🛫 How to Get There
Getting to and around the Dominican Republic
✈ Flying to the Dominican Republic
Main Airports
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) — The DR's busiest international gateway and the main entry point for beach travelers. Direct flights from the US, Canada, UK, Germany, and Scandinavia. Located 10–40 minutes from resort hotels depending on where you're staying. Airport information
Other International Airports:
- Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) — Santo Domingo gateway, 30km east of the capital. Best for historic and cultural travel.
- Cibao International Airport (STI) — Santiago de los Caballeros, the DR's second city. Gateway to the Cibao Valley and northern interior.
- Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP) — Puerto Plata on the north coast. Serves Cabarete and Sosúú resorts.
- El Catey International Airport (AZS) — Samaná Peninsula. Seasonal flights, perfect for whale watching season (January–March).
💡 Insider Tip
Fly into Punta Cana for beaches and party resorts. Fly into SDQ for Santo Domingo and historic travel. Fly into POP for kitesurfing at Cabarete and the 27 Charcos waterfalls. Each airport serves a very different DR.
🚌 From Punta Cana Airport to Hotels
Resort Shuttle (Most Common)
Most all-inclusive resorts include airport transfer in their package. Check your booking confirmation before arriving — a rep with your name on a sign will meet you in arrivals.
Taxi (Fixed Rate)
Official white taxis outside arrivals charge fixed rates: around RD$1,200–1,800 (USD $20–30) to Bávaro hotels, RD$2,500–3,500 to Cap Cana. Always confirm the price before getting in.
Expreso Bávaro (Budget Option)
Bus service linking Santo Domingo and Bávaro/Punta Cana multiple times daily. RD$400–500 one way (around $7). Departs from two Santo Domingo stations. Journey time approximately 3 hours. Expreso Bávaro schedules
⛴ Other Ways In
Cruises — Several major lines dock at Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Taíno Bay (Puerto Plata), purpose-built cruise ports with shops, pools, and excursion desks. Also La Romana for Casa de Campo area visitors.
Land border with Haiti — Two main crossing points: Dajabon in the north (busiest, large trade market Mondays and Fridays) and Jimani in the south. Check current border status before travel.
No regular passenger ferry service from other Caribbean islands — flying is the only practical option from Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Cuba, or other islands.
Domestic charter flights connect PUJ, SDQ, POP, and Samaná for quick hops between regions. Air Century and SAP operate these routes.
🛂 Visa & Entry Requirements
Visa-free for most passport holders. US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, and many other nationalities can enter the Dominican Republic for tourism without a prior visa. A tourist stay is typically 30 days, extendable at immigration offices.
The old tourist card ($10 USD) is now included in airfare for most commercial flights. Always check the current entry rules for your specific passport before booking.
⚠ E-Ticket required: All air passengers must complete a free electronic entry/exit form before arrival. Complete it at the Dominican Republic Migration e-Ticket portal.
Check entry requirements →🚗 Getting Around the Dominican Republic
Long-Distance Buses
Caribe Tours is the DR's most comprehensive bus network, serving Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Samaná, Jarabacoa, Barahona, and many smaller towns. Modern air-conditioned coaches with Wi-Fi. Fares RD$200–500 one way. Book with Caribe Tours
Guaguas (Shared Minivans)
Privately operated minivans connecting towns and neighborhoods. The cheapest way to travel but crowded and routes can be confusing. Long-distance guaguas labeled "Expreso" are faster as they don't stop constantly. Fares from RD$50–200.
Uber & Cabify
Uber operates in Santo Domingo, Santiago, and Puerto Plata — significantly safer and cheaper than negotiating with random taxis. Cars are air-conditioned with working seatbelts. Essential for getting around the capital.
Santo Domingo Metro
Two metro lines serve the capital. Line 1 runs north–south along Máximo Gómez Avenue; Line 2 runs east–west on John F. Kennedy Avenue. Fare: RD$40 per journey. Operates daily 6am–10:30pm. Useful for locals commuting, some stops near cultural sights.
💡 Getting Around Tip
Between regions, buses beat renting a car for cost and stress. Within Punta Cana resort zone, resort shuttles and taxis are easiest. For exploring the north coast or Samaná Peninsula independently, a 4WD rental is worth considering. Check godominicanrepublic.com for up-to-date transport options.
🚋 Local Transportation
Motoconchos (motorbike taxis) are the fastest and cheapest way around towns — drivers wear neon vests. Fares RD$25–75 in-city. Not ideal in heavy Santo Domingo traffic, better in smaller towns like Jarabacoa or Las Galeras.
Conchos (Shared Sedans)
- Four-door sedans on fixed city routes, crammed with up to 5 passengers
- Fares RD$25–50 per trip — much cheaper than private taxis
- Common in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata
- Wave one down on the main road; tell the driver your destination before getting in
Private taxis are abundant outside hotels. Always agree on a fixed fare before departing — meters are not standard in the DR. Fares from RD$150 within cities.
🚙 Renting a Car
Recommended for exploring multiple regions — the north coast, Samaná Peninsula, or the Cibao Valley independently. All major companies (Hertz, Avis, Budget, National) are at international airports.
Things to Know
- Drive on the right side of the road
- A valid driver's license from your home country is accepted (25+ years old at most companies)
- Take full insurance — including "Casa del Conductor" option in case of serious accident
- 4WD strongly recommended for rural roads and mountain driving to Jarabacoa or Constanza
- Toll roads connect major cities — carry small change in Dominican pesos (RD$60–100 per booth)
- Highways in good condition; secondary roads can be rough with potholes
- Watch for motorcycles cutting through traffic in cities
⚠ Safety on the Road
The DR has a high rate of road accidents. Drive defensively, especially at night when potholes and stray animals are invisible. Avoid driving after dark on unfamiliar rural roads. Use toll highways between cities whenever possible — they are safer and faster.
🚗 Compare Rental Cars in Dominican Republic
Compare prices and book your rental car:
💰 Money-Saving Tips
- Book buses online: Caribe Tours is cheaper and more reliable than negotiating with individual drivers
- Use Expreso Bávaro: Between Santo Domingo and Punta Cana, much cheaper than taxis
- Use Uber in the cities: Cheaper than private taxis, no haggling needed
- Pre-book airport transfers: Online rates beat on-the-spot taxi negotiation
- Share taxis: Conchos cost RD$25–50 vs. RD$150+ for private taxis for the same city journey
- Compare car rental sites: Prices vary significantly between platforms, especially in peak season