It’s a good time to be a tourist in the DR. The official rate is at RD$15.90, and commercial banks are paying about RD$15.82 to the dollar, up from RD$15.60 prior to the increase in fuel prices about two weeks ago. Street vendors are buying dollars at RD$16.00. The situation is not expected to last long, though, as Christmas time is a time when friends and relatives visit bringing thousands of dollars. Likewise, foreign companies participating in the capitalization of government enterprises are expected to inject thousands of dollars into the economy.
