General Info

[MHO]

I am confused..My PayPal debit does not work in any ATM down there . What am I missing?

They changed the ATM machines at Banco Popular in Sosua last December and then my MasterMoney card no longer worked.

The fix is to just select savings even though the cash is taken from your checking account.

[Watnow78]

Being that im arriving id SD at a very early time in the morning, is there any place to changes cash to pesos or should i just rely on the airport atm's? My ETA is 3:30am.

[Abr Mainline]

Ok I'm new to the exchange of money part so, why is it when I exchaged money inside the bank I needed my passport and she took and enter alot of imformation off of it into the computer. The rate 36.20 good I hope?

[Helpmann]

I am confused..My PayPal debit does not work in any ATM down there . What am I missing?

I have been using PayPal debit cards in the DR for 2+ years. Trust me, PayPal works in the DR.

-Helpmann

What You Could Be Doing Wrong With Your PayPal Debit Card
1. You're incorrectly selecting "Credit Card" as a cash source instead of "Savings Account."
2. You're withdrawing more than your daily or transaction limit.
3. You're withdrawing more money than you have in the account.
4. You're entering the wrong pin#.
5. You're using Banco Popular ATM's in tourist cities like Sosua or Boca Chica (problems have been reported by several ISG forum members).

[Terry U]

I've definitely used the "swipe only" ATMs in Santiago on Calle del Sol. I believe it's the Scotia Bank near the corner of 30 de Marzo. There is also another one in Plaza Internacional. Haven't seen any in Sosua.

If you receive any type of "transaction can not be completed" error message, check your account balance immediately, I've had my account deducted for the amount without receiving cash.

If you are too worried about the ATMs, you can always go inside the bank and do a credit card transaction for cash(costly but safer).

I've seen people using PayPal debit cards in the DR, it's probably the bank and not the card.

[Abr Mainline]

I thought of that, having 2 credit cards but this was my first time in San Pedro at my novia's place not knowing the arer,she not having a safe at her place. I wanted to travel light passport, debit card, $300 cash. My bank charges me a 2-3% fee for international use.When I go back(7/31-8/2) I will just bring cash and change it over, try not to use my card.My novia(formally of A-1 Divas) wants to know how your doing(Jaosousa) I said from what I can tell he's just chillin haha!!!!!

[Alex Deuce]

That is a good idea but I don't know any banks in SD that have the swipe machine. I always travel with two debit cards. My primary card is a PayPal debit card that charges $1.25 per transaction. If you are a frequent DR visitor you can open a pesos account and receive a debit card on the spot. If I come with cash first thing I do is go to Franks on El Conde and change into pesos. Next stop I deposit in my bank account.

I had an ATM machine keep my card once. I went to the bank the next day and got my card back in two pieces. The bank's policy is to cut the cards in half when the machine keeps them. This was the bank on Independencia near Lapus.

As my last backup I have a bank account in $USD where in an emergency I can get my hands on cash.

I am confused..My PayPal debit does not work in any ATM down there . What am I missing?

[Bq Ribs]

......I will only use the atm type that you swipe your card not completely enter card.

That is a good idea but I don't know any banks in SD that have the swipe machine. I always travel with two debit cards. My primary card is a PayPal debit card that charges $1.25 per transaction. If you are a frequent DR visitor you can open a pesos account and receive a debit card on the spot. If I come with cash first thing I do is go to Franks on El Conde and change into pesos. Next stop I deposit in my bank account.

I had an ATM machine keep my card once. I went to the bank the next day and got my card back in two pieces. The bank's policy is to cut the cards in half when the machine keeps them. This was the bank on Independencia near Lapus.

As my last backup I have a bank account in $USD where in an emergency I can get my hands on cash.

[Abr Mainline]

On my recent stay in DR I stayed in San Pedro(6/28-7/5). While in SP(6/28-7/1) then to SD, me and my novia went to Jumbo market to buy things, after reading several reports about the atm machines, I put my card in hit spanish then checking account and then other amount, I like to takeout $5000 peso the machine rejected that offer but never returned my card, this happened 7/1 am on my way to SD to meet up with several board members sorry I let them down. It took me till Saturday afternoon to get my card back. I will only use the atm type that you swipe your card not completely enter card.

[Coolie High]

Lots of fake money in DR, the DR chicas will show you which ones are fake.

I'm really interested in actually seeing the fake peso bills. The real peso bills already feel so fake so im amazed that chicas can tell the difference.

[Bq Ribs]

It happened again. I went to the ATM at the farmacia on Delgado and Independencia. I went to take out money using the English menu. I receive a message in Spanish telling me they can not complete the transaction. Put the card right back in the machine and selected the Spanish menu. No problem, a few seconds later it spits out my cash. I am really beginning to think the ATMs do not like English speaking persons.

[Jaosousa]

Hey was wondering do DR have problems with fake peso bills being spread down there. I know in the states especially in Vegas fake USD bills are common. The peso bills always felt like funny money to me.

Lots of fake money in DR, the DR chicas will show you which ones are fake.

[Coolie High]

Yeah, with the new bills and the Metro it is like the DR has moved into the 21st Century big time. These new bills are really nice. I can see where they will last much longer before they become the crumpled up bills that we are used to seeing.

Hey was wondering do DR have problems with fake peso bills being spread down there. I know in the states especially in Vegas fake USD bills are common. The peso bills always felt like funny money to me.

[BogieMaker]

Is it worth going to a sex resort? I've seen ads for places like Oxygen Resorts and places like it and was wondering if it was worth using. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I made several posts in the Boca Chica fourm about my experience at http://www.periastron-vacations.com/index.php it was worth it for me but I had as much fun on my last trip to Sosua and Puerto Plata. The resort in Boca Chica is relaxing and the girls are with you 24 hours a day. Some guys like that some don't. Total Satisfaction and Periastron were the same place for about 9 months but have again gone seperate ways.

Can't comment on the other resorts. BB was more like the Periastron experience except you don't have the same girl for at least 24 hours.

[Bq Ribs]

Thanks, much lighter than carrying 25, 10, 5 pesos coins.

Yeah, with the new bills and the Metro it is like the DR has moved into the 21st Century big time. These new bills are really nice. I can see where they will last much longer before they become the crumpled up bills that we are used to seeing.