Banking (mostly ATM) questions

wondering9 Contributor

Member since 28 August 2023

wondering9Contributor19 November 2025 23:27:27

196

I don't think this has been asked before; apologies if I missed something.

I'm still drawing money out of my US bank account via ATMs and probably will be for a couple more months (for longwinded and boring reasons not worth going into). Banco Popular takes a crazy large bite (not sure whether it's bad exchange rate, high fee, or both). Banreservas and BHD, which I think are the only alternatives where I am right now, only let you withdraw a small amount at a time (DOP 2000 and 2500, respectively), so withdrawing any more than that will cost more in repeated US-side fees (but it'd still be cheaper than Banco Popular).

I have not yet tried to go inside the bank and do the same transaction with a live human teller. Would it make any difference if I did? Would they let me have more money at one time? Would the fee be any different? Is it a common thing to get money this way if you don't have an account at that bank?

This is not a question about which bank is better for a long-term commitment, just about the most cost-effective way to get cash out of my US bank in the short term.

^^I hope that made sense.

Thanks!

UncleBuck Serial expat

Member since 06 June 2017

UncleBuckSerial expat20 November 2025 08:58:33

552

Popular recently changed their fees, and yes, they are the worst for withdrawing from a foreign account. Santa Cruz isn't bad, I believe it is $12,000 per withdrawal. If you can find a La Nacional bank, their ATM allows $40,000 per withdrawal which makes getting cash much cheaper. Not sure about other banks, the North Coast is rather limited to the big names.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert20 November 2025 11:53:15

17621

The limits are established both by the ATM bank and your home bank! Try asking your bank to increase and then try again. If not go into a teller but never on or near payday

wondering9 Contributor

Member since 28 August 2023

wondering9Contributor20 November 2025 12:09:08

196

My home bank limit is high enough (I can get the maximum amount from Banco Popular if I'm willing to pay for it).

I'm curious if I might be able to withdraw more money by talking to a human teller than I can get from the ATM.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert20 November 2025 18:23:51

17621

All you can do is try. Then let us all know!

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ddmcghee Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 15 May 2017

ddmcgheeDominican Republic Expert21 November 2025 18:28:55

1902

When you withdraw from Popular, it gives you an option of sending the peso amount or the converted dollar amount to your home bank, Always go for pesos!! I made the mistake and hit the wrong button one time and lost about $20 on the exchange!