Before heading off to Punta Cana or Santo Domingo, it's worth understanding how money works on the ground: resorts often bill in dollars, but local life is paid for in Dominican pesos, especially in cash.
The Dominican peso (DOP), a currency of its own
The Dominican Republic uses the Dominican peso, whose international code is DOP and symbol is RD$. Unlike several Caribbean territories, the peso is not pegged to a foreign currency: its rate floats and changes every day against the euro and the US dollar. It is a local currency in the strict sense, scarcely available outside the country, which makes preparing from Paris all the more useful.
An important particularity: the Dominican peso is hard to obtain once you are back in France, and buying it back may be limited. The ideal approach is therefore to exchange only what you will need for your spending on site, and to book ahead if you want to leave with banknotes in hand.
Resorts in USD, local life in pesos
Punta Cana, Bávaro and Puerto Plata thrive largely on all-inclusive tourism. In these resorts, prices are frequently displayed in US dollars (USD) and bank cards are accepted without difficulty. Many travellers therefore assume they can pay for everything in dollars or by card.
The reality is more nuanced as soon as you leave the hotel. For a ride on a guagua (the small local buses), a meal in a cafetería, a market, a neighbourhood colmado or an excursion organised by an independent guide, the Dominican peso in cash remains king. Paying in pesos also spares you the often unfavourable conversions applied when a merchant accepts your dollars "as an arrangement".
A simple, proven strategy: plan to carry some cash in pesos for daily life, small shops and tips, while keeping a card for big expenses and the resort. ATMs (cajeros) exist in towns and tourist areas, but they dispense pesos with sometimes high fees and withdrawal limits. Having cash on hand from the moment you arrive protects you against an ATM that is broken or out of service.
Tipping: a deeply rooted habit
Tipping culture is strong in the Dominican Republic. In restaurants, a service charge is often already included on the bill, but it is customary to add something extra if you enjoyed the service. Housekeepers, porters, drivers, excursion guides and beach waiters all appreciate a gesture, generally paid in cash.
Having small denominations in pesos (and possibly a few small dollar bills) makes these gestures much easier to manage. This is one of the reasons why setting off with cash well spread out is more comfortable than betting everything on a card or on large bills.
Preparing your currency exchange in Paris, commission-free
Rather than chasing after an ATM or a counter at Punta Cana airport, you can organise your currency purchase calmly before departure. At Paris Change, a bureau de change approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), you exchange your euros commission-free, from more than 53 available currencies.
As the Dominican peso is one of the less common currencies, we recommend booking online in advance and then coming to collect your banknotes in store: this guarantees the availability of the denominations you want on the day. Our single shop is located at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris (Saint-Michel metro line 4, RER B and C), open 7 days a week (Monday-Saturday 9am-8pm, Sunday 10am-7:30pm). The displayed rates are indicative counter rates, which vary every day.
A useful regulatory point: when entering or leaving the European Union, any transport of cash equal to or above €10,000 (or its equivalent) must be declared to customs. For a typical tourist stay, you will stay well below this threshold.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to bring dollars or pesos?
Both have their uses. The Dominican peso is essential for local life, small shops and tips. Keeping a few dollars can come in handy in certain resorts, but for everyday spending outside the hotel, pesos in cash remain the most practical and the most advantageous.
Can I exchange my euros directly into pesos in Paris?
Yes. As the Dominican peso is a less common currency, the safest option is to book your amount online before coming to collect it in store, in order to guarantee the availability of the banknotes.
What should I do with the pesos I have left when I return?
The peso is harder to buy back in France. It is better to anticipate the amount exchanged and spend the surplus on site (souvenirs, tips) before heading home.
Ready to set off with peace of mind? Book your Dominican peso exchange online and come collect your banknotes at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 7 days a week, commission-free. Prepare your currency purchase right now.
