Money can be exchanged here in Dominican Republic very easily. People ask if they really need to exchange money especially if they have US Dollars. Dollars can be used here on the island but, an example, if you go to a restaurant and buy dinner and pay with US Dollars they will not give you a good exchange rate. They do not know the current rate and most likely will give you a lower rate. It is best to exchange your money and use the Dominican peso (RDP) to do all your monetary transactions here.
One can exchange in many different places, especially in the tourist areas. Hotels, banks, Western Union or in one of the many Casa de Cambios/ House of Exchanges located throughout the country.
In my opinion, it is wise to exchange a small amount at the airport so you can have money on hand for the taxi of for a stop off on the way to the hotel. Do not exchange much at the airport as usually their rates are not the best in the country.
Do not exchange all your money. Only exchange what you will use. If you need to exchange the pesos back when you leave you will get a very low rate to buy the money back.
When you need to exchange there are many exchange options. The safest is the bank or Western Union. There are exchange houses called Cambios where you may get a better rate (always count your money as soon as you receive it in front of the exchange officer). DO NOT exchange your money in the street. Most likely you will lose most or all of your money.
Real Life and Times in the Dominican Republic
Western Union Locations near Colonial Zone
*AGENTE DE CAMBIO REMESAS VIMENCA
AUTOPISTA DUARTE KM 13 1 2, LA SIRENA, SANTO DOMINGO
Contact: 809-200-2380 Hours: Monday thru Saturday 8AM to 10PM
*AGENTE DE CAMBIO REMESAS VIMENCA
CALLE EL CONDE, ZONA COLONIAL - TIENDA GENTE, SANTO DOMINGO
Contact: 809-200-2380 Hours: Monday thru Saturday 8:30AM to 6PM
*AGENTE DE CAMBIO REMESAS VIMENCA (large office and fast service)
ABRAHAM LINCOLN 306, BELLA VISTA, SANTO DOMINGO
Contact: 809-532-7382 Hours: Monday thru Sunday 7:30AM to 10PM
*NOTE* This is a good tool but it IS subject to being incorrect sometimes. Good to use for a general idea of the exchange rates.
Exchange Rate
This is a great tool for finding the exchange rate in Dominican Republic and almost any other country where you might want to visit.
There are many Casa de Cambios or Agente de Cambio throughout the Colonial Zone. Listed here are ones I have used myself and can recommend (I will be adding more as I get to know them). Please be sure to count your money when you receive it and put it away before you leave the exchange business.
Dollar Express - Currency Exchange
This exchange house has the rates posted so you know before you exchange. They have a computer to check the rates as they change (which can happen often throughout the day). In this same location there is a Bank machine where you can swipe your card instead of it entering the machine. This is great as you are assured that the machine will not "eat" your card.
Open from 8AM to 10PM
Contact: 809-221-2977
Location: inside Pollo Rey (a fast food restaurant) on Calle el Conde and Sanchez, Colonial Zone, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
