Getting there by air
Main Airports:
Santo Domingo (SDQ) (Internacional de las Américas) - 18km (11 miles) east of the city. Transport to/from the airport by taxi. Facilities: duty-free shop, post office, bank, restaurants, bars and car rental.
Puerto Plata International Airport (POP) (Internacional General Gregorio Luperón). - Transport to/from the airport by taxi. Facilities: duty-free shop, banking and exchange, gift shop, post office, restaurant, bar and car rental.
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) - 10 to 30 minutes’ journey time from the Punta Cana and Bávaro resorts. Transport to/from the airport by taxi. Facilities: gift shops and duty-free shopping.
Airlines servicing flights to Dominican Republic:
Aeropostal (Caracas), Air Canada (Toronto), Air Europa (Mallorca), Air France (Paris),
Air Jamaica (Kingston), American Airlines (New York, San Juan), Condor (Munich),
Continental Airlines (Newark), COPA Airlines (Havana, Kingston, Panama City, Port of Spain),
Cubana Air (Havana), Delta (Atlanta), Iberia (Madrid), Jet Blue (New York, Orlando),
Lan Chile (Santiago), LTU (Dusseldorf), Lufthansa (Frankfurt),
Martinair Holland (Amsterdam, Frankfurt),
Mexicana (Mexico City), Spirit Airlines (Fort Lauderdale), US Airways (Philadelphia),
Varig (São Paolo)
Approximate flight times: from New York - 3 hours 30 minutes, from Madrid - 9 hours.
When buying an international air ticket in the Dominican Republic a tax of approximately 12% is levied on the carrier by the government. This expense is passed on directly to the customer on the price of the ticket. If the ticket is bought outside the Dominican Republic, there is no tax.
Getting there by road
There are three routes from Haiti: on the road from Port-au-Prince to Santo Domingo at Jimaní/Malpasse; on the road from Cap-Haitian to Santiago at Dajabón/Ouanaminthe; and a third route near the centre of the island at Elías Pinâ/Belladere. The Haitian borders are open from 8am to 6pm.
Getting there by sea
The only Dominican Republic's international ferry service is offered by
Ferries del Caribe (in Santo Domingo 809-688-4400, in Santiago 809-724-8771, in Mayagüez 787-832-4400, in San Juan787-725-2643). The ferry connects Santo Domingo and Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The ferry departs Santo Domingo Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 8pm and returns from Mayagüez on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm. The trip takes 12 hours and costs around US$129/189 one-way/return in an airplane-style seat. Private cabins are also available.
Getting around
Renting a car is a great way to see the country without wasting time waiting for buses. Prices range from US$40 to US$100 per day. You can also rent a motorcycles, but be aware of poor road conditions.
You need to have a valid driver’s license and be at least 25 years old to rent a car. You will be required to show a major credit card or leave your passport as a deposit. Be sure to ask about the ‘deductible’ (the amount you pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in) and whether the insurance covers damage to your tires or windows.
First-class buses are comfortable, air-conditioned and affordable – the most expensive is less than US$10. Reservations aren’t usually necessary.
Gua-gua buses vary in size, from minivans to midsize buses with room for around 30 passengers. They don’t have toilet facilities and only occasionally have air conditioning. Gua-guas stop all along the route to pick up and drop off passengers. Wherever long-distance buses don’t go, you can be sure a gua-gua does. Gua-guas rarely have signs, so ask a local if you’re unsure which one to take. Just wave to be picked up. The cost - US$1 to US$2 per ride.
Dominican Republic Gallery
There are 14 pictures in our Dominican Republic gallery. Click the thumbnail to enter.
