Hello All, This is Syringles... I am getting closer to my May 1st "dream trip"... (6 month trial w/ trip home half way for Dr. Visists, grandchildren, test to see about moving more permanently)... Anyway.. I remembered reading much in banking section on ATM issues and thought I had read somewhere suggesting using PayPal... Basically, I am having difficulty figuring out the best way to arrive without multiple credit or debit cards and only taking out as much cash at a time as I might need for a week. I hope those familiar with Punta Cana area (if it is different) can let me know if I will be able to arrive at airport and get first amount of "pesos" and I suppose this must be done with my American Debit Card? Or could I use a starter set of pre-puchased traveller's checks and use them all for a week or two worth of RD$?
Then from that point, in order to not be using my US bank debit card (lose it and I'm in trouble), I wonder if the local banks or even "Exchange" sites if there is such a thing would take a Paypal transfer? I recently found an article where American bank accounts are sometimes flagged for frequent ATM withdrawals and purchase in foreign countries when one is still a US resident.. Then there is the issue (as I will always be going back and forth for the 3 months visits... with calling Debit/Credit companies with the message they require that I will be out of country (then back in)... I suppose eventually a Dominican Bank account would be prudent but for those first six months, I am not sure how to go about getting weekly (if that's a good timing) withdrawals of DR$'s ... One can send money to themselves, even in another country, using Paypal (i.e., you can send to anyone's email address as long as they have also signed up for Paypal and have that email address linked to a bank.. I have sent money this way to my son who lives in California.. so simple, just entering his email address. However; since I can't test this since I'm not in the DR...I must suppose it works as described, and there is absolutely no fee when transferring money to myself (using another email address associated with my second bank account... using a debit card, there is a fee...Since I won't have the Dominican Bank Account right away, what I am getting at is .... do most banks and /or 'Exchange sites" accept Paypal as a means of making the exchange.. This would be a perfect solution for me. Paypal advertises their global acceptance but I sure would like to hear any news from this group.... The PayPal worldwide site has the Dominican republic listed as a country one can use PayPal to both pay for services or send money... However; I still wonder as I know IP addresses can be tracked and it will be clear I am going from one IP to the same?
So if anyone has any idea on the fine details, advantages or disadvantages with using Paypal in the Dominican Republic, I would very much appreciate your advice.