Do we just use US dollars when in the DR or do we need to get some local currency? I figure just dollars but hey este gringo no sabe nada!
most often, you can put lots of stuff on a credit card, the exchange rate will be figured out by the CC company, usually at a good but not the best odds. for example master card might convert at 36.2, against 36.8 that you have to shop for. much better than you'll get at the airport or hotel, no need to worry, less of a target for crime, etc. but any good taxi driver worth his salt will make a 5$ taxi ride become a 20$ ride when it's done in US currency. you'll need pesos for the small stuff....................
Just an fyi...
Most CC's or banks charge extreme fees for using the card outside of your home country. for the US I know they charge you a percentage 5-10% of what the purchase or withdrawl is...along with the atm fee itself and the bank atm fee that you doing the transaction...can be up to $20 just to take $100-$200!
Best bet, bring cash...you can exchange at the bank, supermarket, cambio or on the street...as long as its during the day...you should be fine as long as you not doing large amounts and leave the rest in the safe!
I use Western Union and Caribe Express to get better rates than are usually given at the banks. Never change money "on the street".