Filling up just got a bit more expensive in the Dominican Republic. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs has announced that premium gasoline and optimal diesel are rising by RD$4 per gallon, the latest weekly adjustment to hit the pumps in Santo Domingo and beyond.
Here's the thing most visitors won't see: the Dominican government is quietly eating a large chunk of the cost. Subsidies currently run at RD$65.11 per gallon of LPG, RD$15.45 for regular gasoline, and a hefty RD$94.53 for regular diesel, with premium diesel close behind at RD$82.82. Officials say diesel is the biggest strain on public finances, and the point of the subsidies is to keep public transport fares and the price of the basic food basket from spiking.
Why are prices climbing faster than crude? Because the Dominican Republic imports more than 80% of its fuel already refined, so the cost travellers feel at the pump reflects refining and import costs on top of international oil prices. When those secondary costs rise, pump prices move quicker than headline crude figures suggest.
For holidaymakers, the practical takeaway is modest but real. If you're renting a car to explore Punta Cana, the Samaná Peninsula or the mountain roads around Jarabacoa, expect a slightly higher fuel line in your budget — and if you can run on regular rather than premium fuel, the gap between the two grades just widened by RD$4, so choosing the cheaper option matters more than it did last week.Bus travel, guaguas and scheduled coach services are largely shielded by the subsidy policy, so getting around without your own wheels should stay stable price-wise for now.
