Flights, airports, taxis, guaguas, and everything else you need to know before you arrive — including how to get between towns once you're there.
The main gateway to the north coast, located 18 km east of Puerto Plata city. Serves Cabarete (20 min), Sosúa (15 min), Puerto Plata city (20 min), and has reasonable access to Río San Juan (90 min). Direct flights from Canada, USA, UK, and several European cities make this the easiest entry point for most visitors.
Located on the Samaná Peninsula, El Catey is the right airport if your primary destination is Las Terrenas. It's 45 minutes from Las Terrenas by road. Fewer direct international flights than POP, but charter flights from Canada and Europe do operate here in high season. Worth checking if Las Terrenas is your focus.
Puerto Plata's POP airport has good direct connections from North America and Europe, particularly in the winter charter season.
The coastal highway connects Puerto Plata, Sosúa, Cabarete, and Río San Juan. Here are your options once you land.
All times are approximate by car or taxi from POP airport or Puerto Plata city.
| Destination | From POP Airport | From Puerto Plata | From Cabarete | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Plata City | 20 min | — | 25 min | Airport is between city and Sosúa |
| Sosúa | 15 min | 15 min | 10 min | Closest town to POP airport |
| Cabarete | 20 min | 25 min | — | 10 min east of Sosúa |
| Río San Juan | 90 min | 90 min | 70 min | Road gets more winding east of Cabarete |
| Las Terrenas | 3 hrs | 3 hrs | 2.5 hrs | Samaná Peninsula — different world |
| 27 Waterfalls (Damajagua) | 40 min | 30 min | 50 min | South from Puerto Plata on Route 5 |
| Santiago | 1.5 hrs | 1.5 hrs | 2 hrs | Over the Cordillera mountains |
What to know before you land.
Most visitors to the Dominican Republic no longer need a visa — the tourist card is now included in your airline ticket. You will need a valid passport (6 months validity recommended). On arrival you fill in an immigration form and a customs declaration. Keep your tourist card receipt — you'll need it on departure.
The Dominican Peso (DOP) is the local currency. USD is widely accepted at hotels and tourist-facing businesses, but you'll get better value paying in pesos for local meals, transport, and markets. ATMs are available in all major towns — use bank-affiliated machines for the best rates. Notify your bank before you travel.
Getting a local SIM card is cheap and easy — Claro and Altice are the main providers. Buy one at the airport or at any mobile shop in town for around $5–10 USD including initial data. Having a local number makes booking taxis and communicating with hotels much easier. International roaming is an expensive alternative.
No vaccinations are required for the Dominican Republic, though hepatitis A and typhoid are recommended by some travel health clinics. Don't drink tap water — bottled water is cheap and available everywhere. Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is strongly recommended. The north coast has good private clinics in Puerto Plata.
The north coast is warm year-round (average 27–30°C). December through March is the driest and most comfortable period — peak season, higher prices. May and June are excellent: quieter, cheaper, and still mostly sunny. July through September brings more rain and occasional tropical storms. Hurricane season peaks August through October.
The Dominican Republic uses 110V / 60Hz power — the same as the USA and Canada. Standard North American plugs (Type A/B) work without an adapter. European visitors will need an adapter. Power cuts (apagones) do occur — better hotels have generators. Bring a portable charger for beach days away from reliable power.