[Loolasant]

Do you think I can get by with US Dollars in Santiago or will I have to convert to Pesos? Thanks

[mvjvz]

Do you think I can get by with US Dollars in Santiago or will I have to convert to Pesos? Thanks

pesos unless u never leave the hotel

[MizzDaizzy]

You could "get by", but you definitely won't like the stores and restaurants conversion rates........
Stick with pesos.......make life here easy on yourself.........

B in Santiago

[Loolasant]

Thanks for the info. Another question, can I exchange Dollars for Pesos at the airport in Santiago? I'll be flying into Santiago with Dollars in my wallet and will need to take a taxi to my hotel. I assume the taxi wants Pesos and not Dollars?

[Aluback]

You CAN change money at the airport but they have a poor exchange rate.

you will get ripped off at the airport. you can pay the taxi in dollars. The airport taxis are all happy to get dollars, but check the price of the ride before you get in or he may try to charge extra. The taxi rates are set for different areas and all written down on a board.

I would suggest that you then change money at a bank but make sure you know the rate first. you will get around 39 at a bank but on the street you will get maybe 38 and at the airport you will get about 35.!

dave

ps. most larger stores will take dollars also but you will need pesos for everything else.

[hexniks]

Take a taxi to your hotel. You can bargain with him, and make sure you do not pay more than US$20...closer to 15 would be about right...but spread the wealth for good service.

Once in the hotel, find out where the closest bank is (Depends on what hotel you are going to). Go to the bank and exchange a few bills to get a feeling for the transaction. Later on, you can go to a "Casa de Cambio"--exchange house--and get a little better rate...but unless you are exchanging millions it really does not matter much.

HB

[Kolokireo]

You can also get a "starter" supply of pesos out of an ATM.
Then, as HB says, use the cambios (exchange "banks") and never on the street.
RUSA is a good cambio up the street from Aloha Sol hotel on Called de Sol downtown.

[note: a store that says BANCA isn't a bank or a cambio — its an off-track betting parlor]

[Aluback]

You can also get a "starter" supply of pesos out of an ATM.
Then, as HB says, use the cambios (exchange "banks") and never on the street.
RUSA is a good cambio up the street from Aloha Sol hotel on Called de Sol downtown.

[note: a store that says BANCA isn't a bank or a cambio — its an off-track betting parlor]

Greg81 - read the above TWICE.... Banco (w/ an O) is what you want.... they're bigger and very NoAmerican looking
You"ll be fine

[Loolasant]

Ok, great. I'm staying at the Aloha Sol. I'll look for RUSA when I get there.

[Aluback]

If you want to be really safe, take the earlier advice about gettin $50US from the ATM - automatic conversion for some 'walking around' money until you get settled

[h0ldem]

then look for Caribe tours/cambio office today they´d give you 39.10 to the dollar.

[freevideoandoicsI]

If you want to be really safe, take the earlier advice about gettin $50US from the ATM - ....

Not so safe (sometimes), as we all (?) know.
Best is a 'casa de cambio' or WU.

donP

[Aluback]

Not so safe (sometimes), as we all (?) know.
Best is a 'casa de cambio' or WU.

donP

He/She needs some pesos to get from here to there...... I'd still use the ATM..... at 2am in STI

[Aluback]

what are you going to need pesos for at 2 in the morning? just go to the hotel and sort it out in the morning.....

I dont know the hotel but i would imagine you can change money nearby.....

[Matajic]

You are going to need $30 us dollars. You need to purchase a tourist card at the airport for $10 and the taxi to the hotel will cost $20. Exchange money the next day at rusa.

[muytreda]

or go across the street from Aloha hotel you will find a shiny builiding with the name Banco Popular. This is one of the largest banks in the DR. They have ATM's and you can also go inside to change a few dollars to start you off.

I've marked the location for you here:
https://foursquare.com/v/banco-popul...0320a1d67e8ae4

I've found that the Caribe Tours offer the best exchange rate but that will be matched by most exchanges if you know the rate and ask for it.

But in reality it is like Hillbilly indicated; if you're just changing a couple of hundred bucks the difference might add up to a few beers. I would much rather go for quick service and ease of use then running around getting the best rate.