Caribbean

Money, cards and tipping in Dominican Republic

Capital: Santo DomingoSpanishUpdated October 2026

DOPPeso

Money in Dominican Republic

Mixed: cards and cash Cards work in hotels, malls and chains; carry pesos for colmados, guaguas, motoconchos and small towns. Resorts take dollars at poor rates. US$1 ≈ RD$59.59 (03 Oct 2026).

Key facts

Tipping: Restaurant bills add 18% ITBIS tax and a 10% legal service charge; leave another 5–10% for good service. Tip guides and drivers.
ATMs: Expect a local fee and low per-withdrawal limits; use ATMs inside banks or malls because of skimming.
Paying by phone: Contactless cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay work in malls, chains and hotels; cash elsewhere.
Price level: about 38% of US prices (World Bank PPP).

Cash or card, by place

Place	Cards	Notes
Punta Cana	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in resorts, restaurants and malls; cash in pesos for guaguas, motoconchos, small shops and tips. Dollars are widely accepted but at poor rates.
Santo Domingo	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards in restaurants, malls and hotels; cash in pesos for guaguas, street food, colmados and markets. ATM skimming exists, so use bank-branch machines.
Cabarete	Mostly cash	Cards work at hotels and some restaurants and schools; cash in pesos for motoconchos, small bars, colmados and tips. ATMs run out of notes at weekends.
Las Terrenas	Mostly cash	Cards work in some restaurants and hotels; cash in pesos or euros for motoconchos, markets and small bars. ATMs are few and run dry at weekends.
Puerto Plata	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards in hotels, chain restaurants and the cable-car area; cash in pesos for guaguas, street food, markets and small shops.
La Romana	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in hotels, malls and Casa de Campo; carry pesos for colmados, guaguas, motoconchos and market stalls.
Sosúa	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in hotels, malls and larger restaurants; carry pesos for colmados, guaguas, motoconchos and beach vendors.

Quick answers

Do you tip in Dominican Republic?

Restaurant bills add 18% ITBIS tax and a 10% legal service charge; leave another 5–10% for good service. Tip guides and drivers.

Is Dominican Republic cashless?

Mixed: cards and cash. Cards work in hotels, malls and chains; carry pesos for colmados, guaguas, motoconchos and small towns. Resorts take dollars at poor rates.

What currency does Dominican Republic use?

The Peso (DOP). US$1 ≈ RD$59.59 (03 Oct 2026).

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.