Money at Santo Domingo–Las Américas International (SDQ)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Santo Domingo uses the DOP (RD$). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly US$40. USD accepted at airport; small DOP for local use.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Santo Domingo–Las Américas International (SDQ)?
Dominican Republic uses the DOP (RD$). Airport ATMs dispense DOP directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from SDQ to the city cost?
Expected fare on the SDQ → Zona Colonial route is roughly US$40. Around US$70+ is already high, and US$100+ unauthorized is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at SDQ?
10% is appreciated. Drivers in Dominican Republic don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at SDQ?
USD accepted at airport; small DOP for local use. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of DOP notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at SDQ?
Only if you need $10–20 of DOP to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
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