Dollar or Peso

[catcherintherye]

Pesos.
Changing money on the street is a quick and easy exchange, although you should be careful. At a bank you have stand in a line, and some banks require a passport, but you will get a fair and honest exchange.

For me, if time is an issue I go to the street, if I have time I go to the bank. It depends on the situation and how much your time is worth. It's a few peses one way or the other and it's your choice.

[GringoCArlos]

I have rarely found a bank that gives an exchange rate equal to a casa de cambio, and besides, who wants to go through the hassle of standing in line and going through the process of showing your passport, etc??

I have only changed money in the street once in the past 9 years, and it was because I had not gotten into Santo Domingo from the airport until after 8:00 on a Saturday night, had no pesos and had no desire to go to a casino. (and forget the airport exchange, even the employees were embarrassed by their tasas.)

Yes, the guy in the street tried to shortchange me by RD$500, until I counted it out in front of his face, and then he went ohhhh, and gave me the other $500. His tasa was the same as my casa de cambio had been on Friday, and 30 points higher than the place in Pollo Rey on El Conde (but hey, it was late on a Saturday night too). You just have to be extremely vigilant. I had also checked out the tasa del dia here on DR1 before my flights.

The casas de cambio I use stand behind the bills they give you (no fakes) and the tasas are competitive. True, late on a Friday afternoon or a Saturday morning, the tasa may dip slightly, so one just needs to go earlier.

[jaguarbob]

Originally Posted by GringoCArlos

Look in the "Living" section, the first thread is "today's Exchange Rate" and go to the last post. Folks give the rate and place where they exchanged money, and it is usually current. If the rate is fluctuating much, the posts will be more frequent. Today is running about 34.00 or so to the US$$, but depending where, this might vary by .20 up or down....

And P.S. - the airports are usually the WORST, followed closely by any A.I. hotel. There is a casa de cambio in most pueblos and neighborhoods, and they all take cash, at usually a fair rate if they are established. It's the guys in the street to be wary of - shortchanging you or trying to pass a bad bill or two... and ALWAYS count your money in front of them again, even if they just got done counting it (and usually very fast) - if they are trying to pull a fast one, you will get what you are owed. They will always give you an adding machine tape or show you their calculator showing the amount they are supposed to be giving you.

nevernevernevernevernevernevernevernevernevernever nevernevernevernever
change on the street in SD..nevernevernevernevernevernevernevernevernever. ....go to inside cambios.El Conde has best rate on a continuing basis,either polo rey or franks...34.20 today
bob

[pyratt]

It's funny, I always read "the airports" have the worst exchange rate. Last trip down the Banco Reserva in SDQ was paying .2 pesos LESS than the rate advertised on the internet...a better rate than I found at El REY de POLLO (who won't change my $1000USD EVER!)

There's a guy in front of Hotel Mercure...in a blue van (Cambio Movil), who "miscounted " me one time...once he figured out I'm changing $500-$1000 at a time, he's been straight with me...and very fair...change $250US or less he makes .2pesos....over that, he charges me .1! No "bad" bills, "no 20 peso notes", no "taped" bills.....

Meson de Luis changes money as well but I am not familiar with the rate.

Paco's Cafeteria also pays well

[jaguarbob]

Originally Posted by pyratt

It's funny, I always read "the airports" have the worst exchange rate. Last trip down the Banco Reserva in SDQ was paying .2 pesos LESS than the rate advertised on the internet...a better rate than I found at El REY de POLLO (who won't change my $1000USD EVER!)

There's a guy in front of Hotel Mercure...in a blue van (Cambio Movil), who "miscounted " me one time...once he figured out I'm changing $500-$1000 at a time, he's been straight with me...and very fair...change $250US or less he makes .2pesos....over that, he charges me .1! No "bad" bills, "no 20 peso notes", no "taped" bills.....

Meson de Luis changes money as well but I am not familiar with the rate.

Paco's Cafeteria also pays well

pacos today was 33.80
polo rey 34.20
franks 34.20
friend of mine changed $4000. at polo rey yesterday...you must have changed at polo rey when the cambio was not there.
Franks is day in and day out still the best place to do business...also the Caribe express on Mella,across from Banco Popular always has a great rate...
bob

[boca chica dave]

Originally Posted by pyratt

It's funny, I always read "the airports" have the worst exchange rate. Last trip down the Banco Reserva in SDQ was paying .2 pesos LESS than the rate advertised on the internet...a better rate than I found at El REY de POLLO (who won't change my $1000USD EVER!)

There's a guy in front of Hotel Mercure...in a blue van (Cambio Movil), who "miscounted " me one time...once he figured out I'm changing $500-$1000 at a time, he's been straight with me...and very fair...change $250US or less he makes .2pesos....over that, he charges me .1! No "bad" bills, "no 20 peso notes", no "taped" bills.....

Meson de Luis changes money as well but I am not familiar with the rate.

Paco's Cafeteria also pays well

Banco Reserva in SDQ is a great place. Quick and don't charge a premium for traveler checks. Franks is good but will wack you for t checks.