How to Get to the Dominican Republic (2026): Airports, Flights and Transfers by Region

Most travel sites cover this in one line: fly into Punta Cana, take a transfer. That works for Bávaro. It does not work for Samaná, Cabarete, Barahona or Montecristi, which are two to six hours from Punta Cana by road. The Dominican Republic has several international airports, and picking the right one can save you half a day on each end of the trip.

The short version: Fly into the airport closest to your region: Punta Cana (PUJ) for the east coast and Miches, Puerto Plata (POP) for the north coast, Santo Domingo (SDQ) for the capital, the south coast and the south-west, Samaná El Catey (AZS) for Samaná if your city has a flight, and La Romana (LRM) for Casa de Campo and Bayahíbe. Pre-book your transfer. Fill out the free eTicket before you fly. Most US, Canadian and EU citizens do not need a visa, and the tourist card is already in your airfare.

Which Airport for Which Region

Region	Best airport	Backup	Typical drive from best airport
Punta Cana and Bávaro	PUJ	SDQ (2.5 to 3 h)	5 to 60 min
La Romana and Bayahíbe	LRM or PUJ	SDQ (about 1.5 to 2 h)	LRM 5 to 25 min; PUJ 60 to 75 min
Miches and Costa Esmeralda	PUJ	SDQ (about 2.5 h)	about 1.5 to 2 h
Samaná Peninsula	AZS	SDQ (2 to 3.5 h), POP (about 3 h to Las Galeras)	30 to 40 min
Puerto Plata, Sosúa and Cabarete	POP	STI (about 1.5 h)	10 to 75 min
Santo Domingo, Boca Chica and Juan Dolio	SDQ	PUJ (2.5 to 3 h)	10 to 40 min
Barahona and Pedernales	SDQ	none yet	3 to 6 h
Montecristi and Punta Rucia	STI	POP (2 to 3 h)	about 2 h

The Airports

Punta Cana International (PUJ): The East Coast Default

This is the airport most visitors use. PUJ won Skytrax’s “Best Airport in Central America and the Caribbean” award in 2026 and is the second-busiest airport in the Caribbean after San Juan, handling over 8 million passengers a year.

PUJ kept its character while adding modern infrastructure. The thatched-roof, open-air design is still there for arrivals, so you often walk down airstairs onto the tarmac and into a breezy terminal. The newer Terminal B adds full air conditioning, food courts, retail and a smoother security and immigration flow. There are two VIP lounges, one in each terminal, with showers, food, drinks and outdoor pools, accessible with Priority Pass, Amex Platinum or a day pass (around $50 in 2026).

For commercial international flights you will use Terminal A or Terminal B, depending on your airline. Signage and ground staff make this easy.

PUJ has direct flights from over 30 cities in North America and Europe, including:

• United States: New York (JFK, EWR), Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington
• Canada: Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver
• Europe: London, Madrid, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, Lisbon
• Latin America: Bogotá, Mexico City, Panama City, São Paulo

Drive times from PUJ:

• Punta Cana Village: 5 minutes
• Cap Cana: 10 to 15 minutes
• Bávaro: 25 to 35 minutes
• El Cortecito: 30 minutes
• Uvero Alto: 45 to 60 minutes
• Bayahíbe and Dominicus: 60 to 75 minutes on the Autopista del Coral
• La Romana and Casa de Campo: about 1.5 hours
• Costa Esmeralda resorts in Miches: about 1.5 hours
• Miches town: 1.5 to 2 hours

There is no commercial airport in Miches, so PUJ is the gateway. The coast road north past Uvero Alto is paved but two-lane, with trucks and motorbikes; avoid driving it at night. See the Miches travel guide.

Las Américas, Santo Domingo (SDQ): The Gateway for the Capital, the South and Often Samaná

SDQ is the country’s main long-haul airport and has many daily flights from the US. For Punta Cana it rarely makes sense, since it is 2.5 to 3 hours away on toll roads. For half the country’s beach regions, though, it is the right choice.

Drive times from SDQ:

• Boca Chica: about 10 minutes
• Zona Colonial: about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic
• Juan Dolio: about 40 minutes
• La Romana: about 1.5 hours; Bayahíbe 1.5 to 2 hours
• Las Terrenas: about 2 to 2.5 hours
• Samaná town: about 2.5 to 3 hours
• Las Galeras: about 3 to 3.5 hours
• Miches: about 2.5 hours via El Seibo or Hato Mayor, on winding roads
• Barahona: about 3 to 3.5 hours from the capital
• Pedernales: about 5 to 6 hours

The Samaná toll highway and the Boulevard Turístico del Atlántico make the drive to Las Terrenas straightforward; tolls were around $10 to $15 each way for a car in 2026, payable in pesos. Caribe Tours buses run from Santo Domingo to Samaná and to Barahona. With a long layover at SDQ, Boca Chica is close enough for a beach break; see beaches near Santo Domingo.

Only consider SDQ for a Punta Cana trip if: the fare savings are very large (several hundred dollars per ticket), or you are combining the beach with a few days in the capital.

Gregorio Luperón, Puerto Plata (POP): The North Coast

POP sits on the western edge of Sosúa, so transfers are short:

• Sosúa: 10 to 15 minutes
• Playa Dorada and Puerto Plata city: 15 to 25 minutes
• Cabarete: 20 to 25 minutes
• Río San Juan and Playa Grande: about 75 minutes
• Punta Rucia: about 2 hours
• Montecristi: about 3 hours
• Las Galeras on the Samaná Peninsula: around 3 hours

POP has direct flights from the US East Coast (New York and Miami are the busiest routes), Canada and seasonal flights from Europe. For winter 2026 to 2027, Air Transat and WestJet announced new weekly seasonal routes from London, Ontario and Winnipeg starting December 15. Use official taxis or a pre-booked transfer and agree the fare first. See the Puerto Plata travel guide.

Samaná El Catey (AZS): Closest for Samaná, Limited Routes

Samaná El Catey International Airport, officially Presidente Juan Bosch International, sits at the base of the peninsula near Sánchez. It is about 30 minutes from Las Terrenas and about 40 minutes from Samaná town.

The catch is the route map. Scheduled service is mostly from Canada and France, much of it seasonal: Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, Air Transat, WestJet and Air Caraïbes from Paris Orly. If one of those flies from your city, AZS is the obvious choice. If not, fly into SDQ. Pre-book your transfer, since taxis can be scarce when several flights land together. See the Samaná travel guide.

La Romana (LRM): Closest for Casa de Campo and Bayahíbe

La Romana International sits right beside Casa de Campo:

• Casa de Campo and Altos de Chavón: about 5 to 10 minutes
• Bayahíbe village: about 20 to 25 minutes
• Dominicus resorts: about 25 minutes
• Punta Cana resorts: about 60 to 70 minutes

LRM is small (about 146,000 passengers in 2023) with a limited, partly seasonal schedule. Aggregator data for 2026 listed American Airlines from Miami, Neos from Italy, and Condor and Discover from Germany, plus charters and private jets. Check what is flying for your dates; if nothing fits, PUJ is about an hour from Bayahíbe. See the La Romana and Bayahíbe guide.

Cibao, Santiago (STI): Best for Montecristi

Santiago’s airport is about 133 km from Montecristi, roughly 2 hours by road on the Autopista Duarte, and about 1.5 hours from the Puerto Plata coast. It sometimes has cheaper US fares than POP. See the Montecristi and Punta Rucia guide.

Cabo Rojo, Pedernales: Not Open Yet

A new international airport near Oviedo in Pedernales province was still under construction in 2026, with opening expected in 2027. Do not plan around it until flights are on sale. For the south-west, fly into SDQ and drive; the Barahona and Pedernales road trip guide covers the route.

Do You Need a Visa?

For most visitors from the main source markets, no. The Dominican Republic allows visa-free tourist stays for citizens of:

• United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland
• All EU member states, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland
• Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea
• Most Latin American countries

You need a passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining. Some airlines enforce this more strictly than Dominican immigration, so do not travel on a passport close to expiry.

The Tourist Card: Already Paid For

Older articles say to buy a tourist card on arrival for $10. That is outdated. Since 2018 the tourist card has been included in your airfare. There is no separate stamp, sticker or counter visit, at any airport.

If you see a booth charging extra for a tourist card, walk past it.

The eTicket (DGM Entry Form)

You do need the DGM eTicket, the digital immigration form. It is free, takes about 5 minutes, and lives at eticket.migracion.gob.do. Fill it out within 72 hours of your flight and save the QR code on your phone or print it. It covers exit too; most travelers complete the exit section on departure day.

Airports have kiosks if you forget, but the line can be long when several flights land at once. Do it before you leave home.

Arrival Process (PUJ as the Example)

The steps are the same at every Dominican airport; PUJ is simply the busiest.

1. Walk down the airstairs or the jet bridge. Arrivals at PUJ keep the open-air, thatched-roof feel.
2. Immigration. Short lines in the morning, longer in the afternoon when most flights arrive. The officer scans your passport, asks how long you are staying and stamps you in. Have the eTicket QR ready.
3. Baggage claim. Porters sometimes grab bags without asking and then expect a tip. If you do not want help, say “no, gracias” firmly.
4. Customs. A button-press random check. Green light, walk straight through; red light, a quick bag check.
5. Out to the meeting area. Your transfer is waiting here.

Wheels-down to walking outside usually takes 30 to 60 minutes at PUJ, depending on how many flights landed together. At POP, AZS and LRM it can be faster when only one or two planes arrive.

Airport Transfers: Your Real Decision

This is where first-timers either get a smooth start or overpay. Five options, with PUJ prices as the reference.

Option 1: Package-Included Transfer

Most all-inclusive packages include a round-trip transfer. You get a meeting point and a rep’s name before travel.

Pros: nothing to decide, already paid. Cons: often a shared shuttle with several stops. If you are in Uvero Alto or Miches and the shuttle drops at Bávaro first, add 30 to 45 minutes.

The best choice for most travelers if it is already in the package.

Option 2: Pre-Booked Private Transfer

You book a private car or van directly with a transfer company.

Pros: fastest and most comfortable, no shared stops, driver waits with a sign. From PUJ in 2026, around $35 to $70 for a sedan and around $80 to $130 for a van, depending on destination. Longer routes cost more: a private transfer from PUJ to Miches was reported at around $100 to $150 one way in 2025, and SDQ to Samaná is a three-figure fare per vehicle. Cons: a bit more than a shared shuttle, and you handle the booking.

The best pick for independent travelers and anyone who hates waiting.

Option 3: Resort Shuttle

Some resorts run their own shuttles, separate from package transfers.

Pros: direct, no stops at other properties. Cons: only at certain resorts, and the schedule may not match your flight.

Option 4: Airport Taxi Line

The official taxi line is right outside arrivals, with fixed rates by destination.

Pros: no advance booking. Cons: much more than a pre-booked transfer. From PUJ in 2026, Bávaro was around $80 to $100 and Uvero Alto around $130 or more. Cars are often older.

If you did not pre-book, take it. Just know you are paying a premium.

Option 5: Rental Car

All major chains operate at PUJ, SDQ and POP.

Pros: total flexibility. Close to essential for Barahona and Pedernales, Montecristi, and for exploring Samaná’s beaches or the north coast on your own. Useful in Punta Cana if you are in an Airbnb or eating out at places like Captain Cook. Cons: Dominican driving takes getting used to: roundabouts, unmarked lanes, motorbikes everywhere. Counter insurance upsells are aggressive. Most all-inclusive guests do not need a car. See getting around.

Transfer Comparison (from PUJ)

Option	Typical cost per group (around, 2026)	Time to Bávaro	Time to Cap Cana	Best for
Package shuttle	$0 (in package)	45 to 75 min	30 to 45 min	All-inclusive guests
Pre-booked private	$35 to $70	25 to 35 min	10 to 15 min	Independent travelers, families
Resort private shuttle	$40 to $90	25 to 35 min	10 to 15 min	Repeat guests at specific properties
Airport taxi	$80 to $130	25 to 35 min	10 to 15 min	Last resort
Rental car	$35 to $70 per day	25 to 35 min	10 to 15 min	Airbnb stays, road trips

What About Uber?

Uber operates in Punta Cana but not legally at PUJ airport. Drivers can be fined for terminal pickups, so most will not accept airport requests or will ask you to walk elsewhere. It is a hassle right after landing. For getting around once you are at your hotel, Uber works well in Punta Cana and Santo Domingo; it is patchier in smaller regions.

Common Scams and Mistakes

1. The tourist card booth. You do not need to pay anything extra. Anyone offering to speed you through for a fee is selling nothing.
2. Aggressive porters. Baggage handlers may grab your bag and expect $5 to $10. If you did not ask for help, polite refusal is fine.
3. “My friend will drive you cheaper.” Unsolicited offers in the meeting area are unlicensed and often no cheaper in the end.
4. Buying excursions at the airport. Desks in arrivals often charge roughly double what you would pay booking with operators or your hotel.
5. Airport currency exchange. Poor rates. Use a bank ATM, or pay in USD where accepted. See money and tipping.
6. Flying into the wrong airport. Booking PUJ for a Cabarete or Barahona trip turns into a five or six hour drive. Check the table above first.

Departure

• Arrive 2.5 to 3 hours before international departures at PUJ and SDQ; smaller airports are quicker but still give yourself 2 hours.
• Have your eTicket exit section ready; most hotels can help the day before.
• Departure tax is included in your ticket.
• PUJ’s Terminal B has a multi-level food court and lounges; Terminal A is more compact. Both have duty-free and VIP lounges with pools.
• The 11am to 3pm departure window at PUJ is the busiest. Pad your timing.
• From Samaná, Barahona or Montecristi, plan the drive to the airport with daylight and traffic in mind; leaving Santo Domingo-bound traffic on a Sunday evening can be slow.

Connecting Flights

If you connect through Miami, New York or Toronto, build in buffer time. Caribbean flights are often the last out and the first delayed, and a 90-minute connection can become a missed flight. For short trips, pay extra for a direct flight if you can. Losing one day of a four-night trip hurts.

Multi-Region Trips

Open-jaw tickets work well in the Dominican Republic. Fly into PUJ and out of SDQ to combine Punta Cana with the capital or Bayahíbe, or into SDQ and out of POP to drive Samaná and the north coast. Check the one-way rental drop fee before you book.

Final Verdict

1. Match the airport to your region: PUJ for the east and Miches, POP for the north coast, SDQ for the capital, the south and the south-west, AZS or SDQ for Samaná, LRM or PUJ for Bayahíbe, STI for Montecristi.
2. Use the transfer included in your package, or pre-book a private transfer.
3. Fill out the DGM eTicket before you leave home. Do not pay for a tourist card.
4. Skip the airport taxi line, the porters and the excursion desks. Walk straight to your transfer.

Once your dates are set, read our best time to visit guide, then the packing list for what goes in the suitcase.