Sending money to family in the Dominican Republic is something millions of people do every month. The options have gotten significantly better over the past few years — faster, cheaper, and easier to use than traditional wire transfers. This page covers what actually works and why.
No complicated financial jargon. Just the real options, what they cost, and what people who send money regularly actually use.
What to Look For
When you’re sending money to the DR, four things matter: the transfer fee, the exchange rate, how fast it arrives, and how your family receives it. Some services charge low fees but make it up on the exchange rate. Others are fast but expensive. The best option depends on how often you send, how much you send at a time, and how your family prefers to receive funds.
Our Recommendation
Remitly
Remitly is what our family uses to send money to the Dominican Republic — consistently, every month. The reasons are simple.
Remitly offers competitive exchange rates, low transfer fees (often free for first-time transfers), and multiple delivery options including bank deposit, cash pickup, and mobile money. For the Dominican Republic specifically, transfers typically arrive in minutes — not hours, not days.
New users get a fee-free first transfer. Use the link below to get started.
Send with Remitly → Referral link — first transfer fee waived for new users.Other Options Worth Knowing
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Wise built its reputation on transparent, low-fee international transfers, and for corridors like the UK and Europe, that reputation is well earned. For sending USD to the Dominican Republic specifically, though, the numbers don’t always back that up. On the night we checked, a $200 bank transfer carried a $15 fee, by far the highest of any option here, and the total delivered to the recipient came in lower than Remitly, Western Union, or Xoom. Wise does offer a live rate calculator right on this page if you want to check today’s actual numbers before deciding, since fees on this corridor can shift. But if USD to DOP is your regular transfer, it’s worth comparing the live number against Remitly and Western Union before assuming Wise is the cheaper choice, on this route it may not be.
Send with Wise → This is an affiliate link. We may earn a small commission if you sign up through it, at no extra cost to you.Western Union
Western Union has the widest physical pickup network in the DR — useful if your family doesn’t have a bank account or prefers cash pickup. The fees tend to be higher than digital-first options, but the accessibility and familiarity make it a reliable fallback for many families.
Visit Western Union →Xoom (a PayPal Service)
Xoom is PayPal’s international transfer service. If you already have a PayPal account, it’s a familiar option that supports bank deposit, cash pickup at partner locations, and mobile wallet transfers in the DR.
Visit Xoom →Zelle / Bank Transfers
If your family member in the DR has a U.S. bank account, Zelle is instant and free. This is common in families where someone splits time between both countries. If they only have a Dominican bank account, Zelle won’t work.
Quick Comparison
| Service | Rate (DOP) | Fee | Total Received | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Union | 57.4382 | $0 | 11,487.64 DOP | 0–4 business days |
| Remitly | 57.09 | $2.99 | 11,418.00 DOP | Not listed on quote |
| Xoom | 55.2054 | $0 | 11,041.00 DOP | Minutes |
| Wise | 58.9455 | $15.00 | 10,904.92 DOP | ~5 business days |
Rates checked September 5, 2026, for a $200 bank-deposit transfer. These change regularly, check the live rate above before sending.
How Family Receives the Money
Most services offer multiple delivery methods — bank deposit directly into a Dominican account, cash pickup at a partner location, or mobile wallet. Remitly supports all three for the DR.
Bank deposit is the most convenient if your family has a Banco Popular, BanReservas, or other Dominican bank account. Cash pickup works well for family in smaller towns where banking access is limited. Confirm with your family which method works best for them before your first transfer.
Transfer Limits and Frequency
Most services have daily or monthly transfer limits, especially for new accounts. Remitly allows multiple transfers per month with no restriction on frequency once your account is verified. If you’re sending regularly — weekly or more — verify the limits on whatever service you choose before you depend on it.
Verification usually requires a government-issued ID and sometimes proof of address. Do this setup before you need to send urgently.
Sending money to the Dominican Republic is faster and cheaper than it used to be. If you’re just getting started, Remitly is where we’d begin — the speed and simplicity make it the easiest first choice, and your first transfer is fee-free.