pay in pesos or US dollars?

[la flor]

Im traveling next weekend, and will be spending about 800.00 US dollars for the hotel. would I save if I pay in pesos? also is the bank in the airport open at 3am when I arrive? I hear you get a better rate there then switching money at the hotel banks. or should I charge on credit card, whould it be charged in pesos? (I still rather pay in cash). any advice is appreciated!

[badpiece33]

Hi dear hope you had fun the other night in NY. The bank will be closed in airport at that hour but you can withdraw money from cash machines located in airport, they will give you money in pesos. Pay for the hotel with credit card, you dont need to lug all those American dollars in your bag and risk losing it.
Badpiece

[Malibook]

Just get a quote for both US$ and pesos and do the math to see which is better.
I always pay for everything in pesos since I have yet to see any business give a very good rate of exchange for dollars.

Credit card is fine but some businesses charge a significant percentage for credit card transactions.
Often it is at least 3% and sometimes much higher.
$800US is significant and I would not use the credit card if the service charge was 5% or more.

The hotel cambios vary significantly.
Some are great and some horrible.
For example, in Playa Dorada, the one at Jack Tar is horrible but the one at Paradise is very good except for Canadian$.

[jrzyguy]

someone told me that if you pay with credit card that one has to pay a high tax....is this true??? i have always payed by credit card....i dont like keeping too much money laying around my room...even with a safe. it might cost me a bit more traveling with travelers checks and cashing them in either at a hotel or at a cambio.....but bottom line is that i feel safer. i bring a bit of us dollars...but not that much.

for real flor...even if the hotel charges you as much as a 10% tax....you are talking 80 bucks on 800....a bit of a charge yes...but perhaps worth it

I dont remember such a great fee tho while at candil. in fact i was stunned at how low my bill was (as it was not an AI....but i still had breakfast there every morning...etc.).

arg!!! still cant believe we are going to miss eachother by ONE DAY!!!!!!

[LatinoRican]

Originally Posted by la flor

Im traveling next weekend, and will be spending about 800.00 US dollars for the hotel. would I save if I pay in pesos? also is the bank in the airport open at 3am when I arrive? I hear you get a better rate there then switching money at the hotel banks. or should I charge on credit card, whould it be charged in pesos? (I still rather pay in cash). any advice is appreciated!

It has been my experience in several of the smaller hotels in Santo Domingo (not the Jaragua or Quinto Centenario) that if you pay you bill in dollars, they will give you a discount. Why don't you ask what the policy is in the hotel where you will be staying? Why don't you offer to pay in dollars in exchange for a discount? You may be better off than paying with pesos!

[p1atan0]

I had a great time meeting you la flor ill be in DR starting wednesday the 2nd lets hook up again!!!
muahhhhhh
p1

[la flor]

Originally Posted by p1atan0

I had a great time meeting you la flor ill be in DR starting wednesday the 2nd lets hook up again!!!
muahhhhhh
p1

hey! I wll be there from 2/20 to 2/25 (leaving extremly early that morning)
will you be there then? let me know!