Can You Use US Dollars in the Dominican Republic?

Short answer: dollars work in some places, but the Dominican peso is the currency. It is written DOP or RD$, and most everyday life runs on it. The Canadian government’s travel advice puts it plainly: “The currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican peso (DOP).”

Where dollars work, and where they do not

Two sources describe the split, and both are commercial, so read this as their account and not a legal rule. Western Union’s currency guide says dollars are accepted in some places but not everywhere: “some vendors may prefer or only accept the local currency,” and “local vendors and rural areas won’t accept dollars.” The Grand Bay Punta Cana resort’s travel guide says to use dollars “inside resorts and tourist areas (they’re accepted everywhere),” that tourism zone prices are “often quoted directly in USD,” and that outside the zone “pesos are the everyday currency.” It adds that some non tourist businesses “will accept USD as a courtesy but at a poor exchange rate.”

Western Union recommends carrying pesos “for smaller purchases and transactions.”

A simple way to split your money

Think in three buckets.

Dollars for the tourism zone. Keep some small US bills for resort and tour staff tips and for businesses that tell you they take dollars. Do not count on them as your main way to pay.
Pesos for small things. Snacks, local transport, a bottle of water at a beach stand, and tips at local restaurants and services outside the tourism zone. Get these from an ATM or a bank once you land. See our guide to exchanging money in the Dominican Republic.
A card for bigger bills. World Travel Guide lists Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club as accepted.

If a business wants dollars, ask for the peso price first

Ask what the price is in pesos, then compare it with the Banco Central reference rate below. The Grand Bay guide warns that small local operators may give change in mixed currencies “at unclear rates, which usually isn’t in your favor,” so the peso price is worth knowing.

Cards, ATMs and the “pay in dollars?” question

Most ATMs in the country accept international bank cards, according to the World Travel Guide. Western Union adds that ATMs are widely available “except in remote areas where you must bring cash.”

Two things cost people money here.

Conversion offered by the machine. Visa describes this as “retailers or ATMs offering to convert a transaction into your home currency,” and recommends that you “decline the currency conversion offer” if details are missing or you feel pressure. Chase says paying in local currency means “your bank will deal with the conversion and may give you a better rate.” Pick pesos.
Your own card’s fees. Chase says cards with foreign transaction fees “typically charge an extra 3% to 5% for every foreign purchase.” Check your card before you fly.

Western Union also warns that paying by card at a restaurant or hotel “may incur up to an 18% processing fee.” Treat that as a reason to ask before you hand over a card, not a number you will always see.

On safety, the Canadian government says card skimming is common and advises using ATMs in a secure location and covering your PIN.

Restaurant bills and tips

Grand Bay’s guide says to tip in dollars in the tourism zone and in pesos outside it, and that small dollar bills suit tourism workers better than pesos. For local restaurants and services it suggests 10 percent or a small round up. Western Union says “a tip of around 10% of the bill is typical for good restaurant service” and that rounding up a taxi fare is common. Dominican labor law (Article 228 of the Labor Code, quoted in a Senate resolution) requires many sit down restaurants to add 10 percent for tips to the bill, and DGII’s infographic gives the general sales tax (ITBIS) as 18 percent, so check the bottom of the check to see what was added.

Today’s reference rate, and what it means

The peso floats, so its value changes. The Banco Central de la Republica Dominicana publishes a daily notice of its buy and sell rates. For the close of 16 October 2026 it gave RD$61.3649 per US dollar (buy) and RD$61.8322 (sell). At the buy rate:

US$1 is about RD$61.36
US$20 is about RD$1,227.30
US$100 is about RD$6,136.49

This is the central bank’s reference rate, not what a bank counter, ATM or shop will give you, and it will have changed by the time you read this. Search for the Banco Central “tasa del dolar” notice on the day you travel.

Customs and cash

Per the World Travel Guide, foreign banknotes may be brought in, but sums of US$10,000 or more equivalent must be declared. Local currency cannot be imported or exported.

What this means for a group at Las Canas

Las Canas quotes its rates in US dollars, and the optional meal plan is priced at 65 US dollars per person per day. See what a buyout costs. We arrange airport transfers, quoted with your stay, so you do not need pesos for the ride from the airport. Planning your route in? Start with getting to Las Canas. Weighing this coast against the east? See North Coast vs Punta Cana.

What we could not verify

A standard markup for paying in dollars, and any official rule on tipping currency. The tipping guidance above is from commercial guides.
How payments and tips work on our property. Message the team on WhatsApp before you travel.
No Dominican government or tourism board page we could open states which businesses take dollars, so that point rests on the two commercial guides above.

Sources checked