High operational costs, plus taxes, make it more expensive to dine in Santo Domingo than in Miami or New York, according to the president of the National Hotel & Restaurant Association, Enrique Eduardo de Marchena Kaluche. He said that a meal at any restaurant will come to around RD$1,000 or approximately US$35. Restaurant taxes and surcharge add on an additional 26% to any bill, and that is in addition to the usual 10% tip.
Enrique Eduardo de Marchena Kaluche said this makes the DR less competitive.