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If you're travelling to Punta Cana, it's important to know where to exchange your money if you haven't been able to do so before your trip. The official currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso, though US Dollars are widely accepted. Currency exchange offices are available at Punta Cana International Airport, though some travellers advise against exchanging money at the airport due to poor exchange rates and high fees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Currency exchange at Punta Cana Airport | Available |
| Recommended | No |
| Recommended places for currency exchange | Local bank before the trip, money exchange offices in Punta Cana's city center (Bavaro) |
| Currency in Punta Cana | Dominican Peso (DOP) |
| US Dollars in Punta Cana | Widely accepted |
| Canadian Dollars in Punta Cana | Not widely accepted |
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What You'll Learn
Currency exchange at Punta Cana airport
If you're travelling to Punta Cana, it's important to know where to exchange your money, especially if you haven't been able to do so before your trip. The Punta Cana International Airport has currency exchange services available, with some sources stating that the airport is the first place you'll be able to exchange money in the Dominican Republic. The airport has multiple currency exchange branches located in the airport's food court and before customs control, which are open all year round from 10 am to 10 pm. These branches accept a wide range of foreign currencies and debit and credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard.
However, it's worth noting that while the airport advertises commission-free money exchange, the exchange rates for US dollars to Dominican pesos are often unfavourable. You may receive a better rate at your hotel or a money exchange office in Punta Cana's city centre, Bavaro. Additionally, some travellers have noted that it is convenient to have smaller denominations of local currency to pay for entrance and exit taxes and for tips.
The official currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican peso, though US dollars are widely accepted by resorts, shops, and even street vendors. It is recommended to carry some cash in the local currency, especially if you plan to spend money off-resort, as you may get better value. For example, a beer that costs 100 pesos may be charged at $3 USD due to the lack of US coins, resulting in a higher price.
When exchanging currency, keep in mind that exchanging larger amounts at once can result in lower commissions. It is generally recommended to avoid travelling with large sums of money, so you may want to consider using ATMs or exchanging money at your hotel if you need more cash during your stay.
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Exchange rates at the airport
Punta Cana International Airport has several currency exchange offices located in the airport's food court and before customs control. These offices are open all year, from 10:00 to 22:00, and they accept a wide range of foreign currencies, including US dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros, and British pounds. They also accept debit and credit cards, Visa, and Mastercard.
While the airport currency exchange offices are convenient, they may not offer the best exchange rates. Some travellers have reported that the exchange rates for US dollars to Dominican pesos are "pretty bad," with a markup of around 5-10%. For example, at the time of writing, the official exchange rate is approximately 1 USD to 55 DOP, but at the airport, you may only get 48 or 50 DOP for your USD.
Therefore, if you are looking for more favourable exchange rates, it may be better to exchange your money elsewhere. One option is to exchange your currency at a bank or money exchange office before you leave your home country. This is especially recommended if you are travelling from Canada, as Canadian dollars are not widely accepted in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic. Alternatively, you can find exchange offices in Punta Cana's city centre, such as in the Bavaro area, which offer better exchange rates with lower markups of around 1-2%.
Additionally, keep in mind that US dollars are widely accepted in Punta Cana, even by street vendors and small shops. However, if you plan to spend cash off-resort in shops, bars, or for entrance and exit taxes, it may be beneficial to have some Dominican pesos, as you will get better value for your money. It is recommended to have smaller denominations of both currencies, as some resorts and hotels may not be able to break large bills.
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USD vs DOP
The official currency of the Dominican Republic, where Punta Cana is located, is the Dominican peso (DOP). It is possible to exchange currency at the Punta Cana airport, but it is not recommended as currency exchange offices tend to charge higher fees than other places. It is suggested that you exchange your money before your trip or at a different location in Punta Cana or the Dominican Republic. ATMs at resorts can also give you Dominican pesos.
When exchanging USD to DOP, you can do so online, with a mobile app, or in person at an agent location. Some platforms allow you to transfer USD to DOP using your bank account, credit/debit card, or cash in-store. You can also exchange USD to DOP at your local bank before your trip and use USD during your stay in Punta Cana. Resort staff prefer USD, and it is also accepted at hotels and resort shops. However, if you plan to spend money off-resort in shops, bars, etc., it is better to use pesos as you will get better value for money. For example, a beer that costs 100 pesos would be just over $2 USD, but you will be charged $3 USD as they do not deal with US coins. Additionally, you will need USD for entrance and exit taxes when flying.
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Exchanging money in Punta Cana
The official currency of the Dominican Republic, where Punta Cana is located, is the Dominican peso. However, US dollars are widely accepted in Punta Cana, even by small shops and street vendors. Some sources note that it is not necessary to exchange money to Dominican pesos if you are staying in a resort or tourist area. However, if you plan to spend money off-resort, it is better to use pesos as you will get better value for money. For example, if a beer costs 100 pesos, you will be charged $3 USD as they do not deal with US coins, whereas 100 pesos is equal to just over $2 USD.
There are currency exchange offices at Punta Cana International Airport, which are open all year round from 10 am to 10 pm. However, some sources advise against exchanging money at the airport as the exchange rates are often poor. One source notes that the exchange rate at the airport was 30 pesos per dollar, whereas the Hard Rock hotel offered 35 pesos per dollar. Another source notes that while the airport advertises commission-free exchange, the exchange rates for US dollars to Dominican pesos are usually unfavourable.
If you want to exchange money upon arrival, it is recommended to have $10 in Dominican pesos for each person travelling with you to pay the airport fee without delay. You can also find currency exchange offices in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic outside of the airport, particularly in the main urban centres such as Santo Domingo. Exchange offices in Punta Cana's city centre, such as in Bavaro, offer good exchange rates, usually with a markup of just around 1-2%.
ATMs at resorts will give you Dominican pesos, but some sources note that hotels will often not break large bills into smaller denominations. It is recommended to exchange larger sums of money at once, as operations with larger amounts tend to have lower commissions.
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Payment methods at currency exchanges
Currency exchange offices at the Punta Cana International Airport deal with the buying and selling of currencies. While it is possible to exchange money at the airport, it is not recommended due to the high exchange rates and markup on the official rate.
The official currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso (DOP). However, US Dollars are widely accepted and preferred in Punta Cana. It is advisable to carry smaller denominations of USD for tips and small purchases, as US coins are not accepted in the DR.
Credit cards are accepted at most large restaurants, bars, and grocery stores in Punta Cana. However, smaller establishments like taxis, fruit stands, souvenir shops, and vendors on the beach may not accept card payments. Some businesses may also charge higher prices for card transactions or offer discounts for cash payments. Therefore, it is advisable to carry some local currency when travelling to Punta Cana.
When exchanging currency, it is generally more cost-effective to exchange a large sum at once rather than multiple small amounts. Exchange rates can vary between different locations, so it is worth checking the rates at a few places before committing to the exchange.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are currency exchange offices at the Punta Cana International Airport. They are open all year, from 10 am to 10 pm, and are located in the airport's food court and before customs control.
The currency exchange offices at the Punta Cana airport accept debit and credit cards, as well as Visa and Mastercard.
While it is convenient to exchange currency at the airport upon arrival, some travellers suggest that exchanging money at hotels or other places in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic may offer better exchange rates.
