The Dominican Republic captivates visitors with pristine Caribbean beaches, vibrant culture, and rich colonial history. From the UNESCO World Heritage colonial zone of Santo Domingo to the luxurious resorts of Punta Cana, this tropical paradise offers unforgettable experiences for every traveler.
- Public
- Limited and often crowded guagua buses are cheap but unpredictable; Santo Domingo Metro is excellent but covers only two lines
- Taxi
- Uber and Cabify are reliable, safe, and affordable — far superior to negotiating with street taxis; widely available in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana
- Rental
- Car rental is highly recommended for exploring beyond resort zones; 4WD recommended for mountain and rural routes; parking and urban driving are challenging
- Walking
- Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo and town centers are walkable; resort areas and intercity distances require transport; heat limits long walks
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Taxi from Las Américas Airport (SDQ) to Colonial Zone $25-35
- Taxi Info
- Licensed yellow-plate taxis have fixed rates; negotiate before departure. App-based Uber/Cabify available from SDQ.
- Shuttle
- Shared shuttle service $15-25 per person from Punta Cana airport to hotel zone
- Shuttle Info
- Shared shuttles depart every 30-60 minutes from airport. Book in advance for guaranteed seat.
- Bus
- Airport express bus $5 from Las Américas to Santo Domingo city
- Bus Info
- Limited service; bus runs at scheduled times rather than on demand. Good for budget travelers.
- Private
- $40-80 for private pre-booked transfer from PUJ or SDQ
- Private Info
- Book through hotel or reputable operators like Punta Cana Transfer. Meet-and-greet service, fixed prices.
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Public buses (guaguas) and minibuses operate throughout cities, $0.50-2/ride. Flag down on main roads. Santo Domingo Metro runs two lines for $0.60.
Alternatives
Metro (Santo Domingo only), Uber/Cabify app taxis, motoconchos (motorcycle taxis), car rental
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $3-5 base fare + $1-1.50/km for licensed metered taxis
- Apps
- Uber, Cabify, InDriver
- App Names
- Uber, Cabify, InDriver
- Typical Fare
- $8-15 for average city ride in Santo Domingo; airport to resort $30-60
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Caribe Tours and Metro Tours offer air-conditioned intercity buses from $6-15 depending on route; Santo Domingo to Punta Cana 3hrs/$10-15
Shared
Shared guagua minivans depart from city bus stations when full; cheaper than buses at $3-8 but less comfortable
Flights
Domestic flights via Air Century and Aerodomca from $80-150 one-way; limited routes primarily Santo Domingo to resort regions
Private
Private intercity transfers from $60-150 one-way; car rental from $35-80/day at all major airports
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Punta Cana International Airport
From centre: 20 km from Bavaro/Punta Cana hotels
Options: Private transfer $30-60 (pre-booked); Taxi $40-60 (metered or negotiated); Shared shuttle $15-25 per person; Rental car $35-80 per day
Las Américas International Airport
From centre: 25 km from Santo Domingo Colonial Zone
Options: Taxi $25-35 to Colonial Zone; Uber/Cabify $20-30; Private transfer $30-40; Airport express bus $5
Gregorio Luperón International Airport
From centre: 15 km from Puerto Plata center
Options: Taxi $20-30 to Puerto Plata; Taxi $35-50 to Cabarete; Private transfer $25-40; Shared shuttle $12-18
La Romana International Airport
From centre: 10 km from La Romana center
Options: Taxi $15-25; Hotel shuttle (often included); Private transfer $20-35; Rental car $30-70 per day
Samaná El Catey International Airport
From centre: 45 km from Las Terrenas
Options: Taxi $50-70 to Las Terrenas; Private transfer $60-80; Shared shuttle $25-35; Hotel pickup (arrange in advance)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber
Best for Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, and Santiago; reliable, upfront pricing, credit card payment
Cabify
Available in Santo Domingo; similar to Uber with professional drivers and fixed rates; useful when Uber surge pricing applies
InDriver
Allows price negotiation with drivers; popular in secondary cities and for intercity trips; useful when other apps have limited availability
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Uber and Cabify before arriving — these are far safer and more transparent than negotiating with street taxis
Caribe Tours buses require advance booking for weekends and public holidays — their Santo Domingo terminal is on Av. 27 de Febrero
Highway tolls between Santo Domingo and Punta Cana amount to $8-12 in cash — have small bills ready
Motoconchos (motorcycle taxis) are ubiquitous and cheap but unsafe for tourists; use only in emergencies for short distances
Renting a car opens up the DR's most spectacular scenery (Constanza, Barahona, Samaná) but urban driving in Santo Domingo is aggressive and parking is difficult