We recommend you get settled on thursday so you can relax and enjoy the surrounding mountain sides, friday is the first night of the celebration.
There are 4 major international airports in Dominican Republic. We recommend you choose STI Santiago since is only 20 min or so from Hodelpa Garden Court the best hotel selection and they will pick you up to the airport as well. If you are feeling adventurous you can land from Puerto plata and rent a car for a scenic drive through the mountains through la carretera turistica, before arriving at your hotel.
The Dominican peso is currently $51 pesos for a dollar as of 10/30/19 the best place to exchange is at the airport or at the bank of the island Banreservas or el Banco Popular.