The US dollar and Dominican peso are both widely accepted and used in Punta Cana.
The Dominican peso is the best currency to use in Punta Cana as most prices at this tourism hotspot are quoted in Dominican pesos.
What’s more, when you use other currency, you will normally pay more than if you paid in Dominican pesos, because you will lose a percentage through conversion rates.
Read on for the ultimate guide to money in Punta Cana.
Are Things Cheap in Punta Cana?
Yes. Things are pretty cheap in Punta Cana, when compared to other Caribbean destinations.
In fact, the all-inclusive resort packages available in Punta Cana are among the cheapest in the Caribbean.
That said, Punta Cana is not as cheap as Puerto Plata, which is an older destination and therefore generally offers lower rates for flights, hotels, restaurants and recreational activities.
Why is Punta Cana So Cheap?
The main reason why Punta Cana is because Punta Cana has many all-inclusive resorts that offer generally lower package rates for flights, hotels, restaurants and recreational activities.
What Currency Do They Use in Punta Cana?
The US dollar and Dominican peso are both widely accepted and used by most shops, hotels, restaurants and tour companies operating in Punta Cana.
What is the Best Currency to Use in Punta Cana?
The best currency to use in Punta Cana is the Dominican peso, as most prices at this tourism hotspot are listed in Dominican pesos.
What’s more, when using other currency, you often end up paying more than if you paid in Dominican pesos, because you will have lost a percentage in conversion rates.
The second best currency to use in Punta Cana is the US dollar.
Can You Use American Dollars in Punta Cana?
Yes, you can use U.S. dollars in Punta Cana.
American dollars are accepted widely by most shops, hotels, restaurants and tour companies in the key tourist areas of the Dominican Republic such as Punta Cana.
In fact, big resorts and upscale restaurants typically list their prices in U.S. dollars. This enables tourists to easily spend their entire vacation without needing to convert their currency into Dominican pesos.
But beware that some vendors may not give you back your change in U.S. dollars, preferring Dominican pesos instead. Moreover, when giving back change many vendors will often set the exchange rate to their advantage.
Therefore it is advisable to always pay the exact amount in American dollars, preferably using one or five dollar bills.
What is the US Dollar Worth in Punta Cana?
One US dollar is worth about 58.50 Dominican pesos in Punta Cana. Of course, this depends on what rate you exchange it at.
Here are some quick conversions from the Dominican Peso to the United States Dollar (Exchange Rate: 1 DOP = 0.017 USD).
| Dominican Peso (DOP) | American Dollar (USD) |
| RD $ 50 | US $ 0.85 |
| RD $ 100 | US $ 1.7 |
| RD $ 200 | US $ 3.4 |
| RD $ 500 | US $ 8.5 |
| RD $ 1,000 | US $ 17 |
| RD $ 2,000 | US $ 34 |
Do I Need Dominican Pesos in Punta Cana?
No, you will not need Dominican Pesos in Punta Cana.
American dollars are widely accepted at most businesses in Punta Cana, which is a hotspot for international tourism.
What’s more, if you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, you may never have to use cash, as most Dominican resorts accept payment via debit/ credit card.
Can I Use My Credit Card in Punta Cana?
Yes, you can use a credit card in Punta Cana, as credit cards are readily accepted at many shops, hotels, restaurants and tour companies at Dominican tourism hotspots such as Punta Cana.
However, it is advisable not to solely rely on your credit card as the only source of money while holidaying in Punta Cana. Carry traveler’s checks and some cash too to cover small expenses at small shops and vendors that accept cash only.
Do You Tip in Punta Cana?
While Dominican locals generally don’t tip, it is customary for visitors to tip when vacationing in tourism hotspots such as Punta Cana.
The rule of thumb for holidaymakers traveling to Punta Cana is to always tip any person that gives you good service.
How Much Should I Tip in Punta Cana?
As with anywhere else in the world, the rule of thumb for tipping in Punta Cana is to give the amount that you would tip at home.
Of course, the actual amount you tip ultimately is up to you. The important thing is that you leave a decent tip for good service.
What is a Good Tip in Punta Cana?
Here is a breakdown of what is a good tip in Dominican pesos (DOP).
| Low End (DOP) | High End (DOP) | Don’t Forget | |
| Housekeeping | 180 | 300 | Tip daily. (Champagne you left over does not count!) |
| Room Service | 15% | 20% | Only if gratuity is not included (it typically is). |
| Concierge | 300 to 1,200 | 2,400 to 6,000 | Consider if your request was easy or complicated. |
| Luggage Attendant | 60 per bag | 180 per bag | If using a luggage cart, round it up. |
| Valet | 120 | 300 | Tip after the valet returns your car, not after parking it |
| Butler | 600 | 900 | Tip daily |
| Waiter | 10 – 20% | Tip if a gratuities charge is not included in your bill | |
| Buffet Breakfast | 60 – 120 | Place the money on the table, and use a cup/ glass to hold it down | |
| Villa Staff | 10% | Of the total rental amount of your villa | |
| Private Driver | 10 – 15% | Of the total fare | |
| Shuttle Driver | 60 – 300 | US $1 and $5, depending on the length of trip. | |
| Tour Guide | 10 – 20% | 5% | Of the total cost of the tour |
| Caddie | 60 per hole | US $1 per hole |
Do You Tip at All Inclusive Resorts Punta Cana?
It depends. Although all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana often state that tips and gratuities are included, generally extra tips are accepted and appreciated.
However, some all-inclusive resorts do not permit allow their staff to accept tips. Consequently, tipping an employee could easily get them fired.
It’s better to err on the side of caution by confirming ahead with the concierge whether it is allowed to tip their staff.
Can I Tip in US Dollars in Punta Cana?
Yes, you can tip in US dollars in Punta Cana.
If the price of the service is listed and paid for in Dominican pesos, you may leave a tip in American dollars, as long as the value of the tip is appropriate.
For example, if the tip for your luggage attendant is 180 Dominican pesos, then you may give a tip in US dollars at the current exchange rate for 180 Dominican pesos.
Keep in mind that when tipping in US dollars, it is recommended that you only give notes. This is because Dominicans are unable to spend or exchange coins, making them basically worthless in the Dominican Republic.
How Much Money Should I Bring to Punta Cana for a Week?
For a week’s stay in Punta Cana, bring around RD $43,449 (US $749) per person.
Plan to spend around RD $6,207 (US $107) per day during your holiday in Punta Cana. This is the average daily cost, inclusive of food and transportation, based on the general expenses of most visitors to the tourism hotspot.
That said, you don’t have to bring this entire amount in cash to Punta Cana. You can also pay using debit/ credit cards, as well as withdraw money from ATMs.
In fact, it is recommended that you only bring about US $200-300 in cash per person for your Punta Cana holiday.
What if I Am Staying at an All Inclusive Resort?
If staying at an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, you may never need to use cash, as most resorts accept payment using a debit/credit card.
However, you will need cash for small expenses such as giving tips, paying for taxi rides and meals at neighborhood restaurants or buying local goods and souvenirs from small vendors.
Bring about US $400 in US $1 or US $5 bills to cover these small expenses.
