By Air

The Dominican Republic is fortunate enough to have 10 international airports:

Aeropuerto Internacional Las Américas (SDQ, Santo Domingo, tel. 809/549-0081) is considered the main international airport on the island.

Aeropuerto Internacional Punta Cana (PUJ, Punta Cana/Bávaro, tel. 809/959-2473) serves the busy tourist area known as the Costa de Coco.

Aeropuerto Internacional Gregorio Luperón (POP, Puerto Plata/Playa Dorada, tel. 809/586-1992) is the main airport for the Costa de Ambar’s Playa Dorada and Puerto Plata resort areas.

Aeropuerto Internacional Cibao (STI, Santiago, tel. 809/581-8072) serves Santiago and the interior or the Cibao region.

Aeropuerto Internacional La Romana (LRM, La Romana/Casa de Campo, tel. 809/689-1548) serves La Romana and the Casa de Campo resort complex specifically.

Aeropuerto Internacional Arroyo Barril (ABA, Samaná Península, tel. 809/248-2718) and Aeropuerto Internacional El Portillo (EPS, Las Terrenas, tel. 809/248-2289) are mostly for small aircraft during whale-watching season (January–March).

Aeropuerto Internacional El Catey (AZS, Samaná, tel. 809/338-0094) is the newest airport on the island and accepts flights from Europe and Puerto Rico.

Aeropuerto La Isabella (JBQ, Higuero, tel. 809/567-3900) is a domestic airport, and Aeropuerto Internacional Maria Montez (BRX, Barahona, tel. 809/524-4144) isn’t open for commercial passenger flights.

Some airlines that fly to the Dominican Republic include: American Airlines (tel. 809/542-5151, www.aa.com), Air Canada (tel. 809/541-2929, www.aircanada.ca), Continental Airlines (tel. 809/262-1060, www.continental.com), Delta (tel. 809/200-9191, www.delta.com), and Jet Blue (tel. 809/549-1793, www.jetblue.com).

The Internet is the best place to look for affordable flights to the Dominican Republic. There are often deals depending on what time of the year it is, what day you fly, and how long you stay.

If you want to look into all-inclusive resort vacations, check online or with a travel agent, as they have package deals where you pay one lump sum that includes air, hotel, food, drink, and often transportation from the airport.

By Ferry

Ferries del Caribe (Santo Domingo port, tel. 809/688-4400; Puerto Rico port, tel. 787/832-4400) is the only ferry company that can get you to the Dominican Republic. It is based in Puerto Rico and offers thrice-weekly service. All are overnight trips. If you can swing the cost, getting a private cabin is the way to go; that way you can sleep for the 12-hour boat ride rather than sit in an airplane-style seat while crossing the ocean (see the Getting to Santo Domingo for more information).

© Ana Chavier Caamaño from Moon Dominican Republic, 4th edition