Ever since the travel industry invented package tours, vacationing abroad has become so much easier and hassle-free. And that sweet phrase, all-inclusive! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a bed that’s always made and cleaned, drinks for every taste, and a transfer to and from the airport. Do you need to bring extra money along when everything’s already included? Let’s break it down.
How much money should you bring to the Dominican Republic?
We strongly recommend bringing extra money for unplanned expenses, such as:
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Insurance deductible — check your policy carefully. Insurance included with a package tour often still requires the traveler to cover a certain amount themselves, whether that’s a deductible or a percentage of the total bill. The Dominican Republic is a fairly safe country, but it’s better to be safe than sorry — literally — and keep a cash reserve on hand in case you need to file a claim.
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Taxi fare — sometimes guests miss their scheduled group transfer to the airport and end up needing to take a taxi at their own expense. You can still make it to the airport on time by taxi, but only if you have the cash to cover it — in the Punta Cana area, for example, a taxi to the airport will run you $30–50.
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Excess baggage fees — if your suitcase suddenly weighs more than you and your airline had planned for, and you don’t feel like unpacking anything, you’ll need to pay an overweight fee, roughly $10 per kilogram (check your airline’s website for exact rates).
Extra expenses
If you’re planning to leave the hotel grounds at any point, you’ll want to budget for a few extra costs:
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Excursions. We wholeheartedly recommend exploring the Dominican Republic, since it’s incredibly scenic and varied — the Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, mountains, waterfalls, caves, lakes, lagoons, wild, snow-white beaches — genuine slices of paradise well worth a visit! Plus, the resort area where tourists usually stay is fairly polished and curated; the real Dominican way of life and character is found further inland! Excursions in the Dominican Republic start at around $35 — you can find detailed information on our excursions page, or get in touch with our team to plan out your excursion schedule and expenses in advance.
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Souvenirs. The most popular Dominican souvenirs are, of course, rum, coffee, mamajuana (don’t mix it up with anything else — mamajuana is the local traditional infusion), Dominican cigars, the local semi-precious stone larimar, and natural Dominican cosmetics and oils.
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A seafood dinner. If you’re up for it, you can head out one evening to a restaurant in your resort area for dinner along the waterfront, with a view of a lagoon or one of the city’s main squares. Some restaurants offer free transfer from hotels in the resort area, some are within walking distance, and for others you’ll need a taxi. On average, a seafood dinner with a glass of wine will run $100–150 for two. For more on where to find great spiny lobster around Punta Cana, get in touch with our team through live chat — we’re happy to help pick the best option and arrange transport.
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Taxis. You can get around the resort area on foot, by motoconcho, or by minibus, but a taxi is by far the most convenient option. You can book a car through any hotel’s front desk. A ride within the resort area averages around $25. Tip: agree on the fare with the driver up front, to avoid any surprises on arrival. There’s also a chance the driver might take you to a different restaurant than the one you asked for — one that pays them a commission instead. Not every driver does this, and you’ll most likely be taken exactly where you asked, but dishonest drivers do exist. If you need help arranging a transfer, feel free to reach out to us too!
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Car rental. If you’d like to rent a car in the Dominican Republic, you can ask at your hotel’s front desk (many hotels offer this service), find a rental company online (we recommend sticking to trusted international companies like Avis, Budget, or Thrifty), or reach out to us — we’ll help you find the right car at a fair price. Rental prices start around $45 per car, plus fuel, at roughly $1.20 per liter.
And of course, we recommend setting aside a bit of money for staff tips, specifically:
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The bartender at your favorite bar — a smile and good drinks are pretty much guaranteed.
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Housekeeping — you won’t believe the shapes they can fold your towels into!
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The bellhops who walk you to your room and carry your bags.
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If coconuts grow on your hotel grounds, tip the gardener a couple of dollars and ask him to bring you one. There’s a good chance fresh coconuts will start showing up outside your room every morning after that.
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Front-desk staff always appreciate a small gift from your home country — chocolate, candy, and other treats can win them over, and you just might end up with the best room in your category!
And that’s really about it! If we didn’t cover the cost of something you’re curious about, feel free to reach out anytime via live chat or by phone at +1 (829) 260-8888.
