How to get paid by guests as a Dominican Republic host

How do you charge a guest who lives in another country, and how does that money reach your account in the Dominican Republic? For many hosts this is the most uncomfortable part of the business: transfers that never arrive, deposits you have to chase, cards you cannot accept and fees nobody explained.

This guide shows how a secure card payment works, what happens between the guest paying and the money landing in your bank, and what to ask any channel before you trust it with your money. By the end you will know what to expect and which costs to plan for.

Key Takeaways

• A card payment through a processor like Stripe protects the guest and keeps you from handling card data.
• Money follows a path: guest payment, settlement and payout to your account. Each step takes time.
• Hosts in the Dominican Republic can receive payouts in Dominican pesos through Stripe Global Payouts.
• Processing costs, bank fees and currency conversion exist on any channel. Build them into your prices.

Table of Contents

• Why charge by card instead of bank transfer
• The path of the money: from guest to bank
• How payments work on SimpleStay
• Common payment mistakes and how to avoid them

Why charge by card instead of bank transfer

Transfers and cash look simple, but they bring problems. A foreign guest cannot always send money to a Dominican bank, receipts can be faked and, if something goes wrong, there is no clear record of what was agreed. A card payment handled by a recognized processor documents everything.

What the guest gets

The guest pays with the card they already use, on a secure checkout page. They do not have to share their details with you or send an international wire. For a traveler who does not know you, that lowers the trust barrier a lot.

What you get

You never handle card numbers, which takes a big responsibility off your plate. Every payment is recorded with its date, its amount and the booking it belongs to, and you can check the status without chasing anyone. That matters even more if you live in the US and the property is on the island: you can see what was paid from wherever you are, without asking a relative to check a bank account.

The path of the money: from guest to bank

Knowing the route helps you plan when to expect your money and explain the process to guests:

1. The guest pays. By card, on a secure checkout page.
2. The payment settles. The processor confirms the charge with the card's bank. This is not instant.
3. The money is sent. Once settled, the payout goes to the account you registered.
4. Your bank credits it. Final timing depends on the processor, your country and your bank.

Currency and conversion

If the guest pays in US dollars and you receive Dominican pesos, a currency conversion happens somewhere along the way. That conversion can have a cost. Always ask who does it and at what rate, so it does not surprise you on your statement. For general background on how online checkout works, see the article on the payment gateway.

How payments work on SimpleStay

On SimpleStay, card payments go through Stripe Checkout, so you never handle card data. Hosts complete payout onboarding with Stripe, providing the banking and identity details requested. SimpleStay supports host payouts in 122 countries through Stripe.

Payouts in Dominican pesos

Hosts in the Dominican Republic can receive payouts to a local bank account in Dominican pesos through Stripe Global Payouts. Funds are forwarded once the guest's payment settles. Arrival timing depends on Stripe, your country and your bank.

When the guest pays

With Instant Book, the guest pays when booking, and an unpaid instant booking is released after 24 hours. With manual approval, the guest pays after you accept the request and has 72 hours to do it.

What SimpleStay charges

SimpleStay charges US$50 a month per property, or US$100 a month per hotel, with 0% SimpleStay commission on your bookings. The booking money is yours. Guests pay US$0 in SimpleStay service fees. Stripe processing, bank fees, currency conversion and taxes may apply separately.

Common payment mistakes and how to avoid them

Most payment problems come from expectations nobody said out loud. These are the most common:

• Not explaining when payment happens. Tell guests whether they pay when booking or after your approval.
• Forgetting third-party costs. Processing, conversion and bank fees affect what reaches you. Account for them when setting prices.
• Incomplete banking details. Make sure your payout setup is complete before your first booking arrives.
• Promising exact payout dates. Timing depends on the processor and the bank. Give a range instead.

Protect your details

Never send your bank details by chat or email to someone you do not know. Enter them only in the official payment onboarding. And never ask a guest for their card details in a message. For a closer look at warning signs, read our guide on how to avoid payment scams as a host.

Get paid with peace of mind

Getting paid well is part of hosting well. When the guest knows how and when to pay, and you know when the money will arrive, the relationship starts with trust. If you are still comparing channels, read our guide on getting direct bookings in the Dominican Republic.

If you want to charge through Stripe and receive payouts in pesos, list your property on SimpleStay. Every new listing gets a free trial of 30 days, or 7 days for listings located in the United States. After that it is US$50 a month, with no SimpleStay commission per booking.

List your property with a free trial

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I charge a foreign guest for my rental in the Dominican Republic?

The safest way is a card payment through a recognized processor such as Stripe. The guest pays with their card on a secure page and you never handle their details. Every payment is recorded with its booking.

Can I receive payouts in Dominican pesos?

Yes. On SimpleStay, hosts in the Dominican Republic can receive payouts to a local bank account in Dominican pesos through Stripe Global Payouts. Currency conversion and bank fees may apply.

How long does it take for booking money to arrive?

Funds are sent once the guest's payment settles. Arrival timing depends on Stripe, your country and your bank, so there is no guaranteed fixed date.

Does SimpleStay keep a share of my bookings?

No. SimpleStay charges US$50 a month per property, or US$100 a month per hotel, with 0% SimpleStay commission. Stripe processing, bank fees, currency conversion and taxes may apply separately.

In how many countries can hosts receive payouts?

SimpleStay supports host payouts in 122 countries through Stripe, including the Dominican Republic.