Are you thinking of heading to the Dominican Republic on your next trip? You're in for a treat! While it can be exciting to figure out all the things to do in the Dominican Republic, the airport is the first thing you'll see there.
As you start looking at flights, you might notice a few different airports in the Dominican Republic - how do you know which to choose? Don't worry. We're here to help! Read on for the inside scoop on the Dominican Republic airports and what to expect from them.
What are the airports in the Dominican Republic?
While the Dominican Republic's a relatively smaller country, they sure aren't in shortage of international airports.
The Dominican Republic has seven international airports, all located in slightly different areas of the country. In addition to those seven international airports, a fair number of domestic airports offer flights within the country itself. The seven international airports are spread out around the country, so depending on where you're hoping to visit, one may be more convenient than another.
What are the major airports in the Dominican Republic?
We've said there are seven international airports, but they don't all have the same air traffic.
The three major airports in the Dominican Republic are: Punta Cana International, Las Américas International, and Puerto Plata International.
Which one you want to fly into will depend on what part of the island you want to explore. What sets them apart from each other? Let's find out!
Punta Cana International
With the airport code of PUJ, Punta Cana International Airport is located in Cabeza de Toro. It is the perfect airport if you're looking to stay there, or in Punta Cana, towards the East of the Island. The airport is the Dominican Republic's busiest airport and has two terminals that offer direct flights all over the world.
Large airlines such as Delta, British Airways, American Airlines, SouthWest, and more all fly into Punta Cana. Some smaller airlines like TAP and Viva Air also have flights there. Punta Cana Airport services most airlines compared to the other airports in the Dominican Republic.
Las Américas International
Located in Santo Domingo Este, Las Américas International Airport (code SDQ) is the second busiest airport in the Dominican Republic. This airport is best if you're hoping to explore the Santo Domingo area or the Colonial Zone.
Be advised that no public transport connects this airport to the city, so you will need to either take a taxi or rent a car to get to and from the airport.
Well-known airlines such as Delta, Jet Blue, American Airlines, and more fly into Las Américas. Their flights depart and arrive from only a handful of cities in the US. Still, these include Atlanta, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York, Newark, Orlando, and Philadelphia.
Puerto Plata International
Also known as Gregorio Luperón International, this airport is perfect for visitors heading to Puerto Plata or to Playa Dorada in the North (only about 15 minutes by car from the airport). This airport, with a code of POP, is smaller than the other two but more convenient for travelers hoping to hit up Puerto Plata during their trip.
Punta Cana International Airport
As the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic, there's a high chance you'll come across flights flying into Punta Cana. If you're headed there, we want to help you be as prepared as possible, so let's dive into everything you need to know about Punta Cana Airport:
Terminals
The airport has two terminals open to the public, although there is five total. Both terminals A and B handle international services and are within walking distance. Boarding gates 1-4 are located in Terminal A, while boarding gates 5-10 are located in Terminal B.
Lounges
With only two terminals, the lounge options at Punta Cana are limited, but you'll be pleased to hear that there's a lounge in each terminal!
Both lounges offer food and drink WiFi and are open from 8:00am-9:00pm. To gain access to either lounge, you'll need to purchase a lounge pass.
Getting to the City Center
While it's important to understand what inside the airport looks like, it's not your final destination.
Whether you're headed to a resort or a hostel, there are several ways to get into Punta Cana. You can opt to take the bus (also called Guaguas) if you're headed to a local hotel, which will transfer you there.
Do know that busses take longer to arrive at your destination and their services are frequently irregular. If you're in a rush or headed anywhere other than a hotel serviced by the Guaguas, we recommend you take a taxi.
Taxis are located outside the customs area at Punta Cana Airport but don't expect all taxis to be the same.
It's essential that before you get in a cab, you should be clear about your destination and the price of the journey. If you're staying in certain hotels, there may be a set taxi you can take there. Beron Taxi is the official taxi service recommended by the airport.
Other airports in the Dominican Republic
While there are three major airports in the Dominican Republic, there are still four other international ones you could use for your travels:
- La Romana International (LRM) - Best for travelers staying at Casa de Campo (luxury resort)
- Cibao International (STI) - Located outside Santiago, this airport receives several direct flights from major US cities and is within driving distance of Puerto Plata.
- Samaná El Catey International (AZS) - This is the best airport to fly into if you want to explore the Samaná peninsula, but not recommended if you want to visit elsewhere as it's not well connected with the rest of the island.
- La Isabela International (JBQ) - This airport is mainly connected to other Caribbean islands, so it is perfect if you want to explore other islands or to visit the Dominican Republic from one.
Plan your trip to the Dominican Republic!
Now that you know all the ins and outs of airports in the Dominican Republic, you're ready to start planning your trip there! As you start making bookings and putting it all together, make sure to use Pilot to keep all of your itinerary items in one place!
