leave at least $2 as a tip even if it’s more than 10%. You can tip both on Pesos and in dollars. In pesos, about RD$200 would be ok on a 1,000 – 2,000 tab. You can go higher if you choose to and if the service was very good.

    • I’d recommend not going out at night all by yourself and use trust worthy transportation (e.g. taxis called from the hotel). There are no really dangerous places in Punta Cana so just use the same caution you would back home.

  25. i am traveling to Punta Cana April 30th-May7th,

    in regards to currency, do restaurants only accept US dollars? or can you pay with pesos? are prices in US and Pesos? is it cheaper to pay with pesos, or will they match the exchange rate?

    also I’m looking to do some fishing while I’m in Punta Cana. from the pictures I’ve seen there are lots of local fishing boats docked off the shore. is it common practice to negotiate a price with the local fisherman instead of booking through an expensive deep sea excusion? will the local fisherman take you to the reefs for a smaller fee?

    thank you!

    • Punta Cana is the most touristic area in the country and the dollar is widely accepted in all major stores, plazas, malls, restaurants, etc. Most places will have their prices in both dollars and pesos, I recommend paying in dollars when you see a price listed in dollars and paying in pesos when the prices are only listed in pesos. Avoid paying with dollars when prices are listed in pesos since the change given back to you will be in pesos and calculated at a very unfavorable rate to to you.

      Tourism is very organized here in the DR and tourists are very jealously looked after. Licenses and insurance policies are needed to transport tourists anywhere which is why I doubt you’d be able to pay a local fisherman to take you fishing and my advice is to pay extra for all the security that a tour company offers. You can try to go with a local fisherman but I think the risks outweigh the advantages.

      Hope this helps!

  26. i am coming to Punta Cana for the first time. What is a good amount of money to bring? i will be shopping but also staying at a resort.

  27. A full day dune buggy excursion with Charly is a great way to see the real Punta Cana. Its beauty and it’s poverty.

  28. I am interested in a cultural tour while visiting Punta Cana what is the best for this? Do you have the contact information? Thank you
    Also want to go to Isla Soana who do you recommend for this?

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