The Dominican Republic boasts eight international airports, five cruise destinations, a variety of marinas for boats and yachts, and domestic airstrips for private planes and charters.
Wherever you are headed in the DR, by air or by sea, choosing the right gateway is key. This is a large island, with road distances often too great to cover in a single day. For example, traveling overland between the Punta Cana and Puerto Plata airports can take up to seven hours. Picking the right arrival and departure gateway closest to your final destination is therefore crucial, and will save you time and money.
As your trip progresses, you can transfer at your leisure to other parts of the island by car, bus, or charter plane. Know your options and see multiple DR regions in one trip.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS:
SANTO DOMINGO
Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) –also known as José Francisco Peña Gómez International Airport–is located 30 minutes from the capital of Santo Domingo, and is the city’s main point of entry for international air arrivals. SDQ is also convenient to the tourist beach towns of Boca Chica and Juan Dolio, starting just six miles away.
La Isabela International Airport (JBQ) –also known as Dr. Joaquín Balaguer International Airport– is located north of Santo Domingo, and handles flights to Haiti, Cuba, and select neighboring Caribbean islands.
PUNTA CANA
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is a 15-minute drive from the Punta Cana and Cap Cana areas, a 30-minute drive from Bávaro, El Cortecito, and Arena Gorda, and a 45-minute drive from the Macao and Uvero Alto areas. Offering direct flights from over 28 countries and 96 cities around the world, this is the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic and the second busiest in the Caribbean region, with nearly 3.5 million international passenger arrivals every year.
PUERTO PLATA
Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP) is conveniently located 20 minutes from the north coast city of Puerto Plata, and near neighboring tourist destinations such as Cofresí, Playa Dorada, Sosúa, and Cabarete. It is also convenient to Playa Grande and Río San Juan, an hour away by road.
LA ROMANA
La Romana International Airport (LRM)–also known as the Casa de Campo International Airport–is strategically located on the southeastern coast, a mere 10-minute drive from Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, and a 20-minute drive from Bayahibe. The airport is also less than two hours’ drive from Santo Domingo, and less than an hour’s ride from Punta Cana.
SAMANÁ
El Catey International Airport (AZS) – also known as Juan Bosch International Airport –sits half an hour away from the city of Santa Barbara de Samaná, 30 minutes from Las Terrenas, and just an hour’s drive to Las Galeras.
SANTIAGO
Cibao International Airport (STI) is 15 minutes from bustling Santiago, the second largest city in the Dominican Republic, tucked in the mountainous center of the country. It is closest to the nearby cities and towns of La Vega, Jarabacoa, and Constanza. It can also be a second gateway option if you are staying in Puerto Plata–just ensure additional transportation time before your return flight.
CRUISE DESTINATIONS:
The Dominican Republic boasts the highest number of cruise destinations in the Caribbean: Santo Domingo, La Romana, Puerto Plata, Samaná, and Punta Cana. In 2017, 533 cruise ships and more than 1,100,000 passengers visited from Miami, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale, among other hubs.
SANTO DOMINGO
The world-class Santo Domingo Port has a privileged geographic location, nestled at the mouth of the Ozama River, where it meets the Caribbean Sea. The entrance leads into this first-ever colonial settlement in the Americas via two state-of-the-art terminals: Don Diego and Sansoucí.
LA ROMANA
Two cruise port facilities benefit the east coast, where the Romana River meets the Caribbean Sea. The modern and picturesque Casa de Campo Port is located near Casa de Campo Resort, and the anchoring facilities of Catalina Island, where passengers are transported to the island to enjoy the breathtaking white sand beaches, and world-renowned Pete Dye-designed golf courses.
SAMANÁ
A short distance from Miami, the Samaná Peninsula–the DR’s secluded beach haven–is conveniently located along the route of major Caribbean cruises. Making it a port of call gives cruise lines great flexibility in scheduling vessels along the eastern and southern Caribbean’s often crowded routes. The Samaná Peninsula’s cruise terminals are located on Cayo Levantado, and in the Bay of Samaná.
PUERTO PLATA
Located on the north coast, along the scenic Bay of Maimón, the Amber Cove Cruise Center sits in the heart of the ecotourism and water sports hub of Puerto Plata. Its easy access and proximity to surrounding destinations and attractions make it a popular cruise destination pick.
PUNTA CANA
Visitors to Marina Cap Cana, located in the popular Punta Cana area of the Dominican Republic, get to enjoy the east coast’s clear coastal waters, renowned for golf, deep sea sports fishing and diving. The marina and nearby hotels also offer plenty of entertainment, from gourmet restaurants to upscale boutiques.