I wanted to know if I can get by in just the US dollar? I heard there are lots of shoe shine kids there and I want to too these kids because I hate seeing poor kids but I don't know if is need pasos or not? I heard some restaraunts take credit card so I'm good there. But tipping the locals do they take dollars or only pasos?
- Thread starter joselowe
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Should I get pasos?
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Kids don't care if it's US or pesos, but bring some money and or debit cards bc credit cards are not excepted in a lot of places.
Watch out some of these cute kids have the cutest scams.
Watch out some of these cute kids have the cutest scams.
What type of scams? And I'm scared of getting pesos cause I suck at math lol the exchange rate would scare the hell out of me
What I usually do upon arrival is have $35-40 separated out for the taxi fare into Santo Domingo. Do not exchange money at the airport! After you check into your hotel go to a nearby casa de cambio and exchange enough to last a few days until you become familiar with how it all works and then you can exchange more. Make sure you stay in a hotel with a secure safe. You will have enough coins to pay the shoe shine boys. I often have restaurants box up a take-away and give it to them. Watch not to get scammed too bad.
Also, be aware that most American banks charge an international transaction fee at the ATM's.
Also, be aware that most American banks charge an international transaction fee at the ATM's.
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Is the Casa thing a bank? And damn is the exchange rate really big from the US dollar. Being bad at math is the part that scares me.
then just use an ATM... ask your bank if they have a no charge ATM in Dom Republic
unless you're exchanging thousands, all rates will be good enough...
go to a bank if you're concerned
any legitimate place will be fine
look at the exchange rate thread here ---- 44.6 or 6 these days... carry a calualtor
using $100US bills, anything over 4500 pesos will be OK.... 4700=even better
unless you're exchanging thousands, all rates will be good enough...
go to a bank if you're concerned
any legitimate place will be fine
look at the exchange rate thread here ---- 44.6 or 6 these days... carry a calualtor
using $100US bills, anything over 4500 pesos will be OK.... 4700=even better
No, not a bank. A house of money exchange; usually a small shop. Believe me, it will not take you long to adjust to navigating the exchange rate. There is a thread on the Forum dedicated to letting members know how much they have exchanged dollars, euros, etc. for pesos and the casa de cambios have signs posted what their exchange rates are; they tend to fluctuate within hundreths of a point from day to day and during the day. I think the latest I checked was 44.5 pesos to $1. Using the calculator in your cell/smart phone makes it easier. You'll be fine.
Yeah, what William said. :>
Yeah, what William said. :>
Even if you're terrible at math the exchange rate is REALLY simple. (The method I use even saves you money.)
US$1 = RD$40
RD$10 = US$0.25
Four quarters is one dollar, one dollar is 40 pesos.
so
RD$400 = US$10
Can you divide and multiply by four? If you answered yes then you'll have an easy time.
Small bills to large bills.
RD$20 = US$0.50
RD$50 = US$1.25
RD$100 = US$2.50
RD$200 = US$5.00
RD$500 = US$12.50
RD$1000 = US$25.00
RD$2000 = US$50.00
If you use RD$200 as your base it's simple to convert quick. It's just five bucks.
Now let's understand why you're saving money.
The real exchange rate is above 40, so when you calculate it at 40, you're coming out on top with some extra money in your pocket.
US$1 = RD$40
RD$10 = US$0.25
Four quarters is one dollar, one dollar is 40 pesos.
so
RD$400 = US$10
Can you divide and multiply by four? If you answered yes then you'll have an easy time.
Small bills to large bills.
RD$20 = US$0.50
RD$50 = US$1.25
RD$100 = US$2.50
RD$200 = US$5.00
RD$500 = US$12.50
RD$1000 = US$25.00
RD$2000 = US$50.00
If you use RD$200 as your base it's simple to convert quick. It's just five bucks.
Now let's understand why you're saving money.
The real exchange rate is above 40, so when you calculate it at 40, you're coming out on top with some extra money in your pocket.
I use a yahoo currency calculator. You can print out a cheat sheet for you pocket.
Currency Converter - Yahoo! Finance
Currency Converter - Yahoo! Finance
I honestly have dyscalculia so as soon as you mentioned divide and multiply I said Hells to the no! Lol but can I get by using dollars? Will the kids and most restaurants except my US bills or debit/credit card or do I have no other choice but to get pesos?
As someone with dyscalculia (which I should have mentioned in the op) calculators are not easy to use
Also, just in case you were thinking about giving the shoeshine kids coins, don't.
Foreign coins here have no value, so tipping quarters or dollar coins is useless.
Foreign coins here have no value, so tipping quarters or dollar coins is useless.
It's really not difficult, reconsider where you're going if you cant figure it out. Clean your shoes before you leave. Consider every RD1000 pesos to be $25 US. Dont bring cash money with you, if you lose that then it's gone. Have fun, don't make any new best friends, or fall in love. Get on your plane and go. All is hunky dory!
Curlando's suggestion for you printing yourself a cheat sheet is the best and easiest way for you to figure out the costs of things.
Even if you try to use US dollars you will still need to know how to convert the prices because most things are priced in pesos.
Even if you try to use US dollars you will still need to know how to convert the prices because most things are priced in pesos.
Curlando's suggestion for you printing yourself a cheat sheet is the best and easiest way for you to figure out the costs of things.
Even if you try to use US dollars you will still need to know how to convert the prices because most things are priced in pesos.
Even if you try to use US dollars you will still need to know how to convert the prices because most things are priced in pesos.
Multiple apps for smartphones. Make it easy. I use XE. I also use the 40:1 quick mental calculation. I figure it takes into account the international fees you have to pay.
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