Going to Punta Cana in the Dominican Repulic for the first time in February. Have heard that the preferred currency is their own peso (DOP). Has this been your experience? Also any recommendations for places to visit off the resort? Many thanks.

We were just there in October & the US dollar seemed to be the way to go.

USD

Any foreign country like that prefers US dollar over any other dollar

Dominican pesos are better, you can get by with USD. Obviously if using a foreign currency in the country you will get hosed on the exchange rates, local currency is always better.

Also, should mention... do not use the exchange machines or airport exchange booth, they'll rip you off way more on exchange rates. I just use my bank card and withdrawl pesos at the ATMs in banks (not the free standing machines).

Take US funds with you

Either US or pesos work. US is super common even off resort. Manati Park is a great place. Doing a dune buggy excursion takes you to public beach where there is a surf school, and beautiful fresh water cave you can jump in. A must is is a snorkel or scuba diving day trip to Saona Island. I highly recommend El Tour Caribe. Don't be afraid to explore off resort if markets are nearby ( depending actual location). The local merchants are usually set up in the evenings on the resorts. Please be aware, they are mostly only paid by commission, and work hard to make a living so will seem pushy. When looking at buying, I figure what I would be prepared to pay for the equivalent at home and haggle price from there. Most of the locals will respond in like manner if you treat them with kindness and respect to talk to them. I do tip servers, although many people don't. I ride the local " motoconchos" to get around if wanting to go further afield. Higuey is nearest big city and the cathedral is beautiful. There is so much to see and do in Punta, enjoy!

Shelley many thanks !

Danny Enjoy. I have been many times over last 17 years. Now own a condo there so don't often stay the resorts anymore

Just got back a week ago. All the people that are saying USD are people that don't leave the resort other than to do resort sponsored activities. Those are preferred in USD. If you actually go into the communities and communicate with the people on the streets, they definitely prefer DOP. It all depends what your plans are while you're there.

The key thing to remember is that money loses roughly 3% of its value to the universe (ok, banks & private exchanges) any time it is converted from one currency to another.
[Scenario 1]
- you convert from your home currency to U.S. dollars (you lose 3% during the exchange)
- you pay someone in the Dominican Republic with those U.S. dollars (they lose 3% converting it back to their home currency)
A total of 6% of the original money is lost to the universe.
*
*
[Scenario 2]
- you withdraw pesos from the ATM while in the Dominican Republic (you lose 3% during the withdrawal)
- you pay someone in the Dominican Republic with those pesos (they lose nothing, already in their home currency)
A total of 3% of the original money is lost to the universe.
*
*
In both scenarios you lose 3% (can't be avoided). In one of the scenarios, you save someone else from also losing 3%.
Now, is it also true that someone making a living in another country would prefer scenario 1 over no scenario at all? Very likely. But you can help them out by opting for scenario 2.
And is it also true that often times in scenario 1, the person paying in $USD isn't really doing any math, and might end up really paying more to the person making a living than they would have in scenario 2? Enough so that they actually compensate for the 3% that person would lose and then some? Certainly.

Chris thanks for this Chris

I have been a few times and always used peso's.

Always take the currency of the country you are going too. Yes they will “take” the USD but we really need to stop this. That’s not their currency so we should respect them and use their currency. I know I’m mexico they “take” the USD but what people don’t realize is locals can’t spend the USD at their local shops, eats. They use pesos. Most service workers work 6 days a week, in order to exchange USD they have to go wait in long line ups at the bank on their one day off. Also if any of the bills are marked or ripped the bank won’t take them. So let’s try to be better and stop using American money outside the USA. Besides why get screwed on exchange.