This is how Ducadista has done it for over a year:
-Check deposited in my US account.
-Make a check to myself to my US dollar account at BHD, the check clears in 2 weeks, but I have gotten in 7 days. I also keep a 2 month cushion (BHD is the least time it takes to clear a US check in DR).
-Withdraw my dollars from BHD, take it to an exchange house (casa de cambio)for the best rate.
-Deposit my pesos at Banco Popular, Why Popular? Most people have an account there, so I paid all my utilities via internet banking, but also my mechanic, and blacksmith, or any institution to avoid walking around with large amounts of money.
- On a side note, I do all this at a shopping center i.e. Agora mall, Sambil, so I don't have to walk around with this money on hand. Withdraw, Exchange, Deposit (WED) all in one place. Yes, it's a hassle, but it is only once a month. Buena suerte.
My 2 cents........