Arriving at Punta Cana airport: a step-by-step guide

Punta Cana (PUJ) is an airport of palm-thatched roofs and open-air walkways, which surprises anyone expecting a sealed, air-conditioned terminal. It is pleasant, but it repays knowing how it works before you land: it runs two terminals, and the arrival flow has steps you can prepare for from home.

Before you fly

The Dominican Republic asks for a free digital form, the E-Ticket, completed before travel and producing a QR code. It is the single biggest cause of delay for travellers who arrive without it, because it then has to be filled in on a phone while queuing.

1. 1Complete the E-Ticket in the days before you travel, not at the airport.
2. 2Save the QR code to your phone, and bring it on paper too.
3. 3Keep your passport and return flight details to hand.

On landing, step by step

1. 1Disembark. At PUJ this is usually by stairs onto the apron rather than a jet bridge.
2. 2Immigration: passport and E-Ticket QR code.
3. 3Baggage belt. This is the most variable step, depending on how many flights landed together.
4. 4Customs, then out into the public area, which is open-air.

That last stretch is where time disappears. Arrivals is busy, full of transport offers and people waiting. If you are travelling with children, with bulky luggage, or off a night flight, the difference between negotiating on the spot and having someone waiting with your name in hand is considerable.

How long it takes to your hotel

Approximate times from PUJ, in normal traffic, are:

• Cap Cana and Punta Cana: 12 to 15 minutes.
• Bávaro: 20 to 30 minutes.
• Uvero Alto: 50 to 60 minutes.
• Bayahíbe and La Romana: 75 to 90 minutes along the Carretera del Coral.
• Santo Domingo: between 2 and 2.5 hours.

If your flight is delayed

Give us your flight number when you book. We track the flight and move the pick-up at no charge: there is nothing to renegotiate from your phone at two in the morning, and no waiting time to pay for because the aircraft left late at the other end.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for the Dominican Republic?

It depends on your nationality. Most visitors from Europe, the United States, Canada and Latin America enter as tourists without one, but confirm with the consulate before flying, because rules change.

Where does the chauffeur wait?

In arrivals, after customs, with a board showing your name. We confirm the exact meeting point by WhatsApp before you land.

How much waiting time is included?

Complimentary wait time is included in the fare, and if you leave your flight number we move the pick-up when the flight is delayed.

Are there cash machines at the airport?

Yes, there are cash machines in arrivals. Many hotels and businesses accept US dollars, but Dominican pesos are useful for small purchases.