- Local Currency
- Dominican Peso (DOP)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: explore.atmfeesaver.com, puntacanaphotographer.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Withdraw cash from ATMs at bank branches rather than supermarket ATMs to reduce fraud risk
- Bring a mix of small DOP bills and USD; ask for 500-peso bills to minimize hustle situations
- Many restaurants accept only cash and may not charge sales tax (ITBIS) or service charge if paying in cash
- Notify your bank before traveling to prevent card blocks for suspicious activity
- When using ATMs, always select 'Decline Conversion' to be charged in DOP at your bank's rate rather than the ATM's less favorable rate
ATM Access
- Availability
- ATMs widely available at banks and some supermarkets throughout Cabarete
- Typical ATM Fee
- DOP 150
- Withdrawal Limit Per Transaction
- DOP 10,000
- Fee Note
- ATM fees vary by bank (ranging 150-300 DOP); always decline dynamic currency conversion to get bank's exchange rate rather than ATM's markup
Cards Accepted
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Cirrus
- Plus
- Maestro
- American Express (some ATMs)
Tipping Norms
- General Principle
- Tip when service was genuinely good; no strict rules but gratuity is culturally important
Taxis
- Currency
- Pesos preferred
- Expected
- Tip not customary but rounding up or small change appreciated
Hotel Staff
- Bellhop
- 500-1,000 DOP per bag
- Concierge
- Optional; 1,000-2,000 DOP for significant services
- Housekeeping
- 1,000-2,000 DOP per stay or per day is customary
Restaurants
- Currency
- Pesos or USD both acceptable; small bills preferred
- Additional Tip
- Additional tipping for excellent service is optional and appreciated; typically 5-10% more on top of the service charge
- Service Charge Included
- 10% service charge is legally required and automatically added to restaurant bills
Guides And Tours
- Currency
- USD preferred for organized tours
- Expected
- 10-15% of tour cost is standard for tour guides and activity staff
Currency Notes
- Coin Warning
- US coins cannot be exchanged or used for payment; bring only paper bills
- Dual Pricing
- Many tourist-oriented businesses list prices in both DOP and USD
- USD Accepted
- Yes, USD is widely accepted in tourist areas and larger businesses, but exchange rates are often less favorable than using pesos
Exchange Notes
- Best Rates
- ATMs offer better rates than currency exchange offices or hotels
- Avoid
- Currency exchange at hotels and tourist shops—rates are significantly worse
Local Currency
Dominican Peso (DOP)
Card Acceptance
- Summary
- Cards widely accepted in tourist areas and main businesses; cash still essential for local vendors and smaller establishments
- Note On Payment
- When using card, always request to be charged in Dominican Pesos (DOP) rather than your home currency to avoid unfavorable dynamic currency conversion fees
Accepted Cards
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express (larger establishments only)
Where Cards Work
- Hotels and resorts
- Restaurants and bars in tourist zones
- Shopping malls and supermarkets
- Tour operators and excursion companies
Where Cash Needed
- Local taxis and public transport
- Small local restaurants and street vendors
- Beach vendors and informal shops
- Some smaller accommodations
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Cabarete
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.