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 is well regarded for offering exchange rates closest to the mid-market rate with transparent fees. Transfer times to the DR can be slightly longer than Remitly — typically a few hours to one business day rather than minutes. A strong option if you’re sending larger amounts and the exchange rate matters more than instant delivery.
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.
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 | Speed | Fees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remitly | Under 1 minute | Low / free first transfer | Regular senders, fast delivery |
| Wise | Hours to 1 day | Low, transparent | Large amounts, best exchange rate |
| Western Union | Minutes to hours | Higher | Cash pickup, no bank account needed |
| Zelle | Instant | Free | Recipient has U.S. bank account |
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.