arriving at the airport I go upstairs to the departure level and it took me 45 seconds to find a taxi to take me to the Zona Colonial for 900 pesos (less than $24) And I'm a gringo. (but with an acceptable level of Spanish). These are normal taxis dropping off passengers as the "official" (ripoff) cabs will not charge less than $40.
Going back simply call any legitimate taxi company and the fare should be max 1000 pesos. ($26.50)
$40+ are gringo prices.
Going upstairs at the airport is little help to the OP, the request was from ZC to SDQ not SDQ to ZC. Jumping in a cab heading back to the city will give you haggling rights, (anything is better than nothing to the driver), but in the other direction you will be massively lucky to break $RD1000 as of lately. I don't think it is that bad for a trip to the airport, most airport journeys anywhere in the world trip a little extra.
Going upstairs at the airport is little help to the OP, the request was from ZC to SDQ not SDQ to ZC. Jumping in a cab heading back to the city will give you haggling rights, (anything is better than nothing to the driver), but in the other direction you will be massively lucky to break $RD1000 as of lately. I don't think it is that bad for a trip to the airport, most airport journeys anywhere in the world trip a little extra.